For enthusiastic snowmobilers like you, it might be a little saddening that you have to wait till winter every year to go on an adventure with your vehicle.
Wouldn’t you be over the moon if you could find out, you can hop on your winter vehicle even in the off-season and have the best of time?
Can you ride a snowmobile in the summer?
Despite snowmobiles being a winter vehicle, it is now possible to ride your snowmobile during summer for recreational purposes as well as utility activities like grass drags and water skipping. However, it is not ideal to ride the vehicle off-season, and suggested storing it instead.
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Should I start my snowmobile in the summer?
Even though you can ride your snowmobile in the summer, you should avoid running it off-season for obvious reasons like this is a winter vehicle. And by starting your vehicle during adverse weather conditions, you’re exposing it to damage and yourself to injuries.
Despite all that, if you’re planning to start your snowmobile in the summer you should prepare yourself for a few obvious consequences.
For starters, you may find yourself drowning along with your snowmobile if you’re riding on water.
Moreover, since the vehicle is designed for a snowy and icy place, roads can cause fatal external damage to your vehicle. Sometimes, water or other foreign materials may get stuck inside of the engine.
However, you can still start a snowmobile in the summer considering the consequences as it gaining more popularity gradually as a recreational sport. Thus, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite sport both on and off-season.
Can you ride a fan cooled snowmobile in the summer?
You can ride a fan cooled snowmobile in the summer effortlessly since they don’t require snow for cooling down the engine. You’ll be safe and sound with an efficient fan belt and ambient air to run your vehicle in the summer.
Furthermore, fan cooled snowmobiles don’t have any overheating issues either. Hence, you can go ride on both water and grass with a fan cooled snowmobile and can even enjoy fishing during the summer.
The simpler engine design of fan cooled snowmobiles makes them very lightweight and easy to handle.
You don’t even have to bother about the aftermarket parts of the vehicle during the off-season. You can yourself change the brake pads, bearings, and carbides.
If you’re a newbie and you tend to practice snowmobiling off-season too, you can opt for fan cooled snowmobiles.
These are very easy to maintain engines and you can totally rely on them. Not to mention, fan cooled snowmobiles come with attractive price deals so you don’t have to pay a fortune to fulfill your wishes.
How to sled a snowmobile without snow?
Four simple steps to sled snowmobile without snow:
Locate the correct spot:
If you’re going to sled without snow, location is an issue. Since the engines require snow to cool down. Select a steep hill to sled without any obstacles. However, you’ll be fine sledding on grass, roads, and water following the safety measures.
Safety measures:
Try to dress accordingly. Wear a helmet, goggles, and shirts with long sleeves. Carry a water bottle with you in case you get dehydrated.
Maintain minimal distance:
This is a must to maintain the minimum distance while sledding without snow. Don’t go too far and keep the speed low while riding. There’s a reason why these are called winter vehicles. It might get cumbersome in the middle of nowhere.
Stop immediately if overheated:
If you’re smelling plastic burns, it is because your engine is overheated and you need to stop immediately otherwise, accidents may occur. You must be extra cautious about the liquid-cooled snowmobiles since they tend to get overheated with or without snow.
However, it is somewhat dangerous to sled without snow. Hence, you may find your snowmobile sinking if you’re riding in water or whatsoever.
Accidents and injuries are common in every sport. Snowmobiling is no different. So, always be prepared for emergencies.
What temperature is too warm for a snowmobile?
If you’re riding off-season, you must be fine at a temperature of 30 degrees. However, you may want to worry a little if it’s 40 degrees outside; your fan cooled snowmobile may malfunction.
According to the thumb rule, 160 degrees F is too warm for a liquid-cooled snowmobile. You need to stop immediately or take a break if you notice a temperature around 150 degrees F.
If you’re riding at 180 degrees F or above that, the overheating indicator will give you a warning. However, modern sleds stop their engine when the temperature is too hot.
But you’ll be fine though if there is enough snow to keep your liquid-cooled engine cool, that is, if you’re riding in winter, the temperature wouldn’t be an issue.
That being said, you can avoid too warm a temperature for a snowmobile by riding it quickly in the morning and evening.
How do you cool down a snowmobile? -Cool down your snowmobile in summer heat
4 easy ways to cool down your snowmobile in the summer heat-
Follow the indicator warning:
Your snowmobile indicator will illuminate a red light as a warning when the engine gets overheated. This is the time when you would want to stop riding your snowmobile, or else serious damage may occur to the engine.
Take small breaks:
If your engine is getting hot, you can take small breaks during your journey and then resume again. Such events are helpful to cool down snowmobiles in the summer heat.
Install an extra fan:
Attach an extra fan or radiator at the back of the snowmobile. It will help keep the engine cool down for a long time. Hence, you can make long journeys in the summer without overheating the engine.
Keep a record of the coolant level:
Keep a keen eye on the coolant level of the engine. If it gets low, add extra coolant. Remember not to do it while the engine is still hot, or you might get burnt.
How do I store my snowmobile for the summer?
Six steps to store your snowmobile for the summer-
Clean the snowmobile thoroughly:
Use lukewarm water, soap, and a sponge to wash and clean your snowmobile. This will prevent your snowmobile from getting mold, rust, and corrosion when stored.
To clean the outside, you need immense water flow pressure. After washing, apply a layer of wax to keep your winter vehicle shining and increase longevity.
Neutralize the fuel system:
Don’t drain the entire fuel tank before storing the snowmobile for good. The engine needs fuel to stay in order. However, long-time storage with fuel in the engine may start corrosion inside. Hence, pour a fuel stabilizer inside the tank.
This will help prevent any type of damage or corrosion. You can either keep the tank full or halfway. Follow the instructions on the fuel stabilizer bottle for further instructions.
Fog the engine:
Apply oil to the inside of your engine to protect the crankshaft bearings, connecting rods, and other internal engine parts from the air, moisture, and corrosion.
Fog the engine outside or in a place with sufficient airflow. However, fogging is not necessary if you plan to start your engine once a month.
Apply lubrication to the grease points and the chassis:
Add lube to the greasing joints and the exposed parts like exhaust, suspension rails, and nails to prevent it from rust and moisture.
It may be a regular part of your engine maintenance during winter. But it is very important to carry this process before storing your snowmobile.
Remove the drive belt and battery:
Take out the drive belt so that it can’t build condensation with the clutch. Removing the belt will also increase its durability. Store the belt in an unrolled position.
It’s a smart idea to take out the battery from your snowmobile and charge it before storing it. It will keep the battery at the optimum charge till the next winter.
Keeping the battery in your snowmobile will give you a down battery next winter. Store it in a temperature-controlled place with no sunlight.
Put the snowmobile off the ground with a covering:
It is normal to encounter rust and corrosion when you store a snowmobile on a cold floor. Spray dryer sheets to prevent it from rodents and mice. Place mothballs under the hood to help keep the critters away.
Put a jack stand below the bumper and let the chassis hang on a wooden box. This will remove tension from the suspension and endure its durability. Finally, cover the snowmobile with a lightweight, clean, and well-fitted cover.
Can you ride a snowmobile on grass?
Even though snowmobiles are designed to run on snow, you can, however, ride these engine sleds on trails, grounds, or grass. Enthusiasts now take part in drag races with these snowmobiles on the grass even in the offseason.
What is the smoothest riding snowmobile?
You can get the smoothest riding experience with a Ski-Doo snowmobile. They come with both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines. You can run races with these vehicles as well as use them for utilitarian purposes.
Nevertheless, you must always be careful while having fun with your snowmobile be it in winter or summer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can Snowmobiles Go on The Water?