The Ultimate Guide to Snowmobile Batteries

Power - by Joe Weber - updated on 12/12/2025

Snowmobile season is here, and the last thing any rider wants is to be stranded in the cold with a machine that won't start. As you prepare your Yamaha, Polaris, Ski-Doo, or Arctic Cat for another winter, your battery should be at the top of your checklist. Just like a car, your snowmobile is only as reliable as the battery that powers it. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to pick the best battery for your snowmobile and how to maintain it for seasons to come.

How Long Should a Snowmobile Battery Last?

A typical snowmobile battery will last between three and five years, but this depends heavily on proper maintenance. If your battery is older than three years, it's a good idea to have it tested before the season starts. You can test it yourself with a multimeter or bring it to a local battery shop. We can test it for you for free and let you know if it's healthy enough for another winter.

How Do I Know If My Snowmobile Battery Is Bad?

There are a few clear signs that your snowmobile battery is failing:

• Slow Engine Crank: The most common symptom is difficulty starting your engine. It will sound sluggish or turn over slowly.
• Fails to Hold a Charge: If you fully charge the battery but it's dead again after a short period, it's likely nearing the end of its life.
• Physical Damage: Look for visible signs of damage. If the battery casing is swollen, cracked, or leaking, it needs to be replaced immediately.

What Size Battery Do I Need for a Snowmobile?

Snowmobiles use 12-volt powersport batteries, which are also common in motorcycles, ATVs, and jet skis. The physical size, or "group size," is critical for ensuring a proper fit.

You can find the correct battery size designation (e.g., "20L-BS") in your snowmobile's owner's manual. You can also find the right battery by looking up your snowmobile's brand (like Polaris, Ski-Doo, or Arctic Cat), model, and year.

What are Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs)?

Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs) measure a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. Specifically, it's the number of amps a 12-volt battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts.

Since snowmobiles operate exclusively in the cold, a high CCA rating is essential for reliable starting. Always choose a battery that meets or exceeds the CCA rating recommended by your snowmobile's manufacturer. If you frequently ride in extreme cold, opting for a battery with an even higher CCA rating is a smart investment.

What are the Main Types of Snowmobile Batteries?

Once you know the size and CCA rating you need, you'll choose between two main snowmobile battery types: flooded lead-acid and AGM.

Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries

• Pros: Most affordable option upfront.
• Cons: Flooded lead-acid batteries typically have lower CCAs, require regular maintenance (monitoring and topping off electrolyte levels with distilled water), and are more prone to damage from vibration.

AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Batteries

• Pros: AGM batteries are the best snowmobile battery technology for most riders. The electrolyte is absorbed in fiberglass mats, making the battery spill-proof and maintenance-free.
  • Longer Lifespan: Often lasts up to 2X longer than flooded batteries.
  • Faster Recharging: Reaches full charge more quickly.
  • Higher CCAs: Typically offer more starting power in the cold.
  • Vibration Resistant: Built to withstand the bumps and jumps of snowmobiling.
• Cons: Costs more upfront, but the longer life and reliability often save you money in the long run.

Can You Use a Lithium Battery In a Snowmobile?

Lithium (LiFePO4) powersport batteries are, without a doubt, some of the most advanced and powerful batteries in the powersports world. They are incredibly lightweight (often 70% lighter than lead-acid), can last up to 5-10 times longer, and offer fantastic cranking power. For many applications, like motorcycles or ATVs, they are an amazing upgrade.

However, we do not recommend them for snowmobiles that are used or stored in sub-freezing temperatures due to one critical limitation: charging in the cold.

• What happens if you charge it in the cold? Attempting to charge a lithium battery in freezing temperatures can cause a phenomenon called "lithium plating," which can permanently damage the battery's internal cells. This leads to a significant loss in capacity and a much shorter lifespan.
• What about starting? While a fully charged lithium battery might start your sled in the cold (though it can also struggle to deliver high amps when "cold-soaked"), the main problem is charging. Your snowmobile's charging system (stator/alternator) will try to recharge the battery as you ride. If the battery itself is at or below freezing, your sled's own charging system could damage it.

Because snowmobiles are exclusively operated and stored in cold environments, this charging limitation makes lithium batteries an impractical and risky choice. For reliable, worry-free performance in the cold, an AGM battery remains the superior and safer technology.

How Do You Maintain a Snowmobile Battery?

Proper snowmobile battery maintenance is the single most important thing you can do to ensure it starts all winter and lasts for years. The biggest enemy is letting a battery sit in a discharged state, which causes permanent damage called sulfation.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for keeping your battery in peak condition.

