2010 YAMAHA YZF-R6 check oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6
EAU3899A
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set-
tles.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick and
wipe it clean, insert it back into the
hole (without screwing it in), and
then remove it again to check the
oil level.TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
engine oil filler cap, and then add
sufficient oil of the recommended
type to raise it to the correct level.6. Insert and tighten the engine oil
dipstick, and then install and tight-
en the oil filler cap.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment)
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face.
2. Remove cowling A. (See page
6-7.)
3. Start the engine, warm it up for
several minutes, and then turn it
off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine
to collect the used oil.
5. Remove the engine oil filler cap,
the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil filler cap
U13SE2E0.book Page 12 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-15
6addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.


Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial 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, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.TIPAfter the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.NOTICE
ECA10401
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immediately turn the engine
off and have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.16. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
17. Install the cowling.
EAU20070
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU39087
To check the coolant level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.TIP

The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.


Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-
ant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
3. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove pan-
el B to access the coolant reser-
voir. (See page 6-7.)
4. Remove the coolant reservoir cap,
add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir
cap. WARNING! Remove only
the coolant reservoir cap. Never
attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
[EWA15161]
NOTICE: If coolant is not
available, use distilled water or
soft tap water instead. Do not
use hard water or salt water
since it is harmful to the engine.
1. Coolant reservoir
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
U13SE2E0.book Page 15 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
6
EAU22580
Checking the brake fluid level Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to
enter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. 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.
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 perfor-
mance.


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 en-
ter the brake fluid reservoir when
refilling. Water will significantly
lower the boiling point of the fluid
and may result in vapor lock.


Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.


As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
U13SE2E0.book Page 24 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-25
6
EAU22731
Changing 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
calipers as well as the brake hoses re-
placed at the intervals listed below or
whenever they are damaged or leak-
ing.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.


Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22773
To check the drive chain slack
1. Place the motorcycle on the side-
stand.TIPWhen checking and adjusting the drive
chain slack, there should be no weight
on the motorcycle.2. Shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position.
3. Move the rear wheel by pushing
the motorcycle to locate the tight-
est portion of the drive chain, and
then measure the drive chain slack
as shown.4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect,
adjust it as follows.
EAU39055
To adjust the drive chain slack
1. Loosen the axle nut and the lock-
nut on each side of the swingarm.
Drive chain slack:
30.0–45.0 mm (1.18–1.77 in)
1. Drive chain slack
U13SE2E0.book Page 25 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6
EAU23025
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.NOTICE
ECA10583
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle, riding
in the rain or riding in wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kero-
sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent damaging
the O-rings, do not clean the
drive chain with steam cleaners,
high-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11121]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive
chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
engine oil or any other lubri-
cants for the drive chain, as theymay contain substances that
could damage the O-rings.
[ECA11111]EAU23101
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING! Damage to the outer
sheath may interfere with proper ca-
ble operation and will cause the in-
ner cable to rust. Replace a
damaged cable as soon as possible
to prevent unsafe conditions.
[EWA10721]
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil
U13SE2E0.book Page 27 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-30
6
EAUM1651
Lubricating the swingarm piv-
ots The swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23272
Checking the front fork The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
[EWA10751]
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U13SE2E0.book Page 30 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
7
EAU26181
Storage Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover.NOTICE
ECA10810


Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
ing it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water and humid-
ity to seep in and cause rust.


To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.3. Perform the following steps to pro-
tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug caps
and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto
the spark plugs, and then place
the spark plugs on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam-
age or injury from sparking,
make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while
turning the engine over.
[EWA10951]
e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.4. Lubricate all control cables and the
pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct
the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a
plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully
charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-31.
TIPMake any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
U13SE2E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM

INDEXAAir filter element .................................... 6-18
Anti-theft alarm (optional)...................... 3-14
Auxiliary light ......................................... 6-37BBattery................................................... 6-31
Brake and clutch levers, checking and
lubricating ........................................... 6-29
Brake and shift pedals, checking and
lubricating ........................................... 6-28
Brake fluid, changing ............................ 6-25
Brake fluid level, checking .................... 6-24
Brake lever ............................................ 3-16
Brake light switches .............................. 6-23
Brake pedal ........................................... 3-17CCables, checking and lubricating .......... 6-27
Care ........................................................ 7-1
Catalytic converters .............................. 3-19
Clutch lever ........................................... 3-15
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ............ 6-22
Coolant.................................................. 6-15
Coolant temperature warning light .......... 3-5
Cowlings and panels, removing and
installing................................................ 6-7DDimmer switch ...................................... 3-14
Drive chain, cleaning and lubricating .... 6-27
Drive chain slack ................................... 6-25EEngine break-in ....................................... 5-3
Engine idling speed, checking .............. 6-18
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ............ 6-12
Engine stop switch ................................ 3-15Engine trouble warning light ................... 3-7
EXUP system ....................................... 3-28
FFront and rear brake pads, checking .... 6-23
Front fork, adjusting .............................. 3-23
Front fork, checking .............................. 6-30
Fuel....................................................... 3-18
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing........ 5-3
Fuel level warning light ........................... 3-4
Fuel tank breather/overflow hose ......... 3-19
Fuel tank cap ........................................ 3-17
Fuses, replacing ................................... 6-33HHandlebar switches .............................. 3-14
Hazard switch ....................................... 3-15
Headlight bulb, replacing ...................... 6-34
Helmet holding cable ............................ 3-21
High beam indicator light ........................ 3-4
Horn switch ........................................... 3-15IIdentification numbers ............................ 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ................ 3-29
Immobilizer system ................................. 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light........... 3-7
Indicator and warning lights .................... 3-4LLicense plate light bulb, replacing ........ 6-36
Luggage strap holders .......................... 3-27MMain switch/steering lock........................ 3-2
Maintenance and lubrication, periodic .... 6-3
Maintenance, emission control system... 6-2
Matte color, caution ................................ 7-1
Model label ............................................. 9-1Multi-function meter unit .......................... 3-8
NNeutral indicator light .............................. 3-4OOil level warning light .............................. 3-4PParking .................................................... 5-4
Part locations .......................................... 2-1
Pass switch ........................................... 3-14RRear view mirrors .................................. 3-22SSafety information ................................... 1-1
Seats ..................................................... 3-20
Shifting .................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................. 3-16
Shift timing indicator light ........................ 3-7
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting .... 3-25
Sidestand .............................................. 3-28
Sidestand, checking and lubricating...... 6-29
Spark plugs, checking ........................... 6-11
Specifications .......................................... 8-1
Starting the engine .................................. 5-1
Start switch............................................ 3-15
Steering, checking................................. 6-31
Storage.................................................... 7-4
Supporting the motorcycle .................... 6-37
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ................. 6-30TTail/brake light ....................................... 6-35
Throttle cable free play, checking ......... 6-18
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating ........................................... 6-28
Tires ...................................................... 6-19
U13SE2E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 4:01 PM