2011 YAMAHA YFZ450R oil level

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... ........................................ 7-22
PERIODIC 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
Removing and installing the cowling and
panels ....................................................... 8-9Checking the spark plug ...........................8-12
Engine oil and oil filter element .................8-13
Coolant .....................................................8-19
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-20
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-24
Adjusting the throttle lever free play .........8-26
Valve clearance ........................................8-27
Brakes .......................................................8-27
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-27
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-29
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-30
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-30
Checking the brake pedal height ..............8-30
Adjusting the parking brake free play .......8-31
Brake light switches ..................................8-32
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ...........8-33
Drive chain slack .......................................8-34
Lubricating the drive chain ........................8-36
Checking and lubricating the cables .........8-37
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ............................................8-38
Checking the shift pedal ...........................8-38
Checking and lubricating the brake
pedal .......................................................8-38
Checking the wheel hub bearings .............8-39
Lubricating the swingarm pivots ...............8-39
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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.4-9, 5-4
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-4, 8-13
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-4, 8-19
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5-4
5
EBU19541Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-9.)EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-13.)EBU19631Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-19.)TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.EBU19711Front 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
8-30.) 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,
have a Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-29.)
Brake 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 there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-
tem.
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 8-27.)Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4
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8-7
8
14*Chassis fastenersMake sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened.√√√√√
15*Shock absorber as-
sembliesCheck operation and correct if necessary.
Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.√√√
16*Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting pointsCheck operation and correct if necessary.√√√√
17*Steering shaftLubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.√√√
18*Steering systemCheck operation and repair or replace if damaged.
Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.√√√√√
19 Engine oilChange.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary.√ √√√
20Engine oil filter ele-
mentReplace.√√√
21*Cooling systemCheck coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary.√√√√√
Replace coolant. Every 2 years
22*Moving parts and
cablesLubricate.√√√√ 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 320U18P64E0.book Page 7 Thursday, May 13, 2010 6:00 PM

8-13
8 Before installing the spark plug, the spark plug gap
should be measured with a wire thickness gauge
and, if necessary, adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its
mating surface, and then wipe off any grime from
the spark plug threads.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when installing
the spark plug, a good estimate of the correct
torque is 1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight. However,
the spark plug should be tightened to the specified
torque as soon as possible.EBU29498Engine 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 replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Start the engine, warm it up until the engine oil
has reached a normal temperature of 40 °C
(104 °F), let it continue to idle for ten seconds
or more, and then turn the engine off. Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR8E
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:
0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
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8-14
8
TIPTo achieve the proper engine oil temperature for
an accurate oil level reading, the engine must have
first completely cooled down, and then warmed up
again for several minutes to normal operating tem-
perature.3. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, and
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 through the engine oil tank filler
hole to raise it to the correct level. NOTICE:
Be sure the engine oil is at the correct lev-
el, otherwise engine damage may result.
[ECB00851]
1. Engine oil tank filler cap
2. Engine oil dipstick
3. Maximum level mark
4. Half-level mark
5. Minimum level mark11
2
3
54
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8-15
8
TIPWhen adding oil, be careful not to overfill the en-
gine oil tank; the oil level rises faster starting from
the half-level-portion on the dipstick.6. Insert the dipstick into the engine oil tank filler
hole, and then tighten the engine oil tank filler
cap. NOTICE: Make sure that the engine oil
tank filler cap is securely tightened; other-
wise, oil may seep out when the engine is
running.
[ECB00362]
To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter element replacement)
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the engine guard by removing the
bolts.3. Start the engine, warm it up for several min-
utes, and then turn it off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect
the used oil.
5. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, and then
remove the engine oil tank drain bolt and its
gasket.
1. Engine guard
2. Bolt
221
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8-30
8

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.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.EBU24613Checking the brake pedal height The brake pedal height must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.1. No brake lever free play
1
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