Riding Your UTV in the Snow

Although Tennessee isn’t known for snowfall, it does occasionally happen during the winter months. But never fear! Even when there’s snow on the ground, you won’t need to put your UTV away and hope for better weather. Your side-by-side is designed to handle all sorts of terrain, including snow. With a few tweaks and the right approach, you can enjoy riding even in a winter wonderland. Just check out some of the tips that we here at America’s Motor Sports Nashville have provided to help you get your UTV ready for snow. You can also stop by our location in Nashville, TN, near Brentwood and Franklin, for additional help and to check out our UTVs for sale.

Preparing Your Side-by-Side

We’ll start by preparing your UTV for snow riding. If the weather’s going to get cold enough, it can start to impact your engine fluids. There are winter-specific products that are designed to combat the harsh winter temperatures, so you might want to consider switching them out. Of course, you won’t see real damage until temperatures drop well below zero, but it can never hurt to be too careful. You can also simply keep an eye on things by checking your engine fluids periodically throughout the cold months.

There are some other upgrades you can make to your ride to get it winter-ready. This includes changing out the tires for snow tires. Your stock tires will suffice, but for peak performance, you’ll want something designed to give you more traction in these unique conditions. Some UTV owners even opt for tracks instead of wheels.

Some other helpful accessories can include a plow (to help you clear away walkways) and a cover (to keep you protected from the biting wind and any precipitation). At the very least, a windshield can help deflect much of the cold as you pick up speed.

Preparing Yourself

Next, you’ll want to prepare yourself. Of course, all the essential safety gear is still essential, like durable riding clothes and a helmet. On top of this, you’ll want to focus on staying warm. This might mean upgrading your safety gear a bit. In the summer, we recommend getting a helmet that allows for more ventilation and air circulation, but in the winter, something a little more enclosed, like a motorcycle helmet, might keep you warmer.

The best way to combat cold, as you may already know, is layering. Not only does layering provide better insulation, but it also makes it easier to cool off if you start to get too warm, simply by removing a layer. The top-most layer should be waterproof, and we also highly recommend a warm pair of gloves and some sturdy snow boots that keep your feet warm without making it difficult to operate the UTV.

Safe Riding Practices

Even when you and your UTV are ready for the snow, you’ll want to take some precautions when you’re behind the wheel. There’s still a risk of sliding, so slow down as needed and take turns with caution. This is especially true when you’re around ice. Make sure to avoid large icy areas if the temperatures have been getting warmer. And, of course, you’ll want to practice some of the more standard safe driving habits, including getting plenty of sleep, eating right, keeping hydrated, and staying sober. 

With the right strategy, you can be prepared for any type of weather all year long. If you need more help upgrading your machine, or if you need help finding the model to fit your needs, then stop by your premier UTV dealer, America’s Motor Sports Nashville. We’re committed to helping you with all your powersports-related needs, so visit us today!