Yamaha Four-Stroke Snowmobile Performance Tips

Snowmobiles are used for recreational activities and basic transport across snow-covered areas of land. They are also used for racing and performing tricks in extreme sport competitions. Yamaha produces a number of snowmobiles powered by four-stroke engines. The four-stroke snowmobile engine, complex and water-cooled, is capable of reaching high speed and torque levels.

  1. Idle Snowmobile Maintenance

    • Unless you live near a snowy mountain that is maintained year-round, it is likely your snowmobile will sit unused for long periods. Be sure to maintain the vehicle even during the times you are not using it.

      The Yamaha four-stroke snowmobile is a high-end, expensive machine that you should store in a temperature-controlled shed or garage. Leaving the snowmobile outdoors will expose it to various weather elements and temperature shifts. A four-stroke snowmobile comes with a canvas cover that will help you maintain a stable overall environment for the resting vehicle. Place a gas-stabilizing fluid in the gas tank to maintain the health and condition of the fuel.

    Insuring High Speeds

    • Early versions of Yamaha snowmobiles were designed with two-stroke engines, which cannot reach the high speeds of the four-stroke models. The advantage of the two-stroke vehicles is that they don't require oil, which can thicken and cause operational problems at cold temperatures. Operating a Yamaha four-stroke snowmobile requires constant oil monitoring and replacement. Depending on use, check the oil regularly for any sign of thickening that may slow or stall the vehicle.

      Before taking your snowmobile on a long trip, allow the engine to warm up for at least five minutes in order to operate at its full acceleration capacity. Turn the engine on and drive the snowmobile outside. Let the engine run for five to ten minutes, then slowly increase the speed.

    Computer Performance

    • The Yamaha four-stroke snowmobiles designed in the past several years have computerized mechanisms installed within their operating systems that evaluate performance. The computer gauges temperature, fuel quality and pressure, and makes a number of other internal calculations to maximize the performance of the engine. As long as you keep this computer system in working order, you should be able to readily detect certain problems with the snowmobile.

      Since Yamaha four-stroke snowmobile operating systems are so complicated, the vehicles are virtually impossible to modify. Do not attempt engine modification on this complex machine.