SLEDsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Give it the ‘Once-Over’

Take a good look at your sled if it’s been parked for a while. Clean it first with mild soap and water to remove any dirt or grime and make any damages more visible. Walk around it. Keep your eyes peeled for damages, such as fluid leaks, rusty spots, or loose parts. Replace any worn or missing parts, like bolts and screws.

Raise it Up

Keep the track and skis off the ground. You can put the machine on blocks or raise a platform to keep it away from the ground. Keeping them elevated prevents them from contacting any potential source of moisture which could cause damage and rust.

Check the Fuel

Put the recommended amount of gasoline stabilizer in the gas tank to prevent the gasoline from becoming stale - check the owner's manual to be sure you're using the correct amount. Then turn off the gas with the inline gas valve. If you haven't used a fuel stabilizer you’re going to want to “burn off” all remaining fuel. To do this you can start the machine and run the carburetors dry by just letting the machine run until it quits.

Battery 

Always remove the battery before putting a machine into storage or if you know the machine will be sitting for over month. The battery should sit on a battery charger or tender. If it won’t stay charged, you may need a replacement. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to find out what type of replacement battery you should buy.

Change the Oil & Filter

Check the oil level and, if needed, change the oil and filter (this should be done each season). Your owner’s manual will provide the manufacturer's recommendations about the type of oil your machine needs.

Air Filter

Check your air filter for any debris/dirt. If it’s too dirty to clean out, replace it.

Take It Apart

• Remove the old spark plugs and replace them with new ones.
• Remove the drive belt to ensure it won't stretch or become damaged in storage.
• Remove the seat to prevent damage (if possible).

Cover It Up

Cover all openings on the sled to keep rodents and other critters from making a summer home of it. Then throw a breathable cover on your machine to prevent condensation while it’s in storage. You can buy covers designed for this purpose. But don’t use plastic tarps. Coated materials like plastic will trap condensation, causing corrosion and rusting.