Safety Labels and Locations

Content Source: 2019 GEM e246 INTL Owner’s Manual (9929174 R03) > Safety Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the CONTENTS link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com

Safety Labels and Locations

Warning labels have been placed on the vehicle for your protection. Read and follow the instructions of the labels on the vehicle carefully. If any of the labels depicted in this manual differ from the labels on your vehicle, always read and follow the instructions of the labels on the vehicle

If any label becomes illegible or comes off, contact your authorized GEM dealer to purchase a replacement. Replacement safety labels are provided at no charge. The part number is printed on the label.

Age Warning
Operation Warning
General Warning

Passenger/Tire Pressure Warning
Seat Belt Warning

General Warning

WARNING

Read your owner’s manual before operating this vehicle.
Do not operate this vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
This vehicle is not intended to be driven at speeds exceeding 25 MPH (40 km/h).
Although most states prohibit this vehicle from operating on streets having posted speed limits of more than 35 MPH (56 km/h), state and local rules may vary. Check with your local law enforcement (city and state officials) for variations in your area.
Never exceed the passenger and cargo limits of this vehicle.
Do not start or operate vehicle until all occupants are seated with seat belts fastened.
Avoid sharp turns on inclines and at high speeds (may cause rollover).
Reduce speed on wet and slippery surfaces and in turns.
Do not leave children unattended in vehicle.
Set handbrake before leaving the vehicle.
Remove key when leaving vehicle unattended.
Stop vehicle before reversing direction.
Be aware of small children and objects behind you before reversing direction.

ALWAYS DRIVE SAFELY. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY.

Age Warning

Operating this vehicle if you are under the age of 16 increases your chance of severe injury or death.

NEVER operate this vehicle if you are under the age 16 and NEVER operate this vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

Operation Warning

Set the parking brake before leaving the vehicle.

Turn the POWER ON key to the OFF position and remove it when the vehicle is not in use.

When towing the vehicle, turn the POWER ON key to the OFF position.

Solar Panel Do Not Stack Warning

This label is located at the rear center of the solar panel (if equipped).

WARNING

DO NOT STACK.

Discretionary Warning

WARNING

Improper vehicle use can result in Severe Injury or Death.

NEVER Operate:

At speeds too fast for your skills or the conditions.
After or while using Alcohol or Drugs.
On extreme off-road terrain or extreme slopes.
On public roads, a collision can occur with another vehicle.
With more than one passenger, or a passenger under age twelve or who cannot comfortably reach the floor and hand holds.
With non-GEM approved accessories - they may seriously affect stability.

ALWAYS:

Wear your seat belt, if equipped. Vehicle rollover could cause severe injury or death.
Wear a helmet and eye protection and keep hands and feet in vehicle at all times.
Reduce speed and use extra caution when carrying a passenger.
Avoid sharp turns or turns while applying heavy throttle.
Operate slowly in reverse - avoid sharp turns or sudden braking.
Make sure passenger reads and understands all safety labels.
Watch for branches or other hazards that could enter vehicle.

LOCATE AND READ OWNER’S MANUAL. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.

Passenger/Tire Pressure Warning

WARNING

Passengers can be thrown off. This can cause serious injury or death. Never carry passengers in cargo box.

IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE OR OVERLOADING CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Reduce speed and allow greater distance for braking when carrying cargo
Overloading or carrying tall, off-center, or unsecured loads will increase your risk of losing control. Loads should be centered and carried as low as possible in box.
For stability on rough or hilly terrain, reduce speed and cargo.
Be careful if load extends over the side of the box.

Seat Belt Warning

One seat belt warning is located on the headliner above the front passenger seat. Second and third row seat belt warning labels are located on the seat belt drop-down bars for the row ahead.

WARNING

TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH: Always fasten your seat belt.

Passenger/Rear Cargo Warning

This label is centrally located under the center high mount stop lamp (if equipped) . This label is also located on the S-Bed and TrunkBack.

WARNING

Never carry passengers on rear platform. Passengers can be thrown off. This can cause serious injury or death.

WARNING

STANDARD CARGO LIMIT 15 kg / 33 lbs.

S-BED/TRUNK-BACK CARGO LIMIT 150 kg / 330 lbs.

Distribute weight evenly. Ensure loads are properly secured. Total weight of passengers, accessories and cargo must not exceed gross vehicle weight rating in owner’s manual.

Operator Safety

WARNING

Serious injury or death can result if you do not follow these instructions and procedures, which are outlined in further detail within your owner's manual.

Read this manual and all labels carefully. Follow the operating procedures described.
Never allow anyone under age 16 to operate this vehicle and never allow anyone without a valid driver's license to operate this vehicle.
Never permit a guest to operate this vehicle unless the guest has read this manual and all product labels.
Always make sure the seat belts are secured for operator and all passengers before operating.

