ATV maintenance recommendation

[klee]

Hi all, I live in st. paul. I'm looking for a shop to bring the ATV in for an oil change and some maintenance. It's due for one. Thanks

[knoppers]

I would buy a oil change kit and do it yourself, you will save a couple hundred bucks, and its very simple.

[eyehunter]

I would buy a oil change kit and do it yourself, you will save a couple hundred bucks, and its very simple.

+1 I was about to say the same thing.

[klee]

I would rather do it myself. I wasn't sure if it's the same as a car. I will research some more. Sometimes it starts right away, and other times it is hard to start. I don't know what's wrong with it. It is a Polaris Sportsman 500. Thanks

[Ballyhoo]

Buy an oil change kit. Everything is in there plus instructions. Spm 500 is a dry sump engine so you drain all the oil out of the tank. You do not need to drain the engine, there is only a few ounces in it.

As for starting does it vary on temperature, how long it sat? Those can play into it. When you buy the oil change kit from your dealer, pick up a bottle of Polaris Carbon Clean and put some into your fuel. It will help clean the carburetor of any build up and also act as a stabilizer. Follow instructions on the bottle, mix it heavy the first time, then put some in every other fill up if you use it often. If you don't drive it that much, put it in every time.

[klee]

Ballyho, It is harder to start after a few months of sitting in the garage during the winter. We do use it to plow show and hunt too. Two months ago, it would turn on and die as soon as I tried to switch gears. It's not a problem now. We try to run it for a bit once a week during the winter time. I haven't changed the oil since I bought it....i figured since I don't use it that much it shouldn't be a problem. How many times am I suppose to change it? I've had it for 3 years now. I will pick up some stuff this weekend for it. Thanks for the advice.

[Ballyhoo]

I change oil on my 400 every couple of years. All I use it for is plowing snow and a little putting around. If you don't get the engine good and warmed up, you will build up some moisture in your oil.