Wondering how to properly engage awd on a 2001 sportsman 500 ho?
Should the quad be put in nuetral first then engage awd before putting in gear or is it okay to switch awd drive on at any time?
thanks for any help

 

i think any time is ok. but not while your tires are spinning.

 

Anytime unless you are spinning the rear and not the front.

 

X3 The only times you don't want to put it in AWD is when the fronts aren't moving and the rear tires are spinning. Puts a lot of stress on the hillyard cage in the front differential. I also would not jump it in AWD for the same reason.

Only other caution I can think of is to stop before you switch between AWD Low, and AWD High.

Never had any problems with a Sportsman X2 and ATP we had following these basic rules.

 

Thank you guys for the info.
I'm VERY new to using quads and didn't want to tear something up. I really appreciate the help from these you guys and this site.

 

just like what they have all said. it's very important neve to switch into awd while tires are spinning. it is alike alot of new 4x4 trucks, where they call it on the fly demand awd. it's also important to service the awd system by changing the hub fluid if it hasn't been done in a long time as this is what controls the awd on the 01' 500's.

 

will do. thanks stendori

 

Hub fluid is super easy to do...search this site for info...again. super easy.

 

How often should the hub fluid be changed? hours or miles?

 

That depends on the manufacturer. I believe it is yearly. I would check your owners manual for it. The manual will list when your machine should have maintenance performed.