Snowmobiles have oil filters because they need oil to function. Oil helps your machine to avoid overheating and to lubricate everything, so it works without any trouble. In addition, an oil filter helps the engine eliminate waste and does not let any harmful substances go into the machine.

Continue reading to find out if your snow engine has an oil filter.

Do snowmobiles need oil changes?

Like any other engine that works with oil, snowmobiles need oil changes too. Oil changes are extremely important because they prevent significant damages when they lubricate. In addition, this lubrication eliminates the risk of hard metal colliding inside an engine, in this case, a snowmobile.

How can I change my snowmobile’s oil?

Read the following list if you want to understand how you can change your snowmobile’s oil:

  1. Always read a manual or seek professional help: Manuals have step-by-step explanations that can simplify your life incredibly. If you do not want to try it by yourself or read the manual, try seeking help from a mechanic.
  2. You will need to know where you are going to fill up the oil: If you cannot find where you can fill up the oil, you can look it up on the internet or reach out for the instructions manual of your snow vehicle. Every single engine has unique details. But you can locate your snowmobile’s oil tank by trying to see if it is located behind the front tire. 
  3. Drain your pan: After doing this, you can start clearing up your tank. Then, you could begin to fuel your snowmobile with oil.

How often should I change my snowmobile’s oil? 

When you are trying to figure out how often you need to change your oil, many things matter. For instance, you might need to think about how fast you drive or which snowmobile you own. Others say that you might need to change it every time the season changes because drastic climate changes can cause some issues that can ruin your engine. Professionals recommend changing oils on these engines when they reach anywhere from five hundred miles to two thousand five hundred miles. 

Do two-stroke snowmobiles need oil changes?

Like other snowmobiles, two-stroke engines need oil changes. Yet, there is no significant difference between two-stroke and four-stroke engines when it comes to oil changing. The most notable difference is that four-strokes consume more oil, and that makes them less affordable.

What is the best two-stroke snowmobile oil?

If you want to know which is the best two-stroke snowmobile oil, follow the instructions of the producer of your machine. As you may know, the manufacturer will always recommend the best when it comes to their products. This means that you might need to read the manual or ask a mechanic.

What is the best four-stroke snowmobile oil?

On the other hand, there is an oil considered to be the “best” for four-stroke snowmobiles. The oil that these engines use is entirely artificial, and they are 0W-40 oils. In many circumstances, four-stroke engines might also use 5W-50 or 0W-30 oils. These oils are made for low temperatures. Additionally, they can help you regulate the amount of exposure your snowmobile gets to the snow.

Can I use any oil on my snowmobile?

Your snowmobile cannot be lubricated with just any oil. This is highly counterproductive since it can cause engine issues as they are not prepared for all types of machines. In addition, using the wrong oil can produce less lubrication and shorten your battery’s durability. In some cases, this does not result in a big issue, but you should always check which oil your engine needs. In short, it is important to know which oil your snowmobile uses because these chemicals are made for specific machines and do not work the same way.

Is it normal to change the oil but not the filter?

You can do it, and it should not present a big problem. Yet, many mechanics suggest changing the filter every time you do an oil change. Filters are the central part of the oil circuit, and they are relatively inexpensive. This means that it should not be a problem if you want to buy a new filter for every oil change. 

When should I change my filter?

As mentioned before, it is highly suggested to change your oil filter from time to time. Still, if you do not see a difference and your filter is not clogged, you can leave it and change it on your following oil replacement. If your filter is clogged, the oil will overflow, and it will come out of the circuit.

What are the signs of a bad oil filter on my snowmobile?

These are most of the common signs of having a faulty oil filter on your snow engine:

  1. You can hear metallic noises: When you hear noises coming from your machine, it is probably poorly lubricated. This occurs when the parts of your engine collide and hit each other. If you hear this, try checking your filter or changing it.
  2. If your engine is not lubricated enough: This means that your oil filter or circuit is not working correctly.
  3. If the filter is dirty or clogged: When this happens, your filter will be damaged immediately.
  4. Unexpected oil leaking from your engine: Leaking can occur when you buy a filter that is too small or big for your machine. It can also happen if the filter is inadequately installed.

Can you mix snowmobile oils?

Professionals do not recommend using mixed oils on any engine —in this case, snowmobiles—. This can produce a negative reaction to your oil filter. Mixing random chemicals can block the circuit where the oil flows. This blockade can ruin your snow vehicle. 

List of the most common oils used on snowmobiles

Some mechanics and snowmobile owners suggest using the following oils:

  1. Lucas snowmobile oil: These are made for two-cycle machines. It also eliminates the excessive smoke that, in many situations, comes from engines. 
  2. Valvoline snowmobile oil (marine edition): These oils are designed for two-cycle machines as well. This brand is often recognized when it comes to engine oils.
  3. Ski-doo XPS synthetic oil: These oils are not designed exclusively for snowmobiles. 
  4. Arctic cat APV synthetic oil: Arctic cats are ideal for freezing temperatures. Many snowmobile owners like the formula on this one.
  5. Amsoil interceptor synthetic oil: This formula is premium. It works on two-stroke cycles too.
  6. Maxima tundra snowmobile oil: This is a synthetic formula. It works like arctic cats; it is recommended for cold temperatures.
  7. Polaris OEM VES oil: This oil is entirely synthetic, and in the long run, it will benefit your engine. It helps with corrosion issues and, in many cases, stops it altogether.
  8. Klotz snowmobile techniplate: This oil is synthetic. Like every oil, it lubricates the engine. Nevertheless, this is one of the most common fuels for snowmobiles.

Conclusion

To sum everything up, snowmobiles have oil filters integrated just like any other mechanic engine. As you could see, oil filters are one of the essential pieces of a snowmobile. In addition, you now know how to verify and change your oil filter. At the same time, we learned when to change them and saw a list of commonly used oils.

Please remember that checking your snowmobile’s oil filter needs to be an everyday habit. Having a faulty oil circuit is dangerous and can produce uncommon heat or lubrication issues. Any of these problems can be avoided if you check your filter and never let it get clogged. 

Sources and references 

https://www.snowmobileforum.com/threads/engine-case-oil-change.69532/

 https://www.sixity.com/snow-oil-change-guide

 https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/34929/is-it-necessary-to-replace-an-oil-filter-every-oil-change