2009 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 checking oil

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

8-17
82. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket
and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
3. Install the spark plug with the spark plug
wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when installing
a spark plug, a good estimate of the correct torque
is 1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the specified torque assoon as possible.
4. Install the spark plug cap.EBU26427Engine oil and oil filter cartridge The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panel D. (See page 8-9.)
3. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.TIPIf the engine was started before checking the oil
level, be sure to warm up the engine sufficiently,
and then wait at least ten minutes until the oil set-tles for an accurate reading.
1. Spark plug gapTightening torque:
Spark plug:
17.5 Nm (1.75 m·kgf, 12.7 ft·lbf)
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8-22
8

Make sure that no foreign material enters thecrankcase.
13. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several
minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
14. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes,
and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
15. Install panel D.
EBU23383Final gear oil The final gear case must be checked for oil leak-
age before each ride. If any leakage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer check and repair the ATV. In ad-
dition, the final gear oil level must be checked and
the oil changed as follows at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the final gear oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPThe final gear oil level must be checked on a coldengine.
2. Remove the final gear oil filler bolt, and then
check the oil level in the final gear case.TIPThe oil level should be at the brim of the filler hole.
1.“CD” specification
2.“ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2
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8-41
8Rear brake
TIPTo check the rear brake fluid level, remove cowlingB. (See page 8-9.)
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.EBU24291Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the brake fluid at
the intervals specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In addition,
have the oil seals of the master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the in-
tervals listed below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four years.
1. Minimum level markRecommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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8-45
8
EBU24752Brake light switches The operation of the brake light switches must be
checked and, if necessary, adjusted at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
The brake light switch for the brake pedal can be
adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
1. Remove panel A. (See page 8-9.)TIPThe brake light switch is properly adjusted when
the brake light comes on just before braking takeseffect.
2. Turn the brake light switch adjusting nut while
holding the brake light switch in place. To
make the brake light come on earlier, turn the
adjusting nut in direction (a). To make the
brake light come on later, turn the adjusting
nut in direction (b).3. Install the panel.
EBU24900Checking and lubricating the cables The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-
essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.1. Brake light switch
2. Brake light switch adjusting nutRecommended lubricant:
Engine oil
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8-47
8
EBU24962Checking the wheel hub bearings The front and rear wheel hub bearings must be
checked at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. If there is play
in a wheel hub or if a wheel does not turn smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the wheel hub bear-
ings.EBU25102Lubricating the steering shaft The steering shaft must be lubricated at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
EBU29180Battery This model is equipped with a VRLA (Valve Regu-
lated Lead Acid) battery. There is no need to check
the electrolyte or to add distilled water. However,
the battery lead connections need to be checked
and, if necessary, tightened.NOTICEECB00620Never attempt to remove the battery cell seals,as this would permanently damage the battery.
WARNING
EWB02160Battery electrolyte is poisonous and danger-
ous, as it contains sulfuric acid, which can
cause severe burns. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Always shield your eyes
when working near batteries.
Antidote:
EXTERNAL: Flush with water.
INTERNAL: Drink large quantities of water or
milk. Follow with milk of magnesia, beaten egg
or vegetable oil. Call a physician immediately.Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
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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 ............................................ 8-40
Brake lever free play and brake pedal position (rear),
adjusting and checking .............................................. 8-42
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-42
Brake lever, front ............................................................ 4-8
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-46
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-45
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-39
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, 8-27
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-2
Cowlings and panels, removing and installing ............... 8-9DDifferential gear oil ......................................................... 5-3Differential gear oil, changing ....................................... 8-25
Drive select lever ............................................................ 4-9
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-3
Drive select lever safety system cable, adjusting ......... 8-39
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 ........................................................... 8-50HHandlebar switches ........................................................ 4-4
Headlight beam, adjusting ............................................ 8-53
Headlight bulb, replacing .............................................. 8-51IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights and warning light .................................... 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7
U3C263E0.book Page 1 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM