2012 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 engine

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EBU28783
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21674Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lubrication
will keep your vehicle in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Safety is an obligation of
the vehicle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjustment, and lubri-
cation are explained on the following pages.
WARNING
EWB01841Failure to properly maintain the vehicle or per-
forming maintenance activities incorrectly may
increase your risk of injury or death during ser-
vice or while using the vehicle. If you are not fa-
miliar with vehicle service, have a Yamaha
dealer perform the service.
WARNING
EWB02562Turn off the engine when performing mainte-
nance unless otherwise specified.
A running engine has moving parts that can
catch on body parts or clothing and electri-
cal parts that can cause shocks or fires.

Running the engine while servicing can lead
to eye injury, burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning - possibly leading to death. See
page 2-3 for more information about carbon
monoxide.
WARNING
EWB02690Brake discs, calipers, drums, and linings can
become very hot during use. To avoid possible
burns, let brake components cool before
touching them.The intervals given in the periodic maintenance
charts should be considered as a general guide
under normal riding conditions. However, DE-
PENDING ON THE WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEO-
GRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL
USE, THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS MAY
NEED TO BE SHORTENED.
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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

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EBU28671Removing the radiator grills The radiator grills can be removed to access the
radiator for cleaning.
To remove a radiator grill
Remove the quick fastener, pull the radiator grill
outward at the top, and then pull it upward.
To install a radiator grill
Place the radiator grill in its original position, and
then install the quick fastener.
EBU23213Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. Since heat and deposits
will cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug1. Remove the spark plug cap.
1. Radiator grill
2. Quick fastener
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1. Spark plug cap1
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82. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner ’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug 1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
TIPIf the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.2. Check the spark plug for electrode erosionand excessive carbon or other deposits, and
replace it if necessary.
3. Measure the spark plug gap with a wire thick- ness gauge and, if necessary, adjust the gap
to specification.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:NGK/LMAR6A-9
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To install the spark plug
1. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
2. Install the spark plug with the spark plug wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
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.3. Install the spark plug cap.EBU27467Engine 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 level 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap: 0.8 –0.9 mm (0.031– 0.035 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:13 Nm (1.3 m ·kgf, 9.4 ft· lbf)
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TIPIf the engine was started before checking the oil
level, be sure to warm up the engine sufficiently,
and then wait at least 10 minutes until the oil settles
for an accurate reading.3. Remove the access cover by turning it coun-terclockwise.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick, and then wipe it off with a clean rag. 5. Insert the dipstick completely into the oil filler
hole, and then remove it again to check the oil
level.
TIPThe engine oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
1. Access cover
1. Engine oil dipstick
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6. If the engine oil is at or below the minimum
level mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
NOTICE: Be sure the engine oil is at the
correct level, otherwise engine damage
may result.
[ECB00851]
7. Insert the dipstick completely into the oil filler hole.
8. Install the access cover by turning it clock- wise. To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter cartridge replacement)
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the access cover by turning it coun- terclockwise.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the dipstick, and then remove the en- gine oil drain bolt and its gasket to drain the oil
from the crankcase.1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
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TIPSkip steps 5–9 if the oil filter cartridge is not being
replaced.5. Remove panel F. (See page 8-10.)
6. Remove the oil filter cartridge with an oil filter wrench.TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a nearby Yamaha
dealer.7. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to the O-ring ofthe new oil filter cartridge.
TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly seated.8. Install the new oil filter cartridge with an oil fil-ter wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque with a torque wrench.
1. Oil filter cartridge
2. Oil filter wrench
1. O-ring
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