2011 YAMAHA YFM250R checking oil

Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-6
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1
Starting a cold engine ................................ 6-1
Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-2
Shifting ....................................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-4
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
JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-18
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER ................................................... 7-19
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-22PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................................8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit .......................8-2
Periodic maintenance chart for the
emission control system ...........................8-3
General maintenance and lubrication
chart ..........................................................8-5
Checking the spark plug .............................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter element .................8-11
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-14
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-18
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-20
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-20
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-21
Valve clearance ........................................8-22
Brakes .......................................................8-22
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-22
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-23
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-25
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-25
Checking the brake pedal position ............8-25
Adjusting the parking brake free play .......8-26
Brake light switches ..................................8-27
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ...........8-28
Drive chain slack .......................................8-29
Lubricating the drive chain ........................8-31
Checking and lubricating the cables .........8-31
U1BT61E0.book Page 2 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-11
8
EBU28957Engine oil and oil filter element The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter element must be replaced at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. 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.3. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then
wipe the engine oil dipstick off with a clean
rag.
4. Insert the dipstick into the filler 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, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
NOTICE: Be sure the engine oil is at the
correct level, otherwise engine damage
may result.
[ECB00851]
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Minimum level mark
2
34 1
U1BT61E0.book Page 11 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-14
8
NOTICEECB00300
In order to prevent clutch slippage (since the
engine oil also lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do not use oils
with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.
Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.10. 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.
11. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes,
and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.EBU23707Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean or, if necessary, replace
the air filter element more frequently if you are
riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
TIPThere is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-
ter case.1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the seat. (See page 4-12.)
3. Remove the air filter case cover by unhooking
the holders.1. Air filter case check hose
1
U1BT61E0.book Page 14 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-24
8Front brake
Rear brakeObserve 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.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1
Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
U1BT61E0.book Page 24 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-25
8
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.EBU24394Checking the front brake lever free play The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
EBU24592Checking the brake pedal position The brake pedal position must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
40.0 mm (1.57 in) above the top of the frame as
shown. If the brake pedal is not positioned as spec-
ified, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.1. No brake lever free play
1
U1BT61E0.book Page 25 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-31
8
EBU24882Lubricating the drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.NOTICEECB00561The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain or wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and a
small soft brush. NOTICE: To prevent dam-
aging the O-rings, do not clean the drive
chain with steam cleaners, high-pressure
washers or inappropriate solvents.
[ECB00571]
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 lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain
substances that could damage the O-
rings.
[ECB00581]
EBU24901
Checking 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-1. O-rings
1
U1BT61E0.book Page 31 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

8-32
8essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02581
Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-
aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could
restrict the operation of controls and lead to
an accident or injury.
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
EBU24922Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers The operation of the brake and clutch levers
should be checked before each ride, and the lever
pivots should be lubricated if necessary.
Brake lever Recommended lubricant:
Engine oilRecommended lubricants:
Brake lever:
Silicone grease
Clutch lever:
Lithium-soap-based grease
U1BT61E0.book Page 32 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-14BBattery .......................................................................... 8-35
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ....... 8-32
Brake fluid, changing .................................................... 8-25
Brake fluid level, checking ............................................ 8-23
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-25
Brake lever (YFM25RA/YFM250RA) ............................. 4-5
Brake lever (YFM25RSEA/YFM250RSEA) .................... 4-5
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-27
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-22
Brake pedal .................................................................... 4-6
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-33
Brake pedal position, checking .................................... 8-25
Brakes .......................................................................... 8-22
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-31
Carburetor, adjusting .................................................... 8-20
Chassis fasteners ........................................................... 5-6
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Clutch lever .................................................................... 4-4
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ................................... 8-28DDrive chain ..................................................................... 5-4
Drive chain, lubricating ................................................. 8-31Drive chain slack .......................................................... 8-29
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-4
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ...................................................... 8-20
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter element .................................... 8-11
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-2
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-2FFuel ......................................................................... 4-8, 5-3
Fuel cock ...................................................................... 4-10
Fuel tank cap .................................................................. 4-8
Fuse, replacing ............................................................. 8-38HHandlebar switches ........................................................ 4-2
Headlight beam, adjusting ............................................ 8-41
Headlight bulb, replacing .............................................. 8-39IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator light .................................................................. 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-6LLabel locations ............................................................... 1-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-3MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
U1BT61E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 6, 2010 1:28 PM