Snowmobile Arctic Cat (2006 year). Manual - part 1

2006

Snowmobile
Operator’s 
Manual

p/n 2257-327

LIMITED WARRANTY 

Arctic Cat Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Arctic Cat) extends a limited warranty on each new Arctic
Cat Snowmobile it manufactures and on each part and accessory manufactured or sold by Arctic Cat.
The warranty is extended to the original retail purchaser only on parts and accessories sold through
an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer. Warranty on snowmobiles is extended to the original
retail purchaser; however, the balance of the unused warranty may be transferred to a second party.

Arctic Cat warrants only the products it manufactures and/or sells and does not warrant that other
products will function properly when used with an Arctic Cat Snowmobile or will not damage the Arctic
Cat Snowmobile. Arctic Cat does not assume any liability for incidental or consequential damages.

Arctic Cat will repair or replace, at its option, free of charge (including any related labor charges), any
parts that are found to be warrantable in material or workmanship. This repair work MUST be done by
an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer. No transportation charges, rental charges, or
inconvenience costs will be paid by Arctic Cat. The warranty is validated upon examination of said
parts by Arctic Cat or an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer. Arctic Cat reserves the right to
inspect such parts at its factory for final determination if warranty should apply.

The warranty periods are as follows:

1. For snowmobiles used for recreational purposes:

—If purchased between May 1 and November 30, warranty expires ONE (1) YEAR from
December 1 of the current year.
—If purchased between December 1 and April 30, ONE (1) YEAR from the date of sale.

2. For snowmobiles used for commercial purposes (i.e. rental operations and power and light

companies), NINETY (90) DAYS from the date of sale.

3. SIX (6) MONTHS from date of sale for batteries on a full exchange basis and 50% exchange for

the remaining SIX (6) MONTHS of the first year.

4. THIRTY (30) DAYS from date of sale for all dealer installed parts and accessories.

5. UNTIL EXPIRATION OF THE NEW PRODUCT WARRANTY for all eligible replacement parts.

Exclusions to this warranty include normal wear, abuse (i.e. a track run on marginal snow conditions
without proper lubrication or additional bogie wheels), and the following parts:

Fuel Filter

Light Bulbs

Windshield

Cracks or gouges in Body Parts 
and Hoods

Drive Belt

Wear Bars

Water Pump Belt 

Brake Pads

Wear Strips

Fan Belt

Spark Plugs

Clutch Wear Parts (bushings, etc.)

The following will VOID Arctic Cat’s warranty:

1. Failure to perform the proper break-in procedure and all operator related maintenance, storage

procedures, and service as recommended in the Operator’s Manual.

2. Repair by anyone other than an authorized Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer.

3. Use of an improper fuel mixture ratio.

4. Use of improper carburetor main jets.

5. Use of improper gasoline, lubricating oils, or spark plugs.

6. An accident or subjecting the snowmobile to misuse, abuse, or negligent operation.

7. Any modification or removal of parts (i.e. air-intake silencer, muffler, etc.) unless instructed to do

so by Arctic Cat.

8. Use of the snowmobile in any way for racing purposes.

9. Removal of the engine for use in another vehicle.

10. Removal or mutilation of the Vehicle Identification Number or Engine Serial Number.

11. Use of parts not sold or approved by Arctic Cat.

12. Track and tunnel damage resulting from either ice stud or hooker plate installation.

In consideration of the foregoing, any implied warranty is limited in duration to the various warranty
periods set forth. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state and country to country. Some states do not allow limitations on how
long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

Table of Contents

Limited Warranty ..................... Inside Front Cover
Foreword............................................................1
Declaration of Conformity...................................2
Snowmobile Safety Rules ..................................3
General Information ......................................4-25

Snowmobile Identification .........................4
Control Locations......................................4
Tipped Snowmobile ..................................5
Gasoline-Oil..............................................6
Engine Break-In (2-Stroke Models)...........9
Engine Break-In (660 cc Models) ..............9
Indicator Lights (Standard Models) .........10
Low Oil Warning Light 

(Standard 2-Stroke Models) ................10

Low Oil Pressure Warning Light 

(660 cc Models)...................................10

High Temperature Warning Light 
   (Standard Liquid Cooled Models) .........10
Charging System Warning Light

(660 cc Models)...................................11

Check Engine Light (660 cc Models).......11
Speedometer/Tachometer ......................11
Handlebar Tilt .........................................13
Handlebar Tilt

(Firecat/ZR 900/Turbo ST) ..................14

Exhaust System......................................14
Air-Intake Silencer ..................................14
Battery (Electric Start Models) ................15
Cooling System (Liquid)..........................15
Drive Clutch and Driven Pulley................15
Drive Clutch/Driven 
     Pulley Alignment .................................16
Drive Chain Tension

