Fuel economy and miles per gallon weren’t topics that most people brought up when it came to ATVs. However, in today’s world of falling oil prices and rising fuel costs, it’s appearing more and more frequently. This is especially true in industries such as agriculture and ranching, where off-road vehicles are not used for recreation; Instead, they are, so to speak, tools of the trade. And as such, they are valued in terms of the return they get for the investment they require. If an ATV, or even an entire fleet of them, burns too much gas, it could have a negative impact on a ranch or farm’s profits.
Industry experts agree that if you average all ATVs and UTVs, the average miles per gallon for these vehicles is 39.47 mpg. This is indeed a very respectable number, but one that can still be maximized. Here are some ways you can get the most out of every tank of gas in your ATV.
- Weight. Reducing the load reduces the amount of fuel consumed in each vehicle. Unused racks or tools should be removed. This ATV winch might look cool, but if you never use it, it could cost you extra fuel.
- Aerodynamics. The simple physics behind assisting wind flow over a vehicle applies to both race cars and ATVs. Less drag, less effort; thus saving fuel.
- brakes. Rubbing calipers and worn bearings make an engine work harder than it should. Another aspect of this is a worn clutch or improper shifting.
- air pressure. Uneven tire pressure can reduce fuel efficiency by 15%
- Wide open. One of the easiest ways to increase your performance is to take your foot off the gas and ride less aggressively.
- additives. Carbureted or fuel injected ATVs will benefit from the occasional use of a fuel additive to clean injectors/carburetors. The stuff commonly found on shelves is designed to be added in 20 gallon tanks or larger. A cap every half dozen or so fillings is all you need.
- tune up Every engine needs tuning from time to time to improve its performance. ATVs are no different from cars in this regard.
In many ways, you can look at your ATV the same way you look at your car when looking to improve fuel efficiency. With these simple tips, you can take your ATV’s fuel economy well past the 40mpg mark.
