Snowmobile Maintenance
Winter can be a blast, especially if you've got a snowmobile. And while tearing through open fields and deep mountain powder is fun for the rider, it can wreak havoc on your machine. Dunfords of Havelock, serving Peterborough and Belleville, Ontario, wants you to have the most fun possible this winter and wants your machine to survive the season. Follow our suggestions below, or visit our service department and let our professionally trained, friendly team handle any maintenance and repairs, and you'll be set for a nice long winter of tearing up the slopes on your sled!
Pre-Season Maintenance
If you let your snowmobile rest during the Summer and Fall, it'll take a little bit of work before you're ready to ride. And don't be fooled just because it starts up on the first try, while everything might seem like it's working a pre-season tune-up before you take to the trails will save you time and money later on. A good starting place is with your owner's manual, in there you'll find everything you need to perform simple maintenance and easy tune-ups. And while your owner's manual will have a more complete rundown, we've put together a basic list of things to check before you take to the snow (be sure you're checking for wear and making sure everything is well-lubricated as well):
- Filter
- Brakes
- Spark Plugs
- Skis
- Steering and throttle
- Headlights and tail lights
- Track
Regular Season Maintenance
It's one thing to get your snowmobile ready to shred some powder, and another thing entirely to keep your machine working in peak condition all winter long. If you want to cut down on costly maintenance and repairs, a little regular maintenance will be in order. Adding to the benefits of regular season maintenance? A properly running snowmobile is more fuel efficient, further reducing your costs.
- Check and change your oil regularly (follow the manufacturer's guidelines)
- Check the skis & carbides for wear
- Check your spark plugs for wear
- Check the track
- Check and maintain fluid levels
- Check the drive belt for wear
Additionally, it's a good idea to change the chaincase oil, which can break down from your snowmobile heating and cooling. And if you're going to be changing the chaincase oil, it's a good idea to set your chain tension as well. A loose chain might skip and grind on the sprockets, over time that can lead to complete chain failure. Lastly, keep your snowmobile greased. It's one of the simplest maintenance tasks to perform and really goes a long way toward keeping your machine in top performing condition. Inject fresh grease into the chassis, hit all of the zerks in the rear suspension, front suspension, steering components, as well as the driveshaft, and your sled will run exactly like the well-oiled machine it is.
Remember, perform some pre-season maintenance and check your lights, spark plugs, and brakes, to get your sled ready for some rough riding. Additionally, monitoring some of these same systems during your in-season rides will keep your snowmobile happy and in peak performance mode for the winter! However you decide to ride this season, Dunfords of Havelock, serving Hastings County and Northumberland County, Ontario, has a friendly and professionally trained service team, standing ready to keep you running straight through til Spring!