Never exceed the maximum occupant capacity of your vehicle:

GEM e2	2 occupants
GEM e4	4 occupants
GEM e6	6 occupants

Never exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your vehicle.
The cab frame is not designed or intended to provide rollover protection. Avoid situations that could result in a rollover.
Always be sure there are no obstacles or people behind your vehicle when operating in reverse. When it’s safe to proceed in reverse, move slowly. Avoid turning at sharp angles in reverse.
Always use the proper size and type of tires and always maintain proper tire pressure as specified in this manual and on safety labels.
Never modify this vehicle through improper installation or use of accessories.
Always set the park brake and remove the key when leaving the vehicle unattended.
The voltage in the battery pack is sufficient to cause death by electrocution. With the exception of battery inspections and refilling the water in flooded type batteries, never attempt to perform service on the electric drive system, including the battery pack, unless you are properly trained to work on electrical systems. Your authorized GEM dealer can provide battery-related service.
Do not carry a passenger until you have at least two hours of driving experience with this vehicle.
Always keep arms and legs inside the cab frame while the vehicle is in motion.
Always keep both hands on the steering wheel and both feet on the floorboards of the vehicle during operation.
Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while operating this vehicle.
Never operate at excessive speeds. Always travel at a speed proper for the traffic, visibility and operating conditions, and your experience.
Never attempt jumps, doughnuts or other stunts.
Always inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure it's in safe operating condition. Always follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in this manual.
Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or loose terrain.
Always follow proper procedures for turning. Practice turning at slow speeds before attempting to turn at faster speeds. Never turn at excessive speeds.
Always have this vehicle inspected by an authorized service dealer if it has been involved in an accident.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

WARNING

Exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating of your vehicle can reduce stability and handling and could cause loss of control. NEVER exceed the GVWR of your vehicle.

The maximum payload capacity of your vehicle is the maximum weight you may add to your vehicle without exceeding the GVWR. This capacity is determined by calculating the difference between your vehicle’s GVWR and wet weight.

Refer to the specification section of this manual or the Manufacturer’s Label on the vehicle for model-specific information.

When determining the weight, you will be adding to your vehicle, and to ensure you do not exceed the maximum payload capacity, include the following:

operator body weight
passenger body weight
weight of all occupants’ apparel and items in or on apparel
weight of any options or accessories and their contents
weight of any additional cargo on the vehicle

Equipment Modifications

Never install any accessory that grounds to the vehicle chassis. The chassis is a floating ground to protect against electrical short circuits and hazards.

Do not install any non-GEM-approved accessory or modify the vehicle including for the purpose of increasing speed or power.

The warranty on your GEM vehicle may be voided if any non-GEM-approved equipment and/or modifications have been added to the vehicle.

WARNING

Any modifications or installation of non-GEM-approved accessories could create a substantial safety hazard and increase the risk of bodily injury.

The addition of certain accessories, including (but not limited to) mowers, blades, tires, sprayers, or large racks, may change the handling characteristics of the vehicle. Use only GEM-approved accessories, and familiarize yourself with their function and effect on the vehicle.

Operating Without Instruction

Operating this vehicle without proper instruction increases the risk of an accident. The operator must understand how to operate the vehicle properly in different situations and on different types of terrain. All operators must read and understand the Owner's Manual and all warning and instruction labels before operating the vehicle.

Noise and Vibration

This vehicle’s A-weighted emission sound pressure level at workstations does not exceed 70 db(A). This vehicle’s vibration total value to which the hand-arm system is subjected does not exceed 2.5 m/s 2. This vehicle’s highest root mean square value of weighted acceleration to which the whole body is subjected does not exceed 0.5 m/s2.

WARNING

Failure to operate this vehicle properly can result in a collision, loss of control, accident or overturn, which may result in serious injury or death. Heed all safety warnings outlined in this section of the owner’s manual. See the OPERATION section of the owner’s manual for proper operating procedures.

Age Restrictions

This vehicle is an ADULT VEHICLE ONLY. NEVER operate this vehicle if you are under age 16 and NEVER operate without a valid driver’s license.

Using Alcohol or Drugs

WARNING

Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while operating this vehicle.

Operating this vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs could adversely affect operator judgment, reaction time, balance and perception.

Seat Belts

Riding in this vehicle without wearing the seat belt increases the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Occupants must wear seat belts at all times. Always make sure the seat belts are secured for operator and all passengers before operating.

WARNING

Always wear your seal belt. Ensure the seat belts are secured for operator and all passengers before operating. Failure to do so could result in the risk of serious injury or death.

Ventilation When Charging Batteries

WARNING

Maintenance and storage areas for this vehicle should be properly ventilated to avoid fire hazards in accordance with applicable fire codes and ordinances.

