Snowmobile Bulletin S-24-01

Polaris will notify customers via mail and email (if available). You also can also search using a Model type or VIN number by visiting: https://www.polaris.com/en-us/off-road-recalls/.  

Polaris has determined that with degraded fuel, and especially after extended storage, some Model Year 2021-2024 MATRYX and 2015-2023 AXYS snowmobiles may pose a risk of fire due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) inside the fuel tank. Under specific conditions, vapors may be ignited inside the fuel tank, posing a potential injury hazard.

Our S4 snowmobiles, 600/800 Pro-Ride and 550s are not a part of the impacted population.

We previously issued a recall and repair to address electrostatic discharge (ESD) in the fuel tanks of some snowmobile models. While that repair reduced the sources of ESD, we determined it did not eliminate the chance of ESD in the fuel tank. 

This is not a stop ride. We have solutions that consumers can use to eliminate the ESD issue in fuel tanks. This will allow our riders to take steps that keep them riding safely. 

First, determine if your snowmobile is impacted. You can use our Safety Recall site to look up your specific VIN.  

If your snowmobile is impacted, follow the fuel type guidance below:  

Solution 1: Fill up with a premium, 10% ethanol-based fuel. The 10% ethanol in E10 fuel prevents the electrostatic buildup in the fuel tank system, which then prevents ESD.

Owners of impacted snowmobiles with a Patriot Boost or Patriot 9R engine, and 600 INDY Cross Country snowmobiles will need to fill up using an oxygenated fuel that is 91 octane or higher and contains 10% ethanol (E10).    

Owners of impacted snowmobiles that do NOT have a Patriot Boost engine, Patriot 9R engine or a 600 INDY Cross Country will need to fill up using an oxygenated fuel that is 87 octane or higher and contains 10% ethanol (E10).  

In addition to using the right fuel type, (87+ octane E10 or 91+ octane E10, depending on your snowmobile), the rider will need to change the fuel type designation on the gauge of their snowmobile if they were previously using non-ethanol fuel. 

The procedure for changing the fuel type designation varies based on the type of gauge the snowmobile is equipped with and can be found in the Owner’s Manual.

Solution 2: In the event owners cannot access 10% ethanol (E10) fuel, use the Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive in fuel tank when filling up with non-ethanol fuel.

Starting in early June 2024, we are distributing the additive to dealers and customers in Alaska, due to the lack of E10 availability and current snow conditions. For customers and dealers outside Alaska, distribution will start later this summer

We understand how important the winter riding season is for our customers and we heard from some of our customers who were disappointed with their limited riding time last winter. To help keep you riding safely, we are sharing steps that customers can take to eliminate the ESD hazard.

ESD is a complex issue. Our initial repair did reduce the number of ESD sources, but it did not fully eliminate the hazard. We are committed to standing behind our snowmobiles and taking the steps we need to address the issue.

ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. In very simple terms, think of ESD as the buildup of static electricity that connects with a source that may discharge the energy. Think of when you rub your socks along the carpet, it is building up static electricity and then you touch a light switch and get that slight discharge. At times, ESD may result in a spark.

• Owners of impacted snowmobiles with a Patriot Boost or Patriot 9R engine, and 600 INDY Cross Country snowmobiles will need to fill up using an oxygenated fuel that is 91 octane or higher and contains 10% ethanol (E10).    

•  Owners of impacted snowmobiles that do NOT have a Patriot Boost engine, Patriot 9R engine or a 600 INDY Cross Country will need to fill up using an oxygenated fuel that is 87 octane or higher and contains 10% ethanol (E10).  

In the event owners cannot access 10% ethanol (E10) fuel, they should add Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive to their fuel tank.

We are confident in this solution. The 10% ethanol prevents the electrostatic buildup in the fuel tank system to prevent ESD. If owners cannot access 10% ethanol (E10) fuel, Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive prevents the electrostatic buildup in the fuel tank system to prevent ESD.

Use the fuel as recommended in your Owner’s Manual.

This fuel is widely available in most regions across the U.S. and Canada.

Yes, there are likely customers already using ethanol-based fuel.

If 10% ethanol (E10) fuel is not available in your area/region, but you have access to non-ethanol (E0) fuel, you should use Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive as directed.

The Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive increases the conductivity of the fuel it is added to, preventing the buildup of ESD in the fuel system.

No. Owners should use the fuel octane ratings recommended for their snowmobile model.

Riders should follow the usage amount directed on the bottle. 2 oz. will treat a full tank (approximately 10 U.S. gallons for most snowmobiles) of non-ethanol (E0) fuel.

When added to fuel in the directed amounts, the antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, and detergents in the additive stabilize the fuel for long-term storage and help to clean fuel system components.

No. Do not use fuel containing more than 10% ethanol, such as E85 or E15 fuel.

