2008 YAMAHA YFM250R brake fluid

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 ............ 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV ............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL .................................. 7-14
RIDING DOWNHILL................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE.............................. 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER .................................................. 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN .......... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ........................ 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ....................................... 7-21
PERIODIC 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
Checking the spark plug ............................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter element ............... 8-10
Cleaning the air filter element ................. 8-14
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-18
Adjusting the carburetor .......................... 8-19
Adjusting the engine idling speed ........... 8-20Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-20
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-21
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ....................................................... 8-22
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-23
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-25
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-26
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-26
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-27
Brake light switches ................................. 8-29
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-29
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-30
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-32
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-33
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-33
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ............................................. 8-34
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-34
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-34
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-35
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-36
Battery ..................................................... 8-36
Replacing the fuse ................................... 8-37
Replacing a headlight bulb ...................... 8-39
Adjusting a headlight beam ..................... 8-41
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ............ 8-42

5-3
1
2
3
45
6
7
8
9
10
11

EBU19540
Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-7.)
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.
EBU19560
Engine oil
Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-10.)
EBU19710
Front and rear brakes
Brake lever and brake pedal

Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.

Check for correct brake pedal height. (See
page 8-26.) If the pedal height is incorrect, have
a Yamaha dealer adjust it.

Check the operation of the lever and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-23.)
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 there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

8-8
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

EBU23070
NOTE:


The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.

Hydraulic brake service

Regularly check and, if necessary, correct the brake fluid level.

Every two years replace the internal components of the brake master cylinders and calipers, and
change the brake fluid.

Replace the brake hoses every four years and if cracked or damaged.

8-23
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

place the brake pads as a set.
EBU28930
Checking the brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter the
brake system, possibly causing it to become inef-
fective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark and replenish if neces-
sary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
Front brake
1. Wear indicator
1

1. Minimum level mark1

8-24
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11
Rear brake

If the rear brake fluid level is low, replenish as fol-
lows.
1. Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap cover by
removing the bolt.2. Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap.
1. Minimum level mark
1

1. Bolt
2. Brake fluid reservoir cap cover
1
2

8-25
1
2
3
4
5
6
78
9
10
11

3. Refill with brake fluid.
4. Install the brake fluid reservoir cap.
5. Install the brake fluid reservoir cap cover by
installing the bolt.
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level, make sure that
the top of the brake fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality brake fluid,
otherwise the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor braking performance.

Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Mixing
fluids may result in a harmful chemical reaction
and lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water does not enter the brake
fluid reservoir when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the fluid and may
result in vapor lock.

Brake fluid may deteriorate painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid imme-
diately.

As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause.
EBU24290
Changing the brake fluid
Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the NOTE after the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication chart. In addi-
tion, have the oil seals of the master cylinders and
calipers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they are dam-
aged or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two years.

Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
1. Brake fluid reservoir cap
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
1

10-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
910
11
Front tire:

Type:
Tubeless
Size:
AT20 x 7-10
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/KT201
Rear tire:
Type:
Tubeless
Size:
AT19 x 10-9
Manufacturer/model:
DUNLOP/KT205A
Loading:
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:
27.5 kPa (4.0 psi) (0.275 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
27.5 kPa (4.0 psi) (0.275 kgf/cm
2

)
Minimum:
Front:
24.5 kPa (3.5 psi) (0.245 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
24.5 kPa (3.5 psi) (0.245 kgf/cm
2

)Maximum:
Front:
30.5 kPa (4.4 psi) (0.305 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
30.5 kPa (4.4 psi) (0.305 kgf/cm
2

)
Front wheel:
Wheel type:
Panel wheel
Rim size:
10 x 5.5AT
Rear wheel:
Wheel type:
Panel wheel
Rim size:
9 x 8.5AT
Front brake:
Type:
Dual disc brake
Operation:
Right hand operation
Recommended fluid:
DOT 4
Rear brake:
Type:
Single disc brake
Operation:
Right foot operation
Recommended fluid:
DOT 4

INDEX
A
Accessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-14
B
Battery .......................................................................... 8-36
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ....... 8-33
Brake and shift pedals, checking and lubricating ......... 8-34
Brake fluid, changing.................................................... 8-25
Brake fluid level, checking............................................ 8-23
Brake lever ..................................................................... 4-5
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-26
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-29
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-22
Brake pedal .................................................................... 4-5
Brake pedal position, checking .................................... 8-26
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-33
Carburetor, adjusting.................................................... 8-19
Chassis fasteners........................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Clutch lever .................................................................... 4-4
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ................................... 8-29
D
Drive chain ..................................................................... 5-4
Drive chain, lubricating ................................................. 8-32Drive chain slack .......................................................... 8-30
E
Engine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ...................................................... 8-20
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter element .................................... 8-10
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-2
F
Fuel ........................................................................ 4-7
,
5-3
Fuel cock ........................................................................ 4-8
Fuel tank cap.................................................................. 4-7
Fuse, replacing............................................................. 8-37
H
Handlebar switches ........................................................ 4-2
Headlight beam, adjusting............................................ 8-41
Headlight bulb, replacing.............................................. 8-39
I
Identification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator light .................................................................. 4-1
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7
K
Key identification number ............................................. 11-1
L
Label locations ............................................................... 2-1