vehicle. Again, the best advice is to safely reduce speed. anticipation of a
maneuver so to give yourself time and distance to regain total vehicle control
before it spins out of your control.
As you drive your side-by-side vehicle over a loose snow covered surface,
snow dust will be picked up in the wake turbulence of the moving vehicle and
transported to contact and accumulate or melt on some exposed components
including rotating parts like brake discs. Water, snow or ice may affect the
response time of the brake system of your side-by-side vehicle. Even when not
required to reduce vehicle speed apply brakes frequently to prevent ice or snow
accumulation and to dry brake pads and discs. While doing so in low risk driving
situations you will test for grip level and keep yourself alerted to how the vehicle
reacts to your control inputs. Always keep brake pedal, footrests, floor boards,
brake and throttle levers free of snow and ice.
Frequently wipe snow off seat, hand grips, headlights, tail lights and reflectors.
The depth of the snow cover may hide rocks, tree stumps or other objects and if
is wet may totally impede the drivability as the vehicle becomes bogged down
or completely looses traction in slushy snow. Look far ahead and always be
watchful of any visible clues that might indicate the presence of such
obstacles. In doubt steer clear. Avoid driving on any frozen body of water
before checking that the ice will safely support the side-by-side vehicle. its
drivers and its load of cargo. Remember that a given thickness of ice may be
sufficient to support a snowmobile but not an side-by-side vehicle of an identical
weight because of the smaller load bearing surface of the four tire contact
patches as compared to that of a snowmobile track and skis.
To maximize comfort and avoid frostbite, always wear clothing and side-by-side
vehicle protective equipment appropriate for the weather conditions you will be
exposed to during your drive.
At the end of each drive it is a good practice to clean the vehicle body and all
moving components (brakes, steering components, drivelines, controls,
radiator fan etc.) from any snow or ice accumulations. Wet snow will turn to ice
during the shut down period and become more difficult to remove at the next
pre- drive inspection.
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