Prior to starting your snowmobile, top your tank off with the recommended 10% ethanol (E10) fuel based on the model of your snowmobile.  If you cannot access 10% ethanol (E10) fuel, you can use non-ethanol (E0) fuel with Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive.

Fill the rest of the tank full with the recommended 10% ethanol (E10) fuel based on the model of your snowmobile and continue to fill with the recommended fuel.  

If you don’t have access to the recommended 10% ethanol (E10) fuel, you may use non-ethanol (E0) with Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive.

Add Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive according to the amounts on the bottle label.  Once you reach half (1/2) tank, refill with the recommended E10 fuel.  If you don’t have access to E10 fuel, continue to add Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive to non-oxygenated (E0) fuel. 

At a gas station. Fuel pumps with E10 are often labeled with “Contains 10% Ethanol” or similar. Alternatively, E0/Non-Oxygenated fuel is often labeled as such. If fuel is labeled with “Up to 10% Ethanol”, or if the ethanol content is unknown, you should use Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive.

In the snowmobile tank. Without accurate measurement equipment it is difficult to determine ethanol content. If unsure, you should assume E0 (0% ethanol) and fill with the recommended 10% ethanol (E10) fuel based on the model of your snowmobile.  If you cannot access 10% ethanol (E10) fuel, add Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive to non-oxygenated (E0) fuel.  

Yes. These are all zero ethanol fuels. and should only be used with Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive.

Yes.  If you cannot access E10 fuel, you may use non-oxygenated (E0) fuel with Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive once it is available. Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive is being distributed to Alaska dealers and customers in June and will become available to dealers and customers outside Alaska later this summer.

At this time, we ask consumers to continue working with their dealer to schedule the free S-22-09 repair we issued in 2022.  

The use of 10% ethanol (E10) fuel will not damage the engine and is not harmful to the snowmobile.

In short, 10% ethanol makes the fuel more conductive and thus does not allow for a charge to build on components within the system.

With this solution, there may be a minor impact on a snowmobile’s performance, but the majority of riders will not be able to notice a difference. 

When using Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive, optimum performance is achieved when following the updated guidance on correct fuel selection modes. This guidance can be found in the most recent Snowmobile Owner’s Manual Addendum (May 2024).

Yes 

Where do I get a new label? Polaris will be mailing a new recommended fuel label and Owner’s Manual Addendum to all affected consumers. 

Can I ride my snowmobile without the new recommended fuel label? Yes, if the correct fuel is being used. 
 

Polaris expects to begin mailing new recommended fuel labels to affected consumers and in early June 2024.
 

You can use the VIN look up tool: VIN Search | Polaris Snowmobiles or put your vehicle in My Garage in your Polaris account with your VIN to confirm if it is a Patriot Boost or Patriot 9R. 

Given the high-performance aspects of our Patriot Boost and Patriot 9R engines and the 600 INDY Cross Country, we are telling those impacted owners to use an E10 (10% ethanol) fuel that has a 91 octane level or higher. If non-ethanol (E0) fuel is used, Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer additive must be added to the fuel.
 

No, the fuel type remains the same.
   

Owners of impacted snowmobiles with a Patriot Boost or Patriot 9R engine, and 600 INDY Cross Country snowmobiles will need to fill up using an oxygenated fuel that is 91 octane or higher and contains 10% ethanol (E10).    

Owners of impacted snowmobiles that do NOT have a Patriot Boost engine, Patriot 9R engine or a 600 INDY Cross Country will need to fill up using an oxygenated fuel that is 87 octane or higher and contains 10% ethanol (E10).  

Owners that cannot access 10% ethanol (E10) fuel must use Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer fuel additive.

While 10% ethanol (E10) fuel is widely available, it’s not accessible everywhere and we are focused on providing solutions to keep customers riding safely regardless of what fuel they have access to.

The additive should not be stored forward of the snowmobile handlebars. A tunnel bag or underseat storage may be good storage locations.

You should store your snowmobile full using E10 (10% ethanol) fuel with a fuel stabilizer. More details on how to prepared your snowmobile for summer can be found on our Help site: https://www.polaris.com/en-us/snowmobiles/owner-resources/help-center/article/KA-05557/

1.    If your fuel tank is full with the recommended E10 (10% ethanol) continue to use the recommended fuel through your riding season.
2.    If your fuel tank is partially full, or empty – for storage, completely fill your tank with the recommndedE10 (10% ethanol) and add appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer. Prior to starting your engine, completely fill your tank with the recommended E10 (10% ethanol) fuel.
3.    If your fuel tank is full with E0 (0% ethanol/non-oxygenated) fuel – use Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer fuel additive.  When you begin your next riding season, use the recommended E10 (10% ethanol) fuel.  If you don’t have access to E10 fuel, you can use E0 (0% ethanol/non-oxygenated) fuel as long as you continue to use Polaris Anti-Static Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer fuel additive.