Tires and Wheels
Tires
ORV tires take a lot of punishment, so maintaining the correct tire pressure is critical. Most ATVs have relatively small, low-pressure tires. Motorcycle tires may or may not be low-pressure, depending on the model. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended pressure.
- Check the tire pressure before each trip. Over- or under-inflated tires:
- Can result in tire or wheel damage.
- May change the handling characteristics of your vehicle.
- For low-pressure tires, use a low-pressure gauge. Most standard automobile tire gauges do not read low pressures accurately.
- Be sure all tires have the same pressure. Otherwise, vehicles with three or four wheels may pull left or right.
- Inspect each tire for damage that could cause an air leak.
- Remember that altitude affects tire pressure. A pressure that reads okay at home will read lower after you take the vehicle into the mountains.
Wheels
- Check the wheel lug nuts used to secure the wheels to be sure they’re tight.
- Check for worn-out parts by trying to rock the wheel on its axle.