Washing Your UTV

Each time you take your UTV on the rugged trail, it returns home with a fair share of gunk and grime. Over time, this debris can take a toll on your vehicle. It can damage the exterior and even clog up crucial engine components. It's important to regularly wash your side by side to help it run smoothly and look great. Car Corral of Carmi has created the following beginner's guide to washing your UTV below. If you have any questions, contact us or visit our dealership in Carmi, IL.

Pick Your Cleaning Spot

Start by figuring out where you want to wash your UTV. Be cautious about washing it on your lawn. There might be new weeds and grass clinging to your powersports vehicle, which can get introduced into your yard when you wash them off. If you use your driveway, be sure to hose down the sidewalk when you are done. This helps get the gunk down the drain, rather than cluttering up the street or going into a neighbor's yard.

Tackle the Mud

For exceptionally muddy UTVs, you'll need to attack the caked-on gunk first. You can use a plastic mud scraper, which removes chunks of dirt without scratching the paint or finish. Or you can rinse your vehicle and leave it to soak for a minute. Both approaches help to get some of the more stubborn grime off first, which is an important step. Otherwise, you may be scrubbing with soap for an extended period of time.

Rinse Your UTV

Before you add soap, you'll want to rinse your vehicle off. A pressure washer can be a great tool. It's powerful enough to blast away grime, but it shouldn't harm your vehicle's exterior. A gas pressure washer is more powerful, but an electric one works great, too. If you don't have a pressure washer, you can use a normal hose and nozzle. Give your vehicle a good rinse to prepare it for the soap. 

Scrub With Soap

Next, you can use bike soap or automotive detergent to take on the remaining dirt. Get a wash mitt or sponge and start scrubbing away! Pay extra attention to the plastics, seat, frame, and the wheels. If you notice any oily areas, you can use a degreaser. Spray it on and wait for a bit. Then scrub or rinse it off. 

Dry Your UTV

There are three ways to get your UTV dry. First, let it air-dry in the sun. This approach is the easiest, but it will take the longest. Second, use a lint-free towel and towel-dry the exterior. Third, utilize an air compressor to blast away any moisture for a perfect dry. Any of these options work fine. It just depends on how quickly you want your side by side to be dry and how involved you want to be in the drying process.

Polish Your UTV

The finishing touch is to give your UTV a solid polish. Get a plastic polish product that you can spray over your vehicle. Then give it a wipe-down. Your side by side will look like new! 

Ideally, you would clean your UTV after every adventure, but life can get in the way. If you need more advice or want to shop our selection of UTVs and accessories, the experts at Car Corral of Carmi are standing by. We’re also here to help our neighbors in Evansville, IN, and Mt. Vernon, IN.