Proper maintenance is a major aspect of the smooth running of your ATV. You can’t expect to have an ATV in good condition without proper maintenance. The better you take care of your ATV the longer it will last and less money you have to spend on repairs in the long run. The same applies to both the two-stroke and four stroke engines.
When it comes to the proper maintenance of an ATV, the timely changing of oil is one of the most important aspects. If the oil is changed on time and as per the manufacturer’s manual, you can enjoy hassle-free rides all year round.
The engine will have more life and it runs to its fullest potential. You don’t need to spend
much on repairs. However, some people don’t give much importance to this crucial maintenance task. They will go for the oil change either at the last moment or only when
the ATV starts giving them trouble. By then, you could have done more serious damage to the engine.
If you wish to change the oil for your ATV 2 stroke or your 4 strokes, you can either go to the mechanic or you can do it on your own. In fact, this oil changing is not a very difficult task. If you follow a proper process with a bit of care and bit of patience, you can do it easily on your own. However, you need to have the right tools to get it done.
You also need to use the right brand of oil recommended by the manufacturer. If you don’t use the recommended brand of oil, there is a possibility that more damage to engine will occur.
So, to change the oil in your ATV 2 stroke or your 4 stroke, you have to follow a process. Also, note that there is a bit of difference in changing the oil in the 2 stroke and the 4 stroke engines. We will first discuss the oil change for the 4 stoke engine and later, we will cover the process for the 2 stroke engine.
Changing oil in an ATV 4 stroke
The process of oil change includes three aspects, which includes knowing the frequency of oil change, keeping the tools required to change the oil, and following a series of steps.
Frequency of oil change
Knowing how often the oil has to be changed is one of the very important things in the maintenance of an ATV. However, the frequency of oil change is not the same for all four wheelers. It depends on the manufacturing company and it varies from one ATV to another.
Generally, it’s a good idea to change the oil at least once a year. I usually do this at the beginning of the riding season as part of my yearly maintenance of the machine. However, it is always advisable to refer to the manufacturer’s manual, which gives you helpful information on when and how often you need to change the oil.
Tools required
The following are the tools required for changing the oil in your ATV 4 stroke
- Wrenches
- Suitable oil (usually 10w-40)
- Funnel
- Oil filter
- Oil pan
- Paper towels or rags
I like to get an entire oil change kit or maintenance kit every year to do the yearly maintenance on my ATV. Here is an example of an ATV Maintenance Kit found on Amazon. This probably wont be the exact model you have but it gives you an idea of what to look for.
Steps involved in changing the oil
These steps are the actual process of changing the oil in your ATV 4 stroke. If you follow these steps, you will find it very easy to change the oil.
Run the engine
To begin with, you need to run the engine. Let the oil get warm. The reason for this is – when you run the engine, the remaining oil that is there in the engine becomes hotter, flowing seamlessly, and all the impurities will come out. Do not let the oil get hot though. Just run it enough to get things moving around a bit. Once this is done, you can go to the next
step i.e. draining the oil.
Note: If required, you can use your bike stand at this stage.
Drain the oil
Start by putting the oil pan under the the quad to catch all the oil as it drains out the ATV. Remove the drain plug and wait for all the oil to drain completely out of the engine.
- Wear the rubber gloves, if you wish.
- Remove the drain bolt with the wrench.
- Let all the oil drain completely.
Replacing the oil filter
Once the oil is drained completely, you need to do the following tasks:
- First, remove the oil filer. Use a wrench to remove.
- Clean the oil filter cover.
- Clean the area if you’d like.
- Replace with a new filter.
Note:
Before replacing, try using some new oil around the rubber edge of the filter. This makes a better seal and helps with removing it next time. In case, the oil filter is a reusable metal type, just wash it properly and let it dry properly. If possible, you can use compressed air for drying it.
So, with this, you have drained the residue oil and replaced the oil filter and ready for the final step i.e. adding new oil.
Adding new oil
Before getting into adding new oil, you need to double-check whether the entire residue is drained out completely. Once you are ready to change the oil, have a look at the guidelines mentioned below:
- Ensure the quantity of the new oil is matching with the specification given in the manufacturer’s manual
- Use the funnel unless you are so confident of pouring inside the drain without getting it spilled
- Before filling the oil, put the drain bolt back and tighten it properly.
Just fill the engine back up with oil and you are good to go. Make sure you don’t overfill or underfill. There is usually a marking that will tell you the right amount of oil to put in.
That’s all. You now know how to change the oil. You will certainly agree with us that the process of changing the oil is not a very big task and you can do it on your own too.
Now let us see how to change the oil in your ATV 2 stroke engine.
Changing oil in ATV 2 stroke
Usually in my two stroke engines I never change the oil. The oil gets mixed with the gas and and just needs to be refilled every so often. Kind of like refilling the gas tank, you should keep an eye on your oil level in a two stroke and refill when needed.
I can see wanting to change the oil out anyway if the ATV has been sitting for a long time. If that’s the case, the steps are very similar to a four stroke engine, except your filter may be different. If there is a filter at all. Also, make sure you get 2 stroke engine oil. It’s different from 4 stroke oil and you can’t mix the two or it will cause you problems.
That’s all the process of changing an ATV 4 stroke and 2 stroke engines oil.
To sum up
Maintenance plays a vital role in keeping your ATV 4 stroke or 2 stroke vehicles in good condition. As part of maintaining your vehicle, you need to first know when to change the oil and then change it as per the recommendation is given in the manufacturer’s manual.
You can change the oil on your own. In order to change it properly, you need to follow a process, which includes a series of steps. As part of this oil change process steps, you need to first run the engine to make the oil warm thereby the impurities will come out in the residue.
Once this is done, you need to drain the oil completely. As a next step, you have to
replace the oil filter, and finally replace the oil with a recommended brand.