Are you planning to ride a snowmobile this winter? If you are, this post by Mike Ford Shop in Ham Lake has listed essential snowmobile safety tips you should know to keep safe on the trails.

As the temperature drops, Minessota's greenest trails turn white as the stumps, trees, and moss-covered rocks and branches get entirely covered with snow. It goes without saying that this leads snowmobile enthusiasts to get the most out of the snowy terrains. Now, it's important to note that, although riding a snowmobile is fun and exhilarating, it isn't without risks; that's why you must learn how to ensure a safe and fun experience. To that end, this post by Mike Ford Shop has gathered the top snowmobile safety tips you should know to become a safer rider.

If you want to keep your snowmobile performing at peak level, make sure to use high-quality oils for its maintenance, like AMSOIL's Formula 4-Stroke Powersports Synthetic Motor Oil. To place an order on the most efficient synthetic oil in Ham Lake, call Mike Ford Shop at (763) 257-3130 or browse AMSOIL's online store.

How to Ride Your Snowmobile Safely

Become Aware of The Regulations Regarding Snowmobile Safety

For starters, you must become familiar with the laws regarding snowmobile usage in Minnesota. As you might expect, these regulations are created to improve riders' safety, hence the importance of reviewing them. Among all the laws you should become aware of, here are a few essential ones:

• If you purchase a snowmobile, you must register it with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
• Any rider under 18 years old must wear a helmet with the symbol DOT, which means it's federally approved.
• Any resident born after December 31, 1976, must have a driver's license and a snowmobile safety certificate.

Know Your Snowmobile

As a rider, you must become familiar with your snowmobile's operative controls, its maintenance requirements, troubleshooting, and so forth. As you might expect, your owner's manual is the main source of information regarding your snowmobile specs; hence, it is important to read its content carefully. It's also crucial to gain experience and take all the owner's manual information into practice; to that end, it might help you to enroll in a snowmobile safety training course or program. By learning how to operate your snowmobile in a supervised and safe environment, you'll be able not just to enhance your operative skills but your confidence to tackle any trail.

Giving your snowmobile a synthetic oil change in Ham Lake is key to keeping it safe and efficient. To place an order on the most efficient synthetic oil in Ham Lake, call Mike Ford Shop at (763) 257-3130 or visit AMSOIL's online store.

Dress Safely

It's no secret that your body is vulnerable to injuries, sickness, or discomfort when exposed to low temperatures, especially when riding a snowmobile through cold winds. That's why you must protect yourself by wearing warm and comfortable safety gear; which includes the following items:

• Wear a DOT-approved snowmobiling helmet every time you ride your snowmobile; doing so will keep you from major or even fatal head injuries if you were to fall out from the vehicle accidentally.
• Keep your ankles safe and supported by using water-proof sturdy boots.
• Wearing insulated under-layers and wind-proof outer layers will keep you warm and comfortable.
• Snowmobile insulated gloves are vital to keeping your hands protected and warm.
• Shatterproof goggles are essential to maintain good visibility and protect your eyes from the bright snow light.

Check Weather Reports

Check the weather forecast a couple of days before each snowmobile adventure. If the weather reports announce extremely low temperatures or major winter storms for the day you intend to ride, opt to reschedule your snowmobiling plans. It's also important to check the conditions of the trail you intend to explore to ensure the terrain has safe conditions for snowmobiling.

Tell Family and Friends About Your Riding Plans

Whether you ride your snowmobile frequently or just on special trips, make sure always to tell your closest friends and family the location of the trail you are going and when you expect to return. Also, if possible, never ride alone.

Inspect Your Snowmobile Before Leaving

Finally, make sure to check your snowmobile before heading out to the trails. To that end, refer to the pre-ride inspections stated on your owner's manual and ensure the vehicle is in good working order to enjoy a fun and safe ride.

Take your snowmobile safety up a notch by using high-quality oils for its preventive maintenance, like AMSOIL's Formula 4-Stroke Powersports Synthetic Motor Oil. To place an order on the top-performing synthetic oil in Ham Lake, call Mike Ford Shop at (763) 257-3130 or visit AMSOIL's online store.