How to Maintain Your ATV Tires This Summer and Prevent Costly Damage

ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) is especially fun to ride in summer, thanks to the perfect weather for riding and longer daylight to explore the scenery. But the same external conditions - weather and increased heat - can make your experience more challenging. 

Make no mistake - not paying enough attention to the tires of your ATV, also known as quad tires, not only affects its peak performance and longevity, but it could also pose a serious risk to the rider by compromising the safety.

This video is sourced from Youtube@Dirt Trax TV

There are also UTV tires and side by side tires, which are specifically engineered for larger vehicles, offering durability and stability under heavier loads. Riders often use the terms four wheelers and 4 wheeler tires interchangeably, both referring to tires designed for standard ATVs. 

Therefore, ATV owners or sellers must equip themselves with the knowledge and skills required to properly maintain their powerful motorized vehicle in summer, without burning a hole in their pocket. You may already have plenty of ideas to take care of your vehicle, but many fall short in execution, which is a common concern raised by people with ATVs. 

So, we have curated a comprehensive guide about all the essential tire care tips you must know this summer to enhance your off-road traveling.

Table of Contents 

• Common summer challenges for ATV tires
• How well do you know your tires?
• Summer heat damage that can cost your safety
• What type of ATV tires are best for summer?
• Cost-effective solutions for all your tire problems
• Maintenance tools that prevent premature replacement
• Seasonal maintenance tips for your ATV Tires

Common summer challenges for ATV tires 

ATVs are specifically engineered to easily navigate difficult terrain. These are typically used for recreational activities like trail riding and exploring rugged landscapes, which naturally leads to excessive wear and breakage in the tires. There are more issues that ATV faces in summer.

UV damage from prolonged sun exposure

Summer vacation is incomplete without a fun outdoor adventure on your old ATV. But it comes at a cost. 

The motor vehicle is exposed to the sun more than the rider, even if it’s parked outdoors without proper UV protection.

So wear in the tire, such as degraded rubber compounds, dry rot, cracking, and brittleness, are some of the most common issues.

Solution 

• Store in shade or indoors - When not in use, park your ATV in your garage or ensure it's covered. 
  
  
• Use tire protectants - Just like your skin needs sunscreen to stay protected from the sun, your ATV tires last longer with UV-resistant tire dressings specifically formulated for off-road rubber.
  
  
• Avoid long exposure - Needless to say, don’t leave your ATV unattended under direct sunlight for long periods. 

Heat Stress 

As if hot weather wasn’t bad enough for the tires, they suffer more damage when combined with friction and load. Overheating from sun this isn’t uncommon, as the soft rubber is susceptible to wear and even blowouts. 

Solution 

• Check tire pressure regularly - Always check if the air pressure has increased due to heat, and do it before and after every ride.
  
  
• Avoid long rides at high speeds - Heat builds up easily on hard-packed trails or asphalt.
  
  
• Allow cooling time - Give your vehicle some rest after long rides, which is essential to cool down and avoid continuous heat build-up. 

Debris accumulation

Considering the ATV is mostly exposed to gravel, sticks, thorns, and sharp rocks, the tire is at risk of puncturing from excessive debris lodged in the treads. This is inevitable with ATVs as they are designed to ride through tough terrain. 

Solution

• Inspect for any damages before and after a ride - Clear the debris and always keep an eye out for cracks or signs of punctures.
  
  
• Choose tires with reinforced sidewalls - These are specifically designed to support heavier axle loads and deliver performance in difficult terrain. They are mostly puncture-resistant.
  
  
• Choose your trail mindfully and avoid hazards or paths that cause further strain to your vehicle or its tires. 

Accelerated Wear Patterns 

Riding for long hours on a hot summer day can cause significant damage to the tires, resulting in uneven tread wear. The wear is more in a hot and dry terrain. 

Solution

• Pick terrain-specific tires-  Each one is built to run on a different surface. Never ride a mud tire on rocky trails or sand tires on hardback.
  
