19
YOUTH SECTION
Pre-Ride Check
You’re almost ready to have an adult start your snowmobile. Before
the snowmobile is started for the first time, you must do a PRE-RIDE
CHECK. In fact, every time you ri de your snowmobile you must have
an adult help you check these things before starting it. Let’s learn
about these things now.
n Make sure the throttle doesn’t stick. Push the throttle lever toward
the handlebar and then let it go. The lever should come right back
to where it was before you pushed it. If it comes back slowly or
stays close to the handlebar, you have a sticky throttle. This means
that something is wrong or broken. Don’t start the snowmobile
until an adult fixes the sticky throttle.
n Make sure the brakes don’t stick. Squeeze the brake lever toward
the handlebar and then let it go. It should come right back to
where it was before you squeezed it. If it goes back slowly o r stays
close to the handlebar, your brakes are sticking.
n If you’ve used the storage area under the seat, make sure the seat
locking tabs are in p lace.
n Make sure your hood is latched tight before starting your machine.
n Make sure your track and skis are not frozen to the snow. Stand
behind the machine and lift up on the back of the sled. This will
free the track if it is frozen to the ground. Turn the handlebars to
move the skis back and forth to make sure they aren’t frozen. If
any of this is hard to do, have an adult help you.
Never start the engine if you have a sticky throttle. You
could get hurt if you ride with a sticky throttle. Have an
adult or your Polaris dealer fix the throttle before you ride.
Never start the engine if you have sticky brakes. You
could get hurt if you ride with sticky brakes. Have an
adult or your Polaris dealer fix the brakes before you ride.
Never check the track o r skis when the engine is running.
You could get hurt. Never stand behind or in front of any
snowmobile when the engine is running.
