How to Change the Oil in a Polaris FST
by Joshua Duvauchelle
The Polaris FST is a snowmobile model designed and manufactured by the Polaris Industries company. Polaris recommends that to change oil after driving the snowmobile for the first 500 miles, then again every 1500 miles. This helps the engine run smoothly and protects against engine problems. Learn how to change the oil in a Polaris FST snowmobile to help you get many more years of enjoyment out of your snowmobile.
Step 1
Slide or push the snowmobile onto a level, even surface. Check the Polaris snowmobile's front panel display and review its coolant temperatures. The temperature should be between 145 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is below 145 degrees F, turn the ignition key and run the engine on idle until the temperature is between the two aforementioned ranges. Turn the ignition key to the "Off" position to shut down the engine.
Step 2
Open the front hood of the Polaris FST snowmobile. Lift up and remove the plastic side panel on the left side of the engine compartment.
Step 3
Put an oil drain pan on the floor. Disconnect the oil return hose, a rubber tube connected to the plastic oil tank. Place the end of the hose into the drain pan to allow the old oil to drain out. It may take up to 30 minutes for all of the oil to drain.
Step 4
Change the oil filter while waiting for the oil to drain. Take off the oil filter cap, found on the left side of the engine compartment, and slide out the oil filter. Insert a new oil filter and turn the oil filter cap to tighten it.
Step 5
Reconnect the oil return hose and remove the oil dipstick from the oil tank. Wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Pour two quarts of engine oil into the oil tank and insert the dipstick back into the tank. Turn the snowmobile's ignition key and run the Polaris FTS snowmobile's engine on idle for five minutes to bring the temperature back between 145 degrees and 160 degrees F.
Step 6
Turn off the engine. Remove the dipstick and look at the oil levels by checking the oil marks on the stick against the stick's engraved level measurements. Add more oil to the tank until the oil levels match the dipstick's recommended marking.
Step 7
Place the plastic panel back over the engine compartment. Push down to lock into place. Close the Polaris snowmobile's hood. Resume use of the vehicle.
References
Things You'll Need
- Performance Synthetic 4-Stroke oil
- Polaris FST oil filter
- Oil drain pan
- Rag
Warnings
- Always make sure the Polaris FST snowmobile's engine is off before attempting to do any sort of maintenance work.
Writer Bio
Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.
