Best Ways/How to Quiet the Exhaust on Your ATV or UTV

Written by Brent Huntley in ATVs

ATVs and UTVs are fantastic vehicles for adventuring, hunting, birding, camping, and just about any activity you can imagine. They have one significant disadvantage, though – their exhausts are loud. Fortunately, there are several ways to quiet the exhausts on ATVs and UTVs.

This article will explain all the best ways to quiet the exhaust on your ATV or UTV, so you can ride as much as you’d like without having to worry about scaring off wildlife, agitating your neighbors, or hurting your hearing. 

Purchase an Exhaust Silencer

If your ATV or UTV’s exhaust is too loud, you can purchase an aftermarket exhaust silencer like the Universal 1.5-2” Inlet Hexagon Exhaust Muffler Pipe. AN exhaust silencer is an additional muffler that can be installed to the OEM system of the vehicle to help reduce noise. 

Aftermarket silencers usually add about 5 inches to the length of the muffler. Once they’re installed, they can reduce noise levels by 50% or more! (Source: It Still Runs).

How to Install an Exhaust Silencer

You can probably install an exhaust silencer all on your own – the process is relatively simple and should only take from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the silencer itself. Exhaust silencers are installed in several ways, including snapping on, pressing to fit, welding on, and bolting on. 

When installing an exhaust silencer on your own, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you need help, don’t be afraid to consult professionals. (Source: Military)

Repack Existing Exhaust Silencer

This method is applicable if your ATV or UTV came with a built-in exhaust silencer or if you have already installed an aftermarket silencer. It’s a simple maintenance task that often gets overlooked and leads to noisy exhausts. 

Many exhaust silencers are packed with filling (often called “packing”) to quiet the sound from the exhaust, but over time that filler gets dirty and deteriorated. When the filler breaks down, it doesn’t block the noise as well. Therefore, the filler needs to be replaced and repacked to continue silencing the exhaust. 

Exhaust silencer repacking should be done every few years, but if you ride frequently, it may need to be done sooner. 

How to Repack Your Existing Exhaust Silencer

Follow these steps to repack your ATV or UTV’s existing exhaust silencer:

  1. Purchase exhaust silencer filler to replace the old filler, like the FMF Standard Muffler Silencer Packing. 
  2. Take the existing exhaust silencer completely off the exhaust. 
  3. Disassemble the parts of the silencer until you have access to the filler inside.
  4. Remove all the old filler inside the silencer and dispose of it.
  5. Put your new exhaust filler in the silencer. Tape it into place with masking tape if needed.
  6. Reassemble the parts of the silencer until it’s ready to go back on the exhaust.
  7. Replace your exhaust silencer on your exhaust. 

(Source: Rocky Mountain ATV MC)

Pack the Muffler with Insulation

This quieting method is for those who don’t already have their muffler or exhaust packed with filler to quiet the sound. It’s like repacking an existing exhaust silencer, except this method adds filler to the muffler itself instead of the silencer. 

This option is arguably the most “DIY” of this list. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly options. Some ATV and UTV owners recommend using steel wool or fiberglass materials to pack the muffler. While that can be done and has been done in the past, it’s not the best idea. 

Steel wool and other materials can heat up very quickly in the muffler. When those pieces are heated up, they can blow all over the road – leading to the potential to start fires and injure others. It’s best to use a filler that is designed to be packed into a muffler and doesn’t easily catch fire.

How to Pack the Muffler with Insulation

Below are the steps for packing your muffler with insulation or filler: 

  1. Purchase your desired filler. 
  2. Pull off the muffler’s side cover.
  3. Remove the muffler. 
  4. Take off the muffler’s rivets and pull open the case to expose the inside. 
  5. Wrap or place the filler around the silencer on the inside (if it has one).
  6. If necessary, use masking tape to keep the filling secure. 
  7. Put the muffler back together and secure it with new rivets. 
  8. Reconnect the muffler to the exhaust pipe. 

