Taking care of your ATV is the best way to guarantee that it will provide many years of safe riding time. One of the most important aspects of vehicle care is regular maintenance. These tasks are basic, but can be troublesome if neglected.

One benefit of performing basic ATV maintenance is it can reduce the expense of costly repair bills over the long run. Basic care is preventative measures to help your vehicle run at its best, and reduce the amount of time it spends with the mechanic.

Failure to perform the necessary basic care on your ATV can lead to breakdown, and at a time when it is most inconvenient, probably when you are out on the trail. But many of these untimely breakdowns and expensive repairs can be avoided by performing a few basic, inexpensive maintenance steps.

Perform a visual spark plug inspection: The engine is not going to run properly if the spark plug is damaged or not operating smoothly. By performing a simple inspection of the spark plug periodically, you can inexpensively improve performance and avoid breakdowns.

Remove the spark plug and check it for extensive wear or burning. If you compare it to a new spark plug, any problems with it should become immediately visible. If you doubt it is in proper working order, just replace it. New plugs are not that expensive and you just may experience better engine performance from doing so.

Perform a visual inspection of oil quality: If it has been a short time since you last changed your oil, then do a visual inspection and change it if necessary. Note the color and viscosity of the oil. If it is dark and runny, then change the oil immediately. One of the worse culprits of engine wear is oil that is unable to lubricate engine parts properly.

The more viscosity the oil can maintain, the better it can lubricate engine parts, and this means longer engine life. Oil is not that expensive, so changing it is a small price to pay compared to replacing the engine, or the complete vehicle for that matter. If you push your vehicle hard, it is even more important to change the oil on a scheduled basis, or when it may be warranted.

Perform a visual inspection of the oil filter: It is not only bad oil that can cause engine damage, but dirt and metal chips that have by-passed the filter can as well. The oil filter is designed to remove these particles from the oil and protect the engine, but if the filter is not changed it cannot function properly.

A clogged or damaged oil filter can allow particles to move throughout the engine, and cause excessive wear and tear on the engine. By inspecting and changing the oil filter on a regular basis, or as warranted, you can help to avoid excessive wear and tear. When replacing the oil filter, be sure to also replace the o-ring on the filter housing to prevent oil leakage.

These are three of the most basic care steps an ATV owner can take to safeguard engine life and avoid costly repairs bills. But they are only effective if you take the time to perform them as part of a regularly scheduled maintenance program.