SNOWMOBILES

Snowmobiling can be one of winter's great pleasures, but we have to remember that there are environmental consequences. Even though we usually ride snowmobiles in more remote areas, we're still contributing to the air pollution that threatens our health, environment and economy.

There are a number of ways that snowmobiles affect our environment.

They emit a wide range of airborne contaminants including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter. An important source of these emissions is the incomplete combustion of lubrication oil. Older snowmobiles can emit as much as 30 percent of their fuel unburned.

Our water resources are also put at risk by snowmobiles. These machines leave behind unburned fuel, lubrication oil and other compounds on the top layers of snow - eventually these pollutants find their way into surface and groundwater.

Another source of air emissions from snowmobiles is the needless idling of engines. Like any other motor vehicle, snowmobiles waste a lot of gas when they are idling.

Environmentally Responsible Snowmobiling - Useful Tips

• Environmentally responsible snowmobiling begins when you purchase the machine.  Buy a snowmobile with a four-stroke engine — it’s cleaner and quieter.  Don’t buy a bigger model than you need.
• Keep the engine tuned and the clutch properly adjusted — this will reduce fuel use and pollutant emissions.
• Refuel snowmobiles onshore — spills on top of snow or ice can get into our waterways.
• Don’t take gasoline storage tanks on top of ice-covered ponds or lakes.
• Be careful not to overfill when you’re filling up your snowmobile with gasoline or oil.  Even a small spill can contaminate groundwater, drinking water wells and surface water.

• Use synthetic, low-particulate lube oils — they emit less smoke and particulate matter.
• Don’t idle the engine — turning it off and restarting it only uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 15 seconds.
• Never disable emission controls on your snowmobile.