Pre-Ride Check

Content Source: 2021 Indy 120 Owner’s Manual (9931272 R01) > Youth Section 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

Pre-Ride Check

You're almost ready to have an adult start your snowmobile. But first you must do a PRE-RIDE CHECK to make sure the snowmobile is safe to ride. Every time you want to ride your snowmobile, always have an adult help you check these things before you start the engine.

Throttle Lever

Squeeze the throttle lever toward the handlebar and then let it go. The lever should go right back to where it was before you squeezed it. If it goes back slowly or stays close to the handlebar, you have a sticky throttle. This means that something is wrong or broken.

WARNING

Don't start the snowmobile until an adult fixes the sticky lever. You could get hurt if you ride with a sticky throttle.

Brake Lever

Squeeze the brake lever toward the handlebar and then let it go. The lever should go right back to where it was before you squeezed it. If it goes back slowly or stays close to the handlebar, you have a sticky brake lever. This means that something is wrong or broken.

WARNING

Don't start the snowmobile until an adult fixes the sticky lever. You could get hurt if you ride with sticky brakes.

Hood Hold-Down Straps

Check the hood hold-down straps. Always make sure both hood straps are latched properly before you start the engine.

Seat Latches

Check the seat latches. Make sure they are latched tightly.

Track and Skis

WARNING

Never check the track or skis when the engine is running. You could get hurt if the snowmobile moves unexpectedly. Never stand behind or in front of any snowmobile when the engine is running.

Make sure the engine is off, then stand behind the snowmobile and lift up the rear end. This will free the track if it is frozen to the ground.

Turn the handlebars all the way to the left and to the right. This will turn the skis to make sure they aren't frozen to the ground.

If any of this is hard to do, have an adult help you.

Gas Level

WARNING

Always have an adult put gas in your snowmobile. Never try to do it yourself.

Have an adult check the gas level to see if your snowmobile needs more gas. Children should never open the gas cap or add gas. Always have an adult do this. Before anyone adds gas to your snowmobile they must read the instructions and warnings on Fuel in this Owner's Manual.

Oil Level

Have an adult check the engine oil level when the engine is cold. The engine is very hot after it has been running. It could burn your skin. Children should never check the oil. Always have an adult do this.

Stopping the Snowmobile Engine

Always check to make sure that BOTH WAYS TO STOP are working the way they should. Do you remember what they are? Follow these steps:

Start the engine. Push the stop switch down. The engine should stop.
Start the engine. Pull the tether strap off the switch. The engine should stop.

If the engine does not stop when you do these checks, do not ride the snowmobile until an adult fixes it.