Page 9 of 148

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  ..............8-25
Coolant .....................................................8-27
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  ...............................8-36
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-36
Adjusting the engine idling speed  .............8-36
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-38
Valve clearance  ........................................8-38
Adjusting the drive select lever safety 
system cable  ...........................................8-39
Checking the front and rear brake pads  ...8-39
Checking the brake fluid level  ...................8-40
Changing the brake fluid  ...........................8-41U3C263E0.book  Page 2  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 18 of 148
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
U3C263E0.book  Page 1  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 71 of 148
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.
NOTICEECB00730After 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
U3C263E0.book  Page 20  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 80 of 148

8-5
8
EBU21864General maintenance and lubrication chart NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE 
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes 
firstmonth136612
km 
(mi)320 
(200)1300 
(800)2500 
(1600)2500 
(1600)5000 
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter elementClean and replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or 
dusty areas)
2*Front brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and 
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
3*Rear brakeCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check brake lever free play and adjust if neces-
sary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and 
correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4*Brake hosesCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if 
necessary.√√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
5*WheelsCheck runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary.√ √√√
6*TiresCheck tread depth and for damage, and replace if 
necessary.
Check air pressure and balance, and correct if 
necessary.√ √√√
7*Wheel hub bearingsCheck for looseness or damage, and replace if 
necessary.√ √√√
U3C263E0.book  Page 5  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 81 of 148

8-6
8
8*SwingarmCheck for excessive play, and correct if necessary.√√√
9*V- b e l tCheck for wear, cracks or other damage, and re-
place if necessary.√ √√√
10*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are 
properly tightened.√√√√√
11*Shock absorber as-
sembliesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.√√√
12*Steering shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√√
13*Steering systemCheck operation and repair or replace if damaged.
Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.√√√√√
14*Engine mountCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if 
necessary.√√√
15*Axle bootsCheck for cracks or other damage, and replace if 
necessary.√√√√√
16 Engine oilChange.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.√ √√√
17Engine oil filter car-
tridgeReplace.√√√
18*Engine oil strainerClean.√√√
19 Differential gear oilChange.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.√√ NO. ITEMCHECK OR MAINTENANCE 
JOBINITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes 
firstmonth136612
km 
(mi)320 
(200)1300 
(800)2500 
(1600)2500 
(1600)5000 
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
U3C263E0.book  Page 6  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 82 of 148

8-7
8
EBU23070TIPThe 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 320U3C263E0.book  Page 7  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 106 of 148

8-31
8
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.TIPIf any leakage is found, have a Yamaha dealercheck the cooling system.
16. Install the cowling.
17. Install the panels.
EBU23645Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean or, if necessary, replace
the air filter element more frequently if you are
riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.TIPThere is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-ter case.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.1. Air filter case check hose
U3C263E0.book  Page 31  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM 
     
        
        Page 107 of 148
8-32
8 2. Remove the seat. (See page 4-12.)
3. Remove the air filter case cover by unhooking
the air filter case cover holders.
4. Pull the air filter element out of the air filter
case.5. Pull off the air filter element lock plate, and
then remove the sponge material from the air
filter element frame.
1. Air filter case cover holder
2. Air filter case cover
1. Air filter element
U3C263E0.book  Page 32  Thursday, May 15, 2008  10:44 AM