(Source: Chap Moto)

Install a Spark Arrestor

Spark arrestors are small inserts that weren’t made to silence the exhaust on an ATV or UTV. Their primary purpose is to prevent hot debris from ejecting from the exhaust pipe and sparking fires. However, spark arrestors have the added benefit of quieting an exhaust. The results won’t be dramatic, but they’ll be noticeable.

Even if you don’t need to further quiet the exhaust on your ATV or UTV, it’s smart to have a spark arrestor if you plan on packing your muffler or exhaust silencer with filler. The spark arrestor can prevent the filling from flying out while you’re riding. 

Your vehicle may already have a spark arrestor installed. Additionally, if you bought an aftermarket silencer, it also may have come with a spark arrestor installed. Therefore, you must see if you already have a spark arrestor installed. If you do have one, see if it is still in good working condition – if not, it may need to be replaced.

How to Install a Spark Arrestor

Below are the steps for installing a spark arrestor:

    1. Collect your spark arrestor, needle-nose pliers, and a flat head screwdriver or pick.
    2. Insert a screwdriver or pick into the removal clip on the muffler’s opening. Slide your tool counterclockwise to pop out the first end of the clip.
    3. Slide your tool clockwise between the clip’s lines until the clip releases.
    4. If you are replacing the spark arrestor: Insert your needle nose pliers into the center of the spark arrestor. Open the pliers as wide as you can. Using tension, pull straight back to remove the spark arrestor. 
  • If you are putting in a new spark arrestor: Carefully slide the spark arrestor into the muffler, making sure it’s fully inserted. The ring groove and the muffler outlet should be visible. 
  1. Separate the coils of the clip from steps 2 and 3. Insert the end of the coil with no bent tab into the ring groove. The bent tab should be facing outward. 
  2. Slide your tool counterclockwise into the lines of the clip to slide it back into place. 
  3. Apply your spark arrestor decal to the outside of the muffler. 

To see this process in detail, check out FMFRacing1993’s Spark Arrestor Instruction Video on YouTube. 

Repair Your Exhaust and Muffler System

Over time, your ATV or UTV’s exhaust and muffler system can become worn and develop leaks, cracks, and rusty spots. Although it wouldn’t seem like it, leaks and cracks (even the size of a small hairline fracture) can make an ATV or UTV’s noise levels rise. 

To fix this, you must repair and tune up your exhaust and muffler system. Whether you do it yourself or leave it to the professionals is up to you, but it’s beneficial either way.

How to Know If the Exhaust and Muffler System Needs Repairing

There are some ways to tell if your ATV or UTV’s exhaust and muffler system needs repairing to make it quieter. Telltale signs of a leak or crack are whistling noises while applying the throttle and backfires when decelerating. 

Here’s how to find a leak or crack, so you know what needs to be repaired:

  1. Get a flashlight to help you while you’re taking a look at the ATV or UTV.
  2. Start at the front of the exhaust or muffler and work your way backward. Keep an eye out for anything that looks abnormal, including rusty spots. 
  3. Keep a record of the places where the cracks, leaks, and rusty spots occur, so you know where repairs are warranted.

Purchase a Quiet Exhaust Endcap

Somewhat like an aftermarket exhaust silencer, quiet exhaust endcaps add length to the end of an ATV or UTV’s muffler to help bring down the noise level. They’re usually made out of lightweight stainless steel, and don’t hinder the performance of the vehicle. 

Some quiet exhaust endcaps are removable. That means you can pick and choose when to have it on the vehicle, and you can remove it when you’re not riding if you so desire.

The Best Quiet Exhaust Endcaps 

Quiet exhaust endcaps are readily available and relatively affordable to purchase. Some of the best quiet exhaust endcaps for ATVs and UTVs include: 

Be sure to measure the inner diameter of your exhaust muffler before purchasing a quiet exhaust endcap. You’ll want to get one in the right size!

Use a DB Killer Noise Eliminator

Another option for quieting the exhaust on your ATV or UTV is to use a DB killer noise eliminator. DB noise eliminators are tips for the muffler made out of stainless steel. They’re designed to slip on or inside the end of the muffler.

