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Page 12 , Monday, Dec. 28, 1992 , News Intrepid snowmobiler: year round tips to maintain your sled Snowmobilers are demand- ing more from their sleds. Better trails, more regional link- ages, increased trailside ser- vices, and improved technology have broadened the touring range of our snowmobiling adventures. But too often our maintenance attitude is cavalier indifference. Fortunately, the modern snowmobile is built to survive. Even the pounding abuse of constant trail riding has no mea- surable impact. But with greater touring distances, with sleds being used more often, and being kept longer, how do we get continued performance reli- ability? Some rely on repair manual and skills, but I opt for TLC because it just FEELS right. Also, all I know about performance is the spelling. My snowmobile relationship is superstitious and emotional. I give a prayer and a pat and hope for the best. When it acts up, I am in personal atonement for an undisclosed sin. To get home safely, I'll make it promises never meant to be kept. I carry a large, placebo tool kit, but reality is that I'm at it's mercy. Snowmobiles sit idle for days on end, often in the most- extreme weather conditions, then are expected to perform suddenly and immediately, usu- ally at their maximum output. What happened to warming up a sled first? This repetitive, use- disuse cycle is hard on your engine, but I have a preventa- tive program that works for me. I take my snowmobile in for pre-season tune-up and inspec- ss Craig Nicholson tion. The do-it yourself motor- heads will probably choke into their grease rags now, but I FEEL better knowing that the pro at my dealer has gone over the sled. Due to our long-term relationship, they know my needs, style of riding, and most important, that I have entrusted them with my sled and perhaps my life. With the money I pay them each year, they can't afford to let me die. This service defines the start- ing point for the sled's mainte- nance record for the season against which all else can be measured and compared. It's my job to keep the ongoing maintenance schedule and arrange service as mileage and need require. I mix the first tank of gas in a new sled with an engine treat- ment called Microlon which claims to put a protective coat- ing on the pistons and cylin- ders, extend engine life, and improve overall performance. For high mileagers and for greater longevity, this treatment is logical, if intangible.. But I FEEL like the machine owes me one. Moisture in gasoline is a ' serious engine problem. A frozen gas line is hard evidence, so I have been using gas line anti-freeze in my sled's tank to combat condensation and water in bad gas. But carrying a liquid supply on tour is difficult, so effectiveness is threatened by irregularity. This problem resolved with The Water Eliminator, an in- tank, water absorbing device that lasted the whole season and made fluids obsolete. Once again, I can't see the results, but it makes sense and I FEEL bet- ter for taking this simple pre- caution. And I know my sled loves me more. Oil arguments abound, and I finally decided to use Silkolene's Comp 2. Both high performance riders making maximum engine demands, and families wanting longer sled life despite periods of disuse, can justify the additional cost. Besides, it takes a smaller quan- tity of this synthetic oil to do the same job as cheaper ones, so the price nets out favourable. Again, the benefits are hidden, but I FEEL like I'm doing good. Dealers report that much engine damage results from poor off-season storage. Meaning you can't simply tum off the key and walk away. On your last ride, run the machine with gasoline stabilizer mixed in the tank. Park it and run again with the gas shut-off valve closed until the engine dies. Pull the plugs and fog the cylinders lightly with a 60-40 oil/gas mixture from a spray bottle. Pull the engine over a dozen times and repeat. Repeat once a month until the snow. There are about a trillion other different ideas and prod- ucts for sled care. My theory is that most of them are better than nothing.Happy trails, and remember: RIDE SAFE, RIDE SOBER. FRAME AND GRILL m= SPECIAL SPORT NO CHARGE SPORT APPEARANCE PACKAGE = FORGED ALUMINUM WHEELS ® HIGH GLOSS METALLIC BUMPERS = COLOUR-KEYED HEADLAMP = FRONT BUMPER VALANCE AND AERO-TECH SIDE PANELS STRIPING PACKAGE 9 retail purchases from dealer inventory only. Dealer may sell for less. See dealer for details. rhe eee oe bee ene woes oe ee ee ee +e me FEATURES INCLUDE: # AIR CONDITIONING = AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION = 3.0 LITRE V6 ENGINE = DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG = CLOTH CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS m= REAR WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ' # AM/FM STEREO = REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER .*MSRP with cashback applied for 1993 Aerostar XL 5-passenger with Preferred Equipment Package 631A and Sport Appearance Package 552. Cashback and financing offers may not be combined. Excludes freight, license and applicable taxes. Limited time offers available on 1993 model Ce a ee oe e Y Ontario FMDA, P.O. Box 2000, Oakville, Ontario L6J SE4 re ee by roe er ee ae OY Oe ae a ae ee