Page 17 of 376

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
Shifting ................................................6-15
To start out and accelerate .................6-17
To decelerate ......................................6-19
Engine break-in ...................................6-21
Parking ...............................................6-23
Parking on a slope .............................6-25
Accessories and loading ....................6-27
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 ................................7-41
Climbing uphill.....................................7-47
Riding downhill ....................................7-57
Crossing a slope .................................7-61
Crossing through shallow water ..........7-65
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
Engine oil ............................................ 8-13
Final gear oil ....................................... 8-21
Spark plug inspection ......................... 8-27
Air filter element cleaning ................... 8-31
Carburetor adjustment ....................... 8-37
Idle speed adjustment ........................ 8-39
Valve clearance adjustment .............. 8-41
Throttle lever adjustment ................... 8-41
Front brake pad check ........................ 8-43
Rear brake shoe inspection ............... 8-43
Brake fluid level check ........................ 8-45
Brake fluid replacement ...................... 8-47
Front brake lever free play.................. 8-49
Rear brake adjustment ....................... 8-51
Adjusting the rear brake light switch ... 8-57
Clutch adjustment .............................. 8-59
Cable inspection and lubrication......... 8-61
Brake lever and brake pedal
lubrication ........................................ 8-63
Steering shaft lubrication .................... 8-63
Wheel removal.................................... 8-65
Wheel installation ............................... 8-67
Battery ............................................... 8-69
8
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Page 238 of 376
7-67
1. Air filter case check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle du boîtier du filtre à air
1. Manguito de retención de la caja del filtro de aire
Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do not
continue to ride your ATV without verifying that
you have regained proper braking ability.CAUTION:_ After riding your ATV in water, be sure to drain
the trapped water by removing the check hose
at the bottom of the air filter case. Wash the
ATV in fresh water if it has been operated in
salt water or muddy conditions. _
U4XE65.book Page 67 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM
Page 258 of 376

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
Page 282 of 376
8-31 1. Air filter case check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle du boîtier du filtre à air
1. Manguito de retención de la caja del filtro de aire
1. Air filter case cover 2. Holder (× 3)
1. Couvercle du boîtier de filtre à air 2. Support (× 3)
1. Tapa de la caja del filtro de aire 2. Soporte (× 3)
EBU10861
Air filter element cleaningNOTE:_ There is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-
ter case. _1. Remove the seat. (See page 4-27 for seat re-
moval and installation procedures.)
2. Remove the air filter case cover by unhook-
ing the holders.
U4XE65.book Page 31 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM
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8-33 1. Air filter element
1.Élément du filtre à air
1. Elemento del filtro de aire
1. Air filter element 2. Foam cover
1.Élément du filtre à air 2. Cache en mousse
1. Elemento del filtro de aire 2. Forro de espuma
3. Pull the air filter element out.
4. Remove the foam cover from the air filter ele-
ment.
5. Tap the air filter element lightly to remove
most of the dust and dirt. Blow out the re-
maining dirt with compressed air as shown. If
the air filter element is damaged, replace it.
6. Wash the foam cover gently but thoroughly in
water or solvent.
WARNING
_ When using solvent to clean the foam cover,
always use parts cleaning solvent. Never use
low flash point solvents or gasoline to clean
the foam cover because the engine could
catch fire or explode. _7. Squeeze the excess solvent out of the foam
cover and let it dry.CAUTION:_
Do not twist the foam cover when squeez-
ing it.
Do not apply oil to the foam cover.
_8. Check the foam cover. If damaged, replace it.
U4XE65.book Page 33 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM
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8-35
9. Install the foam cover onto the air filter ele-
ment.
10. Install the air filter element.
11. Install the air filter case cover by fastening the
holders.
12. Install the seat.NOTE:_ The air filter element should be cleaned every 20–
40 hours. It should be cleaned more often if the
ATV is operated in extremely dusty areas. Each
time air filter element maintenance is performed,
check the air inlet to the air filter case for obstruc-
tions. Check the air filter element rubber joint to the
carburetor and manifold fittings for an airtight seal.
Tighten all fittings securely to avoid the possibility
of unfiltered air entering the engine. _CAUTION:_ Never operate the engine with the air filter ele-
ment removed. This will allow unfiltered air to
enter, causing rapid engine wear and possible
engine damage. Additionally, operation with-
out the air filter element will affect carburetor
jetting with subsequent poor performance and
possible engine overheating. _
U4XE65.book Page 35 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM
Page 356 of 376
10-3
Final gear oil:
Type SAE 80 API “GL-4” Hypoid gear oil
Quantity:
Periodic oil change 0.25 L
Air filter: Dry element
Fuel:
Type Unleaded gasoline only
For Europe: Regular unleaded gasoline only with
a research octane number of 91 or higher
Tank capacity 12 L
Reserve amount 1.6 L
Carburetor:
Ty p e
× quantity BST34
× 1
Manufacturer MIKUNI
Spark plug:
Type / manufacturer DR7EA / NGK
Gap 0.6–0.7 mm
Clutch type: Wet, centrifugal automaticModel YFM250X
U4XE65.book Page 3 Tuesday, May 6, 2003 1:38 PM