As the long winter sets in, many all terrain vehicle owners are preparing their ATV for storage, but there are a growing number of ATV enthusiasts who desire to ride all year long. Each year more and more ATV riders are setting a trend by hitting the snow trails with their ATV. There are even ATV winter excursions offered by ski resorts across the country. You can create your own ATV winter adventure by checking off a few maintenance items before hitting the winter trails.

Winterize your Ride
One way to make sure your ATV will start in colder weather is to invest in quality fuel antifreeze for your tank. Fuel additives prevent gas lines from freezing up, ensuring that your ATV will start better in cold conditions. It is also a good idea to change the engine oil to a colder weather formula for improved engine performance. While riding in very heavy snow or plowing, be on the lookout for ice buildup around the radiator and brakes. If ice and snow pack around these areas, overheating may occur or the brakes may not function effectively.

Make Tracks
During winter months, many riders replace their stock tires with larger diameter tires for more ground clearance and increased traction. Another option is adding a track conversion system to your all terrain vehicle, which enables your ATV to ride on top of the snow, much like a snowmobile. Before using a track system or tire chains, make sure they are legal in your area.

Accessorize
By adding a few accessories you can turn a winter ride into a toasty excursion. Everything from cabs, windshields, heated grips, and hand warmers are available to make a winter ride more enjoyable. Also, be sure to keep your hands and face protected from frostbite by investing in the proper winter apparel necessary to keep you covered and warm on a winter ride.

Clear the Way
While some ATV riders go off-roading, others stay close to home and use their ATV as a valuable tool during the winter months. Jack McGregor, an ATV rider from Jamestown, N.D. enjoys using his SnowSport All Terrain Plow to clear his driveway.

The SnowSport All Terrain Plow is manufactured by Agri-Cover, Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company. This utility plow is made specifically for all terrain vehicles and can be used 365 days a year for not only snow removal, but also landscaping projects.

"Plowing out the driveway is one of those tasks that has to get done, so why not have fun doing it. My SnowSport All Terrain Plow has literally turned my ATV into my most valuable winter tool. It's so easy and fun, my wife and I often fight over whose going to use it," says McGregor.

The SnowSport All Terrain Plow is perfect for plowing in tight spaces that traditional full size plows can't reach and is terrain-friendly, so you don't have to worry about it tearing up your grass or landscaping pavers. With no wiring or hydraulics to get in the way, all you have to do is attach the plow and drive. The best feature of the plow is that it doesn't get in the way of using your ATV this winter. The complete system can be easily installed and removed in a matter of seconds. You can plow your driveway or path, remove the system, and go on a winter ride without any hassle.

The SnowSport All Terrain Plow is available for ATVs, UTVs, and Zero-Turn Mowers and comes in five different blade lengths. It has a three-point angled blade, which allows users to maneuver hard to reach areas in the yard and driveway. The blade connects to your all terrain vehicle by a 1 ½ inch interceptor that slides into a front mount, so there's no tricky wiring or complicated install. The blade is made of corrosion resistant anodized aluminum, making it easy for anyone in the family to lift on and off the mount. The blade also features a one-inch thick rubber cutting edge designed to improve scraping ability. The manufacturer offers a 3-Year warranty on the system and a 90-Day No Risk Guarantee. For a FREE DVD, call (888) 463-6214. Fina a local dealer in your area or shop online now with FREE Shipping.

As the leaves start to turn, most homeowners put away their lawn and garden equipment as they wrap up landscaping projects before winter sets in. However, fall is actually a great time to start landscaping projects, because a beautiful lawn and garden next year starts with preparations this fall. Every year, a lot of time, money, and effort is devoted to the pursuit of a beautiful and well-maintained home landscape. According to the 2006 American Time Use Survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend an average of two hours per day on lawn and garden maintenance.

While a beautiful yard won't magically appear out of thin air, there are ways you can better utilize the time, money and energy you spend on maintenance. Keep these tips in mind when tackling the landscape for fall and winter.

• Rake and clean up leaves. If left scattered on the lawn, grass won't come up as well in the spring. Don't worry about removing leaves from plant beds, they actually help insulate and feed plants during the winter months.

• Clean out rain gutters and make sure water will flow away from walkways and driveways, which could ice over and become hazardous in the winter.

• Shut off water to all outdoor spigots to prevent pipes from freezing.

