Thursday, March 3, 2016

Spring is Coming!

On Tuesday February 2nd , the groundhog failed to see his shadow, meaning spring will be coming early this year! Which is great news for us ATV/UTV enthusiasts. If the famous groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil had seen his shadow, we'd be in for another 6 weeks of winter. So what do we do now that we can expect an early spring? Get our ATVs and UTVs ready to go!

It's important to prep your all-terrain and utility task vehicles to make sure they're running on all cylinders when it comes time to use them again. Here's what you need to do:

  • Check the fuel system - Gas that's been sitting all winter runs the risk of going bad. Parts of bad gasoline usually separate and evaporate, plugging jets and orifices and leading to poor engine performance. To fix this problem, drain old fuel from the tank, ensure tank is clean, then fill with fresh gasoline.
  • Check the battery - Ideally you'll want to be charging your battery every month during the winter, even if you're not reading your ATV or UTV. Whether you have or haven't, you'll still want to get your battery on a charger before it's time for heavy use. Also check your battery's water level, and refill with distilled water if low before charging.
  • Check fluids - Much like a car, you need to keep an eye on your ATV/UTV's fluid levels (oil, radiator fluid, brake fluid, etc.). Check for leaks that may have sprung over the winter. If there are any, you'll need to get those fixed first. It's probably not a bad idea to change the oil and oil filter at this time as well.
  • Check tire pressure - There's a good chance your tires lost some air over the winter, so check your machine's owner's manual and be sure the tire pressure is up to the manufacturer's specifications. This makes for a more enjoyable and fun ride, but most importantly, is critical for safety.
  • Do a good once-over - Look over your machine carefully. Check brake pads, your controls to be sure they're functioning, and that no nuts and bolts are loose anywhere on your ATV or UTV.

If you don’t own an ATV or UTV but would love to rent one, make sure you contact Lad & Lassie’s! We have ATV & UTV rentals available 7 days a week for whatever duration you need. Give us a call at 815-845-2383 for more information or to reserve your rental today!  




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