(Automatic System).............................16

Drive Chain Tension 
    (Adjustable System) ............................16
Fuel Pump ..............................................17
Gas Tank Shut-Off Valve.........................17
Shock Absorbers (Standard Gas) ...........17
Shock Absorbers (Rebuildable Gas) .......17
Deep-Lug Track (Sno Pro Models) ..........18
Attack 20 Track (M-Series/King 

Cat Models).........................................18

Track Studs .............................................19
Reverse Transmission ............................20
Towing ....................................................20
Adjustable Backrest  ...............................21
Removable Rear Seat.............................21
Removable Seat (M-Series/King Cat/

Sabercat Models)................................22

Arctic Power Valve (APV) System ...........22
Exhaust Controlled Timing

(ECT) System (Firecat 500) ................24

Operating Instructions.................................26-33

Starting and Stopping Engine ................. 26
High RPM Operation 

(660 cc Models) .................................. 29

Braking (Hydraulic Brake Models)........... 29
Emergency Stopping .............................. 31
Throttle/Ignition Monitor Switch

(2-Stroke Models) ............................... 31

Varying Altitude Operation ...................... 33

Lubrication ..................................................34-37

Standard Chain Case ............................. 34
ACT Drive Gear Case ............................. 35
Front Suspension ................................... 36
Speedometer Drive Adapter ................... 36
Rear Suspension .................................... 36

Maintenance ...............................................38-78

Periodic Maintenance Checklist.............. 38
Fuel System............................................ 39
Checking Oil-Injection System

(2-Stroke Models) ............................... 40

Checking Engine Oil Level

(660 cc Models) .................................. 41

Changing Engine Oil (660 cc Models)..... 41
Adjusting Carburetor - 

VM-Style (Single)................................ 42

Adjusting Carburetors - VM-Style (Twin) . 44
Adjusting Carburetors - TM-Style............ 48
Selecting Carburetor Main Jet(s) ............ 50
Spark Plugs ............................................ 51
Charging Battery 

(Electric Start Models) ........................ 53

Fuses (660 cc Models)............................ 55
Engine Heater (660 cc Models)............... 56
Mechanical Brake System ...................... 56
Hydraulic Brake System ......................... 57
Drive Belt ................................................ 61
Track Tension.......................................... 64
Track Alignment ...................................... 66
Suspension............................................. 67
Lights...................................................... 71
Ski Wear Bars ......................................... 74
Adjusting Ski Stance(M-Series/
      King Cat/Bearcat 570 Models) ........... 76
Rail Wear Strips...................................... 76
Axial Fan Belt (370/440 cc Models)......... 77
Accessory Belt (660 cc Models).............. 77

Performance Tips............................................. 79
Preparation For Storage..............................80-82
Preparation After Storage ...........................83-84
U.S. EPA Emission Control Statement/

Warranty Coverage ............................. 86

Change of Address, Ownership,

or Warranty Transfer ............................... 87

Warranty Procedure/Owner Responsibility ...... 89

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Write the appropriate information for your Arctic Cat Snowmobile in the spaces below. 

Always use these numbers when referring to your snowmobile.

Model: ________________________________________________

Date of Purchase: _______________________________________

Vehicle Identification Number:  _____________________________

Engine Serial Number:  ___________________________________

Your Arctic Cat Dealer:  ____________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________________________

PERSONAL INJURY

To avoid injury to yourself and others, NEVER operate the 

snowmobile without first reading and understanding this manual 
and the Snowmobile Safety Handbook; then follow the instructions 
and heed the warnings given.

USE COMMON SENSE.

DON’T DRINK and DRIVE.

STAY IN CONTROL at ALL TIMES.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS. If you see a friend operating a 

snowmobile recklessly, at excessive speeds, while intoxicated, or in 
other unsafe ways, don’t wait until it is too late to warn of the 
consequences of snowmobile misuse. Such conduct endangers 
everyone. TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE SAFETY OF 
YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

PARTS AND ACCESSORIES

When in need of replacement parts, oil, or accessories for your
Arctic Cat Snowmobile, be sure to only use GENUINE ARCTIC
CAT PARTS, OIL, AND ACCESSORIES. Only genuine Arctic Cat
parts, oil, and accessories are engineered to meet the standards
and requirements of your Arctic Cat Snowmobile. For a complete
list of accessories, refer to the current Arctic Cat Accessory Cata-
log. An Illustrated Parts Manual is available through your local
Arctic Cat Snowmobile dealer.

! WARNING

A snowmobile is a very high performance vehicle. Because it does
accelerate rapidly and is capable of very high speeds, it should not be
operated by a novice or an inexperienced operator. Never accelerate
rapidly or drive at high speed beyond the limits of visibility or without
being totally familiar with the terrain and what lies in front of you.
Obey speed limits and never operate at speeds that do not allow ade-
quate maneuvering and stopping distances. Read and study the entire
Operator’s Manual and Safety Handbook.
Failure to follow this warning could result in personal injury to your-
self or others.