2008 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 wheel

9-1
9
EBU25860
CLEANING AND STORAGE
EBU25880Cleaning Frequent, thorough cleaning of your ATV will not
only enhance its appearance but will improve its
general performance and extend the useful life of
many components.
1. Before cleaning the ATV:
a. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe to
prevent water entry. A plastic bag and
strong rubber band may be used.
b. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps
are properly installed.
2. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply
degreaser with a paint brush. Do not apply de-
greaser to the wheel axles.
3. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden
hose. Use only enough pressure to do the job.CAUTION:ECB00710Excessive water pressure may cause water
seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings,
brakes, transmission seals and electrical de-
vices. Many expensive repair bills have result-ed from improper high-pressure detergent
applications such as those available in coin-
operated car washers.
4. Once most of the dirt has been hosed off,
wash all surfaces with warm water and mild,
detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or bot-
tle brush is handy for hard-to-reach places.
5. Rinse the ATV off immediately with clean wa-
ter and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean
towel or soft absorbing cloth.
6. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner
to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
7. Automotive type wax may be applied to all
painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
abrasives which may mar the paint or protec-
tive finish. When finished cleaning, start the
engine and let it idle for several minutes.
U3C262E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

9-3
9 c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark
plug, and then place the spark plug on the
cylinder head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit sparking during
the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the
starter. (This will coat the cylinder wall with
oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug cap from the spark
plug, and then install the spark plug and
the spark plug cap.
6. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting
points of all levers and pedals.
7. Check and, if necessary, correct the tire air
pressure, and then block up the ATV so that
all of its wheels are off the ground. Alternative-
ly, turn the wheels a little every month in order
to prevent the tires from becoming degraded
in one spot.
8. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to
prevent moisture from entering it.
9. Remove the battery and fully charge it. Store
it in a cool, dry place and charge it once a
month. Do not store the battery in an exces-
sively cold or warm place [less than 0 °C (30°F) or more than 30 °C (90 °F)]. For more in-
formation on storing the battery, see page
8-47.
NOTE:Make any necessary repairs before storing theATV.
U3C262E0.book Page 3 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

10-1
10
EBU25960
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions:Overall length:
1978 mm (77.9 in)
Overall width:
1063 mm (41.9 in)
Overall height:
1095 mm (43.1 in)
Seat height:
840 mm (33.1 in)
Wheelbase:
1233 mm (48.5 in)
Ground clearance:
220 mm (8.7 in)
Minimum turning radius:
3000 mm (118 in)Weight:With oil and fuel:
250.0 kg (551 lb)Engine:Engine type:
Liquid cooled 4-stroke, SOHC
Cylinder arrangement:
Forward-inclined single cylinder
Displacement:
421.0 cm³
Bore × stroke:
84.5 × 75.0 mm (3.33 × 2.95 in)Compression ratio:
10.00 :1
Starting system:
Electric starter
Lubrication system:
Wet sump
Engine oil:Type:
SAE5W30 or SAE10W30 or SAE10W40 or SAE15W40
or SAE20W40 or SAE20W50
Recommended engine oil grade:
API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA-20˚ -10˚ 0˚
10˚20˚ 30˚40˚50˚C
10W/30
15W/4020W/4020W/50
10W/40
5W/30
U3C262E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

10-3
10
Caster angle:
4.0 °
Trail:
19.3 mm (0.76 in)Front tire:Type:
Tubeless
Size:
AT23 x 8R12
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/M937Rear tire:Type:
Tubeless
Size:
AT23 x 10R12
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/M938Loading:Maximum loading limit:
100.0 kg (220 lb)
(Total weight of rider, cargo, accessories, and tongue)Tire air pressure (measured on cold tires):Recommended:
Front:
40.0 kPa (5.8 psi) (0.400 kgf/cm²)
Rear:
40.0 kPa (5.8 psi) (0.400 kgf/cm²)
Minimum:
Front:
37.0 kPa (5.3 psi) (0.370 kgf/cm²)Rear:
37.0 kPa (5.3 psi) (0.370 kgf/cm²)
Maximum:
Front:
43.0 kPa (6.2 psi) (0.430 kgf/cm²)
Rear:
43.0 kPa (6.2 psi) (0.430 kgf/cm²)
Front wheel:Wheel type:
Panel wheel
Rim size:
12 x 6.0ATRear wheel:Wheel type:
Panel wheel
Rim size:
12 x 7.5ATFront brake:Type:
Dual disc brake
Operation:
Right hand operation
Recommended fluid:
DOT 4Rear brake:Type:
Single disc brake
Operation:
Left hand and right foot operation
Recommended fluid:
DOT 4
U3C262E0.book Page 3 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

