2008 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 cooling

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

3-1
3
EBU17680
DESCRIPTION
EBU17690Left view
EBU17700Right view
1. Front shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting
ring
2. Fuel cock
3. Air filter case
4. Fuses
5. Storage compartment and tool kit
6. Seat lock lever
7. Rear shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting
ring
8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Oil filter cartridge
10.Coolant reservoir
11.V-belt cooling duct check hose
1. Spark arrester
2. Tail/brake light
3. Battery
4. Spark plug
5. Rear brake fluid reservoir
6. Radiator cap
7. Front shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting
ring
8. Rear brake light switch
9. Brake pedal
10.V-belt case drain plug
U3C262E0.book Page 1 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

7-20
7 Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do not
continue to ride your ATV without verifying that you
have regained proper braking ability.
CAUTION:ECB00730After riding your ATV in water, be sure to drain
the trapped water by removing the check hose
at the bottom of the air filter case, the V-belt
cooling duct check hose, the drive select lever
box check hose and the storage compartment
drain plugs. Also, remove the V-belt case drainplug to drain any water that may have accumu-
lated. Wash the ATV in fresh water if it has been
operated in salt water or muddy conditions.1. Air filter case check hose
U3C262E0.book Page 20 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM

7-21
7
1. V-belt cooling duct check hose (left front side of ATV)
1. Drive select lever box check hose
1. Storage compartment drain plug
1. V-belt case drain plug
U3C262E0.book Page 21 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

8-27
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

8-29
84. Remove cowling A. (See page 8-9.)
5. Remove the radiator cap.6. Remove the coolant reservoir cap.
7. Disconnect the hose on the coolant reservoir
side, and then drain the coolant from the cool-
ant reservoir.
8. After draining the coolant, thoroughly flush the
cooling system with clean tap water.
9. Replace the coolant drain bolt washer if it is
damaged, install the coolant drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified torque.
1. Trough
1. Radiator cap
1. Coolant reservoir hoseTightening torque:
Coolant drain bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
U3C262E0.book Page 29 Tuesday, June 26, 2007 3:36 PM