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.