How to Winterize Your Powersports Vehicle

Now that winter is just around the corner, you’re probably looking to shut down and store your powersports vehicle for the season. Some people may just leave it where it’s parked and hope for the best, but they may come back to their vehicles in the spring to find rust, corrosion, flat tires, and other signs of neglect that take time and money to repair. Instead, you should take the time to properly winterize your powersports vehicle so that it’s all ready to go come springtime.

Clean & Lubricate

First, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your powersports vehicle and allow it to dry. A good washing can help remove debris and build-up that can cause corrosion and mask maintenance issues. Applying a protective coat of wax can further protect the vehicle during storage. 

Once you’ve cleaned the vehicle, you’ll probably need to lubricate any chains and moving parts to keep them rust-free.

Change Out Fluids

Any dirty oil or old gasoline left in your vehicle can corrode the tanks over time. Change the oil in your motorsports vehicle and swap out the air and oil filters at the same time. Replace the gasoline in your tank with fresh fuel and add a fuel stabilizer to it. Running your powersports vehicle’s engine for a few minutes will allow this stabilized fuel to circulate through all your engine parts. 

Tender the Battery

The battery on your powersports vehicle will die without regular usage, so you should remove it and place it on a tender over the winter in a warm location. This will help the battery stay charged up so that you don’t have to replace it in the spring.

Store Securely

Finally, you should invest in a secure cover for your powersports vehicle that protects it from dust, weather, and pests. Store your vehicle indoors if possible, in a locking garage or shed, so that no one steals it. If you have to store it outside, underneath a carport is best.

Come see us at our Pennsylvania location in Upper Darby to check out our inventory of new and used motorsports vehicles for sale. Crossroad Powersports serves our customers in and around Philadelphia, PA, and Wilmington, DE.