How to Check Hours on the Polaris Ranger

If you’re new to the Polaris Ranger, something you may want to familiarize yourself with is its hours. Regular checking ensures that proper maintenance is done when needed.

How do you check hours on the Polaris Ranger? The instrument cluster on your vehicle will tell you how many hours your Polaris Ranger engine has. The instrument cluster on most of the popular Ranger models will include a speedometer, mode button, indicator lamps, and a rider information center.

The engine hour meter is found by toggling through the display via the mode button. The rider information center’s information display area is where the engine hour meter is located. You can also find the programmable service hour interval, trip meter, and odometer there. 

Instrument Cluster

The instrument cluster looks a bit different on the XP 1000, XP Turbo S, and Turbo models. They also have two extra features: toggle buttons and a tachometer. However, the rider information center is still where the engine hour meter is located. By pressing the toggle buttons, you can scroll through the modes. 

The hour meter on the Ranger EV is found below the battery discharge indicator and above the indicator lights on the vehicle console. Sometimes, it can also be found in the instrument cluster’s Display Area 2. In such situations, the up and down buttons located at the bottom is what you should use to scroll through the information on the display until you find the engine hour meter. 

What Are High Miles on a Polaris Ranger?

Most people usually believe that Polaris parts are costly. They’re not wrong; after all, most of them don’t come cheap. However, that doesn’t mean high mileage machines are always all that bad. 

But what exactly are high miles on a Polaris Ranger? 

A lot of people will agree that a Polaris Ranger that has 10,000 miles on it is generally one considered to have high miles. Why? It’s simply because, at 10,000 miles, many of them will need a new motor alongside other new parts. It means that it has been running for quite a while. 

A sled, on the other hand, is considered high miles when it hits 4,000-5,000 miles. However, they can go up to 7,000 miles before needing a new motor. 

Anyway, there’s no exact number, but a good average you can work with is around 7,000 miles. A Polaris Ranger that has this amount of miles on it can and should be considered a high miles vehicle. 

Breaking in the Polaris Ranger

1. Vehicle Break-In Period

A new vehicle’s break-in period is its first 20 hours of operation: that, or the time it took to use up the first two tanks of gasoline. A proper break-in period is undoubtedly one of the most important things you can do on your part at the start. Treating your new engine carefully at the beginning will result in a longer lifespan and more efficient performance of your car’s motor. 

Drive components and close-fitted engine parts will be damaged if the heat buildup is excessive during the first three hours of operation. Therefore, you don’t want to operate your vehicle at high speeds or full throttle during this period. Also, you can cause serious engine damage if you use the wrong oils. Ideally, you want to use Polaris Premium 4 Oil as it’s specifically designed to cater to these 4-cycle engines. 

2. Drivetrain and Engine Break-In

Below are some useful tips to consider:

• Fill the tank with gas. Always practice extreme caution when handling gasoline.
• Check your oil level. Add the oil required to operate the machine safely. 
• Read the Owner’s Manual and complete any new Operator Driving Procedures you can find. 
• Avoid using the brakes aggressively.
• Change your throttle positions. Don’t operate on one for sustained periods.
• Only pull light loads.
• Change both the filter and oil after 24 hours or three weeks during the break-in period. 
• Check all gearcases and transmission fluid levels after the first 24 hours of operation. After that, you can do it every 100 hours.

3. PVT Break-In (Belt/Clutches)

A proper drive belt and clutches break-in will ensure better performance and a longer lifespan for your vehicle. You can break in the belt and clutches by driving at slow speeds during break-in periods. Pull only light loads as well. Avoid high-speed operation and aggressive acceleration as much as you can during this period. 

If your belt fails, you should first clean all the debris and dirt from the PVT outlet and intake ducts as well as the engine and clutch compartments before putting in the new one in. 

4. Standard Belt Break-In

For the first 50 miles, you should drive at slower speeds when operating the vehicle. Again, only carry light loads. Avoid prolonged operation at specific RPMs, aggressive acceleration, and high-speed operation during this break-in period. 

5. Dune/Sand Belt Break-In

For the first five miles or eight kilometers, drive at slower speeds once again. Also, avoid aggressive acceleration, prolonged high throttle, low-speed operation, and high-speed operations during this period as well.

6. Brake System Break-In

For the first 50 stops, only apply a moderate braking force. Overly forceful or aggressive braking on a new brake system could damage the car’s rotors and brake pads.

What’s the Difference Between an ATV and UTV?

A UTV is a little different from its ATV cousin. It is worth taking a closer look at some of these differences.

For starters, the most significant difference between UTV and ATV setups come in the seating and steering designs. UTVs are operated using steering wheels, while ATVs have motorcycle-like handlebars. You ride an ATV like you would a motorcycle while an ATV drives like you would a full-size truck.

You even wear a seatbelt in the latter. Your typical UTV machine will also have a roll cage or roll bar for increased safety. Sometimes, it can even go further and have both doors and a windshield.

Size

Another thing is that an ATV is typically much smaller than its UTV counterpart. A UTV often has the capability of carrying a lot more cargo and passengers. Polaris UTVs come in six-seater, four-seater, and two-seater models. If you’re one who likes riding solo, there’s also a single-seater option.

Comfort Level

The last difference lies in the comfort and physicality of operating a UTV versus an ATV. An ATV’s handling and straddle seating means a ride that’s a little more physically demanding compared to the UTV’s car-like driving system. The UTV’s cab seating offers a drive seating that’s way more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling many hours and across many miles. It’s also relatively easier to both enter and exit.

Recommended Polaris Ranger Additions

RANGER vehicles are currently the best-selling UTVs on the planet. They are designed to effectively tackle backwood trails, muddy pastures, and the like. A full-size Ranger, such as the 570 for instance, is unmatched both in the value it brings and its performance. This is seen through its class-leading, engine generating 44HP 570cc ProStar engine, True On-Demand AWD system, and Electronic Fuel Injection.

Anyway, we have a couple recommendations for some of the top products for the Polaris Ranger. They’re as follows:

1. SuperATV’s Heavy-Duty Plastic Roof (view on Amazon)
   Why should you have a Polaris Ranger without a roof when there’s this? This heavy-duty plastic roof allows you to protect both yourself and your ride from the element. An aggressive and rugged roof, this is ideal for those who want to shade themselves from the sun and protect themselves from flying debris and rain.
   This rugged mold six-millimeter plastic construction works well with most mirrors and windshields. It has a one-hundred percent Fitment guaranteed, and installation is considerably easy. The one downside is that it will not fit a full-size 2016 Polaris 570. Besides that, it’s all good.
2. Polycarbonate, Non-Scratch Resistant Rear Windshield (view on Amazon)
   This rear windshield from SuperATV allows you to ride through all the seasons very comfortably. This quarter-inch, lightly-tinted polycarbonate windshield happens to be very strong and has been designed to fit most Rangers perfectly. Furthermore, having it on your vehicle will get you closer to having that experience of a full cab enclosure.
   Also, the polycarbonate material is said to be over 200 times stronger than regular glass. You are not likely to come across anything that can break it on your ride.

Final Thoughts – How to Check Hours on the Polaris Ranger

The popularity of these super fun, robust, and versatile vehicles known all around the globe as UTVs has skyrocketed in the last ten years or so. Nowadays, they have become a very common sight. You can spot them anywhere from family playgrounds and farm fields to dune playgrounds and backcountry tracks.

If you’re considering to own a UTV, or if you have your own Polaris Ranger already, hopefully, this article has helped you know how to check the hours on your vehicle.