Riding Through Water

• Driving through water can contaminate the power train and electrical systems resulting in long-term vehicle damage.
• Your vehicle is capable of driving through still water in depth equal to the floorboard height.
• Never drive through deep or fast flowing water. The vehicle may become unstable and difficult to control.
• Never cross any body of water where depth may be unknown to the operator.
• If you must ride through water:
  • Cross at a designated route if possible. Choose a course within the waterway where both banks have a gradual incline. Cross at a point known to be safe.
  • Proceed at a slow steady speed to avoid submerged obstacles and slippery rocks.
  • Avoid water crossings where the operation of a utility vehicle may cause damage to waterway beds or erode waterway shoreline.
• Stopping ability of vehicles with external brakes may be affected after driving through water. If necessary, apply brakes several times to dry them out.
• If water levels exceed the floorboard height at any time, contact your dealer to have the engine, transmission, differential fluids, and fuel tank checked for contamination.
• If the engine stops during water crossing, do not re-start the engine. Major engine damage can result if the machine is not thoroughly inspected. Take the vehicle to your dealer before starting the engine.
• If you must continue to operate the vehicle prior to dealer inspection, perform the following inspection and service:
  1. Move the vehicle to dry land, or at the very least to water below the floorboard.
  2. Dry any water present in the air intake. Clean the air filter. Filter replacement is required if water is present.
  3. Remove the spark plugs, keeping plug wires away from the spark plug mounting hole to avoid igniting fuel that may be in the cylinder. Turn the engine over several times using the electric start.
  4. Dry the spark plugs and reinstall, or replace with new plugs.
  5. Attempt to start the engine. If necessary, repeat the drying procedure. If engine does not start after three attemps, discontinue trying.
  6. After driving through water when the air temperature is below freezing, clear the brake system of excess water, snow, mud or other material to prevent freezing.
  7. If water has been ingested into the clutch enclosure, remove the drain plug to allow water to drain, then reinstall the plug. Run the engine for one minute to dry the drive belt. In Neutral, run engine up to full speed and back down several times to help dry the clutch sheave faces.
  8. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service as soon as possible, whether you succeed in starting the engine or not. It is critical that services are performed to the engine, transmission, differential fluids, and fuel tank to check for contamination.