2011 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 Owners Manual

4-21
4
EBU18962Front carrier
Do not exceed the load limit of 45.0 kg (99 lb) for
the front carrier.
Do not exceed the maximum load of 220.0 kg
(485 lb) for the ATV.EBU18972Rear carrier
Do not exceed the load limit of 85.0 kg (187 lb)
for the rear carrier.
Do not exceed the maximum load of 220.0 kg
(485 lb) for the ATV.EBU19145Adjusting the front and rear shock ab-
sorber assemblies The spring preload can be adjusted to suit the rid-
er’s weight and the riding conditions.
WARNING
EWB00400Always adjust the shock absorber assemblies
on the left and right side to the same setting.
Uneven adjustment can cause poor handling
and loss of stability, which could lead to an ac-
cident.
1. Storage compartment drain plug
1. Storage compartment drain plugU28P62E0.book Page 21 Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:25 PM

4-22
4Adjust the spring preload as follows.
Turn the spring preload adjusting ring in direction
(a) to increase the spring preload and thereby
harden the suspension, and in direction (b) to de-
crease the spring preload and thereby soften the
suspension.
TIPA special wrench can be obtained at a Yamaha
dealer to make this adjustment.1. Spring preload adjusting ring
2. Position indicator
1. Special wrenchSpring preload setting:
Minimum (soft):
1
Standard:
3
Maximum (hard):
5
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4
EBU19182Auxiliary DC jack The auxiliary DC jack is located at the front right
side of the ATV. The auxiliary DC jack can be used
for suitable work lights, radios, etc. The auxiliary
DC jack should only be used when the engine is
running and the light switch is set to “OFF”.
1. Set the light switch to “OFF”.
2. Start the engine. (See page 6-1.)
3. Open the auxiliary DC jack cap, and then in-
sert the accessory power plug into the jack.
4. When the auxiliary DC jack is not being used,
cover it with the cap.
NOTICEECB00120
Do not use accessories requiring more than
the above maximum capacity. This may
overload the circuit and cause the fuse to
blow.
1. Auxiliary DC jack cap
1. Auxiliary DC jackMaximum rated capacity for the auxiliary DC
jack:
DC 12 V, 10 A (120 W)
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4-24
4

If accessories are used without the engine
running or with the headlights turned on, the
battery will lose its charge and engine start-
ing may become difficult.
Do not use an automotive cigarette lighter or
other accessories with a plug that gets hot
because the jack can be damaged.
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5-1
5
EBU19201
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19224Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always
follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWB00481Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equip-
ment damage. Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected
by the procedures provided in this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-16, 5-3
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-24
Final gear oilCheck ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-28
Differential gear oilCheck ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-30
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-33
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5-2
5
Front brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-46, 8-47, 8-49
Rear brakeCheck operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check pedal free play, and adjust if necessary.
Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add recommended brake
fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-46, 8-47, 8-49,
8-50
Throttle leverMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
Check cable free play, and adjust if necessary.5-4, 8-44
Control cablesMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-52
Wheels and tiresCheck wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure. Correct if necessary.5-4
Brake pedal Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point if
necessary.8-54
Brake leversMake sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary.8-53
Axle bootsCheck for cracks or damage, and replace if necessary. 8-52
Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-7
Instruments, lights and
switchesCheck operation, and correct if necessary. 5-7 ITEM ROUTINE PAGEU28P62E0.book Page 2 Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:25 PM

5-3
5
EBU19541Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-16.)EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-24.)EBU19590Final gear oil Make sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-28.)EBU19600Differential gear oil Make sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-30.)EBU19631Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-33.)
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.EBU29081Front and rear brakes Brake levers and brake pedal
Check that there is no free play in the front and
rear brake levers. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Check for correct free play in the brake pedal. If
the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See page
8-50.)
Check the operation of the brake levers and
pedal. They should move smoothly and there
should be a firm feeling when the brakes are ap-
plied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-47.)
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5-4
5Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If a lever moves slow-
ly inward, there may be a leak in the brake system.
If there is any leakage, the brake system should be
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-46.)
EBU19761Throttle lever Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.
EBU19794Tires Check tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im-
proper tire pressure may cause severe injury
or death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02541]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications: Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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