4 Maintenance Tips For Diesel UTVs

A UTV can be the acronym for any of the following: utility task vehicles, utility vehicles, or utility terrain vehicles. Whichever way you call it, this type of vehicle can still be narrowed or grouped into two: gasoline or diesel. This article will focus on the latter. In general, diesel UTVs are used by hobbyists and those who love to go on trails. They have also charmed those who make the most out of its functionality by using the UTV on a farm. When you’ve come to count on your diesel UTV for fun and work, the last thing you’d want is to encounter trouble and difficulty with it because you’ve failed to keep up with its proper maintenance. You may also hover to check out some diesel particulate filters. Without further ado, let’s dive into four maintenance tips for diesel UTVs.

1. Replace The Fuel Filter Regularly

Unlike gasoline, diesel has quite a less-refined nature. This also means that it may tend to absorb more water from condensation on the tank. If you compare a gasoline vehicle with a diesel one, you’ll notice that the latter will have two fuel filters—one used to fuel the filter and the other to separate any water from the diesel. Once water particles make it to your diesel, even the best UTV may lose power. This is why replacing the fuel filters at least once every 10 to 15k miles is ideal.

 

2. Keep It Clean

One of the common mistakes committed by owners of UTVs is that they may consider the vehicle as one where they can hop in and go instantly. Some think of it as a car, where the upper portion remains relatively clean because it comes with mud flaps and fenders to keep the debris away. This notion isn’t necessarily true. Remember that you’re not driving the diesel UTV in the same road conditions as you would a diesel car regularly. The diesel UTV goes through so much more dirt than a car would.

Hence, it’s good practice to keep the UTV clean. If it’s not something you use every day anyway, then you can take the time to clean it after every use. Debris like wood and clippings can get trapped and collected under the engine area, damaging your UTV’s engine in the long run. Along this line, don’t forget to pay special attention to your UTV’s interior, too. It’s not only the exterior that needs to be cleaned because it is the most visible part of your UTV. Diesel engines are also built to have a longer life span, which is why they can surely benefit from regular cleaning. As you do this, ensure you check your UTV’s manual because not all engine parts may be waterproof, so you need to be precise and accurate.

3. Check Your Oil

Diesel or not, an older side by side or UTV will burn off oil as if there’s no tomorrow. Frankly, checking your oil every time you ride is an excellent and prudent practice. If you’re not vigilant about this, you may have to deal with an old and troublesome UTV in no time. You may also hover over here to check out some diesel particulate filters that can help reduce diesel emissions.

 

4. Check The Coolant Level

Like the oil, the coolant level is another thing you must check regularly. Keep an eye on the level and add coolant to it whenever the need arises. Yet this doesn’t mean you have to do this each time you ride, but at least don’t make it too long before you exert the effort and give it a check. If this is too tricky for you to determine, then you can always ask experts and reputable auto repair shops for help with this matter. As they check the coolant level, they may also go through the radiator cap to check if it’s free from any breaks or cracks that could hinder the smooth flow of coolant to your UTV’s engine.

Final Thoughts

With everything discussed here, note that not all diesel UTVs are the same. However, this shouldn’t be something you’ll take in as absolute, as it should only be a general guide. When uncertain, the best recourse is to re-check and reassess the manufacturer’s instructions. Listen to what the UTV dealer has to say, as they’re experts armed with years of experience in maintenance. Most importantly, leave the repair and other issues that may come up with a reliable team, so you’ll know they won’t do a troublesome job.