2004 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 brake

5-5
EBU12761
Front and rear brakes
Brake levers and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the front
brake lever. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.


Check for correct free play in the rear brake le-
ver. If the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See
pages 8-101–8-103.)


Check for correct brake pedal height. If the
pedal height is incorrect, have a Yamaha deal-
er adjust it.


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
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See pages 8-93–8-97.)
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
U5ND61.book Page 5 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

5-7
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes 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 for wear. (See pages 8-89–
8-91.)
WARNING
_ Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual,
have a Yamaha dealer check for the cause. _
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5-23
EBU01003
Lights
Check the headlights and tail/brake light to make
sure they are in working condition. Repair as nec-
essary for proper operation.
EBU11700
Switches
Check the operation of all switches. Have a
Yamaha dealer repair as necessary for proper op-
eration.
U5ND61.book Page 23 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-3
EBU00673
Starting a cold engine
WARNING
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.1. Apply the rear brake lever.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position.
U5ND61.book Page 3 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-5 a. Starter (choke)
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
a. Starter (enrichisseur)
1. Complètement ouvert
2. Mi-ouvert
3. Fermé
a. Starter (choke)
1. Abre completamente
2. Semiabierto
3. Cerrado
NOTE:

When the drive select lever is in the neutral or
park position, if either indicator light does not
come on, ask a Yamaha dealer to inspect its
electric circuit.


The engine can be started in any gear if the
rear brake lever is applied. However, it is rec-
ommended to shift into neutral or park before
starting the engine.
5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:
Position
1: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature below 5 °C.
Position
2: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature at 0 °C–30 °C
and warming up position.
Position
3: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature above 25 °C
and warm engine start position.
6. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
U5ND61.book Page 5 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-11 1. Drive select lever
a. L (Low)
b. H (High)
c. N (Neutral)
d. R (Reverse)
e. P (Park)
1. Levier de présélection
a. L (Rapport inférieur)
b. H (Rapport supérieur)
c. N (Point mort)
d. R (Marche arrière)
e. P (Stationnement)
1. Palanca de selección de marcha
a. L (Baja)
b. H (Alta)
c. N (Punto muerto)
d. R (Marcha atrás)
e. P (Estacionamiento)
EBU00973
Drive select lever operation and reverse driv-
ingCAUTION:_ Before shifting, you must stop the machine
and return the throttle lever to the closed posi-
tion. Otherwise, the transmission may be dam-
aged. _Shifting: Neutral to High and High to Low
1. Bring the machine to a complete stop and re-
turn the throttle lever to the closed position.
2. Apply the brakes, then shift by moving the
drive select lever along the shift guide.NOTE:_ Make sure that the drive select lever is completely
shifted into position. _3. Open the throttle lever gradually.
U5ND61.book Page 11 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-13 1. Drive select lever
a. L (Low)
b. H (High)
c. N (Neutral)
d. R (Reverse)
e. P (Park)
1. Levier de présélection
a. L (Rapport inférieur)
b. H (Rapport supérieur)
c. N (Point mort)
d. R (Marche arrière)
e. P (Stationnement)
1. Palanca de selección de marcha
a. L (Baja)
b. H (Alta)
c. N (Punto muerto)
d. R (Marcha atrás)
e. P (Estacionamiento)
Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
ParkNOTE:_ The drive select lever cannot be shifted into or
from reverse or park without applying the rear
brake. _1. Bring the machine to a complete stop and re-
turn the throttle lever to the closed position.
2. Apply the rear brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or from reverse
to park and vice versa by moving the drive
select lever along the shift guide.NOTE:_

When in reverse, the reverse indicator light
should be on. If the light does not come on,
ask a Yamaha dealer to inspect the reverse
indicator light electrical circuit.


Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the
engine, the light may not come on until the
ATV starts moving.
_
U5ND61.book Page 13 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-15
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, then
release the rear brake pedal.
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and contin-
ue to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
_ Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or person behind you, resulting
in serious injury. When you shift into reverse,
make sure there are no obstacles or people be-
hind you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly. _
U5ND61.book Page 15 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM