After a period of winter storage, you will need to check the battery on your ATV. Regular battery care on your ATV is part of preventative maintenance that anyone can do.
If you're installing a brand new battery, spray the bolts and posts with spray paint. This will seal the battery connection and will also prevent corrosion from occurring in your ATV battery. If you notice the paint corroding or chipping, you will know immediately if there's a problem.
Since an ATV battery is very susceptible to debris and moisture, corrosion can occur. If you let corrosion build up, this will prevent your ATV from starting. The terminals should be cleaned regularly. Once you begin seeing a green build-up on the posts, remove the screws and get brand new ones. Once the screws are removed, you can take a wire brush and scrub the corrosion away from the ATV battery and the threads the screws fit into. ATV batteries can last for about two to three years. Preventative maintenance will allow you to get the maximum life out of your ATV's battery.
Sometimes battery acid can become low within the battery. In this case, your ATV will not start or hold a charge. Check to see if the acid is low by removing the six plastic bolts on the front of the battery. For a temporary replacement of battery acid, water can be used. However, keep in mind that in cold weather the water could freeze and ruin the battery for life. Never use water in an ATV that is about to be stored for the winter.