DB noise eliminators may be hollow or come with built-in spark arrestors and packing to cancel noise. While on a muffler, they lower the noise coming from the exhaust. It’s not a cut-and-dry amount, though – the amount of noise canceled by a DB killer noise eliminator depends on the make and model of the ATV or UTV rather than the noise eliminator itself. 

The Best DB Killer Noise Eliminators

Several DB killer noise eliminators are available for purchase, although they may cost a bit more than quiet exhaust endcaps. Some of the best DB killer noise eliminators are:

Use the Right Type of Fuel and Oil

The type of fuel and oil you put in your ATV or UTV can affect how loud the exhaust is. Since most 4-stroke ATVs and UTVs these days are high-performance, they require specific types of fuel and oil.

Make sure to check your vehicle’s operating manual to make sure you’re using the right fuel and oil to optimize its performance and reduce its exhaust noise.

The Best Fuels and Oils for Your ATV or UTV

If your vehicle’s operating manual doesn’t outline which fuel and oil to use for optimum performance, you can refer to some basic guidelines. 

Most ATVs and UTVs should not have fuel that contains more than 10 percent ethanol. Additionally, most ATVs and UTVs should be filled with unleaded gasoline – 87 octane (with or without ethanol) is best for performance. (Source: Polaris)

When it comes to the oil for your ATV or UTV, you ultimately get the choice of what oil you’d like to use. Some vehicle owners have specific oil preferences according to brand, where some owners have specific oil preferences according to ingredients. 

Some of the best oils for ATVs and UTVs include:

Benefits of Quieting the Exhaust on Your ATV or UTV

You probably have your reasons for wanting to quiet the exhaust on your ATV or UTV, but if you needed more, here they are! Quieting the exhaust on your ATV or UTV brings about quite a few benefits, such as:

You Comply with Noise Ordinances

Noise ordinances differ from state to state, and they can also differ in places like conservation areas, parks, and Forest Service lands. Although noise ordinances vary, they’re present in most places ATVs and UTVs are often used.

Some states even require noise suppression devices on certain offroad vehicles to prevent significant noise disruptions. Take Maryland, for example – it’s a part of ATV law that vehicles have a noise suppression system or muffler that is continuously in use. (Source: Edgar Snyder)

When you quiet your ATV or UTV’s exhaust, you can more easily comply with noise ordinances wherever you ride. Therefore, you can avoid getting a ticket – which could even be more expensive than the cost to quiet your exhaust. 

You Have Less Risk of Hearing Damage

ATVs or UTVs may not seem that loud, but when steps aren’t taken to quiet their exhausts, they can put you at risk for hearing damage. When they aren’t quieted, ATVs and UTVs can emit sound levels as high as 110 dBA. 

To put that into perspective, The Hearing Review explains that sound levels of 110 dBA are only safe to hear for about 90 seconds at a time. If you’re riding your ATV or UTV for several hours at a time, various times a year, you could be doing some severe damage to the longtime health of your ears. 

Quieting your exhaust allows you to have less risk of hearing damage, as it won’t expose you to such high noise levels. It also lessens the risk of hearing damage for those around you and near the vehicle while you’re riding. 

You Don’t Bother Others

If you think an exhaust is loud, you can imagine that everyone else nearby thinks it’s loud, too. Quieting your ATV or UTV’s exhaust has quite a few benefits for you, but it also has benefits for others. 

A quieter exhaust can make trail rides more peaceful and enjoyable for other riders, allow others to more peacefully enjoy the natural sounds outdoors, and keep neighbors from getting upset about the noise.

Final Thoughts

No matter your reason for quieting the exhaust on your ATV or UTV, it’s a good choice. Thankfully, there are various methods for quieting your exhaust – and many of them can be done all by yourself on a reasonable budget. 

By now, you should hopefully have all the knowledge and tools available to quiet your ATV or UTV’s exhaust, so you can make riding even more enjoyable than it already is. 

Brent Huntley

Brent Huntley is the owner of ATV Man and is responsible for almost all the material on the website. He also runs photographyandtravel.com and loves to travel and ride ATVs with his family. When he isn't playing, his day job consists of owning Huntley Law.

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