2009 YAMAHA YFZ450 coolant level

Parking ...................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope .................................... 6-6
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 ............ 7-8
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
Removing and installing the panel ............ 8-9
Checking the spark plug .......................... 8-10Engine oil and oil filter element ................ 8-14
Coolant .................................................... 8-20
Cleaning the air filter element .................. 8-24
Cleaning the spark arrester ..................... 8-28
Adjusting the carburetor ........................... 8-29
Checking the engine idling speed ............ 8-30
Adjusting the throttle cable free play ........ 8-30
Valve clearance ....................................... 8-31
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ....................................................... 8-31
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-32
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-35
Checking the front brake lever free
play ........................................................ 8-36
Checking the brake pedal position ........... 8-36
Adjusting the parking brake free play ...... 8-37
Brake light switches ................................. 8-39
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-39
Drive chain slack ...................................... 8-41
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-43
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-43
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-44
Checking and lubricating the brake and
shift pedals ............................................. 8-45
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-45
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-45
Lubricating the upper and lower arm
pivots ..................................................... 8-46

5-1
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EBU19200
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19222
Pre-operation check list
Before operating this ATV, be sure to check the items listed in the following table.
WARNING

EWB00480
Always 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’s
Manual. Failure to inspect increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
TIP

The maintenance of some items in the table has to be performed by a Yamaha dealer. Refer to the periodic
maintenance charts on page 8-3 to determine which service should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Fuel


Check fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.

Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-8, 5-3
Engine oil

Check oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified
level if necessary.

Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-14
Coolant

Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.

Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-20

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EBU19540
Fuel
Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-8.)
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 8-14.)
EBU19630
Coolant
Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-20.)
TIP

The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.
WARNING

EWB00510
Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always put a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap.
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 8-36.) 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,

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20 Engine oil

Change.

Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.
√ √√√
21Engine oil filter ele-
ment

Replace.
√√√
22 Cooling system

Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary.
√√√√√

Replace coolant. Every 2 years
23
*
Moving parts and
cables

Lubricate.
√√√√
24
*
Throttle lever hous-
ing and cable


Check 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
switches

Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√√
26
*
Lights and switches

Check 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 80 160 160 320

8-20
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do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.

Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.
15. 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.
16. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev-
el and correct it if necessary.
17. Install the engine guard by installing the bolts,
and then tighten them to the specified torque.
NOTICE

ECB00370
Be sure to apply LOCTITE® to the engine
guard bolts before installing them.
EBU23470
Coolant
The coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed atthe intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EBU23491
To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
TIP

The coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.
2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser-
voir.
TIP

The coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks. Tightening torque:
Engine guard bolt:
7 Nm (0.7 m·kgf, 5.1 ft·lbf)

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3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove panel A. (See page 8-9.)
4. Remove the reservoir cap, add coolant or dis-
tilled water to the maximum level mark, install
the reservoir cap, and then install the panel.NOTICE

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.

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 will
be reduced.
TIP

If the engine overheats, see page 8-55 for further
instructions.
EBU23561
To change the coolant
WARNING

EWB01890
Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
3. Coolant reservoir
4. Coolant reservoir cap
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maximum
level mark):
0.29 L (0.31 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
1
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3

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burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always place a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panel A. (See page 8-9.)
3. Place a container under the engine, and then
remove the coolant drain bolt. (Use a trough
or a similar object as shown.)
4. Remove the radiator cap.5. Remove the coolant reservoir by removing the
bolts.
6. Remove the coolant reservoir cap, and then
turn the coolant reservoir upside down to
empty it.
1. Coolant drain bolt
2. Trough
2 1

1. Radiator cap
1

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7. After draining the coolant, thoroughly flush the
cooling system with clean tap water.
8. Install the coolant reservoir by installing the
bolts.
9. Replace the coolant drain bolt washer if it is
damaged, install the coolant drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified torque.10. Pour the recommended coolant into the reser-
voir to the maximum level mark, and then in-
stall the reservoir cap.
11. Pour the recommended coolant into the radia-
tor until it is full.NOTICE

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,
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir
3. Bolt
Tightening torque:
Coolant drain bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
1 3
2

Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:
1:1
Recommended antifreeze:
High-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze con-
taining corrosion inhibitors for aluminum en-
gines
Coolant quantity:
Radiator capacity (including all routes):
1.30 L (1.37 US qt, 1.14 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark):
0.29 L (0.31 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)