2008 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 coolant level

OPERATION .................................................. 6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverse ...................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5
Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-5
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV............... 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD
JUDGEMENT ............................................ 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-17
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-18
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ................................................... 7-19
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-22
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-23
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-23PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR
REPAIR ..........................................................8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit .......................8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system ...........................8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ..........................................................8-5
Removing and installing cowlings and
panels .......................................................8-9
Checking the spark plug ...........................8-15
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-17
Final gear oil .............................................8-22
Changing the differential gear oil ..............8-24
Coolant .....................................................8-26
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-31
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-34
V-belt cooling duct check hose .................8-35
V-belt case drain plug ...............................8-35
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-36
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-36
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-37
Valve clearance ........................................8-38
Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable ...........................................8-38
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-38
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-39
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-41U3C262E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

5-1
5
EBU19200
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19222Pre-operation check list Before operating this ATV, be sure to check the items listed in the following table.
WARNING
EWB00480Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to make sure it is in safe operating condition.
Always follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’sManual. Failure to inspect increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.NOTE:The maintenance of some items in the table has to be performed by a Yamaha dealer. Refer to the periodicmaintenance charts on page 8-3 to determine which service should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-9, 5-3
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-17
Final gear oilCheck ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-22
Differential gear oilCheck ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-24
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-26
U3C262E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

5-3
5
EBU19540Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-9.)
WARNING
EWB00520
Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is overfilled,
fuel could spill out due to heat from the en-
gine or the sun.
Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on the
engine or exhaust pipe which can cause a
fire and severe injury. Wipe up any spilled
fuel immediately.
Do not refuel right after the engine has been
running and is still very hot.
Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed securely.EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-17.)EBU19590Final gear oil Make sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-22.)
EBU19600Differential gear oil Make sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-24.)EBU19630Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-26.)NOTE:The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-ture.
WARNING
EWB00510Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always put a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressureto escape before completely removing the cap.
U3C262E0.book Page 3 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

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

8-26
8

The differential gear case capacity is greater
than the recommended oil quantity, therefore
the oil level cannot be accurately checked fromthe oil filler hole.CAUTION:ECB00410Be sure no foreign material enters the differen-tial gear case.
6. Install the oil filler bolt, and then tighten it to the
specified torque.
7. Check the differential gear case for oil leak-
age. If oil is leaking, check for the cause.
EBU23470Coolant The coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.EBU27940To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.NOTE:The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-ture.
2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser-
voir.NOTE:The coolant should be between the minimum andmaximum level marks. Recommended differential gear oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity:
0.35 L (0.37 US qt) (0.31 Imp.qt)
Tightening torque:
Differential gear oil filler bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
U3C262E0.book Page 26 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-27
83. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove the reservoir cap, add coolant
or distilled water to the maximum level mark,
and then install the reservoir cap.
CAUTION:ECB00401
If coolant is not available, use distilled water
or soft tap water instead. Do not use hard wa-
ter or salt water since it is harmful to the en-
gine.
If water has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the cooling system will not be pro-
tected against frost and corrosion.
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1. Coolant reservoir capCoolant reservoir capacity (up to the maximum
level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt) (0.22 Imp.qt)
U3C262E0.book Page 27 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-28
8

If water has been added to the coolant, have
a Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con-
tent of the coolant as soon as possible, oth-
erwise the effectiveness of the coolant willbe reduced.
NOTE:
The radiator fan is automatically switched on or
off according to the coolant temperature in the
radiator.
If the engine overheats, see page 8-56 for fur-ther instructions.EBU26441To change the coolant
WARNING
EWB01890Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always place a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressureto escape before completely removing the cap.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panels C and D. (See page 8-9.)3. Place a container under the engine, and then
remove the coolant drain bolt. (Use a trough
or a similar object as shown to prevent coolant
from spilling on the footrest.)
1. Coolant drain bolt
U3C262E0.book Page 28 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

8-30
8 10. Connect the coolant reservoir hose.
11. Pour the recommended coolant into the reser-
voir to the maximum level mark, and then in-
stall the reservoir cap.
12. Pour the recommended coolant into the radia-
tor until it is full.
CAUTION:ECB00401
If coolant is not available, use distilled water
or soft tap water instead. Do not use hard wa-
ter or salt water since it is harmful to the en-
gine.

If water has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the cooling system will not be pro-
tected against frost and corrosion.
If water has been added to the coolant, have
a Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con-
tent of the coolant as soon as possible, oth-
erwise the effectiveness of the coolant willbe reduced.
13. Install the radiator cap, start the engine, let it
idle for several minutes, and then turn it off.
14. Remove the radiator cap to check the coolant
level in the radiator. If it is low, add sufficient
coolant until it reaches the top of the radiator,
and then install the radiator cap.
15. Start the engine, and then check for coolant
leakage.
NOTE:If any leakage is found, have a Yamaha dealercheck the cooling system.
16. Install the cowling.
17. Install the panels. Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommended antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze con-
taining corrosion inhibitors for aluminum en-
gines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator capacity (including all routes):
1.32 L (1.40 US qt) (1.16 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt) (0.22 Imp.qt)
U3C262E0.book Page 30 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM