2008 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 light

7-18
7

Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-ble.
CROSSING A SLOPE
Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attemptingto cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.
As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.
WARNING
EWB01631Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning on
any hill. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill
if possible.
When crossing the side of a hill:
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
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8-7
8
EBU23070NOTE:
The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.20 Final gear oilChange.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.√√
21 Cooling systemCheck coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace coolant. Every 2 years
22*Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√
23*Drive select lever
safety system cableCheck operation and adjust or replace if neces-
sary.√√√
24*Throttle lever hous-
ing and cableCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check throttle cable free play and adjust if neces-
sary.
Lubricate throttle lever housing and cable.√√√√√
25*Front and rear brake
switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.√√√√√
26*Lights and switchesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Adjust headlight beams.√√√√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes
firstmonth136612
km
(mi)320
(200)1300
(800)2500
(1600)2500
(1600)5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U3C262E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-16
8 2. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug
1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the
center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
NOTE:If the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.2. Check the spark plug for electrode erosion
and excessive carbon or other deposits, and
replace it if necessary.
To install the spark plug
1. Measure the spark plug gap with a wire thick-
ness gauge and, if necessary, adjust the gap
to specification.1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:
NGK/DR8EA
Spark plug gap:
0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
U3C262E0.book Page 16 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-34
8 will affect carburetor jetting with subsequent
poor performance and possible engine over-
heating.EBU27011Cleaning the spark arrester Be sure the exhaust pipe and muffler are cool be-
fore cleaning the spark arrester.
1. Remove the tailpipe cover by removing the
bolts.
2. Remove the tailpipe by pulling it out of the
muffler.3. Tap the tailpipe lightly, and then use a wire
brush to remove any carbon deposits from the
spark arrester portion of the tailpipe and inside
of the tailpipe housing.
4. Insert the tailpipe into the muffler and align the
bolt holes.
5. Install the tailpipe cover by installing the bolts,
and then tighten them to the specified torque.1. Bolt
2. Tailpipe cover
1. Tailpipe
2. Spark arresterTightening torque:
Tailpipe bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
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8-44
8

Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All air
must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These proceduresshould be performed by a Yamaha dealer.EBU24230Axle boots The axle boots must be checked for damage at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Check the axle boots for tears or
damage. If any damage is found, have them re-
placed by a Yamaha dealer.
EBU24751Brake light switches The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
1. Remove panel A. (See page 8-9.)NOTE:The brake light switch is properly adjusted when
the brake light comes on just before braking takeseffect.
2. Turn the adjusting nut while holding the brake
light switch in place. To make the brake light
come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut in direc-
tion (a). To make the brake light come on lat-
er, turn the adjusting nut in direction (b).
1. Axle boot (each side)U3C262E0.book Page 44 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-45
83. Install the panel.
EBU24900Checking and lubricating the cables The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-
essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02130Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-
aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could re-
strict the operation of controls and lead to anaccident or injury.EBU28710Checking and lubricating the front and
rear brake levers The operation of the front and rear brake levers
should be checked before each ride, and the lever
pivots should be lubricated if necessary.
1. Brake light switch
2. Brake light switch adjusting nutRecommended lubricant:
Engine oil
Recommended lubricants:
Front brake lever:
Silicone grease
Rear brake lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease (all-purpose
grease)
U3C262E0.book Page 45 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-49
8
The main fuse and the fuse box are located under
the seat. (See page 4-12.)
If a fuse is blown, replace it as follows.
1. Turn the key to “OFF” and turn off all electrical
circuits.
CAUTION:ECB00640To prevent accidental short-circuiting, turn off
the main switch when checking or replacing afuse.
2. Remove the blown fuse, and then install a
new fuse of the specified amperage.
1. Headlight fuse
2. Ignition fuse
3. Auxiliary DC jack fuse (for optional auxiliary DC jack)
4. Four-wheel-drive motor fuse
5. Signaling system fuse
6. Backup fuse (for odometer and tripmeter)
7. Spare fuse
Specified fuses:
Main fuse:
30.0 A
Headlight fuse:
15.0 A
Ignition fuse:
10.0 A
Four-wheel-drive motor fuse:
3.0 A
Signaling system fuse:
10.0 A
Auxiliary DC jack fuse:
10.0 A
Backup fuse:
10.0 A
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8
WARNING
EWB02171Always use a fuse of the specified rating, and
never use a substitute object in place of the
proper fuse. An improper fuse or a substitute
object can cause damage to the electrical sys-tem, which could lead to a fire.
3. Turn the key to “ON” and turn on the electrical
circuits to check if the devices operate.
4. If the fuse immediately blows again, have a
Yamaha dealer check the electrical system.EBU25541Replacing a headlight bulb If a headlight bulb burns out, replace it as follows.
1. Remove the headlight bulb holder cover at the
rear of the headlight by pulling it off.2. Remove the headlight bulb holder by pushing
it inward and turning it counterclockwise.
1. Headlight bulb holder cover
1. Headlight bulb holder
U3C262E0.book Page 50 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM