How To

How To

Whether your machine isn’t running properly and you don’t know what to do or you’re thinking of making a performance upgrade to your ATV or UTV, our experts are here to help.

How to Break In Your ATV Belt

Learn how to break in your ATV belt properly, and you'll save time, energy and money in the long run. Here are a few helpful tips.

Why ATV Belts Fail and How You Can Prevent It

Any off-roader worth their salt has had to deal with a thrown belt or two out on the trail. But ever wondered why ATV belts fail? Here's a closer look.

Winter ATV Battery Care Tips

Winter is right around the corner, which can lead to problems with your battery. These ATV battery care tips will make your next ride stress-free.

A UTV’s belt is a critical component that must be maintained, or at the very least inspected, periodically to ensure proper operation. No one wants to end up stranded along the trail or out in the dunes, particularly when checking the UTV belt for wear and replacing if necessary is a quick and easy process. Your driving style, terrain and regularly carrying a heavy load are all things that can contribute to more rapid belt wear.

How to Choose the Right CVT Belt for Your UTV

Choosing the right CVT belt for your UTV means finding one that is not only the exact right size, but one also made of the right materials for your needs.

How to Drive a UTV in the Snow

Winter doesnt have to mean the end of your off-roading. Learning to drive a UTV in the snow can bring a whole lot of fun your way this winter.

Matthew Guy Dec 03, 2020

Basic Wiring Tips for ATVs and UTVs

Before wiring in new ATV or UTV accessories, you need to know how much of a power draw they will be and how much your machine can handle.

Rick Sosebee Aug 11, 2021

How To Properly Clean a Muddy ATV or UTV

Getting your ATV or UTV stuck in the big one and spending hours winching, roping, screaming, pushing and laughing to get it out can be entertaining. Some would say it is downright fun, including myself. Not the stuck part, but mud riding in general. Many companies have built themselves a very nice living out of aftermarket parts for this kind of muddy ATV and UTV enjoyment and the guy at the parts counter loves that he has something to do all day Monday when your broken machine comes into the shop. So, in short, it is fun if you can afford it.

Rick Sosebee Aug 04, 2022

Honda Pioneer 1000 Wiring Harness and Switch Plate Install

We installed an accessory wiring harness into our Honda Pioneer 1000. This is a simple procedure and one that opens the door to a variety of accessories.

Rick Sosebee May 25, 2021

UTV and ATV Maintenance: Tips From the Experts

Regular UTV and ATV maintenance isnt exactly the most fun part of owning an off-road vehicle, but it can help make sure yours stays running great.

Lucas Cooney May 25, 2021

How To Get Your ATV To Fit You Better

To take full advantage of the relationship between rider and machine, there are a few simple adjustments you can make to get your ATV to fit you perfectly.

Lucas Cooney Apr 23, 2020

How To Safely Tie Down a UTV to a Trailer

Before you head out on your next off-road adventure, make sure you properly tie down your UTV to your trailer to keep you and everybody else safe.

Matthew Guy Dec 28, 2021

What ATV or UTV Would Make the Best Bug Out Vehicle?

An off-road capable ATV or UTV can take you pretty much anywhere, but which one would make for the best bug out vehicle for you?

Matthew Guy Mar 30, 2020

How To Do Social Distancing the Right Way: ATV Riding

With much of the world stuck at home, we've come to appreciate even more our favorite form of social distancing - taking ATVs and UTVs out for a rip.

ATV.com Staff Mar 19, 2020

UTV Steering and Suspension Overhaul

Our 2014 Polaris Ranger 800 Crew was showing signs of steering and suspension issues, so we ordered some parts and got to work.

Rick Sosebee May 25, 2021

How To Build an ATV Camping Kit

When it comes to building your ATV camping kit you are faced with a long list of options. Our guide will help you get started on your next adventure.

Casey Cordeiro Dec 28, 2021

How To Shift a Manual Transmission in a UTV + Video

If youre after a more engaging off-road experience on the trail but arent sure how to shift a manual transmission, we are here to help.

Casey Cordeiro Feb 21, 2020

How To Fix a Flood-Damaged UTV

A flood-damaged UTV isnt necessarily a lost cause, but you should be prepared to put a lot of work in to get it working properly again.

Rick Sosebee May 25, 2021

How To Replace Your UTV Roll Cage

If you ever have to deal with the aftermath of a UTV rollover, you just might have to replace the UTV roll cage. Well show you how.

Rick Sosebee Jan 09, 2020

How To Buy a UTV for Under $5000

The idea of being able to buy a UTV for under $5000 might seem impossible, but if you are handy with tools, insurance auctions are a great place to look.

Rick Sosebee Dec 24, 2019

ShelterLogic DIY Garage on a Budget - Part 2

Welcome back! As we discussed in Part I of our ShelterLogic DIY Garage on a Budget project, as ATV enthusiasts, we need a place to store our toys. There are many options, but for the money, We liked the options ShelterLogic had to offer and decided to give them a try. We went with with the company’s premium ShelterTech SP series, a wind- and snow-rated permanent structure. Now it’s time to get to building it.

Derrek Sigler Apr 28, 2021

ShelterLogic DIY Garage on a Budget – Part 1

We put together a ShelterLogic structure to help protect our ATVs, boat and other equipment. This article shows how we chose the model and where we put it.

Derrek Sigler Oct 23, 2019

How To Replace a U-Joint on Your ATV or UTV + Video

Have a worn out or damaged u-joint in our ATV or UTV? This video will show your how to replace your u-joint and what parts and tools you need.

Lucas Cooney May 25, 2021

How To Rent an ATV in Ontario

As we slowly come out of hibernation and change gears from spring to summer, it’s time to plan the next big trip or adventure. Here’s how to rent…

Jessica Kline May 31, 2019

What You Need to Know About ATV Trailers

We teamed up with Aluma Trailers to give our readers this handy guide to loading and operating ATV trailers. Read on for our essential tips.

How to Maintain Your ATV Trailer

Maintaining your ATV trailer is not often top of mind, but it is very important if you want you and your ATV or UTV arriving to the trails in one piece.

Rick Sosebee Jul 16, 2021

ATV Oil Change: How to Do It and Why You Shouldn't Skip It

Keeping routine maintenance up on your ATV or SXS is crucial. It is not only important for the health of the rig, but it also keeps your investment running at its best. One thing that does seem to get set aside from time to time is the oil change. Sadly, this is dangerous and somewhat careless if you want an honest opinion. Completing an ATV oil change regularly is important and should not be ignored. There is a little bit of a debate as to the time line for changing engine oil in an off-road vehicle and maybe some of that is carried on the shoulders of how you drive the machine or what type of oil you might use. It has always been our stance that if you are going to be cheap, this is NOT the place to do it.

Rick Sosebee Jul 15, 2021

6 Winter ATV Maintenance Tips

The weather has been frozen in time it seems for the last few months and riding off-road gets to be even farther from your mind. That is until that one buddy rings your digits and then it is time to get the gear on and head out to the shed to start up old faithful for a day of fun. That is also when the more depressing realizations begin to set in as you have neglected the beast way too long and it has settled into winter hibernation. ATV maintenance is serious business if you ride in the winter.

Rick Sosebee Jan 05, 2022

5 Ways a Manual Can Help You With DIY ATV Repair

Expert content makes quality repair manuals an indispensable tool for DIY ATV repair.

Are ATV Rentals Your Ticket To Summer Fun?

If you are thinking about jumping into the world of off-road, ATV rentals are a great way to try out ATV riding before making a big purchase.

Derrek Sigler Jun 26, 2018

UTV Wrenching: Chasing Down a Wiring Problem in a Polaris Ranger Crew

While trying to solve an always complicated wiring issue in a Polaris Ranger Crew 800, a Clymer manual specific to Polaris Ranger models came to my rescue.

Rick Sosebee Apr 05, 2018

What is Wrong With My ATV Carburetor?

What is wrong with my ATV carburetor? This is what one Polaris Sportsman owner wants to know after his machine was left sitting his shop for seven years.

Rick Sosebee Mar 22, 2018

Why Are My ATV Brakes Feeling Squishy?

Why are my ATV brakes feeling squishy? This is what one Suzuki KingQuad owner wants to know after getting in an accident and the ATV AnswerMan is on the job

Rick Sosebee Feb 22, 2018

Why Do My Bearings Keep Wearing Out?

Why do my bearings keep wearing out? This is what one frustrated Yamaha Rhino owner wants to know and the ATV AnswerMan is on the case.

Rick Sosebee Jan 24, 2018

Has My UTV Transmission Gone Bad?

Has my UTV transmission gone bad? That's what one of our readers wants to know about his squealing Polaris Ranger and he's asked the ATV AnswerMan for help.

Rick Sosebee Jan 10, 2018

Why Won't My Accessories Fit My UTV Roll Cage?

Why won't my accessories fit my UTV roll cage? This is what a Kubota RTV 500 owner needs to know and he turned to the ATV AnswerMan for help.

Rick Sosebee Jan 02, 2018

What is Wrong With My UTV Wiring?

What is wrong with my UTV wiring? This is what a Polaris Ranger owner needs to know and he turned to the ATV AnswerMan for help.

Rick Sosebee Dec 22, 2017

How To Stay Warm on a Winter Ride

Depending on where you live, late fall and winter riding can be downright chilly. We’ve got five tips that will help you stay warm and keep riding.

Derrek Sigler Jan 28, 2022

How To Prep for Winter ATV Riding

With Jack Frost lurking around the corner, it's time to prep for winter ATV riding so you can continue to enjoy your machine when the snow starts to fall.

Derrek Sigler Nov 01, 2017

Why Won't My ATV Idle Without Dying?

Why won't my ATV idle without dying? This is what a Honda Foreman owner wants to know and he asked the ATV AnswerMan for help.

Rick Sosebee Oct 19, 2017

That's One Way to Re-Seat a Broken Bead Out on the Trail + Video

We would only recommend using either to re-seat the bead on a tire as a last resort. It certainly works but it's not what we would classify as "safe."

Seth Fargher Aug 25, 2017

Why Does My Engine Quit When I Put It In Gear?

Why does my engine quit when I put it in gear? This is what a Yamaha Raptor 660 owner wants to know and he turned to the ATV AnswerMan for help.

Rick Sosebee Aug 24, 2017

Why Does My Belt Keep Slipping?

Why does my belt keep slipping? This is what one confused Polaris Sportsman 500 owner wants to know and the ATV AnswerMan is here to help.

Rick Sosebee Jul 20, 2017

Why Does My ATV Engine Cut Out?

Why does my ATV engine cut out? This is what one of our readers wants to know about his Kawasaki Bayou 220.

Rick Sosebee Jul 13, 2017

Why Do I Keep Burning Through Belts?

Why do I keep burning through belts? That is what one of our readers wants to know and he turned to the ATV AnswerMan for help.

Rick Sosebee Jul 05, 2017

Why Does My ATV Move in Reverse Without Giving It Gas?

Why does my ATV move in reverse without giving it gas? That's what one reader wants to know after pulling his ATV from deep water.

Rick Sosebee Jun 29, 2017

Why Won't My UTV Shift Out Of Reverse?

Why won' my UTV shift out of reverse? That's what one frustrated reader asked the ATV AnswerMan about his Polaris Ranger.

Rick Sosebee Jun 21, 2017

Why Is My ATV Shutting Off When Idling?

Why is my ATV shutting off when idling? That is what one of our readers wants to know after the back of her machine was hit.

Press Release Jun 14, 2017

Will Diesel Fuel Ruin My ATV Engine?

Will diesel fuel ruin my ATV engine? That's what one of our readers asked the ATV AnswerMan after an accidental fuel mix up.

Rick Sosebee Jun 01, 2017

Why Does My ATV Engine Pop When I Give It Throttle?

Why does my ATV engine pop when I give it throttle? This is what one of our readers asked the ATV AnswerMan.

Rick Sosebee May 25, 2017

Why Won't My ATV Shift Past First Gear?

Why won't my ATV shift past first gear? That's what one of our readers wants to know about his uncooperative Honda Rincon.

Rick Sosebee May 19, 2017

What is Wrong With the Starter on My ATV?

What is Wrong with the Starter on My ATV? This is what one of our readers wants to know and the ATV AnswerMan is here to help.

Rick Sosebee May 12, 2017

Behind the Scenes of Hosting an ATV or UTV Race

We go behind the scenes to find out just what it takes to put on a cross country ATV or UTV race. The answer involves a lot of people and hard work.

Seth Fargher May 11, 2017

Why Is My New Fuel Pump Not Working?

Why is my new fuel pump not working? This is more or less what one of our readers wants to know and the ATV AnswerMan is on the case.

Rick Sosebee May 04, 2017

How Can I Fix My Poorly Repaired ATV?

A lot can go wrong when the wrong set of hands gets to working on an ATV. The ATV AnswerMan is here to help a poorly repaired Polaris Sportsman X2 owner.

Rick Sosebee Apr 28, 2017

Why Does My ATV Lock Up Just Before It Can Turn Over?

Why does my ATV lock up just before it can turn over? That's what one of our readers has asked the ATV AnswerMan about his Bombardier Rally 200.

Rick Sosebee Apr 20, 2017

How Can I Tell If My Starter Clutch Is Bad?

How can I tell if my starter clutch is bad? That's what one of our readers has asked the ATV AnswerMan about his Yamaha Raptor 660.

Rick Sosebee Apr 14, 2017

How to Clean Your UTV

UTV drivers aren't shy about getting dirty. But a cleaner machine is ultimately going to last longer, so it pays to know how to clean your UTV properly.

Derrek Sigler Apr 12, 2017