Arctic Cat DVX 400 Operator's Manual page 25

Crossing Obstacles
Crossing obstacles is risky. Avoid it if possible. Riding over logs and rocks means combining all
the active riding skills into one big motion. These are general guidelines for overcoming
obstacles:
1. Keep your speed way down.
2. Approach the obstacle head-on.
3. Come up off the seat.
4. Keep your weight on the footrests.
5. Apply a little throttle when the front tires make contact with the obstacle.
6. Lean forward and release the throttle when the front tires clear the obstacle.
7. Keep your body loose to absorb any shock.
8. If the ATV starts tipping, shift your weight to keep it in balance.
Skidding or Sliding
If you lose control after hitting sand, ice, oil or water:
1. Turn your handlebar into the direction of the slide.
2. Keep your hand off the brakes until you're out of the skid.
3. Shift your weight forward.
Parking on a hill
1. Keep it in gear.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Shut off the gas tank valve.
4. Find something to block the rear tires
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Crossing Water
Your ATV can only handle water up to its footrests. Any more than that and you risk engine
damage. Stay away from fast moving rivers.
Please observe the following:
1. Examine the depth of the water and check for hidden obstacles like logs or rocks.
2. Keep your speed slow.
3. Make sure you have a way out on the other side of the water.
4. If you get stuck in the mud, try rocking the ATV from side to side.
5. Once you've cleared the water, briefly apply the brakes to make sure they work.
Driving in Cold Weather
NOTE: Check that all control levers move freely. Make sure that they are free of ice and
snow.
For your personal safety, it is very important to wear enough warm clothing.
1. With the transmission in neutral, move the ATV forward and backward to check that the
wheels roll freely. If the ATV will not roll, the tires may be frozen to the ground or the
brake pads may be frozen to the discs.
2. If the tires are frozen to the ground, pour warm water around them to melt the ice.
Before riding, manually move the ATV forward and backward to make certain that all
wheels roll freely.
3. If the brakes are frozen, take the ATV to a warmer area to thaw out the brakes.
Never attempt to free frozen brakes by pouring warm water on the brake pads and
housings!
NOTE: After the brakes thaw, dry them by applying them several times while riding slowly.
NOTE: After riding through water, mud and snow, it is important to dry both brake systems
before parking the ATV.
!! ATTENTION!!
!! CAUTION !!
!! ATTENTION !!
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