Yellowknife (Oct 29/04) - Ah, winter. That magical time of year when a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of... snowmobiling?

It may never have occurred to Alfred Lord Tennyson that snowmobiling and love could be so intertwined, but as the snow falls and the lakes freeze, sledding is back in the minds of Yellowknifers.

There's no substitute for a professional tune-up, but if you just can't wait to get out and skid through the snow, Polar Tech general manager Adrien Saulis has some tips for you.

First, check the battery and charge it if you can. Next, fill your oil injection and your gearbox oil.

Check the cooling system, either by making sure the coolant is topped up, or inspecting the belt to see if it's cracked or loose.

Having fun yet? It beats breaking down a million miles from nowhere.

"You see that a lot with people who come up from the south," said Saulis.

"They think someone on the trail can help them, or they'll just use their cell phone to call for help. Too bad the phone doesn't work 10km out of town."

Isolation is not your friend, so make sure your sled works, he said.

Next, inspect the drive belt for cracks or looseness and check the runners to make sure they aren't cracked or bent "from riding in the rocks in spring," said Saulis.

Most people need to change their skis pretty much annually, he said.

This is a fun one: check your exhaust to make sure there isn't a squirrel in it. "They love to nest in tailpipes," said Saulis.

Make sure the brakes feel solid and check for snow in the air filter.

If you leave the sled uncovered, snow can get in and wash the oil off engine parts.

Before you fire your beast up, check the track to see that it's not loose, crooked or worn out -- the track's sliders last two or three years -- and give it fresh fuel.

Old fuel produces condensation, which can damage your sled, and the octane rating can change with time.

That's if it even starts. Saulis estimates the healthy lifespan of fuel at one to three months, so if the sled's been at the cabin for three years, change the fuel.

You're almost there now. Start the sled, tethering it to you if it has an automatic shut off, and maybe pointing it at something soft if you don't. It may take off on you.

Check the lights, switches and controls, and pay attention to any abnormal performance or sounds.

If everything seems OK, you should be good to go by now.

Saulis recommends taking spare spark plugs, a drive belt and a tool kit wherever you go.

"Get your tools back from the buddy you lent them to last year," he advised.

Now you can have at 'er.

But remember: it's the best time of year for a professional inspection, and if you don't trust yourself, trust someone else.

After all, as Saulis said, "better safe than walking."