  
• Track the tread depth - A tread gauge will help you measure the depth of the tread, which can be replaced if the reading drops below the recommended limits for optimal performance and safety.

How well do you know your tires?

ATV tires are typically staggered in width. The larger the tire, better the road clearance. Below is the breakdown of some of the standard tire dimensions.

1. 25x10x12 ATV tires - A rear tire for ATV ideal for all-terrain, trail and light mud. The wider surface offer more traction. 

2. 25x8x12 ATV tires - A front tire for standard ATV, which is slightly narrower and matches the above rear tire. 

3. 26x11x12 ATV tires - Slightly larger for more clearance in trail, mud or rocky terrain. It is best suited for larger ATVs. 

4. 26x9x12 ATV tires - A front tried paired with 26x11x12 rear tire. 

5. 24x8x12 ATV tires - Narrow from tire for smaller or youth ATVs or utility setup that need better manoeuvrability. 

Summer heat damage that can cost your safety

You’ve learned about the profound impact summer heat can have on ATV tires. But how would your tire be at risk of a breakdown when you’ve taken it for a ride on a pleasant summer morning? Here are practical examples to help you spot problems that need to be addressed immediately. 

Rubber breakdown - Imagine you’re riding in a desert at midday. The ground surface is extremely hot, and after just a short ride, your tires feel soft and sticky. On inspecting the tires, you realize small chunks are missing from the tread, while the tire has suffered deep scuffing. This only means one thing - the overheated and softened rubber is tearing against sharp gravel.

Over inflation - Increased tire pressure is a recipe for disaster. You may have inflated your tires to the correct pressure in the morning, but they would have inflated by afternoon as the air inside them expands. 

How do you know if your tire is inflated? They make you feel “bouncy” due to the reduced traction on uneven terrain. In extreme cases, the tire may even blow out or come off the rim after a hard impact.

Dry Rot - Your tires are likely to experience dry rot if the ATV is parked in the backyard all summer. You’ll find small cracks along the sidewalls, and these are early signs of dry rot. 

Direct sunlight reacts with the chemicals in the rubber, thus causing dry rot. This condition increases the risk of a blowout.

Sidewall Damage - A Weakened sidewall is common in heat-softened tires, which are more vulnerable to cuts and punctures from trail debris.

This results in the tire flattening instantly in the midst of the ride when the sidewall suddenly collapses. A sharp rock or a stick can puncture your tire.  Normally, your sidewall could resist the impact, but the rubber is less firm in extreme summer heat.

What type of ATV tires are best for summer?

Riding in summer means your ATV will be exposed to a lot of dry, hard-packed trails, muddy roads, and rocky terrains. You need tires that can withstand harsh conditions. 

All-Terrain Tires - Also known as trail tires, these are ideal for general trail riding or mixed terrain. It features a versatile tread that remains durable even when ridden on dirt, gravel, grass, and light mud. 

Sand Tires - You can also go for sand tires for dunes and beaches. The rear tires have paddle-like ridges, while the front tires are smooth and ribbed for easier steering. This is perfect in a hot and sandy environment. 

Hard-Pack Tires - If you plan to ride dry, compacted dirt or rocky trails, consider investing in an ATV with hard-pack tires, which is low and comes closely spaced tread patterns to grip hard surfaces. 

Mud-Tires - Summer storms aren’t uncommon. They cause wet, muddy trails, which are easier to navigate with mud tires, whose tread is deep with aggressive lugs to dig through mud. It’s especially recommended for swampy areas with summer rains.

Cost-effective solutions for all your tire problems

Spending a couple of minutes once a week on your ATV significantly expands its lifespan. Here, we have listed several cost-effective ways you can maintain your tires. 

Products to protect from heat - Other than parking in shade and prolonged riding in the sun, as we mentioned earlier, you need to use additional products to protect the tires from heat.  To avoid the UV rays from weakening the rubber, use the 303 Aerospace Protectant. 

Keep the cleaning simple - It’s only natural to think that the tires need extra cleaning because they are constantly in contact with, first, mud and more. But the lesser the better. 

It’s recommended to clean the ATV tires with mild soap mixed in water and avoid petroleum-based cleaners at any cost. You must also ensure the tires are dried thoroughly after the wash to prevent moisture retention in cracks. 

Proper storage makes all the difference - In summer or off-use periods, the ATV must be stored on blocks to relieve the pressure on tires and prevent flat spots. Always park it in a cool, dry, and ventilated space, except on concrete floors, as the wick can absorb moisture.

You can further cover the trues with totes or bags as protection from external elements. And if you’re planning to store the vehicle for a longer period, reduce the tire pressure to about 3-5 PSI.

Maintenance tools that prevent premature replacement 

Preventive maintenance routines save you a lot of trouble, contributing to the durability of the tires. Aside from storing it safely, here are some tools that can help you detect issues before they occur. 

Tire Pressure Gauge  - Make a note of the pressure before and after the ride, as it isn’t accurate in hot weather. Slightly lower the PSI to ride on sand, as it offers better traction. You can increase it slightly for high-speed trails. 

For accurate readings, it’s recommended to buy a digital tire pressure gauge, which costs anywhere between $10 and $20. 

Portable Air Compressor - As well as inflating due to hot weather, tires can also lose pressure and hinder your smooth ride. Therefore, it’s recommended to always keep a manual pump or portable air compressor handy to inflate tires to the recommended pressure. 

Tread Depth Gauge - Proper maintenance of tread depth is crucial for the longevity of the tires, in addition to the rider’s safety. A tread depth gauge is especially useful in measuring the remaining tread depth.

It helps monitor wear patterns early and indicates when it’s time to rotate or retire a tire before it fails. 
 
Jack or ATV Lift Stand - ATV tires need to be constantly monitored, even when the vehicle is parked or stored for prolonged periods. A jack or an ATV lift stand is used to raise the ATV for tire rotation, inspection, or during storage, to take the load off the tires when stored in the garage. 

Not only does it prevent flat spots during storage, but the portable equipment aids rotation and helps distribute tread wear more evenly.  

Seasonal maintenance tips for your ATV Tires 

Here are a few tips to keep your ATV tires in shape all year round, with a breakdown of maintenance for each season.

Fall 

During the fall, focus on post-summer clean-up and preparing for colder conditions. 

• Inspect for summer damage, such as cracks, cuts, punctures, or worn tread. Always look for signs of dry rot.
  
  
• Clean thoroughly to remove dirt, mud, and debris from the tires and rim area, which is common in the fall.
  
  
• Rotate tires regularly if your ATV was used extensively over the summer. Rotating the tire to even out wear patterns. 

Winter 

The main issue in winter is to protect your tires during off-season storage, which can be tackled with the following tips. 

• Reduce tire pressure slightly to prevent additional stress on the rubber.
  
  
• Use a stand or blocks to elevate the ATV to avoid flat spots. 
  
  
• Store the vehicle indoors, and ensure the environment is cool and dry. 
  
  
• Avoid storing the ATV directly on concrete in winter, as it tends to draw moisture, affecting the quality of the rubber. 

Spring 

There couldn’t be a better season than spring to take your ATV on a ride. But you need to take care of the winter storage first, by looking for issues like:

• Cracks, dry rot, and sidewall damage from cold weather. 
  
  
• Check for tire pressure, which could have reduced over the winter. 
  
  
• Check for flat spots if the ATV was resting on the tires. 
  
  
• Winter debris could cause significant damage to your tires, too. So, always check for tread depth and overall wear before hitting the trail. 

Enhance your ATV riding experience this summer by giving your tires all the care they need. From protecting them from UV damage to choosing the right tire for specific terrain, every step counts towards increase your safety and durability of the tires. 

No matter your vehicle – ATV, UTV or side by side – proper maintenance means fewer problems on the trail later. 

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