10-4
10
Front suspension:Type:
Double wishbone
Spring/shock absorber type:
Coil spring/oil damper
Wheel travel:
160 mm (6.3 in)Rear suspension:Type:
Swingarm
Spring/shock absorber type:
Coil spring/oil damper
Wheel travel:
180 mm (7.1 in)Electrical system:Ignition system:
DC. CDI
Charging system:
AC magnetoBattery:Model:
YTX20L-BS
Voltage, capacity:
12 V, 18.0 AhHeadlight:Bulb type:
Krypton bulbBulb voltage, wattage x quantity:Headlight:
12 V, 30.0/30.0 W × 2Tail/brake light:
12 V, 5.0/21.0 W × 1
Neutral indicator light:
LED
Reverse indicator light:
LED
Coolant temperature warning light:
LED
Park indicator light:
LED
On-Command four-wheel-drive indicator:
LCD
Fuses:Main fuse:
30.0 A
Headlight fuse:
15.0 A
Signaling system fuse:
10.0 A
Ignition fuse:
10.0 A
Auxiliary DC jack fuse:
10.0 A
Backup fuse:
10.0 A
Four-wheel-drive motor fuse:
3.0 A
U3C262E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-31
Axle boots .................................................................... 8-44BBattery .......................................................................... 8-47
Brake fluid, changing .................................................... 8-41
Brake fluid level, checking ............................................ 8-39
Brake lever free play and brake pedal position (rear),
adjusting and checking .............................................. 8-42
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-41
Brake lever, front ............................................................ 4-8
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-45
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-44
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-38
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ................................... 4-8
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-46
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-4CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-45
Carburetor, adjusting .................................................... 8-36
Chassis fasteners ........................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Coolant .................................................................. 5-3, 8-26
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-2
Cowlings and panels, removing and installing ............... 8-9DDifferential gear oil ......................................................... 5-3Differential gear oil, changing ....................................... 8-24
Drive select lever ............................................................ 4-9
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-3
Drive select lever safety system cable, adjusting ......... 8-38
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ...................................................... 8-36
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................................... 8-17
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-4FFinal gear oil .......................................................... 5-3, 8-22
Four-wheel-drive indicator .............................................. 4-3
Fuel ......................................................................... 4-9, 5-3
Fuel cock ...................................................................... 4-10
Fuel tank cap .................................................................. 4-9
Fuses, replacing ........................................................... 8-48HHandlebar switches ........................................................ 4-4
Headlight beam, adjusting ............................................ 8-52
Headlight bulb, replacing .............................................. 8-50IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights and warning light .................................... 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7
U3C262E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

KKey identification number ............................................. 11-1LLabel locations ............................................................... 2-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-5MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-2NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOn-Command four-wheel-drive switch ........................... 4-5
Owner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-1PPark indicator light ......................................................... 4-3
Parking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-5
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1
Pre-operation check list ................................................. 5-1RReverse indicator light ................................................... 4-2
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 1-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-12
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front .......... 4-14
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear .............. 4-16
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-34
Spark plug, checking .................................................... 8-15Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-7
Speedometer unit .......................................................... 4-3
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-12
Start switch .................................................................... 4-5
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-46
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Storage compartment .................................................. 4-13
TTail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-52
Throttle cable free play, adjusting ................................ 8-37
Throttle lever ........................................................... 4-6, 5-5
Tire pressure, measuring ............................................... 5-6
Tires ............................................................................... 5-5
Tire wear limit ................................................................ 5-7
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-55
Troubleshooting charts ................................................ 8-56VValve clearance ........................................................... 8-38
V-belt case drain plug .................................................. 8-35
V-belt cooling duct check hose .................................... 8-35
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-46
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-54
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-53
U3C262E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM