2012 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 450 coolant level

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
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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
Fuel 
Check fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
 Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary. 4-15, 5-3
Engine oil 
Check oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
 Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-17
Final gear oil Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-21
Differential gear oil Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-24
Coolant 
Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
 Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-26
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5-3
5
EBU19541Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-15.)EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-17.)EBU19590Final gear oil Make sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-21.)EBU19600Differential gear oil Make sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-24.)EBU19631Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-26.)
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.EBU28532Front and rear brakes Brake levers and brake pedal
Check that there is no free play in the front brake
lever. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.
Check for correct free play in the rear brake lever
and brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect, ad-
just it. (See page 8-41.)
Check operation of the levers and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brake is applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer check them.
Brake fluid level (front brake)
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-40.)
Specified brake fluid:DOT 4
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8
EBU28391TIP
Some maintenance items need more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet, dusty, sandy or
muddy areas, or at full-throttle.23 Cooling system
Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
 Replace coolant. Every 2 years
24 *Moving parts and
cables 
Lubricate. √√√√
25 *Drive select lever
safety system cable 
Check operation and adjust or replace if neces-
sary. √√√
26 *Throttle lever 
Check operation.
 Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
 Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
27 *Front and rear brake
switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√√
28 *Lights and switches 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Adjust headlight beams. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U1CT61E0.book Page 8 Wednesday, April 20, 2011 6:36 PM

8-26
8
6. Check the oil filler bolt gasket for damage, and replace it if necessary.
7. Install the oil filler bolt and its gasket, and then tighten the bolt to the specified torque. 8. Check the differential gear case for oil leak-
age. If oil is leaking, check for the cause.
EBU23470Coolant The coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.EBU27126To check the coolant level1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser- voir.TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks.
1. Differential gear oil filler bolt
2. Gasket
3. Differential gear oil
4. Correct oil levelRecommended differential gear oil:See page 10-1.
Tightening torque: Differential gear oil filler bolt:23 Nm (2.3 m ·kgf, 17 ft ·lbf)
1
2
3
4
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8-27
83. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove panel C to access the coolant
reservoir. (See page 8-10.)
4. Remove the coolant reservoir cap, add cool- ant or distilled water to the maximum level
mark, install the reservoir cap, and then install
the panel. NOTICE: If coolant is not avail-
able, use distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water or salt wa-
ter since they are harmful to the engine. If
water has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the cooling system will not be protected against frost and corrosion. If
water has been added to the coolant, have
a Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con-
tent of the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of the coolant
will be reduced.
[ECB01011]
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1
2
1. Coolant reservoir capCoolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark):
0.25 L (0.26 US qt, 0.22 Imp.qt)
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8-28
8
TIP
The radiator fan is automatically switched on or
off according to the coolant temperature in the
radiator.
If the engine overheats, see page 8-63 for fur-
ther instructions.EBU23605To change the coolant
WARNING
EWB01890Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always place a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap.1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panels D and E. (See page 8-10.)
3. Place a container under the engine, and thenremove the coolant drain bolt and its gasket.
(Use a trough or a similar object as shown to
prevent coolant from spilling on the footrest.)
1. Coolant drain bolt
2. Gasket
1. Trough
12
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8-29
84. Remove the front carrier and panel B. (See
page 8-10.)
5. Remove the radiator cap.
6. Remove panel C. (See page 8-10.)
7. Remove the coolant reservoir cap.
8. Disconnect the coolant reservoir hose on the coolant reservoir side, and then drain the cool-
ant from the coolant reservoir. 9. After draining the coolant, thoroughly flush the
cooling system with clean tap water.
10. Install the coolant drain bolt and its new gas- ket, and then tighten the bolt to the specified
torque.
11. Connect the coolant reservoir hose.
12. Pour the recommended coolant into the reser- voir to the maximum level mark, and then in-
stall the reservoir cap. NOTICE: Mix
1. Radiator cap
1. Coolant reservoir hoseTightening torque:
Coolant drain bolt:10 Nm (1.0 m ·kgf, 7.2 ft ·lbf)
1
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