Riding Your UTV in the Snow

Even though the weather has turned, that doesn’t mean you have to quit riding your UTV! Your side-by-side is designed to operate in all types of terrain, which includes ice and snow. It’s just important to take the right precautions and prepare yourself and your UTV for the cold. Nielsen Enterprises of Lake Villa is your Land of Lincoln UTV dealer. Here are some of our best tips for riding your UTV in winter weather to keep you safe.

Ready Your UTV For Cold Weather

First, it’s important that you make sure your UTV is all ready and raring to go. Winter temperatures mean that you’ll need to swap out some fluids for more cold-tolerant products, like replacing engine coolant with antifreeze. Gasoline can withstand pretty cold temperatures, so this shouldn’t be a problem, but make sure you top up your fuel so you don’t run out on the trail.

You can add some features to your side-by-side to make it more winter-weather friendly, too. A snowplow attachment at the front can help you clear a path for your UTV as well as for other vehicles, and this can be a useful attachment to have at home, too. Upgrade the usual all-terrain tires for snow-ready tires; you may even need to add chains or tracks for better traction.

A major advantage of riding in a UTV in the winter is that you can add a cover to it to shelter you and your passengers from precipitation and wind. Adding a more complete enclosure or even just installing a windshield can shield you from high winds and keep you dry, even if it’s snowy or rainy outside.

Keep Yourself Warm

It’s also important to keep yourself and all of your passengers warm and cozy while you’re riding out in the cold weather. Not only will snow and outdoor temperatures make you cold, but the wind that hits you while you’re riding will make you even colder. In addition to your typical safety gear like your helmet and goggles, sturdy boots and gloves, you’ll want to add some layered clothing and warm outerwear. Wear a thin wool cap and a snug scarf, and consider investing in a warmer helmet if your summer helmet isn’t insulated enough. For example, a motorcycle helmet with a full face mask might seem too cumbersome for summer riding, but it’s perfect for the cold!

You should invest in insulated gloves with good grip, waterproof boots with good traction and thermal underwear as a base layer. You can add snow pants and a snow jacket to your riding attire to keep you cozy and dry. Bring along extra layers to add underneath your outer layers if you need them. You can carry handwarmers in your pockets or add heat pads to stay cozy, too.

Practice Good Snow Safety

When you’re riding your side-by-side through slush, ice and snow, you’ll need to be more vigilant than usual. You’re much more likely to lose traction and slide off the trail or hit an obstacle if you’re not careful. That’s why you’ll need to drive your UTV at a lower speed and avoid doing anything reckless or dangerous. Take turns with caution and watch for icy patches that you may not have seen.

You’ll still want to follow all the rules of the trail or riding area, and you should follow more standard UTV safety rules, like remaining sober while driving your UTV and being careful around pedestrians and animals. Don’t be afraid to cut your ride short if the weather turns worse. You should also take more frequent breaks to warm up, drink hot liquids and have a snack.

Searching for UTVs for sale near Chicago? Come to our Lake Villa dealership location to check out our full stock of new and used side-by-sides for sale. Nielsen Enterprises welcomes our customers coming south from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as those throughout the state of Illinois.