2004 YAMAHA BEAR TRACKER 250 engine

7-39
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. As
you slow down, shift to a lower gear. Be sure that
the engine has sufficiently slowed before engaging
a lower gear. Improper use of the brakes or shift-
ing can cause the tires to lose traction, reducing
control and increasing the possibility of an acci-
dent.
WARNING
_ Make sure the engine has sufficiently slowed
before shifting to a lower gear. Engaging a low-
er gear when the engine speed is too high
could cause the wheels to stop rotating. _
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7-57
RIDING DOWNHILL
When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your
arms straight. Choose a low gear which will allow
the engine compression to do most of the braking
for you. Improper braking may cause a loss of trac-
tion.
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
U4XE65.book Page 57 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-1
EBU00516
1-PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENTPeriodic inspection, adjustment and lubrication will
keep your machine in the safest and most efficient
condition possible. Safety is an obligation of the
machine owner. The most important points of ma-
chine inspection, adjustment and lubrication are
explained on the following pages.
WARNING
Never service an engine while it is running.
Moving parts can catch clothing or parts of the
body, causing injury. Electrical components
can cause shocks or can start fires. Turn off
the engine when performing maintenance un-
less otherwise specified. Have a Yamaha deal-
er perform service if you are not familiar with
machine service.
U4XE65.book Page 1 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*Check valve clearance.
Adjust if necessary.
Spark plugCheck condition.
Adjust gap and clean.
Replace if necessary.Air filter elementClean.
Replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*Check starter (choke) operation.
Adjust engine idling speed.Cylinder head breather
system*Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*Check for leakage.
Retighten if necessary.
Replace gasket if necessary.Fuel line*Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
Replace if necessary.Engine oil
Replace (Warm engine before draining).Engine oil filter element
Clean.Engine oil strainer
Clean.Final gear oilCheck oil level/oil leakage.
Replace.Front brake*Check operation/fluid leakage/see NOTE page 8-8.
Correct if necessary.Rear brake*Check operation.
Adjust if necessary.Clutch*Check operation.
Adjust if necessary.U4XE65.book Page 7 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-13 1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
1. Bouchon de remplissage d’huile de moteur
2. Jauge
3. Repère de niveau maximum
4. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Tapa del filtro de aceite de motor
2. Varilla de nivel de aceite
3. Marca de nivel máximo
4. Marca de nivel mínimo
EBU11002
Engine oil
Engine oil level measurement
1. Place the machine on a level surface.
2. Warm up the engine for several minutes and
stop it. Wait at least ten minutes for the oil to
drain back into the crankcase before check-
ing the oil level.NOTE:_ Be sure to wait at least ten minutes until the oil lev-
el settles before checking. _3. Remove the engine oil filler cap and wipe the
dipstick off with a clean rag. Insert the dip-
stick in the filler hole without screwing it in.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level.
5. The oil level should be between the maxi-
mum and minimum marks. If the level is low,
add oil to raise it to the proper level.
6. Install the engine oil filler cap.CAUTION:_ Make sure no foreign material enters the
crankcase. _
U4XE65.book Page 13 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-15 1. Engine oil drain bolt 2. O-ring
3. Compression spring 4. Engine oil strainer
1. Boulon de vidange de l’huile moteur
2. Joint torique
3. Ressort de compression
4. Crépine à huile de moteur
1. Perno de drenaje del aceite de motor
2. Junta tórica
3. Muelle de compresión
4. Tamiz de aceite de motor
Engine oil replacement and oil filter element
cleaning
1. Place the machine on a level surface.
2. Warm up the engine for several minutes and
stop it.
3. Place a container under the engine to collect
the used oil.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap and then the
drain bolt to drain the oil.CAUTION:_ When removing the drain bolt, the compres-
sion spring, oil strainer and O-ring will fall out.
Take care not to lose these parts. _
U4XE65.book Page 15 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-17 1. Oil filter cover
2. Engine oil filter element
3. O-ring
1. Couvercle du filtre à huile
2.Élément du filtre à huile de moteur
3. Joint torique
1. Tapa del filtro de aceite
2. Elemento del filtro de aceite de motor
3. Junta tórica
5. Remove the oil filter cover and oil filter ele-
ment.
6. Clean the oil strainer and oil filter element
with solvent.
7. Inspect the O-ring and replace it if damaged.
8. Install the oil filter element, O-ring and oil filter
cover.
9. Install the oil strainer, compression spring,
O-ring and drain bolt.
10. Tighten the drain bolt and the oil filter cover
bolts to the specified torques.CAUTION:_ Before installing the drain bolt, be sure to in-
stall the O-ring, compression spring and oil
strainer. _11. Fill the engine with oil and install the engine
oil filler cap. Tightening torque:
Drain bolt (engine):
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf)
Oil filter cover bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf)
U4XE65.book Page 17 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM

8-19
CAUTION:_ Be sure no foreign material enters the crank-
case. _12. Warm up the engine for several minutes at
idle speed. Check for oil leakage while warm-
ing up.CAUTION:_ If oil leakage is found, stop the engine immedi-
ately and check for the cause. _
Recommended engine oil:
See page 10-2.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter element removal:
1.5 L
With oil filter element removal:
1.6 L
U4XE65.book Page 19 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM