Performing Pre-Season Snowmobile Maintenance
Always give your snowmobile a checkup before the season starts. It’s easier to fix a problem while the snowmobile is in the garage instead of waiting until it spoils your fun on the trail. Consult your owner’s manual for items that may need to be lubricated, tightened, adjusted, aligned, or checked for wear. Key items include:
- Brakes
- Carburetor
- Chain
- Clutch
- Drive belt
- Fuel filter
- Handlebars
- Lights
- Shocks
- Skis/Skag bars
- Spark plugs
- Steering system
- Throttle
- Track
- Windshield
- Also be sure to perform all recommended maintenance
Key Items To Check
Be sure to consult your owner’s manual before you attempt any adjustments or repairs. Taking your machine to a licensed snowmobile mechanic may be your best bet
Maintaining a Clean, Quiet Machine
Beyond the pre-season checkup and maintenance, you can follow these suggestions to make sure your snowmobile runs cleaner and quieter.
Use high-grade oil and gasoline, which burn cleaner.
Tune the engine for your altitude, including the proper carburetor jet setting, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.
Avoid opening and closing the throttle continuously, which causes inefficient fuel burning and increases emissions and noise
Change the spark plugs at least once during the season to ensure efficient fuel burning.
Don’t tamper with your exhaust pipes as that causes the machine to exceed legal noise limits.
