Riding Your Snowmobile

Before Starting Your Snowmobile

Always go through the front-to-back inspection process before you start riding for the day. Accidents sometimes occur when a driver starts a snowmobile but is not prepared to take control of it immediately. To start safely:

• Point the machine in a safe direction.
• Position yourself to control the machine when it starts.
• Set the parking brake.
• Set the key and the engine stop switch (also sometimes known as a safety switch) to the “on” position.
• If your engine is cold, choke or prime it.
• If your machine has a reverse gear, be sure the snowmobile is in a forward gear before you start off.

Starting Your Snowmobile

• Release the parking brake; increase the throttle; and move slowly until the engine, drive belt, and track are warmed up fully.
• If the snowmobile doesn’t move, stop the engine and check for a frozen track or seized brake.
• If you have an electric starter, turn the key and release the choke as soon as the engine starts.
  • If your machine does not have an electric starter, try to pull start it from the seated position.
  • If you cannot pull start your machine from the seated position, you may have to stand to the side of the machine. It is especially important to inspect your machine before starting it and follow all safety steps before starting your machine.
• Allow the engine to warm up, and gradually move the choke to the “off” position. If you have a primer, you may have to pump it a few times to keep the engine running until it is warm.

Be a Wise Energy User

• Warm up the engine after you start it. Ride at low speeds for a few minutes.
• Avoid gunning the engine and jack-rabbit starts, which waste fuel.
• Keep your engine tuned correctly to get maximum mileage.
• Use trails close to your home to minimize transportation costs.