Riding your snowmobile amidst the piles of snow is an unforgettable experience that gives an adrenaline rush. The feeling you get from zooming through the white landscapes, cutting through the cold winds, and navigating through the icy terrains is surreal and exhilarating. Before you take your vehicle out for some adventure, make sure you are prepared to handle some mechanical troubleshooting for any that may arise.
A snowmobile maintenance checklist comes in handy before pulling out your vehicle from the garage and hitting the frosty lands. In this article, we will talk about a step-by-step practical guide in getting snowmobiles ready for winter.
Step 1: Inspect your snowmobile thoroughly
Since you are taking out your motor sled months after the last winter season, it calls for an immediate inspection before you set out for a ride. Inspect your vehicle thoroughly and identify the damages, if any. Look over the machine for the loopholes such as worn belts, loose parts, and other stresses.
Check the machine's manual to find out all the lubrication points and lubricate your vehicle with the help of a grease gun.
Step 2: Add some fresh fluids
If you had stored your snowmobile with some gas left in the tank from last winter, we advise you to add fresh gasoline, or you can opt to drain the gas before storing your snowmobile. Riding your snowmobile with the old gas in the tank is a bad practice because old gasoline would lose its quality over time, and you may find yourself with a broken-down vehicle in the middle of nowhere.
We also suggest you check or replace the brake fluid to improve the performance of your vehicle. Flush old fluid out and perform regular maintenance annually.
Step 3: Unplug all the intakes
The next important step in prepping your snowmobile for the winter season is to unplug all the intakes. Ensure to remove all elements like dust, dirt, debris, rodents, or any other unwanted elements from your vehicle and clean the aperture properly.
Many people block the air intake and exhaust apertures when the vehicle is not stored for a long time to ward off the rodents from nesting in the machine.
Step 4: Replace spark plugs and clean the carburetor
Replacing the spark plugs with new ones is vital to enhance the performance of your snowmobile. In addition to this, clean the carburetor thoroughly using cleaner and other cleaning tools once or twice a year.
Check for the parts such as oil cables and throttle for the damages, and get them fixed. Also, do not forget to inspect the water pump belt for any crack, hole, or any other damages.
Step 5: Assess the skis
The skis must be in good condition as a damaged ski may lead to several problems and potential threats. Assess the steel skis for any dents, damages, and holes. If the skis in your snowmobile are of plastic, check for cuts and gouges.
Step 6: Clean the snowmobile
After inspecting the machine and the condition of all the parts of your snowmobile, the last step is to clean your vehicle thoroughly and prepare it for a perfect ride. Wash off the elements such as dirt, leaves, salt, and other debris. You can pressure wash your sled but avoid spraying on electrical parts. Use an upholstery cleaner to clean the seat of the vehicle. For a lasting shine, add polish and wax at the end, especially on metal parts.
Final Takeaway
Using your snowmobile in the heavy winter season will only add to your thrill and enjoyment of riding. However, if you do not conduct snowmobile maintenance before use, riding this vehicle may become a safety threat. Therefore, we recommend you follow these steps to prepare your motor sled on the road and make the most of your rides hassle-free.