Snowmobile Polaris 600 IQ Widetrak (2017 year). Manual - part 3

15

SAFETY

Operator Safety

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 be alert and pay attention to the trail ahead. If your speed is 40 
MPH (16 km/h), your snowmobile is traveling about 60 feet (18 m) per 
second. If you look back for only two seconds, your snowmobile will 
travel about 120 feet (36 m). If your speed is 60 MPH (96 km/h), your 
snowmobile will travel about 180 feet (55 m) 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 snowmobile to a stop in the distance 
illuminated by the headlight. 

16

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Driver Awareness

Slow down when traveling near poles, posts, or other obstacles. Be 
especially alert if you’re snowmobiling after dark. Always be on the 
alert for wire fences. Single strands are especially dangerous, since there 
may be a great distance between posts. Guy wires on utility poles are 
also difficult to distinguish.

Make sure the way is clear before crossing 
railroads and other roads and highways. The 
noise of your snowmobile will drown out the 
sound of approaching vehicles. Look ahead, 
behind, and to both sides before turning or 
crossing railroad tracks or highways. Steep 
embankments may also hide your view. 
Always leave yourself a way out.

Variances in snow depth and/or water currents 
may result in uneven ice thickness. You may drown if you break through 
the ice. Never travel on frozen bodies of water unless you have first 
verified that the ice is sufficiently thick to support the weight and 
moving force of the snowmobile, you and your cargo, together with any 
other vehicles in your party. Always check with local authorities and 
residents to confirm ice conditions and thickness over your entire route. 
Snowmobile operators assume all risk associated with ice conditions on 
frozen bodies of water.

When teaching inexperienced operators to ride, set up a predetermined 
course for practice. Make sure they know how to drive and control the 
snowmobile before allowing them to make longer trips. Teach them 
proper snowmobile courtesy, and enroll them in driver’s training and 
safety courses sponsored by local or state organizations.

R

R

17

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Avalanches

Snowmobilers should always be properly trained and equipped before 
traveling in mountainous terrain:

• Take an avalanche class

• Travel with experienced people

• Travel on designated trails

• Make sure each person is equipped 

with a shovel, probe and avalanche 
beacon.

You don’t have to be snowmobiling on a 
slope for an avalanche to occur. Be aware 
that all of the snow is connected. You may be riding on a flat slope or 
snow covered road, but if the snowpack above is unstable enough you 
can trigger an avalanche on a steeper slope above you. Always be aware 
of snow conditions above you as you travel in mountainous terrain.

Before riding in mountainous terrain, call or log on to your local 
avalanche advisory to get current weather and snow stability 
information.

For more information about avalanche training and avalanche 
conditions, contact local law enforcement in your area, or visit the 
American and Canadian online avalanche centers at 
www.avalanche.org.

18

SAFETY

Operator Safety

Ice and Snow Build-up

WARNING! Ice and snow build-up may interfere with the steering of your 
snowmobile, resulting in serious injury or death. Keep the underhood area free 
of snow and ice.

Before driving, manually turn the skis to the left and right to be sure ice 
and snow are not interfering with full left and right steering. If difficulty 
is encountered, remove ice and snow build-up that may be obstructing 
the steering linkage.

Driving Downhill

When riding downhill, shift your weight to the rear of the snowmobile 
and reduce your speed to a minimum. Apply just enough throttle to keep 
the clutch engaged, allowing the engine’s compression to help slow the 
snowmobile and keep it from rolling freely downhill.

WARNING! When driving on long downhill stretches, pump the brakes. Riding 
the brakes may cause the brake system to overheat, which may result in brake 
failure. Excessive or repetitive use of the brakes for high speed stops will also 
cause an overheated brake system. This condition may lead to a sudden loss of 
brakes and/or fire and may result in serious injury or death.