Content .. 3 4 5 6 ..

Snowmobile Polaris 550 Transport Trail Touring. Manual - part 5

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Clutch Guard

Do not operate the engine with the clutch guard removed.

The clutch guard is designed to protect the operator from metal parts if

the clutch should fail. Although the chance of failure is extremely

remote, don't defeat the purpose of the safety guard by removing it.

Clutches

Do not attempt to service the clutches.

All clutch service must be performed by your dealer. The clutch is a

complex mechanism that rotates at high speeds. Each clutch is dynami-

cally balanced before installation. Any tampering may disrupt this preci-

sion balancing and create an unstable condition.

Cold Weather Drive-Away

Whenever your snowmobile has been parked for a length of time, espe-

cially overnight, always make sure the skis and track are loosened from

ice and snow before attempting to drive. Apply the throttle with enough

authority to put the machine into motion, but always operate within

safety limits.

Maneuverability

While much control and maneuverability is achieved through the steer-

ing system and skis, maximum control is achieved by the shifting of

your body weight. Maneuverability will change for lighter operators or

machines designed to carry a load.

Maintenance

Follow the recommended maintenance program beginning on page 72

of this manual to ensure that all critical components on the snowmobile

are thoroughly inspected by your dealer at specific mileage intervals.

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Inadequate Snow Conditions

Moveable hood closures are included on some Polaris snowmobiles.

They are normally left open and are located on the front upper and lower

hood openings. If operating in deep snow or in extreme cold conditions

(below -20_

F), Polaris recommends closing the upper hood closure.

Since snow provides the only lubrication for the power slide suspension

and, on liquid cooled models, cooling for the engine, adequate snow

cover is a requirement for operation of your machine. Driving in too lit-

tle snow will result in excessive wear and damage to the slide rail, track

and/or engine.

If the machine becomes stuck in snow, clear the running board area of

snow, then step down the snow in front of the machine so that when the

throttle is opened, the snowmobile will be able to climb up and over the

snow.

WARNING

Do not drive for prolonged periods on blacktop, gravel, or ice. Doing so could

cause irreversible track damage and lead to serious injury.

CAUTION

When operating on icy surfaces or hard-packed snow, avoid overheating the

slide rail and track. Lack of lubrication and cooling will cause overheating of

the slide rail and track, resulting in premature wear and failure. If frequently

operating in low cooling conditions, see your dealer for an optional wheel kit

that will reduce the wear from overheating.

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Driving Responsibly

Every snowmobile handles differently, and even the most docile condi-

tions may become dangerous if operators drive improperly. If you're

new to snowmobiling, acquaint yourself with the machine and with

what it will and won't do under various conditions. Even seasoned driv-

ers should spend some time getting the feel for a machine before

attempting ambitious maneuvers.
• A snowmobile depends on the rider's body position for proper bal-

ance in executing turns, traversing hills, etc. Always start on a

smooth, level area to begin building your operating experience.

• Before allowing someone else to use your snowmobile, know the

extent of their operating skills. Check to see if they've taken a snow-

mobile safety course and have an operator's certificate. For their pro-

tection, as well as yours, make sure they take a snowmobile safety

course. Everyone can benefit from the course.

• Don't "jump" your snowmobile over large drifts or similar terrain.

Jumping may injure your back because of spinal compression that

could occur when the snowmobile impacts the ground. The seat and

suspension of your snowmobile have been designed to provide pro-

tection under normal riding conditions. Your snowmobile is not

intended for this kind of use.

• Be courteous to oncoming traffic by dimming your headlights and

reducing your speed.

• When traveling in a group of snowmobiles, don't tailgate (follow too

closely). Leave enough distance between snowmobiles to provide

ample stopping room and to provide protection from flying snow and

debris. Allow even more distance when driving on slippery surfaces

or when driving in darkness or other low visibility conditions. Be

aware of any snowmobile traffic around your vehicle. Drive defen-

sively to avoid accidents.

• Remove the key from the ignition when you leave the snowmobile

unattended.

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Windchill/Temperature Charts

The following information is provided to help you determine when tem-

peratures become dangerous for riding.
WINDCHILL CHART (_F)

WINDCHILL CHART (_C)

Wind

Speed

MPH

Actual Thermometer Reading (_F)

-5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45

Equivalent Temperature (_F)

Calm 40

-5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45

-5 -11 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -52 -57 -63

-4 -10 -16 -22 -28 -35 -41 -47 -53 -59 -66 -72

-7 -13 -19 -26 -32 -39 -45 -51 -58 -64 -71 -77

-2

-9 -15 -22 -29 -35 -42 -48 -55 -61 -68 -74 -81

-4 -11 -17 -24 -31 -37 -44 -51 -58 -64 -71 -78 -84

-5 -12 -19 -26 -33 -39 -46 -53 -60 -67 -73 -80 -87

-7 -14 -21 -27 -34 -41 -48 -55 -62 -69 -76 -82 -89

-1

-8 -15 -22 -29 -36 -43 -50 -57 -64 -71 -78 -84 -91

-2

-9 -16 -23 -30 -37 -44 -51 -58 -65 -72 -79 -86 -93

-3 -10 -17 -24 -31 -38 -45 -52 -60 -67 -74 -81 -88 -95

-3 -11 -18 -25 -32 -39 -46 -54 -61 -68 -75 -82 -89 -97

-4 -11 -19 -26 -33 -40 -48 -55 -62 -69 -76 -84 -91 -98

Frostbite in >> 30 min.

10 min.

5 min.

Wind

Speed

KPH

Actual Thermometer Reading (_C)

-1

-4

-7 -10 -13 -16 -19 -22 -25 -28 -31 -34 -37 -40 -43 -46

Equivalent Temperature (_C)

Calm

-1

-4

-7 -10 -13 -16 -19 -22 -25 -28 -31 -34 -37 -40 -43 -46

-4

-7 -11 -14 -18 -22 -25 -29 -32 -36 -39 -43 -46 -50 -53 -57

-2

-6 -10 -13 -17 -21 -24 -28 -32 -36 -39 -43 -47 -50 -54 -58 -62

-3

-7 -11 -15 -19 -22 -26 -30 -34 -38 -42 -45 -49 -53 -57 -61 -65

-4

-8 -12 -16 -20 -24 -28 -32 -36 -39 -43 -47 -51 -55 -59 -63 -67

-1

-5

-9 -13 -17 -21 -25 -29 -33 -37 -41 -45 -49 -53 -57 -61 -65 -69

-1

-5

-9 -13 -18 -22 -26 -30 -34 -38 -42 -46 -50 -54 -58 -62 -66 -70

-2

-6 -10 -14 -18 -22 -26 -31 -35 -39 -43 -47 -51 -55 -59 -64 -68 -72

-2

-6 -10 -15 -19 -23 -27 -31 -35 -40 -44 -48 -52 -56 -61 -65 -69 -73

-2

-7 -11 -15 -19 -23 -28 -32 -36 -40 -45 -49 -53 -57 -61 -66 -70 -74

-3

-7 -11 -15 -20 -24 -28 -33 -37 -41 -45 -50 -54 -58 -62 -67 -71 -75

-3

-7 -12 -16 -20 -24 -29 -33 -37 -42 -46 -50 -55 -59 -63 -67 -72 -76

-3

-8 -12 -16 -21 -25 -29 -34 -38 -42 -47 -51 -55 -60 -64 -68 -73 -77

Frostbite in >> 30 min.

10 min.

5 min.

Content .. 3 4 5 6 ..