Page 17 of 418

Tire wear limit......................................5-33
OPERATION ...........................................6-1
Starting a cold engine ...........................6-3
Starting a warm engine .........................6-9
Warming up...........................................6-9
Drive select lever operation and
reverse driving ..................................6-11
Engine break-in ...................................6-17
Parking ................................................6-19
Parking on a slope ..............................6-21
Accessories and loading .....................6-23
RIDING YOUR ATV..................................7-1
Getting to know your ATV .....................7-3
Ride with care and good judgement .....7-5
Be careful where you ride ...................7-27
Turning your ATV ................................7-39
Climbing uphill.....................................7-45
Riding downhill ....................................7-55
Crossing a slope .................................7-59
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-63
Riding over rough terrain ....................7-69
Sliding and skidding ............................7-71
What to do if ........................................7-75
What to do...........................................7-75
67
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ........................................ 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit ................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance/lubrication.......... 8-7
Panel removal and installation............ 8-15
Engine oil ............................................ 8-29
Final gear oil ....................................... 8-39
Cooling system ................................... 8-45
Changing the coolant.......................... 8-49
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-57
Air filter element cleaning ................... 8-63
V-belt cooling duct check hose ........... 8-71
Carburetor adjustment ........................ 8-73
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-75
Valve clearance adjustment ............... 8-77
Throttle lever adjustment .................... 8-79
Front brake pad check ........................ 8-81
Rear brake shoe inspection ................ 8-81
Brake fluid level check ........................ 8-83
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-87
Front brake lever free play.................. 8-89
Rear brake pedal and lever
adjustment ........................................ 8-91
8
U5VH60.book Page 2 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 110 of 418
5-1
EBU00113
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
Before using this machine, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Front brakeCheck operation, free play, fluid level and fluid leakage.
Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid if necessary.5-5–5-9,
8-81–8-89
Rear brakeCheck operation, condition and free play.
Adjust if necessary.5-5–5-9,
8-81, 8-91–8-95
FuelCheck fuel level.
Fill with fuel if necessary.5-11–5-13
Engine oilCheck oil level.
Fill with oil if necessary.5-15–5-17,
8-29–8-39
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir.
Fill with coolant if necessary.5-21–5-23,
8-45–8-55
Final gear oilCheck for leakage. 5-19, 8-39–8-43
ThrottleCheck for proper throttle cable operation. 5-23, 8-79
Wheels and tiresCheck tire pressure, wear and damage.5-27–5-33,
8-103–8-105
Fittings and fastenersCheck all fittings and fasteners. 5-25
Lights and switchesCheck for proper operation.5-25, 8-97,
8-117–8-121
U5VH60.book Page 1 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 114 of 418
5-5
EBU01315
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal
Check for correct free play in the front brake lever.
If the free play is incorrect, have a Yamaha dealer
adjust it.
Check for correct free play in the rear brake lever
and brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect, adjust
it. (See pages 8-91–8-95.)
Check the operation of the brake levers and pedal.
They should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer inspect the brake system.
Brake fluid level (front brake)
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-83–8-87.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U5VH60.book Page 5 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 116 of 418
5-7
Brake fluid leakage (front brake)
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
hose, joint or brake fluid reservoir of the front
brake. Apply the brake firmly for one minute. If the
lever moves slowly inward, there may be a leak in
the brake system. If there is any leakage, the
brake system should be inspected by a Yamaha
dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, in-
spect the brake pads and shoes for wear. (See
page 8-81.)
U5VH60.book Page 7 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 262 of 418

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*•Check valve clearance.
•Adjust if necessary.
Cooling system•Check coolant leakage.
•Repair if necessary.
•Replace coolant every 24 months.Spark plug•Check condition.
•Adjust gap and clean.
•Replace if necessary.Air filter element•Clean.
•Replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*•Check and adjust idle speed/starter operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Crankcase breather
system*•Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*•Check for leakage.
•Tighten if necessary.
•Replace gasket(s) if necessary.Fuel line*•Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil
•Replace. (Warm engine before draining.)Engine oil filter cartridge
•Replace.Engine oil strainer*
•Clean.Final gear oil•Check oil level/oil leakage.
•Replace every 12 months.Front brake*•Check operation/fluid leakage. (See NOTE page 8-8.)
•Correct if necessary.Rear brake•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.U5VH60.book Page 7 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 263 of 418

8-8
* Since these items require special tools, data and technical skills, have a Yamaha dealer perform the service.NOTE:Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
Brake fluid replacement:
1. When disassembling the master cylinder or caliper, replace the brake fluid. Normally check the brake
fluid level and add fluid as required.
2. On the inner parts of the master cylinder and caliper, replace the oil seals every two years.
3. Replace the brake hoses every four years, or if cracked or damaged.V-belt*•Check operation.
•Check for cracks or damage.Wheels*•Check balance/damage/runout.
•Repair if necessary.Wheel bearing*•Check bearing assemblies for looseness/damage.
•Replace if damaged.Front and rear
suspension*•Check operation.
•Correct if necessary.Steering system*•Check operation./Replace if damaged.
•Check toe-in./Adjust if necessary.Fittings and fasteners*•Check all chassis fittings and fasteners.
•Correct if necessary.Lights and switches*•Check operation.
•Adjust headlight beam.
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
U5VH60.book Page 8 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 338 of 418
8-83 1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel mínimo
FRONT
Avant
Delantero
EBU01304
Brake fluid level check
Insufficient brake fluid may let air enter the brake
system, possibly causing the brakes to become in-
effective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark and replenish if neces-
sary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
Observe these precautions:
When checking the brake fluid level, make sure
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.
Use only the designated quality brake fluid, oth-
erwise, the rubber seals may deteriorate, caus-
ing leakage and poor brake performance.
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U5VH60.book Page 83 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM
Page 340 of 418
8-85
Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor brake performance.
Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and
may result in vapor lock.
Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid im-
mediately.
Have a Yamaha dealer check the cause if the
brake fluid level goes down.
U5VH60.book Page 85 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM