Preparing Your Snowmobile For Storage

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Course Outline

• Unit 1: Preparing to Ride
  • Topic 1: Getting to Know Your Snowmobile
    • Video: Welcome to Snowmobile Ed
    • Introduction to Snowmobiles
    • History of Snowmobiles
    • Learning About Your Snowmobile
    • Common Snowmobile Parts
    • Common Snowmobile Controls
    • Snowmobile Clubs and Resources
  • Topic 2: Basic Safety Guidelines
    • Basic Snowmobile Safety Code
    • Seven Traits of a Safe Snowmobiler
    • Adjusting the Snowmobile to Fit You
    • Preparing Yourself Before a Ride
  • Topic 3: Maintenance and Storage
    • Performing Pre-Season Maintenance
    • Maintaining a Clean, Quiet Machine
    • Preventing Theft
    • Preparing Your Snowmobile for Storage
  • Topic 4: Transporting a Snowmobile
    • Preparing to Tow a Snowmobile Trailer
    • Following Safe Towing Procedures
    • Trailer Pre-Start Checklist
    • Video: Loading and Unloading Snowmobiles
  • Topic 5: Protective Clothing and Gear
    • Emergency Gear
    • Gear for Riding on Ice or Mountainous Areas
    • Dress for Safety
    • Snowmobile Helmet
    • Eye Protection: Goggles or Face Shield
    • Gloves and Boots
    • Dressing for Cold Weather
    • Inner Layers and Outer Gear
    • Video: Gearing Up to Ride
• Unit 2: Riding Your Snowmobile
  • Topic 1: Starting Your Snowmobile
    • Always Perform a Pre-Ride Inspection
    • START-GO
    • Safe Starting Steps
    • Warming Up Your Snowmobile
    • Video: Inspecting Your Snowmobile
  • Topic 2: Positioning Yourself for Safer Riding
    • Sitting: Best for Stability
    • Animation: Sitting
    • Kneeling: Best for Easy Weight Shifting
    • Animation: Kneeling
    • Standing: Best for Seeing Ahead
    • Animation: Standing
    • Posting: Best for Climbing and Rugged Terrain
    • Animation: Posting
  • Topic 3: Basic Riding Skills
    • Practicing Your Riding Skills
    • Turning
    • Animation: Turning
    • Stopping
    • Riding Uphill
    • Animation: Riding Uphill
    • Riding Downhill
    • Animation: Riding Downhill
    • Traversing a Hill
    • Animation: Traversing a Hill
    • Crossing a Road
  • Topic 4: Speed and Stopping Distances
    • Calculating a Safe Speed
    • Stopping Distance
    • Animation: Speed and Stopping Distances
    • Video: Riding Positions
  • Topic 5: Learning Trail Signs
    • Route Signs and Trail Markers
    • Caution Signs and Markers
    • Regulatory Signs
• Unit 3: Improving Your Riding
  • Topic 1: Terrain and Weather Conditions
    • Snow
    • Ice and Frozen Bodies of Water
    • Anticipating Weather Conditions
    • Operating in Whiteout Conditions
    • Recognizing and Avoiding Avalanche Areas
  • Topic 2: Recovering From Mishaps
    • If You Break Through Ice
    • Video: Crossing Frozen Bodies of Water
    • If You Get Stuck in the Snow
    • If You Get Caught in an Avalanche
    • Towing a Disabled Snowmobile
  • Topic 3: Intermediate Skills
    • Carrying Passengers
    • Operating at Night or in Low-Light Conditions
    • Video: Riding in Various Conditions
    • Organizing and Leading Groups
    • Determining Group Ride Order and Spacing
    • Group Communication
    • Hand Signals
    • Animation: Hand Signals
• Unit 4: Riding Safely and Responsibly
  • Topic 1: Safety Guidelines
    • Using the Buddy System
    • Making Safety a Habit on Short, Unplanned Trips
    • Trip Length Does Not Affect Risks
    • Staying Alert to Avoid Fatigue
  • Topic 2: The Dangers of Alcohol and Drugs
    • Don’t Drink and Ride
    • Blood Alcohol Concentration
  • Topic 3: Observing the Code of Safety
    • Your Vehicle and Your Gear
    • Your Environment
  • Topic 4: Using Courteous Trail Etiquette
    • Be Considerate
    • Obey All Trail and Road Restrictions
  • Topic 5: Protecting the Environment
    • How Snowmobiles Impact the Outdoors
    • Keep Wild Lands Beautiful
    • Tread Lightly!
    • Video: Obeying Rules of the Road
• Unit 5: Preparing for the Unexpected
  • Topic 1: Planning for Snowmobiling Risks
    • Types of Emergencies
    • Rules of Survival
    • PLAN Properly
    • What to Bring Along
    • Video: Preparing for the Unexpected
  • Topic 2: Using Maps, Compasses, and GPS
    • Using Maps and Compasses
    • Selecting a Compass
    • Understanding Declination
    • Using a Compass to Take a Bearing
    • Using a Global Positioning System
  • Topic 3: Training to Develop Survival Skills
    • Benefits of Survival Training
    • Preparing a Shelter
    • Building and Extinguishing a Fire
    • Signaling for Help
    • Meeting Needs for Water and Food
    • Basic First Aid
  • Topic 4: Coping With Extreme Weather
    • Basics of Cold Survival Without Fire
    • Hypothermia
    • Frostbite
• Unit 6: Observing Snowmobile Laws in Indiana
  • Topic 1: Snowmobiling in Indiana
    • What Is a Snowmobile?
    • Indiana Snowmobile Trails
  • Topic 2: Registering Your Snowmobile
    • Registration Requirements
    • Displaying the Registration Decals
    • Other Facts About Registration
    • Buying and Selling a Snowmobile
  • Topic 3: Operator Requirements
    • Operating on Highways and Roads
    • Operating on Public Property
    • Youth Operators
  • Topic 4: Operating Your Snowmobile Legally and Safely
    • General Provisions
    • Alcohol and Drugs
    • Improper Speed or Distance
    • Equipment Requirements
    • Avoiding Prohibited Areas
    • Hunting Equipment
  • Topic 5: Accidents and Law Enforcement Officers
    • Responding Appropriately After an Accident
    • Obeying Law Enforcement Officers

View Course Outline Skip audio player

To ensure that the next riding season starts trouble free, take time at the end of the season to make repairs and prepare your machine for storage.

• Clean it thoroughly.
• Wax it.
• Replace worn or missing screws and bolts.
• Drain all fuel from the tank. Then run the engine at idle speed to clear the fuel lines and carburetor. Alternatively, you can add fuel stabilizer to extend the life of fresh fuel. Stabilizer is not effective with older fuel.
• Remove the spark plugs. Spray fogging oil into each cylinder. Turn the engine over a few times. Then, replace the plugs or install new ones.
• Remove the drive belt so that it won’t stretch during storage.
• Lubricate the drive clutch with light grease.
• Charge and remove the battery, if your machine has one.
• Plug all openings—such as the exhaust and air intake—to keep out rodents.
• Remove the seat, if possible, and store it inside. You may want to apply a vinyl protectant.
• Put a board under the skis and track. Apply anti-rust paint on the wear bars, as well as on any bare metal areas on the skis.
• Cover the machine with a breathable tarp.

• Unit 1 of 6
• Topic 3 of 5
• Page 4 of 4

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