In this world of economic instability and recession, everyone wants to make the most of their investment, especially because of the high gas prices. So, whether riding an ATV is a hobby, your primary mode of transportation, or a part of property management, you need to learn how to make the most of your ATV’s gas mileage.

The first step in improving your ATV’s performance, value, and fuel efficiency is recognizing that compared to other vehicles, not all ATVs (All Terrain Vehicle) and UTVs (Utility Terrain Vehicle) are built with the same standards and are subjected to the same requirements.

To help you better understand, we have compiled a list of ten ways to improve your ATV’s fuel economy. Let’s help you get the best fuel economy out of your UTV and ATV without further ado.

 

Factors that Affect Your ATV Fuel Efficiency

Like any other vehicle type, your ATV’s fuel economy is affected by several factors. Four of them are listed below:

Terrain Type

Did you know that the type of road or trail can have a direct impact on your ATV fuel efficiency? While uphill climbs and off-road muddy trails will push your engine to work harder and use more fuel, smooth, and straight roads consume less fuel. In simpler words, the harder your ATV needs to works, the lower the gas mileage will be. Therefore, the key here is to balance and enjoy different types of terrains at a lower and controlled speed.

Driving Habits

One of the most common reasons people own a UTV or ATV is to enjoy an aggressive ride in nature. Although it is perfect if you love a ride filled with adrenaline, it is terrible for your four-wheeler’s gas mileage. In fact, the more you push or test your ATV’s engine, the higher the fuel consumption will be. Therefore, keep an eye on the speedometer, stay on the throttle and drive wisely.

Horsepower

An automotive engine that produces more power requires more fuel. So, whether you own a Honda ATV or a Kawasaki, pushing your four-wheeler to create more speed will only reduce the gas mileage.

Aerodynamics

The aerodynamic design of an ATV helps in reducing air resistance and making it more fuel efficient.

 

10 Ways to Improve Your ATV’s Fuel Economy

Unlike trucks and cars, ATVs or UTVs don’t have to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) strict fuel economy standards. In other words, an ATV is only required to follow emission regulations and not fuel efficiency standards, which means that the gas mileage of your all-terrain vehicle can vary from one model to another.

Compared to a brand-new one, an old ATV can easily get around 15 to 20 mpg, depending on its condition and the type of terrain (on-road or off-road) you have opted for. However, when towing or with a heavyweight onboard, the fuel economy can drop to 10 or 12 mpg.

In this section, we will be discussing ten expert-advised ways to improve your ATV’s fuel economy.

 

1. Keep Your ATV As Light As Possible

The heavier your ATV, the harder the engine will need to work to get you from one place to another. Therefore, if you want to minimize fuel consumption, avoid overcrowding your ATV and lugging unnecessary cargo.

Pro-Tip: Consider the weight of all the passengers before adding the riding gear, luggage, towing equipment, or any other type of cargo. This will help improve your quad’s mpg and overall ride quality.

 

2. Change the Air Filter

If you have been driving your ATV for a long time, you must know how important it is to minimize air resistance. The uncovered spaces of your ATV, especially the racks, play an effective role in increasing drag and reducing fuel efficiency.

Essentially, the engine of your ATV functions as a large air pump, consuming almost 14 times as much air as fuel. Because of this, the air filter can be clogged with dirt and debris. Therefore, to improve the gas mileage, replace the air filter whenever required. To get the best fuel mileage, use the owner’s manual to change the air filter as recommended.

 

3. Maintain Tire Pressure

Having the proper tire pressure affects how well your ATV will handle, just like your car’s tires do. To make your ATV roll more smoothly, make sure the tires have the right amount of air in them. The fuel efficiency of your ATV can suffer if the air pressure is uneven or too low.

Pro-Tip: Get the air pressure checked every once a week or even before every ride. You can use the owner’s manual to learn more about the ideal tire pressure requirements for your ATV.

In case you plan to ride your ATV off-road in the winter, be mindful of the fact that the chilly breezes can cause deflation. Thereby, always measure the tire’s air pressure before leaving your house.

 

4. Check the Brakes

Worn out bearing and brake calipers can reduce your ATV’s fuel economy. Therefore, be sure to get the brakes checked by a mechanic. This will improve your ATV’s overall fuel efficiency and keep you safe on even the most challenging and thrilling terrains.

 

5. Stay Up-to-Date with ATV’s Maintenance Schedule

Preventive maintenance helps in keeping mechanical problems away and developing into more serious problems. Because the needs of an ATV vary depending on the model and brand, you can refer to the owner’s manual to learn about the type of prevntative ATV maintenance that your all-terrain vehicle might need. The goal here is to address a problem before it turns into a bigger issue. Keeping your ATV in pristine condition will also make it faster while improving fuel efficiency.

Take your ATV to a mechanic for a fresh tune-up every once in a while. Ask the professional to inspect your ATV for necessary repairs and provide the services accordingly. Replacing the spark plug and air filter and maintaining the fluid levels (brake oil and motor oil) help in restoring your ATV’s slumping gas mileage.

 

6. Avoid Expensive Higher Octane Fuel

Typically, vehicle manufacturers design the ATV’s engine to provide optimum efficiency and power using a specific type of octane (usually 87-octane gas). Although the benefits of using higher octane fuel might be tempting, it doesn’t mean higher energy content. Therefore, it is best to stick with the recommended fuel type as stated in the owner’s manual.

When it comes to ethanol gas, remember that it is only good for new ATVs, precisely if the ethanol content is below 10 percent.

 

7. Don’t Forget the Fuel Additives

Whether you believe it or not, a newer fuel-injected quad and an older model featuring a carburetor benefit significantly from the occasional splash of fuel additives.

Even though fuel additives help greatly in cleaning the carbs or injectors of the ATV, the main problem here is that people tend to use more than required. When adding fuel additives, you need to ensure to add it after a 20-gallon fill-up.

 

8. Be Wise about the Trails You Explore

The amount of turns and bumps on the route determines two things: how hard the motor must work and how much fuel is consumed. The crucial task here is to find a balance.

Before you take your ATV off-road, make sure to study the trail route and find a way that you can make the most of the thrill and adventure without putting extra pressure on your all-terrain vehicle.

 

9. Develop a Feather Foot

If you want high mpg ratings, developing a feather foot is the right way to go. Practicing starting, stopping, and idling will help you save on fuel and money, no matter what model, make, or specs your ATV has.

When driving on-road, knowing when to decelerate in advance of the red light helps in saving a significant amount of energy and fuel in the long run. Furthermore, instead of stepping on the accelerator while the light is yellow, use the feather-foot method to lay off the gas at yellow and gradually increase the acceleration at the red light. Doing so will help you get better gas mileage.

 

Final Thoughts

To make the most of your ATV investment, keep it well-maintained, avoid overloading, don’t forget to use the right fuel, and follow proper riding techniques and the owner’s manual maintenance guide to improve your ATV’s fuel efficiency. This will not only help you in saving fuel and money, but you will also be able to enjoy your ATV ride to the fullest.

 

Fort Collins Insurance – Agate Insurance