Snowmobile Maintenance Tips
The days are short and the powder is fresh—it’s time to take your snowmobile for your next winter adventure! Whether you’re riding for kicks or using your snowmobile as a workhorse, it’s a machine that works hard to get you where you need to go. It’s only fair to return the favor by taking good care of it. Like any powersports vehicle, your snowmobile needs regular checkups, but there are a number of things you can do as preventative maintenance to keep those checkups cheap.
We here at Moroney’s Motorsports know how important your snowmobile is to you—and how important it is that it doesn’t empty your wallet. To help out, we’ve put together some of our best tips for keeping your snowmobile in good working order. If you want to know more, or if you’re on the market for a new snowmobile to try these with, contact our store in New Windsor, New York. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will make sure you find what you need at the prices you want!
Manual And Scheduling
The first step in any maintenance routine is to locate and read up on your owner’s manual. While we can give you advice that generally applies to most snowmobiles, your owner’s manual is written and designed for your machine specifically. Some recommended maintenance will require a service trip, but some of it can be easily handled at home. Your manual will know which is which! If you can’t find your owner’s manual, head to the manufacturer’s website and you should be able to find a digital copy that you can download or print on your own.
Top It Off
Like any modern vehicle, your snowmobile’s engine relies on a number of fluids to function properly. You’ll want to check on these regularly to make sure they’re in good condition and as full as they can be. That means looking into your fuel, oil, radiator fluid, coolant, and other tanks at regular intervals as recommended in the owner’s manual.
When you’re checking these fluids, make sure what’s left in the tank is in good condition. If it’s discolored or viscous, you’ll need to empty the tank and refill it with fresh fluid. If the remaining liquids look like they’re in good shape, simply top off your tank and you’re good to go! Make sure you’re using the correct version of each product for your particular snowmobile before filling, though.
Clean It Up
Your snowmobile doesn’t just interact with snow—it plows through icy dirt, freshly-made mud, and other debris as it zooms over the winter landscape. These substances do damage to more than just the vehicle’s aesthetics, and can be a serious maintenance issue if they build up too heavily. Cleaning your vehicle should become a part of your regular maintenance routines.
Grime and dirt buildup on your chassis and tracks can cause a variety of issues, from lost traction to lowered fuel efficiency. When possible, try to cover your snowmobile with a waterproof cover when it’s not in use. This will help protect it from the elements and from being splashed by other vehicles. This is especially important when it’s being transported from place to place on another vehicle.
Lubrication
Make sure to regularly lubricate all the moving parts. That includes bearings, steering components, drivetrains, and suspensions. Aside from avoiding some intense and painful squeaking, this will keep your vehicle from tearing itself to shreds while it’s running.
Track And Skis
Unlike most powersports vehicles, snowmobiles rely on tracks and skis rather than wheels. This presents some unique challenges. Make sure your track is properly aligned to keep it running properly. If necessary, loosen a rear-axle bolt after aligning the track to adjust tension.
Next, sit on the seat and turn the handlebars. Watch the skis to make sure they follow the turning motion properly. Inspect the carbides, the protruding bits on the bottoms of skis that help with steering, to check for wear and tear. These might be expensive to replace, but it’s important to have ones in good shape to avoid damaging the skis as a whole. Replacing skis is even more expensive, so take the hit when necessary.
If you find a maintenance problem you can’t fix on your own, or if you just have questions about snowmobile maintenance, contact us at Moroney’s Motorsports! Our maintenance specialists will get you and your machine back on the powder as soon as possible. We proudly serve the people of Newburgh and New Windsor, New York—let us serve you today!