Content Source: 2021 INDY VR1 / INDY XC / Switchback ASSAULT Owner’s Manual (9931271 R01) > Operation 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

Fuel

WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive under certain conditions.
  • Always exercise extreme caution whenever handling gasoline.
  • Always refuel outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • Always turn off the engine before refueling.
  • Do not overfill the tank. Do not fill the tank neck.
  • Do not smoke or allow open flames or sparks in or near the area where refueling is performed or where gasoline is stored.
  • If gasoline spills on your skin or clothing, immediately wash it off with soap and water and change clothing.
  • Never start the engine or let it run in an enclosed area. Engine exhaust fumes are poisonous and can cause loss of consciousness or death in a short time.
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Operate this vehicle only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.

Fuel Recommendation

NOTICE
Prolonged exposure to petroleum based products may damage paint. Always protect painted surfaces when handling fuel.

North American Fuel

For peak performance, POLARIS recommends the use of fresh quality, non-oxygenated 91 octane level fuel or above. Although 87 octane fuel is usable, some engine performance will be lost and fuel economy will decrease. NEVER use unleaded fuels with an ethanol rating of E15 or E85 as severe engine damage may occur.
IMPORTANT
NEVER use fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol, including E85 or 88 E15 fuel, in your snowmobile.
REQUIREMENT 650 MODELS 850 MODELS
Minimum Fuel 87 E10 (R+M)/2 87 E10 (R+M)/2
Maximum Performance Fuel 91 E0 (R+M)/2 91 E0 (R+M)/2
Instrument Cluster Fuel Selector Setting*
  • 91+ E0 Fuel = 91 PREMIUM MODE
  • ANY E10 OR UNSURE Fuel = 87 ETHANOL MODE
  • 91+ E0 Fuel = 91 PREMIUM MODE
  • ANY E10 OR UNSURE Fuel = 87 ETHANOL MODE
* = When the type of fuel in the tank is unknown, Polaris recommends setting the fuel selector feature to E10 – 87 ETHANOL mode.

International Fuel

For peak performance, POLARIS recommend the use of 95 octane E10 gasoline or higher octane. If lower octane is used, some engine performance will be lost and fuel economy will decrease. Do not use gasoline with higher ethanol rating than E10.
REQUIREMENT 650 MODELS 850 MODELS
Minimum Fuel 95 RON E10 95 RON E10
Maximum Performance Fuel 95 RON E0 95 RON E0
Instrument Cluster Fuel Selector Setting*
  • 91+ E0 Fuel = 91 PREMIUM MODE
  • ANY E10 OR UNSURE Fuel = 87 ETHANOL MODE
  • 91+ E0 Fuel = 91 PREMIUM MODE
  • ANY E10 OR UNSURE Fuel = 87 ETHANOL MODE
* = When the type of fuel in the tank is unknown, Polaris recommends setting the fuel selector feature to E10 – 87 ETHANOL mode.

Low Fuel Level Warning Indicator

IMPORTANT
For the most accurate fuel level reading, park your snowmobile parked on flat, level ground.
caution
Driving your snowmobile with extremely low fuel level may cause fuel ventilation and loss of engine performance.
The low fuel indicator warning appears on your instrument cluster when the fuel tank reaches 2 gallons of remaining fuel. When this occurs, Polaris recommends riders adjust their riding style to conserve fuel and find the nearest fuel station to re-fuel. Riders who wish to calculate the maximum full-tank vehicle range should do so after the fuel injector break-in and oil enrichment modes expire. See Automatic Engine Break-In Timers for more information.
IMPORTANT
MPG and maximum range calculations are highly variable and can be inconsistent between comparable models. Factors such as riding style, weather and trail conditions, accessories, track type, etc. will provide different results.
Matryx models utilize fuel tank designs that can allow the rider to consume almost all of the available fuel in the tank. Polaris recommends riders heed the low fuel indicator and take steps to reduce fuel consumption and find the closest filling station to re-fuel.
NOTICE
When the low fuel indicator is illuminated on Matryx models, snowmobile range is approximately 15-25 miles (24-40 km) if the snowmobile is operated in a conservative manner.

Fuel System Deicers

If you use non-ethanol fuel (sometimes labeled “non-oxygenated”), POLARIS recommends the regular use of isopropyl-based fuel system deicer. Add 1-2 ounces per gallon (8-16 ml per liter) of gasoline to prevent damage resulting from fuel system icing. Never use deicers or additives containing methanol. POLARIS recommends the use of Carbon Clean.
IMPORTANT
If you use fuel with up to 10% ethanol (sometimes labeled “oxygenated”) do not add deicers or additives that contain any form of alcohol. Adding deicer to oxygenated fuels could result in severe engine damage.

Running Out of Fuel

IMPORTANT
If your snowmobile stalls or runs out of fuel, STOP your snowmobile immediately. DO NOT attempt to restart the vehicle without first completing the procedure below. Failure to perform the procedure below after depleting the fuel tank will cause a pressurization of air in the fuel system and will significantly reduce the engine’s restart ability.
If your snowmobile has run out of fuel, follow the procedures below to properly prime the fuel system and restart the engine.

Models Equipped with Electric Start

  1. Position the snowmobile on flat, level ground.
  2. Fill the fuel tank with minimum 2 gal (7.6 L) of fuel.
  3. Reinstall the fuel cap, verify the Engine Stop Switch is reset, and turn the ignition key to START.
  4. Crank the engine over for a maximum of 10 seconds.
  5. If the engine does not restart, allow the starter motor to cool for a minimum of 30 seconds.
  6. Crank the engine over for another 10 seconds. Repeat steps 3-6 until the engine starts.
  7. Turn off the engine and continue to re-fuel the snowmobile.

Models with Recoil Start (Manual)

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  1. Position the snowmobile on flat, level ground.
  2. Fill the fuel tank with minimum 2 gal (7.6 L) of fuel.
  3. Reinstall the fuel cap, verify the Engine Stop Switch is reset, and turn the ignition key to START.
  4. Position yourself on the left-side of the snowmobile and grip the handlebars .
  5. Carefully lift / rotate the snowmobile by pulling the handlebars toward you. The snowmobile should be resting on the left ski at an upward 30-45 degree upward angle .
    NOTICE
    If needed, ask an assistant to help steady the snowmobile in this position by standing on the right side of the vehicle with their body braced against the console and seat.
  6. At this point, either the rider or assistant can pull on the recoil rope to purge the fuel pump sock of trapped air.
  7. Continue pulling on the recoil rope until the trapped air is purged from the system, the pump is primed, and the engine starts.
  8. After the engine starts and runs for a few seconds, carefully lower the right ski back onto the ground.
  9. Turn off the engine and continue to re-fill the snowmobile.
NOTICE
If you are unable to restart the engine after performing this procedure, contact your dealer to perform a fuel system air lock purge.

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