2004 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 engine

7-35
Select a large, flat area off-road to become familiar
with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free of
obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain. Always avoid riding on paved
surfaces: the ATV is designed for off-road use
only, and handling maneuvers are more difficult to
perform on pavement.
Shift to the parking position “P” and follow the in-
struction on page 6-3 to start the engine. Once it
has warmed up you are ready to begin riding your
ATV. Remember that the engine and exhaust pipe
will be hot when riding and afterwards; do not al-
low skin or clothing to come in contact with these
components.
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7-37
With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever to
the low position “L” or the high position “H”. Apply
the throttle slowly and smoothly. The centrifugal
clutch will engage and you will start to accelerate.
If the throttle is applied too abruptly, the front
wheels may lift off the ground resulting in a loss of
directional control. Avoid higher speeds until you
are thoroughly familiar with the operation of your
ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to
lose traction, reducing control and increasing the
possibility of an accident.CAUTION:_ Do not shift from drive position low “L” to high
“H” or vice versa without coming to a com-
plete stop. Damage to the engine or drive train
may occur. _
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7-55
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. Engine compression will do most of
the braking for you. For maximum engine com-
pression braking effect, select low range “L” and
change to 4WD or 4WD-LOCK before beginning
to descend the hill. Improper braking may cause a
loss of traction. Use caution while descending a hill
with loose or slippery surfaces. Braking ability and
traction may be adversely affected by these sur-
faces. Improper braking may also cause a loss of
traction.
When this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, all
wheels (front and rear) are interconnected by the
drive train. This means that applying either the
front brake or the rear brake will brake all wheels.
When descending hills, using either brake lever or
the brake pedal will brake the wheels on the down-
hill side. Avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake because the wheels on the up-
hill side could come off the ground. Apply both the
front and rear brakes gradually.
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8-1
EBU00516
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.
U5ND60.book Page 1 Friday, May 10, 2002 12:10 PM

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEWhichever
comes firstINITIAL EVERY
km 320 1,200 2,400 2,400 4,800
hours 20 75 150 150 300
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.
•Retighten 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 month.Differential gear oil
Front brake*•Check operation/fluid leakage. (See NOTE page 8-8.)
•Correct if necessary.Rear brake*•Check operation/fluid leakage.(See NOTE page 8-8.)
•Correct if necessary.U5ND60.book Page 7 Friday, May 10, 2002 12:10 PM

8-8
* It is recommended that these items be serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
** Lithium-soap-based greaseNOTE:Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
Brake fluid replacement:
1. When disassembling the master cylinder or caliper cylinder, 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 cylinder, 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.Drive shaft universal
joint*•Lubricate.**Engine mount*
•Check for cracks or damage.Front axle boots*•Check operation.
•Replace if damaged.Fittings and Fasteners*•Check all chassis fittings and fasteners.
•Correct if necessary.
ITEM ROUTINEWhichever
comes firstINITIAL EVERY
km 320 1,200 2,400 2,400 4,800
hours 20 75 150 150 300
U5ND60.book Page 8 Friday, May 10, 2002 12:10 PM

8-31 1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Bouchon de remplissage d’huile de moteur
1. Tapa de relleno de aceite de motor
1. Maximum level mark 2. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau maximum 2. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel máximo 2. Marca de nivel mínimo
EBU01099
Engine oil
Engine oil level measurement
1. Remove panel F. (See page 8-29 for panel
removal and installation procedures.)
2. Place the ATV on a level surface and warm
up the engine for several minutes.
3. Stop the engine.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap and wipe off
the dipstick with a clean rag.
5. Insert the dipstick in the filler hole without
screwing it in.NOTE:_ Wait a few minutes until the oil level settles before
checking. _6. The oil level should be between the maxi-
mum and minimum marks. If the level is low,
fill the engine with sufficient oil to reach the
specified level.
U5ND60.book Page 31 Friday, May 10, 2002 12:10 PM

8-33 1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Boulon de vidange de l’huile
1. Perno de drenaje del aceite de motor
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge replacement
1. Remove panels E and F. (See pages 8-27–
8-29 for panel removal and installation proce-
dures.)
2. Warm up the engine for several minutes.
3. Stop the engine. Place an oil pan under the
engine to collect the used oil, and then re-
move the engine oil filler cap.
4. Remove the drain bolt and drain the oil.
U5ND60.book Page 33 Friday, May 10, 2002 12:10 PM