Whether you're looking for work transport or off-roading adventures, your UTV serves you well on the roughest terrain. No matter how you use your quad, you should be concerned about the condition it's in. Like any other vehicle, your UTV needs some maintenance to keep it in good shape and spare you any mishaps or spendy replacements.

At Bobcat® of Pittsburgh we love to help people keep their machines spruced up. To help with that, we've created this short guide on what you can do to prolong the life of your UTV. If you'd like to see our wide selection of UTVs for sale, head to our dealership in Pennsylvania. We proudly serve all our friends from Ohio!

Protect the Battery

If your battery isn't kept charged up, your engine won't get spark from the plugs, your lights and gauges won't work and the ignition won't turn over. You should look at the battery posts every month or so. They are the metal parts that connect the battery to the rest of your UTV's components, and they should be kept clean. If they start rusting or have a layer of crust around them, you'll probably have to buy a new battery.

Driveline Service

All UTVs have a driveline the distributes engine power amongst the wheels. The driveline is a chin or a belt and, like all moving parts, it can get stuck if you don't take regular care of it. To keep it moving smoothly, apply a chain lubricant and check the tension at regular intervals. If it's too tight or loose, you'll want to bring it into our service department for an adjustment.

Oil Checks

To keep your engine components from destroying each other, your machine needs oil; and oil needs to be changed frequently to perform its duty well. When inspecting oil, ensure that there are no metal shavings in it as this shows that engine components are grinding together. If the oil is black or sludgy, change it immediately, since thick liquid won't lubricate the engine well.

Change the  Filters

All UTVs have air filters to block harmful particles from getting inside your engine. The fuel filter is located below the fuel tank and doesn't need to be changed very frequently. However, if your UTV is a bit older, you'll want to consider getting this checked. The oil filter is changed every time you change the oil, while a new air filter is put in after every three or four oil changes.

Spark Plugs

Your UTV's spark plugs provide the ignition to your internal combustion engine, so check these regularly, especially if your engine isn't turning over easily. Disconnect the battery and remove the engine cover, then use a spark plug wrench to take out a plug. Check that the metal gaps are clean and dry and that the ceramic casing is in one piece. You can replace these yourself, but if you're not well-versed in engine maintenance, this task is best left to a professional mechanic.

Radiator Cap and Coolant

You might think the radiator cap on your UTV is only there to keep the coolant in the tank, but it's also responsible for drawing coolant into the engine. A loose seal can drop performance and cause overheating. Check your cap and replace it if necessary. Coolant prevents your motor from overheating during intense rides. This fluid might never need to be replaced, but you may have to top it up as needed. If your radiator is leaking and producing a pool of fluids under your UTV, make sure you have a service technician address this as soon as possible.

We hope these tips help you keep your UTV in great shape! If you're having any problems that you can't fix yourself or if you want your machine professionally serviced, bring it down to Bobcat® of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and we'll whip it into shape in no time. We serve the cities of Cranberry Township, Waterford and Indiana, Pennsylvania, as well as all of Ohio!