Part of responsible ATV ownership includes regularly servicing the quad to ensure optimal performance and a long life. Like any vehicle, Kawasaki's Prairie 700 requires a certain amount of care to perform at its best. Though engineers designed this utility quad for power and durability, it still requires regular oil and filter changes, inspection and upkeep of the cooling system, and spark plug tuning in addition to regular inspections and major repairs.
Park the quad on even ground and warm up the engine thoroughly before attempting an oil change. The engine oil and filter should be replaced every 90 days of Prairie usage. Turn the engine off after it has warmed.
Place an oil pan underneath the engine to catch old oil.
Remove the engine oil drain plug located underneath the oil tank using a standard wrench. Allow the old oil to drain completely into the oil pan.
Remove the oil filter cartridge, and replace it with a new filter, taking care to tighten the new cartridge to a torque of about 11 to 15 foot-pounds.
Reinstall the oil drain plug.
Unscrew the oil fill plug at the top of the oil tank and fill the tank with SAE 10W-40 viscosity engine oil, grade API SF or SG. Fill until the engine oil is between the two ticks on the dipstick attached to the oil filter plug.
Check for debris in the radiator, located at the very front of the quad on the right-hand side. Clean with a steady stream of low-pressure water if the grill, screen, or radiator fins are dirty. A garden hose works well.
Check the coolant levels by parking the quad on even ground and waiting for the engine to cool.
Examine the coolant reserve tank, located on the left side of the Prairie 700 between the front and back wheels. Coolant levels should be at the "F" or "Full" mark on the side of the tank.
Refill the reserve tank by unscrewing its cap and adding a mixture of 50 percent water, and 50 percent permanent-type coolant if coolant levels is below the "F" mark. Screw the cap back on.
Take the quad to a Kawasaki dealer if it has been two or more years since the coolant has been changed to have them perform this complex change.
Remove the spark plug cap for each spark plug, located on the Prairie 700's front cylinder and rear cylinders.
Use a spark plug wrench to turn each spark plug counterclockwise, and gently lift from each cylinder.
Inspect the condition of each spark plug. If either plug is dry and brittle, burnt, or cracked, replace it with a new NGK CR7E or DENSO U22E SR-N spark plug.
Clean the spark plugs with a high flash-point solvent and a wire-bristle brush if they are oily or have carbon build-up on them.
Set the spark plug gap between 0.028 and 0.032 inches. This gap is the measurement of space between the hook at one end of each spark plug. To elongate this gap, use a spark plug gap tool to gently pull the hook wider. To shorten it, gently press the hook-end against a firm surface.
Reinstall the spark plugs by inserting them into each cylinder, rotating them clockwise until tight with a spark plug wrench, and returning both spark plug caps.
