Get Your Snowmobile Ready for the First Ride with Our Checklist

Nothing can ruin a fun day out on the trails like a snowmobile that just won’t braaap. The best way to deal with breakdowns is to never have them in the first place, and the best way to do that is to give your sled a good pre-season checkup.

When and How to Service Your Sled

The best time to service your sled is actually before you put it to bed for the summer, according to Snoriders. If you didn’t do that, you’ll want to be sure to give it a good checkup before you go out for your first ride—the sooner the better.

If you’re going to have a dealer perform your tuneup, be sure to book early because appointment slots can fill quickly. But when should you take it to a dealer rather than doing it yourself? You can probably perform most of the basic work and checks yourself, but if you do find problems, you may want to leave those to the professionals—especially if you don’t feel 100% comfortable working on your snowmobile. You may end up saving money now by trying to do it yourself, but it could cost you more in the end.

The Checklist

Snowmobiles are complicated machines, so there are a number of things you will want to check and services you’ll want to perform on your snowmobile before you hit the trails this winter.

Check headlights/taillights
Flush fuel
Inspect track – Make sure tension is up to your unit’s specs, and check for wear, rubbing and missing parts
Top off fluids and check for leaks – This includes the chain case oil, brake fluid, injection oil, coolant and engine oil.
Check clutch, including the belt
Check engine for wear to the drive belt, rust and cracked/broken engine mounts
Change shocks (once a year or after 1,000 miles) and check drive axle, slides and sprocket assembly
Check cooling system
Check throttle, brake and oil cables for excess wear or damage
Check exhaust springs and mounts
Clean carburetor
Lubricate fittings
Check for cracks in skid frame
Check for cracked suspension arms and springs
Make sure the wheels aren’t stuck or overly wobbly
Check body for rust
Check for loose/broken nuts and bolts
Check skis and carbides for wear

Meterologist and snowmobile enthusiast Darrin Harr notes on his snowmobile blog that the rear-end suspension takes the most abuse on a sled and is therefore the most likely area for problems to occur. He therefore recommends looking especially closely at that area with a flashlight and mirror.

Other Precautions

Of course, even with the most meticulous pre-season maintenance, trouble can occur. That’s why you should pack some extra supplies, such as a spare drive belt, extra spark plugs and a snowmobile tool kit.

And as always, you want to make sure that help is never far away. The best rule of thumb is to never go riding alone, which also is helpful in case of an accident or injury. Be sure you have mobile devices charged and consider GPS units and satellite phones.

Don’t let mechanical issues ruin your winter fun. Give your sled a little TLC now so it will braap strong all winter long.

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