2012 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 450 checking oil

Starting a warm engine .............................. 6-3
Operating the drive select lever and driving in reverse ...................................... 6-3
Engine break-in .......................................... 6-5
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............................... 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER ................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-21
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-23
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-23
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 panels ................8-10
Checking the spark plug ...........................8-14
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-17
Final gear oil .............................................8-21
Differential gear oil ....................................8-24
Coolant .....................................................8-26
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-30
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-33
V-belt cooling duct check hose .................8-35
V-belt case drain plug ...............................8-35
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-36
Adjusting the engine idling speed .............8-36
Adjusting the throttle lever free play .........8-37
Valve clearance ........................................8-38
Adjusting the drive select lever safety system cable ...........................................8-38
Brakes .......................................................8-38
Checking the front brake pads and rear brake friction plates .................................8-39
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-40
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-41
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-41
U1CT61E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

8-17
8
EBU30240Engine oil and oil filter cartridge The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panel E. (See page 8-10.)
3. 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.4. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then wipe the engine oil dipstick off with a clean
rag. 5. 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 tip of the dip-
stick and the maximum level mark.1. Engine oil filler cap
U1CT61E0.book Page 17 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

8-21
812. Refill with the specified amount of the recom-
mended engine oil, and then install and tight-
en the engine oil filler cap.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.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.13. 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.
14. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
15. Install panel E.EBU30270Final gear oil The final gear case must be checked for oil leak-
age before each ride. If any leakage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer check and repair the ATV. In ad-
dition, the final gear oil level must be checked and
the oil changed as follows at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the final gear oil level 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the final gear oil filler bolt and its gas- ket, and then check the oil level in the final
gear case. The oil level should be at the brim
of the filler hole.
Recommended oil:
See page 10-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter cartridge replacement:2.30 L (2.43 US qt, 2.02 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement: 2.40 L (2.54 US qt, 2.11 Imp.qt)
U1CT61E0.book Page 21 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

8-40
8
EBU29841Checking the brake fluid level Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark. Check the brake fluid lev-
el with the top of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
WARNING
EWB02720Improper maintenance can result in loss of
braking ability. Observe these precautions:

Insufficient brake fluid may allow air to enter
the brake system, reducing braking perfor-
mance.
Clean the filler cap before removing. Use
only DOT 4 brake fluid from a sealed contain-
er.
Use only the specified brake fluid; otherwise,
the rubber seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage.
Refill with the same type of brake fluid. Add-
ing a brake fluid other than DOT 4 may result
in a harmful chemical reaction.
Be careful that water does not enter the
brake fluid reservoir when refilling. Water
will significantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vapor lock.NOTICEECB01160Brake fluid may damage painted surfaces or
plastic parts. Always clean up spilled fluid im-
mediately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for the brake
fluid level to gradually go down. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads and/or brake
system leakage; therefore, be sure to check the
1. Minimum level markSpecified brake fluid:DOT 4
1
U1CT61E0.book Page 40 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

8-41
8brake pads for wear and the brake system for leak-
age. If the brake fluid level goes down suddenly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the cause before fur-
ther riding.
EBU24281Changing 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 brake master cylinder and
calipers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the
intervals listed below or whenever they are dam-
aged 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.
EBU30342Adjusting the rear brake lever and
brake pedal free play, and the brake
pedal height The rear brake lever and brake pedal free play,
and the brake pedal height must be checked and,
if necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Adjusting the brake lever free play
The brake lever free play should measure 10.0 mm
(0.39 in). If the free play is incorrect, adjust it as fol-
lows.1. No brake lever free play
U1CT61E0.book Page 41 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

8-47
8
EBU29881Brake light switches The brake light, which is activated by the brake
pedal and brake levers, should come on just be-
fore braking takes effect.
The rear brake light switch for the brake pedal can
be adjusted as follows, but the other brake light
switches should be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjusting nut while
holding the brake light switch in place. To make the
brake light come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light come on
later, turn the adjusting nut in direction (b).
EBU24902Checking 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-
essary. 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.
1. Rear brake light switch
2. Rear brake light switch adjusting nut
1
2(b)
(a)
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or engine oil
U1CT61E0.book Page 47 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Accessories, auxiliary jack ........................................... 4-23
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-30
Axle boots .................................................................... 8-46BBattery .......................................................................... 8-51
Brake fluid, changing ................................................... 8-41
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-40
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-41
Brake lever, front .......................................................... 4-13
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ........................ 8-48
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-47
Brake pads and friction plates, checking ..................... 8-39
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ................................. 4-13
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-48
Brakes .......................................................................... 8-38
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-47
Carburetor, adjusting ................................................... 8-36
Carrier, front ................................................................. 4-22
Carrier, rear .................................................................. 4-22
Chassis fasteners .......................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Coolant .................................................................. 5-3, 8-26
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-3
DDifferential gear oil ................................................ 5-3, 8-24
Drive select lever ......................................................... 4-14
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-3
Drive select lever safety system cable, adjusting ........ 8-38
Drive shaft universal joint, lubricating .......................... 8-49EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ..................................................... 8-36
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................................... 8-17
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-7
EPS warning light .......................................................... 4-3FFinal gear oil ......................................................... 5-3, 8-21
Four-wheel-drive/differential gear lock indicator ............ 4-4
Fuel ....................................................................... 4-15, 5-3
Fuel cock ..................................................................... 4-16
Fuel gauge ..................................................................... 4-6
Fuel tank cap ............................................................... 4-14
Fuses, replacing .......................................................... 8-54HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-6
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-57
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-55
High-range indicator light ............................................... 4-2
U1CT61E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM