ATV air filter maintenance is one of the most important things sport quad owners should do to help prevent engine wear. A sport quad’s foam air filter should be checked before every ride and serviced as necessary. Cleaning and re-oiling a foam air filter will take about 30 minutes, not including filter dry time, and supplies will cost about $30.

While this tip is directed toward sport quads, there are tips that apply to utility ATVs that use a paper cartridge air filter. When a cartridge filter gets dirty, replacement is generally all that’s required.

Remove the seat and airbox lid to access the air filter. Loosen the bolt that holds the filter and remove the assembly from the box, then pull the element off of the filter guide. Shake off loose dirt and debris and inspect the guide. The filter guide is important because it prevents the filter from collapsing while the engine sucks air into the carburetor. Replace the guide if it shows any damage.