2012 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 air filter

Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-5
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... .................................... 7-22
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
Removing the radiator grills ......................8-20
Checking the spark plug ...........................8-20
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-22
Final gear oil .............................................8-27
Differential gear oil ....................................8-29
Coolant .....................................................8-32
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-39
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-42
V-belt case drain plug ...............................8-44
Adjusting the throttle lever free play .........8-45
Valve clearance ........................................8-46
Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable ...........................................8-46
Brakes .......................................................8-46
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-46
Checking the rear brake hose protectors ................................................8-47
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-48
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-49
Checking the front and rear brake lever free play ..................................................8-50
Adjusting the brake pedal free play ..........8-50
Axle boots .................................................8-52
Checking and lubricating the cables .........8-53
Checking and lubricating the front and rear brake levers .....................................8-53
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3-1
3
EBU17680
DESCRIPTION
EBU17690Left view
EBU17700Right view
1. Radiator cap
2. Battery
3. Fuses
4. Air filter case
5. Spark arrester
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Oil filter cartridge
8. Coolant reservoir
5
1. Rear shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting ring
2. Rear storage compartment and tool kit
3. Fuel tank cap cover
4. Front shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting ring
5. Spark plug
6. Brake pedal
7. V-belt case drain plug
U1HS60E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

7-19
7
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm (14 in) in
depth. Before entering the water, choose your path
carefully. Enter where there is no sharp drop off,
and avoid rocks or other obstacles which may be
slippery or upset the ATV. Drive slowly and care-
fully.
Test your brakes after leaving the water. If neces-
sary, apply them several times to let friction dry out
the linings. Do not continue to ride your ATV with-
out verifying that you have regained proper braking ability.
WARNING! Wet brakes may have re-
duced stopping ability, which could cause loss
of control.
[EWB02621]
After riding your ATV in water, be sure to drain the
trapped water by removing the check hoses at the
bottom of the air filter case. Also, remove the drain
plugs from the front and rear storage compart-
ments and the V-belt case to drain any water that
may have accumulated. NOTICE: Undrained wa-
ter can cause damage or improper operation.[ECB00841]Wash the ATV in fresh water if it has been operat-
ed in salt water or muddy conditions.
U1HS60E0.book Page 19 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

7-20
7
1. Air filter case check hose
1. Air filter case check hose
1. Storage compartment drain plug
1. Storage compartment drain plug
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8-5
8
EBU21865General maintenance and lubrication chart TIP
For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals.
For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the km (mi) or hours maintenance inter-
vals. However, keep in mind that if the ATV isn’t used for a long period of time, the month maintenance
intervals should be followed.
Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills.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 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter element Clean and replace if necessary. Every 20
–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2 *Front brake 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary. √√√√√
 Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
U1HS60E0.book Page 5 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

8-7
8
10*Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
11 *Shock absorber as-
semblies 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary. √√√
12 *Stabilizer bushes 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
13 *Rear knuckle pivots Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
14 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
15 *Steering system 
Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
 Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
16 *Engine mount 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
17 *Axle boots 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√√
18 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
19 Engine oil filter car-
tridge 
Replace. √√√
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 320U1HS60E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

8-39
8
EBU27806Cleaning 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 are two check hoses at the bottom of the air
filter case, which are located behind panels D and
E. (See page 8-10 for an explanation on removing
the panels.) Check the hoses periodically and, if
dust or water collects in them, empty them and
clean the air filter element and air filter case.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panel C. (See page 8-10.)1. Air filter case check hose
1. Air filter case check hose
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8-40
8
3. Remove the air filter case cover by unhooking
the holders.
4. Remove the sponge material and the air filter mesh from the air filter case.
5. Clean the mesh with solvent, and then wipethe solvent off.
1. Air filter case cover holder
2. Air filter case cover
1. Sponge material
2. Air filter mesh
U1HS60E0.book Page 40 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM