Winterize Your UTV in 8 Easy Steps

Don’t Let Winter Catch Your UTV Off Guard!

Taking the time to winterize your UTV ensures your ride stays in peak condition. By addressing fuel, fluids, tires, batteries, cleaning, and covering, you’re ensuring that your machine stays protected from the elements and ready for action when the snow melts. A little effort now can save you hours of maintenance and costly repairs come spring. With the right steps, your ride will be in peak condition—ready to fire up, hit the trails, and let the adventures roll without a hitch. Don’t wait for winter to wreak havoc on your machine. Start winterizing today, and enjoy more time riding and less time fixing next season!

1. Drain Your Fuel

Over time, unused fuel can degrade, leaving behind sticky residues that clog up your fuel system. If you fill up with ethanol-blended fuels, these can absorb moisture from the air, causing ethanol to separate from gasoline. This leads to performance issues and potential damage on your next start up. To prevent these issues over the winter, run your engine until it dies to ensure no fuel remains in the tank or lines. Use a siphon to remove any remaining fuel from the tank. Store the drained fuel in an approved container for safe keeping or proper disposal.

2. Coolant Flush

Ensuring your UTV’s cooling system is prepared for long-term storage and winter weather is critical for protecting the engine. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is designed to protect your engine from freezing temperatures, which can cause catastrophic damage like cracked engine blocks or burst hoses. Over time, coolant loses its protective properties, allowing corrosion to occur in the cooling system. If it has been more than two years (or as recommended by the manufacturer), or if the coolant appears dirty or rusty, it’s time for a change. Drain the old fluid and replace with fresh coolant prior to storage to maximize the lifespan of your engine and cooling systems.

3. Replace Oils

Dirty engine oil contains acids, dirt, and metal particles that can cause internal damage when left stagnant. Swap it out for a fresh batch to prevent damage in the winter months. Warm up the engine briefly to help the oil flow out easily. Drain the old oil completely and replace the oil filter. You'll want to do the same with the transmission, gear, and shock oils making sure to replace them with the proper oil type for your machine's setup.

4. Service or Replace Air Filters

Winterizing your UTV or ATV involves more than just dealing with fuel, fluids, and lubrication—your air filter and intake system also require attention. Neglecting this step can lead to startup troubles and damage from critters or debris during storage. A dirty air filter left in storage can degrade over time, leading to reduced filtration performance and potential engine damage. If the filter is excessively dirty, damaged, or showing signs of wear, replace it with a new one. If the filter is reusable (e.g., foam or washable types), use the appropriate cleaner to ensure it stays in good condition. While cleaning and or replacing your air filter, take the time to give the intake a good clean and block it off to prevent critters from finding their way in your engine (just make to sure to unblock this before your next start up)!

5. Battery Maintenance

Even when turned off, UTVs with accessories can draw small amounts of power, leading to a dead battery especially  in cold environments where they are more likely to lose charge and can freeze if depleted. To prevent issues from prolonged storage, it's recommended to remove your battery. Disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent accidental shorts, followed by the positive terminal. Take a moment to clean the battery terminals to avoid corrosion build up. With the battery(ies) out of your UTV, make sure to store these in a cool, dry location (preferably not on concrete) and connect them to a smart trickle charger or battery maintainer. This will keeps them topped off without the risk of overcharging.

6. Clean & Detail

Cleaning and detailing your UTV before winter storage is an essential part of the winterization process. Dirt and mud trap moisture, which can lead to rust and degrade your UTV’s metal components. Removing debris prevents scratches, staining, and fading on the body and accessories. Once your machine is clean, check for damage such as cracks, loose bolts, and signs of fluid leaks. Address any issues you may find and then apply a coat of automotive wax to protect the plastics and paint from scratches, dust, and UV rays. Hit any metal parts with a silicone spray or rust inhibitor on exposed metal parts to prevent rust and corrosion.

7. Jack It Up

Elevating your UTV helps prevents flat spots on the tires from forming over winter and adds an additional layer of protection from the elements depending on your storage location. Always use a high-quality hydraulic or manual jack designed for UTVs. Lift the vehicle on level ground and properly place it on jack stands with suitable weight capacities for your machine.

8. Cover It

Properly storing your UTV with a quality cover is essential for protecting it from the elements, debris, and other environmental factors during winter. If you can, store your machine inside where there is greater protection form the elements. Whether your UTV is inside or out though, a proper UTV cover will help protect it against the windblown debris, bird droppings, dust, and weather elements. Make sure to purchase a proper fitting cover for the size of your vehicle and secure it correctly for optimal protection.