• Plant perennial flowers, ground covers, spring bulbs, trees and shrubs in early fall so they have time to establish strong and healthy roots. Some of the best sales on perennials are in August and September when greenhouses are trying to close out their inventories.

• Mulch your plant beds, except iris rhizomes, which are prone to rotting. A layer of organic mulch will help roots get established before the ground freezes solid. Mulch also helps to retain soil moisture and prevent future weed growth.

• Find accessories or attachments that enhance the equipment you already own. Zero turn mowers and ATVs have become versatile landscaping machines with the abundance of new attachments now available.

Take for example, the SnowSport® All Terrain Plow manufactured by ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), a North Dakota truck accessory company. This utility plow is made specifically for ATVs and can be used 365 days a year for not only landscaping projects, but also snow removal. With a SnowSport® All Terrain Plow a homeowner can easily level, spread or push dirt, gravel and snow anytime of the year. You don't have to worry about your lawn with this plow, because it is specifically designed to be turf-friendly.

However, your lawn and plant beds may not be the only items that need to be readied for winter. If you live in a rural area, the maintenance of a gravel driveway may also be on your fall to-do list before the winter winds start to blow. Mark Jacobson, a retired teacher from Spiritwood Lake, N.D. knows he faces the daunting task of leveling his steep gravel driveway every fall to get rid of deep ruts left by rainstorms and water run off.

"I wanted something that would make the job quicker and without the back breaking work of shoveling the gravel. When I came across the SnowSport ATV plow I thought it was a perfect fit for my project. Besides, in a couple more months I can use it to plow snow out of the same driveway," said Jacobson.

The SnowSport® All Terrain Plow is available in five different blade lengths and has a three-point angled blade, which allows users to maneuver those hard to reach areas in the yard and driveway. The blade connects to your ATV by a 1 ½ inch interceptor that slides into a front mount, so there's no tricky wiring or complicated install. The blade is made of corrosion resistant anodized aluminum, making it easy for anyone in the family to lift on and off the mount. The blade also features a one-inch thick rubber cutting edge designed to improve scraping ability. For more information on the SnowSport® All Terrain Plow or to find a dealer near you, call (888) 463-6214 or visit http://www.snowsportatv.com/.

One of the most overlooked items that will instantly improve your gas mileage is a routine engine tune up. If your vehicle is running at peak performance, your gas tank will too. Keeping your engine tuned can increase gas mileage by up to 4%. Fall is a great time to do a routine maintenance check before the cold weather sets in and we're less likely to look under the hood or take our vehicle to the shop. Things to consider when tuning up your truck, according to tests conducted by the Federal Trade Commission.

Oil It Up: As most auto body technicians will tell you, checking and changing your oil is one of the most overlooked items you can do for your vehicle. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine, ensuring your engine will run at peak performance.

Keep it Clean: By replacing your air filters regularly you can increase gas mileage up to 10%.

Pump It Up: Check your tires to make sure they're properly inflated and aligned. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage up to 3%. If you don't know what the proper pressure is for your tires and vehicle, consult your owner's manual.

Overhaul Your Drive Style: It's hard to make changes, but if you really want to see improvements it is suggested that you avoid unnecessary idling, stop and start gently, use cruise control when conditions and weather permits, and combine errands or carpool. Your wallet and the earth will thank you.

Roll On Down the Road: The easiest and most rewarding step you can take to see immediate gas mileage improvement is to install a truck bed cover on your pickup. A truck bed cover, also known as a tonneau cover, will reduce drag, making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. They are also great for protecting your gear from the elements and improving the look of your truck.

There are several different tonneau cover options available on the market today. The Access® Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by ACI (Agri-Cover, Inc.), a North Dakota truck accessory company, is an affordable and high quality option. Made of heavy-duty, double coated vinyl, the roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling larger items. The company estimates that you can save over $270 within the first year of installing an Access® Roll-Up Cover on your truck bed.

One customer comments on the company's website. "I put on many highway miles during the year and in talking to other owners with a similar truck without a box cover, I am amazed at the savings in gas mileage I'm getting with my cover. The Access Cover is such an attractive addition to my truck. It really finishes the look I want," Richard F. of Bismarck, ND.

For more information on the Access® Roll-Up Cover and how much gas money you could save, check out our online gas savings calculator.