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, 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 a  solution 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 this snow season, while our team  engineers a permanent repair.

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

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

• 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).   
  
  

The 10% ethanol prevents the electrostatic buildup in the fuel tank system, which then prevents ESD. 

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 their vehicle is equipped with and can be found in your owner’s manual. 

We understand how important the winter riding season is for our customers and we heard from some of our customers who were disappointed in their limited riding time last winter. To help keep you riding safely this winter, we made the decision to share steps the customers can take to eliminate the ESD hazard, while our team engineers a permanent repair.

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 sleds 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).  

We are confident in this solution. The 10% ethanol 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 E10 fuel is not available in your area/region you should not ride your snowmobile. Polaris is working to determine an additional solution for customers without access to their needed fuel type.

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

Prior to starting your sled, top your tank off with 91+ octane E10.

Fill the rest of the tank full with 91+ octane E10 and then continue to fill with 91+ octane E10.

Ensure your tank is full before initial start, once you reach half (1/2) tank, refill with 91+ octane E10 (10% ethanol) fuel.

• At a gas station. Fuels pumps with E10 are often labelled with “Contains Up to 10% Ethanol” or similar. Alternatively, E0/Non-Oxygenated fuel is often labeled as such.
• In snowmobile tank. Without accurate measurement equipment it is difficult to determine ethanol content. If unsure, you should assume E0 (0% ethanol) and fill with 91 E10 (10% ethanol).  

  Yes.  These are all zero ethanol fuels and should not be used.  

Yes.

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 E10/10% ethanol will not damage the engine and is not harmful to the sled.

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. Polaris intends to  engineer a permanent repair.

Yes 

• Where do I get a new sticker? 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 will begin sending in the next few weeks.

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. 

Examples of My Garage: 

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.

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).  

As previously shared, we remain focused on testing and validating additional solutions for customers without access to 91+ octane E10 fuel.   

Yes, in addition to testing various octane levels, we are also testing various fuel additive solutions for customers without access to E10 (10% ethanol fuel). 

You should store your sled 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 91+ octane E10 (10% ethanol) – continue to use 91E10 through your riding season
2. If your fuel tank is partially full, or empty – for storage, completely fill your tank with 91+ octane E10 (10% ethanol) and add appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer. Prior to starting your engine, completely fill your tank with 91+ octane E10 (10% ethanol) fuel.
3. If your fuel tank is full with 91 octane E0 (0% ethanol/non-oxygenated) fuel – when you begin your next riding season, ensure your tank is full before initial start, once you reach half (1/2) tank, refill with 91+ octane E10 (10% ethanol) fuel.

We will contact impacted customers via email (if available) and mail once a permanent engineered repair is ready.