Ventilation for this vehicle should be provided to remove the accumulation of flammable hydrogen gas emitted during the charging process. The amount of hydrogen gas emitted depends upon a number of factors such as the condition of the batteries, the output rate of the battery charger and the amount of time the batteries are on charge. Because of the highly volatile nature of hydrogen gas and its propensity to accumulate in pockets, a minimum number of air changes per hour is required during charging (1 for one vehicle and up to 5 for multiple vehicles are recommended). Consult applicable fire and safety codes for the specific ventilation levels required as well as the use of explosion proof electrical apparatus.

Always ensure a minimum of 5 air changes per hour in the charging area.
Always remove any storage covers from the vehicle and open any cab doors (if equipped) before charging.
Reset the charger (interrupt AC power for 15 seconds).

Failure to Inspect Before Operating

WARNING

Failure to inspect and verify that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before operating increases the risk of an accident. Always inspect the vehicle before each use to make sure it's in safe operating condition. Always follow all inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the owner's manual. See the Periodic Maintenance Section of the Maintenance Chapter.

Operating a Damaged Vehicle

caution

Operating a damaged vehicle can result in an accident. After any rollover or accident, have an authorized GEM dealer or qualified service dealer inspect the entire machine for possible damage, including (but not limited to) brakes, accelerator, steering system and electrical system.

Operating at Excessive Speeds

caution

Operating this vehicle at excessive speeds increases the operator's risk of losing control. Always operate at a speed that's appropriate for your skills and the traffic, visibility and operating conditions.

Exhibition Driving

caution

Exhibition driving increases the risk of an accident or rollover. Never attempt wheelies, jumps, doughnuts or other stunts. Avoid exhibition driving.

Turning Improperly

caution

Turning improperly could cause loss of traction, loss of control, accident or rollover. Always follow proper procedures for turning. Never turn abruptly or at sharp angles. Never turn at high speeds. Practice turning at slow speeds before attempting to turn at faster speeds.

Vehicle Rollover

WARNING

Vehicle rollover could cause serious injury or death. The cab frame is not designed or intended to provide rollover protection. Always make sure the seat belts are secured for operator and all passengers before operating. Avoid situations that could result in a rollover. Avoid sharp turns and abrupt steering maneuvers

Carrying Cargo

Carrying loads on the roof could damage the roof and affect vehicle handling, which could result in an accident or rollover. Never carry loads on the roof of the vehicle.

Never exceed the stated load capacity for this vehicle. Cargo should be properly distributed and securely attached.

Reduce speed and follow the instructions on cargo warning labels for hauling cargo. Allow a greater distance for braking.

Improper Tire Maintenance

caution

Operating this vehicle with improper tires or with improper or uneven tire pressure could cause loss of control or accident. Always use the size and type of tires specified for your vehicle.

Always maintain proper tire pressure as described in the owner's manual and on safety labels.

Unauthorized Use of the Vehicle

Leaving the keys in the vehicle can lead to unauthorized use of the vehicle by someone without a driver’s license or without proper training. This could result in an accident or rollover. Always remove the key when the vehicle is not in use.

Hot Drive Systems

The motor and controller are very hot during and after use of the vehicle. Hot components can cause burns and fire. Do not touch hot drive system components. Always keep combustible materials away from the drive system. Use caution when traveling through tall grass, especially dry grass. Always inspect areas near the drive system after driving through tall grass, weeds, brush and other tall ground cover. Promptly remove any grass or debris clinging to the vehicle.

Precautions During Maintenance

DANGER

The voltage in the battery pack is sufficient to cause death by electrocution. With the exception of battery inspections and refilling the water in flooded type batteries, never attempt to perform service on the electric drive system, including the battery pack, unless you are properly trained to work on electrical systems.

Your authorized GEM dealer can provide battery- related service.

WARNING

Do not work in or near the battery compartment or on any other electrical component of the vehicle while charging the batteries.

WARNING

Before servicing the vehicle’s electrical system, always disconnect the main power connector first, then disconnect any electrical accessory connections, then disconnect the negative cable from the 12-volt battery (if equipped), then disconnect the negative terminal from the main battery pack. For more information about disconnecting the main power connector, see the Main Power Connector section for details.

Always follow all safety instructions in the maintenance portion of this owner’s manual, as well as the following:

Make sure the vehicle is properly immobilized before beginning any maintenance.
Always block the chassis securely before working under the vehicle.
Turn the key off and remove it from the vehicle.
Insulate any tools used within the battery area to prevent sparks or battery explosion caused by shorting the battery terminals or wiring. Remove the batteries, or cover the exposed terminals with an insulating material.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY PLEASE CONTACT GEM CUSTOMER SERVICE.