Saying Goodbye to the Sled: How to Store Your Snowmobile

When more mud than snow begins to appear on the trails nearby, you know it’s time to say goodbye to winter and start thinking about the warmer season ahead. This also unfortunately means that time has come for you to get your snowmobile ready for storage after spending some thrilling and exciting months with it. 

Here are a few tips to help you put your sled to bed properly until the next snowmobiling season kicks in.

Give It a Good Wash and Scrub

While giving you some great adventurous trips during the winter, chances are your snowmobile has accumulated a lot of dirt and salt buildup. Wash it with warm soapy water to clean the hood, seat, and tunnel and rinse it thoroughly right after. Make sure to also clean the track and runners and give it time to dry off completely. Once all its parts are clean and shiny, apply a coat of wax so that it remains in good condition during storage and is easy to clean in future as well. 

Treat the Fuel System

To ensure your fuel system remains safe, it’s advisable to store your sled with at least half a tank full, if not completely full. You can use a fuel stabilizer to help prevent the fuel from degrading and corroding parts of your engine. By keeping your snowmobile fuel-injected, you will ensure that the various parts of your engine remain lubricated and protected through their duration in storage. 

Fog the Engine

To prevent engine failure, you need to coat the inside of the engine with storage fogging oil. Fogging the engine will keep the internal parts safe from destruction caused by air and moisture. Even if you do plan to start your engine every few weeks to keep the fuel moving, fogging it will keep it better protected. 

Grease the Chassis

Although greasing the joints on your snowmobile’s suspension is always essential for it to function well, it is even more important to do it before putting it in storage. Coating all the points with grease will help push out water from the small shafts, suspension tubes, and keep these tiny gaps from collecting moisture. 

Remove the Battery

Remove the battery and keep it safely in a temperature-controlled area away from harsh exposure to the heat. You can keep it on trickle charge or use a battery tender to keep it charged while not in use.

Keep It Covered and Raised Off the Ground

The location of where you store your snowmobile will play a great role in the condition you find it in once the warmer seasons are over. Try to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat by finding a spot in a dry place indoors, such as a covered garage. Cover it with tarp to protect it from dust and debris and by using dollies or something similar, elevate it so that it stays off the ground while in storage. 

If you’re planning to invest in a new sled for the winter ahead, contact us at Bay Marine to see the largest selection of Ontario snowmobiles and more!