Snowmobile Polaris 550 IQ Shift / 550 IQ 136 / 550 IQ LXT (2013 year). Manual - part 4

18

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Inadequate Snow Conditions

WARNING! Do not drive for prolonged periods on blacktop, gravel, or ice. 
Doing so could cause irreversible track damage and lead to serious injury.

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. 

NOTICE: When operating on icy surfaces or hard-packed snow, avoid overheat-

ing 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 over-
heating.

19

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 use your snowmobile, know the extent 

of their operating skills.  Check to see if they've taken a snowmobile 
safety course and have an operator's certificate.  For their protection, 
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.

20

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Windchill/Temperature Charts

The following information is provided to help you determine when tem-
peratures become dangerous for riding.

WIND CHILL CHART (°F)

WIND CHILL CHART (°C)

Wind 

Speed 

in 

MPH

Actual Thermometer Reading (°F)

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

-5

-10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45

Equivalent Temperature (°F)

Calm

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

-5

-10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45

5

36

31

25

19

13

7

1

-5

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

10

34

27

21

15

9

3

-4

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

15

32

25

19

13

6

0

-7

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

20

30

24

17

11

4

-2

-9

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

25

29

23

16

9

3

-4

-11

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

30

28

22

15

8

1

-5

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

35

28

21

14

7

0

-7

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

40

27

20

13

6

-1

-8

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

45

26

19

12

5

-2

-9

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

50

26

19

12

4

-3

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

55

25

18

11

4

-3

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

60

25

17

10

3

-4

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

Frostbite in >> 30 min.

10 min.

5 min.

Wind 

Speed 

in

Km/h

Actual Thermometer Reading (°C)

5

2

-1

-4

-7

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

Equivalent Temperature (°C)

Calm

5

2

-1

-4

-7

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

8

3

0

-4

-7

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

16

2

-2

-6

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

24

1

-3

-7

-11

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

32

0

-4

-8

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

40

-1

-5

-9

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

48

-1

-5

-9

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

56

-2

-6

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

64

-2

-6

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

72

-2

-7

-11

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

80

-3

-7

-11

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

88

-3

-7

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

96

-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.

21

SAFETY

Safety Decals and Locations

Warning decals have been placed on the snowmobile for your protec-
tion. Read and follow the instructions of the decals and other warnings 
on the snowmobile carefully. If any of the decals depicted in this manual 
differ from the decals on your snowmobile, always read and follow the 
instructions of the decals on the snowmobile.

If any decal becomes illegible or comes off, contact your POLARIS 
dealer to purchase a replacement. Replacement safety decals are pro-
vided by POLARIS at no charge. The part number is printed on the 
decal.

Clutch Cover Warning

This warning decal is found under the hood on the clutch cover:

WARNING

Do not operate engine with hood open.

Do not attempt adjustment with engine running.

Do not operate engine with plenum/belt guard removed.

Never run engine with drive belt removed.

Never service clutches yourself -- see your dealer.