What You Need:

• A Battery Maintainer (or Smart/Trickle Charger): This is essential. Do not use an old, manual car battery charger, as it can overcharge and destroy your small powersport battery. A battery maintainer is a "smart" charger that delivers a slow, low-amp charge, then switches to a "float" mode to keep it at 100% without overcharging.
• Wrench (for battery terminals)
• Battery Terminal Cleaner (or a wire brush and a baking soda/water mixture)
• Distilled Water (Only for flooded lead-acid batteries)

Off-Season Storage Instructions

When you store your sled for the summer, follow these steps to prevent a dead battery next winter.

1. Remove the Battery:
   • Disconnect the negative (black) cable first, then the positive (red) cable. Carefully lift the battery out of the snowmobile, keeping it upright.
2. Inspect and Clean:
   • Look for any cracks, leaks, or swelling. If you see any, the battery is compromised and must be replaced.
   • Clean the terminals. If you see fuzzy, crusty buildup (corrosion), clean it off using a battery terminal cleaner or a wire brush. You can also use a paste of baking soda and water to neutralize and scrub away the acid.
   • Wipe the battery case clean with a dry cloth.
3. Check Fluid Levels (Flooded Batteries ONLY):
   • If you have a flooded lead-acid battery with removable caps, gently pry them off.
   • Look inside. The fluid (electrolyte) should cover the lead plates.
   • If the level is low, add only distilled water until the plates are covered (or to the "fill" line). Never add tap water or battery acid.
   • If you have an AGM battery, skip this step. It is sealed and maintenance-free.
4. Find a Storage Spot: Store the battery in a cool, dry place off of concrete floors (a wooden shelf is perfect). A garage or basement is fine, as long as it doesn't experience freezing temperatures.
5. Connect the Maintainer: This is the most important step. Connect the battery maintainer according to its instructions (typically connecting the positive (red) clip first, then the negative (black) clip). Plug it in and let it do its job. It will automatically keep your battery at a perfect charge all off-season, preventing sulfation and ensuring it's ready for the first snow.

In-Season Maintenance

Before Your First Ride: Even if you used a maintainer, it's a good idea to check your battery's voltage with a multimeter. A healthy, fully charged battery should read around 12.6 - 12.8 volts.

During the Season: If you go several weeks without riding, your sled's onboard electronics can slowly drain the battery. It's a good idea to connect your battery maintainer for a day or two to top it off and keep it ready.

Get Your Sled Ready for the Snow

Don't let a dead battery ruin a perfect day on the trails. By choosing the right type of battery (like a high-performance AGM) and keeping it charged with a battery maintainer, you can ensure your sled starts reliably all winter.

If you're not sure about your battery's health or which replacement to buy, stop by your local Batteries Plus. Our experts can test your current battery for free and help you find the perfect new snowmobile battery and charger to match your machine and riding style.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the best battery for a snowmobile?

A: An AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery is widely considered the best choice. It's maintenance-free, vibration-resistant, charges faster, and provides higher Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs) for reliable starting in cold weather compared to older flooded lead-acid batteries.

Q: How do I charge a snowmobile battery during the off-season?

A: The best method is to remove the battery, store it in a cool/dry place off the floor, and connect it to a battery maintainer. This device provides a smart, low-amp charge to keep the battery fully charged and healthy during long periods of storage, preventing damage.

Q: Can I use a car battery in my snowmobile?

A: No. Car batteries are a completely different size and form factor. You must use a 12-volt powersport battery that matches the specific group size and terminal configuration required for your snowmobile.

Q: Why are high CCAs important for a snowmobile battery?

A: Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs) are crucial because they measure the battery's ability to start your engine in freezing temperatures. A battery with a high CCA rating will provide the strong, reliable power needed to turn over a cold engine, which is exactly what a snowmobile needs.

Q: Can I still pull-start my snowmobile if the battery is dead?

A: It depends. Older, carbureted sleds can usually be pull-started. Most modern EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) sleds cannot. Even if you pull-start the engine, the EFI system, fuel pump, and computer need stable battery power to run.

Q: Will adding accessories like heated grips or extra lights drain my battery?

A: Yes, they can. Your snowmobile's stator (charging system) produces limited power, especially at idle. If your accessories (heated grips, lights, etc.) use more power than the stator is making, your system will drain the battery to make up the difference. This is why a quality AGM battery is recommended.

Q: What does it mean for a battery to be "cold-soaked"?

A: A battery is "cold-soaked" when it has been sitting in freezing temperatures for so long (like overnight) that its internal core has reached the same low temperature as the outside air. This is the hardest possible condition for a start, as the extreme cold significantly reduces the battery's available power.