2009 YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 steering wheel

Checking the front brake lever free
play ......................................................... 8-42
Adjusting the rear brake lever free play
and checking the brake pedal position ... 8-42
Axle boots ................................................ 8-44
Brake light switches ................................. 8-45
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-45
Checking and lubricating the front and
rear brake levers .................................... 8-46
Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal ...................................................... 8-46
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-47
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-47
Battery ...................................................... 8-47
Replacing a fuse ...................................... 8-50
Replacing a headlight bulb ....................... 8-51
Adjusting a headlight beam ...................... 8-53
Replacing the tail/brake light bulb ............ 8-54
Removing a wheel .................................... 8-55
Installing a wheel ...................................... 8-55
Troubleshooting ....................................... 8-56
Troubleshooting charts ............................. 8-57
CLEANING AND STORAGE .......................... 9-1
Cleaning ..................................................... 9-1
Storage ....................................................... 9-2SPECIFICATIONS .......................................10-1
CONSUMER INFORMATION.......................11-1
Identification numbers ...............................11-1
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7-18
7

Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-ble.
CROSSING A SLOPE
Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attemptingto cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.
As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.
WARNING
EWB01631Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning on
any hill. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill
if possible.
When crossing the side of a hill:
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
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7-22
7 RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN
Riding over rough terrain should be done with cau-
tion. Look out for obstacles which could cause
damage to the ATV or could lead to an upset or ac-
cident. Be sure to keep your feet firmly mounted on
the footboards at all times. Avoid jumping the ATV
as loss of control and damage to the ATV may re-
sult.
WARNING
EWB01650Before operating in a new area, check for ob-
stacles. Never attempt to ride over large obsta-
cles, such as large rocks or fallen trees. When
you go over obstacles, always follow proper
procedures as described in the Owner’s Manu-al.
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to slide
in loose or slippery conditions, positioning your
weight over the front wheels will sometimes help.If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.U3C263E0.book Page 22 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

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
U3C263E0.book Page 47 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

KKey identification number ............................................. 11-1LLabel locations ............................................................... 2-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-5MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-2NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOn-Command four-wheel-drive switch ........................... 4-5
Owner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-1PPark indicator light ......................................................... 4-3
Parking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-5
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1
Pre-operation check list ................................................. 5-1RReverse indicator light ................................................... 4-2
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 1-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-12
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front .......... 4-14
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting the rear .............. 4-16
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-34
Spark plug, checking .................................................... 8-15Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter .................................................................. 4-7
Speedometer unit .......................................................... 4-3
Starter (choke) ............................................................. 4-12
Start switch .................................................................... 4-5
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-47
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Storage compartment .................................................. 4-13
TTail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-54
Throttle cable free play, adjusting ................................ 8-38
Throttle lever ........................................................... 4-6, 5-5
Tire pressure, measuring ............................................... 5-6
Tires ............................................................................... 5-5
Tire wear limit ................................................................ 5-7
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-56
Troubleshooting charts ................................................ 8-57VValve clearance ........................................................... 8-38
V-belt case drain plug .................................................. 8-36
V-belt cooling duct check hose .................................... 8-35
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-47
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-55
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-55
U3C263E0.book Page 2 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM