Snowmobile Polaris 550 IQ / 550 Shift (2012 year). Manual - part 2

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Stay Clear of Track

Your snowmobile is propelled by a revolving track that must be partially
exposed for proper operation.

WARNING! Serious injuries may result if hands, feet, or clothing become
entangled in the track. Be alert when riding, and remain properly seated to stay
clear of the track. Never hold the snowmobile up or stand behind it while
warming up the track. A loose track or flying debris could cause serious injury or
death. We recommend having your dealer perform all track service and
alignment procedures.

Stay Clear of Engine

Never attempt adjustments with the engine running. Turn off the igni-
tion, raise the hood, make the adjustment, secure shields and guards,
secure the hood, and then restart the engine to check its operation.

WARNING! Serious injury can occur if fingers or clothing contact the moving
parts of an engine. Always stop the engine before attempting adjustments.

Riding Position

Operating a snowmobile requires skill and balance for proper control.
Rider positions may vary with experience and the features available on
some snowmobiles, but under many conditions, the proper position is to
be seated with both feet on the running boards and both hands on the
handlebar grips for proper throttle, brake and steering control.

WARNING! Improper riding position may reduce control and could result in
serious injury or death. Always ride in a position that allows for control of your
vehicle.

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Riding Apparel

Be prepared, be warm and be com-
fortable when riding. Be aware of the
weather forecast, especially the wind-
chill, and dress accordingly. See the
chart on page 20.

WARNING! Avoid wearing loose clothing
or long scarves, which can become
entangled in moving parts and cause
serious injury.

Helmet

Wearing a helmet can prevent a
severe head injury. Whenever riding a
POLARIS vehicle, always wear a helmet that meets or exceeds estab-
lished safety standards.
Approved helmets in the USA and Canada bear a U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) label.
Approved helmets in Europe, Asia and Oceania
bear the ECE 22.05 label. The ECE mark consists
of a circle surrounding the letter E, followed by the
distinguishing number of the country which has
granted approval. The approval number and serial
number will also be displayed on the label.

Eye Protection

Do not depend on eyeglasses or sunglasses for eye protection. When-
ever riding a POLARIS vehicle, always wear shatterproof goggles or
use a shatterproof helmet face shield. POLARIS recommends wearing
approved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) bearing markings such
as VESC 8, V-8, Z87.1, or CE. Make sure protective eye wear is kept
clean.

051039

0006.31

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Survival Preparation

For your safety, always ride in a group of other snowmobilers. Always
tell someone where you're going and how long you expect to be gone. If
it isn't possible to ride with others, and you must travel into remote
areas, always carry survival equipment that's appropriate to the condi-
tions you may encounter. Such equipment may include, but is not lim-
ited to: extra clothing, a sleeping bag, a flashlight, food and water, a
signaling mirror, a means of building a fire, and a two-way radio or cel-
lular telephone.

For added protection, carry the following items on your snowmobile at
all times:

Disabled Operators

Safe operation of this rider-active vehicle requires good judgement and
physical skills. Operators with cognitive or physical disabilities have an
increased risk of loss of control, which could result in serious injury or
death.

Cargo Overload

Too much weight on the rear of the machine may reduce your ability to
steer. If equipped, do not exceed carrier and rack weight limits, and do
not allow a passenger to sit on the cargo carrier.

• Spare Drive Belt

• Winter Survival Kit

• Extra Set of Spark Plugs

• Trail Map

• Tow Rope

• Owner's Manual

• Extra Oil

• First Aid Kit

• Fuel Deicer

• Tool Kit

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Rider Capacity

Driving 1-Up - Some POLARIS snowmobiles are designed for a single
rider only. A decal on the console of these models indicates single rider
operation. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider snowmobile.

Driving 2-Up - Some POLARIS snowmobiles are designed for up to
two riders. A decal on the console of these models indicates that the
vehicle is designed for one operator and one passenger only.

WARNING! Control becomes more difficult with two people on board. More
space is required to make turns, and longer distances are needed for stopping.
Make sure the passenger remains seated behind the driver, facing forward, with
both feet placed firmly on the running boards. Slow down and avoid “jumping”
your snowmobile.

Snowmobiles designed for two riders should never be operated with
more than two people on board. When traveling with a passenger, it’s
the driver’s responsibility to operate the snowmobile safely.

Slow down! Control becomes more difficult with two people on board.
More space is required to make turns, and longer distances are necessary
for stopping.

Excessive Speed

WARNING! High speed driving, especially at night, could result in serious injury
or death. Always reduce speed when driving at night or in inclement weather.

Always observe all laws governing snowmobile operation and speed
limits. Always be alert and pay attention to the trail ahead. Multiplying
speed (MPH) by 1.5 will equal the approximate number of feet per sec-
ond your machine travels. If your speed is 40 MPH, your machine is
traveling about 60 feet per second. If you look back for only two sec-
onds, your machine will travel about 120 feet. If your speed is 60 MPH,
your machine will travel about 180 feet in two seconds.

Traveling at night requires extra caution. Check headlight and taillight
to ensure proper operation, and don't over-drive your headlight beam.
Always be able to bring your machine to a stop in the distance illumi-
nated by the headlight.

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