2012 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 tires

EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS ............................ 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION .............................. 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1 Main switch ................................................ 4-1
Indicator lights and warning lights .............. 4-2
Multi-function display .................................. 4-5
Handlebar switches .................................... 4-7
Throttle lever ............................................ 4-13
Speed limiter ............................................ 4-13
Front brake lever ...................................... 4-14
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ............. 4-14
Drive select lever ...................................... 4-15
Fuel tank cap ............................................ 4-15
Fuel .......................................................... 4-16
Seat .......................................................... 4-18 Storage compartments .............................4-18
Front carrier ..............................................4-21
Rear carrier ...............................................4-21
Adjusting the front and rear shock
absorber assemblies ...............................4-21
Auxiliary DC jack .......................................4-23
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1 Fuel .............................................................5-3
Engine oil ....................................................5-3
Final gear oil ...............................................5-3
Differential gear oil ......................................5-3
Coolant .......................................................5-3
Front and rear brakes .................................5-3
Throttle lever ...............................................5-4
Tires ............................................................5-4
Chassis fasteners .......................................5-7
Instruments, lights and switches .................5-7
OPERATION...................................................6-1 Starting the engine ......................................6-1
Operating the drive select lever and driving in reverse ......................................6-2
Engine break-in ...........................................6-4U1HS60E0.book Page 1 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

1-6
1
**.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²*.* psi **.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²
*.* psi
NEVER use with drugs or alcohol.
NEVER store fuel or flammable liquids.
This unit contains high-pressure nitrogen
gas.
Mishandling can cause an explosion. Do not
incinerate, puncture or open.
Use unleaded gasoline only.
Measure the tire pressure when the tires are
cold. Adjust the tire pressure.
Improper tire pressure can cause loss of
control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
Turning the ATV in 4WD-LOCK
(“DIFF.LOCK”) takes more effort.
Operate at a slow speed and allow extra
time and distance for maneuvers to avoid
loss of control.
This pictogram shows the loading limits
and/or maximum load capacity for this ATV.
Follow all load limits and other loading
guidelines in this manual.
Load may include the driver, passenger,
human protective gear, accessories, goods,
luggage, and all other load related items.
Make sure you do not exceed the load limits.
Overloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
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1-10
1
37S-F151F-00
Recommended
Minimum: FRONT
REAR
: FRONT
REAR: 35 kPa, (5.0 psi)
: 30 kPa, (4.4 psi)
: 32 kPa, (4.6 psi)
: 27 kPa, (4.0 psi)Never set tire pressure below minimum. It could cause
the tire to dislodge from the rim.Cargo or a trailer can affect stability and handling.
Read owner’
s manual before loading or towing.
When riding with cargo or towing a trailer : Reduce speed
and allow more room to stop. Avoid hills and rough terrain.
Maximum Vehicle Load : 220 kg, (485 lbs)
Includes weight of operator, cargo and accessories
(and if applicable, trailer tongue weight).
WARNING
1HP-F816M-00
YAMAHAIMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE OR OVERLOADING CAN
CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.
LOSS OF CONTROL CAN RESULT IN SEVERE
INJURY OR DEATH.OPERATING TIRE PRESSURE : Set with tires coldLOADING/TRAILER TOWING
WARNINGUNDER
16
Operating this ATV if you are under
the age of 16 increases your chance
of severe injury or death.
NEVER operate this ATV if you are
under age 16.
1P0-F816L-00
YAMAHA
67
8
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2-3
2steady speed when climbing a hill. If you stall or
roll backwards, follow the special procedure for
braking described in this manual. Dismount on
the uphill side or to a side if pointed straight up-
hill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in this manual.

Always check for obstacles before operating in a
new area.
Never attempt to operate over large obstacles,
such as large rocks or fallen trees. Always follow
proper procedures when operating over obsta-
cles as described in this manual.
Always be careful when skidding or sliding.
Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level, smooth
terrain. On extremely slippery surfaces, such as
ice, go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of con-
trol.
Never operate an ATV in fast flowing water or in
water deeper than that recommended in this
manual. Remember that wet brakes may have
reduced stopping ability. Test your brakes after
leaving water. If necessary, apply them several
times to let friction dry out the linings.

Always be sure there are no obstacles or people
behind you when you operate in reverse. When
it is safe to proceed in reverse, go slowly.
Always use the size and type of tires specified in
this manual.
Always maintain proper tire pressure as de-
scribed in this manual.
Never modify an ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories.
Never exceed the stated load capacity for an
ATV. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed and follow in-
structions in this manual for carrying cargo or
pulling a trailer. Allow greater distance for brak-
ing.
WARNING
EWB00072Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide,
a deadly gas. Breathing carbon monoxide can
cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nau-
sea, confusion, and eventually death.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas which may be present even if you
do not see or smell any engine exhaust. Deadly
levels of carbon monoxide can collect rapidly
U1HS60E0.book Page 3 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

5-2
5
Front brake
Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
 Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
 Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to
specified level if necessary.
 Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-46, 8-48, 8-50
Rear brake 
Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
 Check pedal free play, and adjust if necessary.
 Check brake pads for wear, and replace if necessary.
 Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to
specified level if necessary.
 Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-46, 8-48, 8-50,
8-50
Throttle lever 
Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
 Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary. 5-4, 8-45
Control cables Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-53
Wheels and tires 
Check wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
 Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
 Check air pressure. Correct if necessary. 5-4
Brake pedal 
Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point if
necessary. 8-54
Brake levers 
Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary. 8-53
Axle boots Check for cracks or damage, and replace if necessary. 8-52
Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-7
Instruments, lights and
switches 
Check operation, and correct if necessary. 5-7
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
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5-4
5
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If a lever moves slow-
ly inward, there may be a leak in the brake system.
If there is any leakage, the brake system should be
checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brake pads for wear. (See page 8-46.)
EBU19761Throttle lever Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.
EBU19814Tires Check tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage.
Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im- proper tire pressure may cause severe injury
or death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02541]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications:
Specified brake fluid:
DOT 4
U1HS60E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

5-6
5
Tire information
This ATV is equipped with tubeless tires with
valves.
WARNING
EWB02551Use of improper tires on this ATV may cause
loss of control, increasing your risk of an acci-
dent.After extensive tests, only the tires listed below
have been approved for this model by Yamaha
Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America.1. Tire wear limit
Fro nt: Manufacturer/model:YFM550FAB CHENG SHIN/C828
YFM550FADB CHENG SHIN/C828
YFM5FGPB MAXXIS/MU19
YFM5FGPHB MAXXIS/MU19
Size: AT25 x 8-12
Type: Tu b e l e s s
Rear: Manufacturer/model:YFM550FAB CHENG SHIN/C828
YFM550FADB CHENG SHIN/C828
YFM5FGPB MAXXIS/MU20
YFM5FGPHB MAXXIS/MU20
Size: AT25 x 10-12
Type: Tu b e l e s s
U1HS60E0.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

5-7
5Aftermarket tires and rims
The tires and rims that came with your ATV were
designed to match the performance capabilities
and to provide the best combination of handling,
braking, and comfort. Other tires, rims, sizes, and
combinations may not be appropriate.
EBU19840Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.EBU19850Instruments, lights and switches Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.U1HS60E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM