2012 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 brakes

7-16
7uphill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in the Owner
’s Manual.
WARNING! Stalling, rolling backwards or im- properly dismounting while climbing a hill
could result in ATV overturning. If you cannot
control the ATV, dismount immediately on the
uphill side.
[EWB01802]
RIDING DOWNHILL
WARNING
EWB01621Going down a hill improperly could cause
overturns or loss of control. Always follow
proper procedures for going down hills as de-
scribed in this Owner ’s Manual.

Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The ATV can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills.
Shift your weight backward and to the up
side of the hill.
Never go down a hill at high speed.
Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-
ble.
Improper braking can cause the wheels on
the uphill side to come off the ground or
cause loss of traction. Apply brakes gradual-
ly. If in “2WD ”, apply only the rear brake.When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your arms
straight. Engine compression will do most of the
braking for you. For maximum engine compres-
sion braking effect, select the low-range position
and change to “4WD ” before beginning to descend
the hill.
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7-17
7
Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.
When this ATV is in “
4WD”, all wheels (front and
rear) are interconnected by the drive train. This
means that applying either the front brake or the
rear brake will brake all wheels. When descending
hills, using either brake lever or the brake pedal will
brake the wheels on the downhill side. Avoid sud-
den application of either the front or rear brake be-
cause the wheels on the uphill side could come off
the ground. Apply both the front and rear brakes
gradually.
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear. CROSSING A SLOPE
WARNING
EWB01632Improperly crossing hills or turning on hills
could cause loss of control or cause the ATV to
overturn.
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner
’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill.
U1HS60E0.book Page 17 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.
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7-22
7If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide. With practice, over a period of time, skill at con-
trolled sliding can be developed. The terrain
should be chosen carefully before attempting such
maneuvers, since both stability and control are re-
duced. Bear in mind that sliding maneuvers should
always be avoided on extremely slippery surfaces
such as ice, since all control may be lost.
WHAT TO DO IF...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely.
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7-23
7
WHAT TO DO...

If your ATV doesn
’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footboard to the outside of the
turn. Position your weight over the front wheels
for better control. (See page 7-12.)
If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If nec-
essary, gradually let off the throttle and/or steer
to the outside of the turn. (See page 7-12.)
If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See page 7-21.)
If your ATV can’ t make it up a hill you are trying
to climb:
Turn the ATV around if you still have forward
speed. If not, stop, dismount on the uphill side of
the ATV and physically turn the ATV around. If
the ATV starts to slip backwards, DO NOT USE
THE REAR BRAKE IF THE ATV IS IN “2WD ” –
the ATV may tip over on top of you. Dismount
the ATV on the uphill side. (See page 7-13.)

If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned to-
wards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that the
ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the uphill
side. (See page 7-17.)
If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let wa-
ter drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION when
you come out of the water. Do not continue to
ride your ATV until you have regained adequate
braking ability. (See page 7-18.)
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8-46
8
EBU24060Valve clearance The valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance and lu-
brication chart.EBU24071Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable The drive select lever safety system cable stretch-
es with use, which can result in improper function.
Therefore, the safety system cable should be
checked and adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.EBU29601Brakes Replacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be per-
formed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02571Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident.EBU27470Checking the front and rear brake pads The front and rear brake pads must be checked for
wear at the intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart. Each brake pad is
provided with a wear indicator groove, which al-
lows you to check the brake pad wear without hav-
ing to disassemble the brake. If a brake pad has
worn to the point that the wear indicator groove has
almost disappeared, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the brake pads as a set.TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake pads. (See page 8-64.)
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9-1
9
EBU25860
CLEANING AND STORAGE
EBU25881Cleaning Frequent, thorough cleaning of your ATV will not
only enhance its appearance but will improve its
general performance and extend the useful life of
many components.1. Before cleaning the ATV: a. Block off the end of the exhaust pipe toprevent water entry. A plastic bag and
strong rubber band may be used.
b. Make sure the spark plug and all filler caps are properly installed.
2. If the engine case is excessively greasy, apply degreaser with a paint brush. Do not apply de-
greaser to the wheel axles.
3. Rinse the dirt and degreaser off with a garden hose. Use only enough pressure to do the job.
WARNING! Wet brakes may have reduced
stopping ability, increasing the chance of
an accident. Test the brakes after washing.
Apply the brakes several times at slow
speeds to let friction dry out the linings.
[EWB02311]
NOTICE: Excessive water pressure
may cause water seepage and deteriora- tion of wheel bearings, brakes, transmis-
sion seals and electrical devices. Many
expensive repair bills have resulted from
improper high-pressure detergent applica-
tions such as those available in coin-oper-
ated car washers.
[ECB00711]
4. Once most of the dirt has been hosed off,
wash all surfaces with warm water and mild,
detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush or bot-
tle brush is handy for hard-to-reach places.
5. Rinse the ATV off immediately with clean wa- ter and dry all surfaces with a chamois, clean
towel or soft absorbing cloth.
6. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
7. Automotive type wax may be applied to all painted and chrome plated surfaces. Avoid
combination cleaner-waxes. Many contain
abrasives which may mar the paint or protec-
tive finish. When finished cleaning, start the
engine and let it idle for several minutes.
U1HS60E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-6
Accessories, auxiliary jack ........................................... 4-23
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-39
Axle boots .................................................................... 8-52BBattery .......................................................................... 8-56
Brake fluid, changing ................................................... 8-49
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-48
Brake hose protectors, checking the rear .................... 8-47
Brake lever, front .......................................................... 4-14
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ........................ 8-53
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-46
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ................................. 4-14
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-54
Brake pedal free play, adjusting ................................... 8-50
Brakes .......................................................................... 8-46
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-53
Carrier, front ................................................................. 4-21
Carrier, rear .................................................................. 4-21
Chassis fasteners .......................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Coolant .................................................................. 5-3, 8-32
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-3DDifferential gear oil ................................................ 5-3, 8-29Drive select lever ......................................................... 4-15
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-2
Drive select lever safety system cable, adjusting ........ 8-46
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-4
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................................... 8-22
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-7
Engine trouble warning light .......................................... 4-3
EPS warning light (for EPS model) ................................ 4-3FFinal gear oil ......................................................... 5-3, 8-27
Four-wheel-drive/differential gear lock indicator ............ 4-4
Front and rear brake lever free play, checking ............ 8-50
Fuel ....................................................................... 4-16, 5-3
Fuel tank cap ............................................................... 4-15
Fuses, replacing .......................................................... 8-59HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-7
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-63
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-61
High-range indicator light ............................................... 4-2
Horn switch .................................................................... 4-8IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights and warning lights .................................. 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7
U1HS60E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM