2012 YAMAHA RHINO 700 engine

7-37
Become familiar with the way the vehicle feels in
low and high ranges, first in two-wheel drive
“2WD” and then in four-wheel drive “4WD” and
four-wheel drive with the differential locked
“LOCK”. Steering may take more effort in four-
wheel drive with the differential locked “LOCK”.
Also practice driving in reverse.
Take the time to learn basic operation of the vehi-
cle before attempting more difficult maneuvers.
Getting ready to ride
Perform the Pre-Operation Checks on pages 5-1–
5-33. Follow the instructions starting on pages
6-7–6-11 to start the engine.
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7-43
Accelerating
With the engine idling in neutral and your foot on
the brake, shift the drive select lever into low or
high. NOTICE: Do not shift from low to high or
vice versa without coming to a complete stop
and waiting for the engine to return to normal
idle speed – damage to the engine or drive
train may occur. Then release the parking
brake. Press the accelerator pedal slowly and
smoothly. The centrifugal clutch will engage and
the vehicle will begin to accelerate.
Avoid higher speeds and sudden or hard acceler-
ation until you are thoroughly familiar with the op-
eration of your vehicle. Avoid sudden or hard
acceleration in any turn.
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7-45
Braking
When slowing down or stopping, take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal
smoothly. Improper use of the brakes can cause
the tires to lose traction, reducing control of the ve-
hicle and increasing the possibility of an accident.
Braking ability is affected by type of terrain. In most
cases, gradual application of the brakes is more
effective than abrupt braking, particularly on loose
surfaces, such as gravel. Always allow for greater
braking distance on rough, loose, or slippery sur-
faces.
Engine braking
Engine compression braking is designed to assist
you when operating your Rhino off-road. With this
feature, the engine helps slow the vehicle down af-
ter you take your foot off the accelerator. Engine
braking is more noticeable in four-wheel drive. Ap-
plication of vehicle brakes provides additional
stopping power.
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7-47
Leaving the vehicle
Do not get out of the vehicle while the engine is
running and the drive select lever is in any gear.
There is a risk of injury because:

Children or others may accidentally press the
accelerator pedal.


Objects tossed into the vehicle may strike the
accelerator pedal.


The parking brake may not keep the vehicle
from accelerating.
Unwanted vehicle movement can cause serious
injury or death, and it may be dangerous to try to
stop the vehicle.
Parking on a flat area
When parking on a flat area, stop the engine and
shift the drive select lever into the neutral position.
Apply the parking brake to help prevent the vehicle
from rolling.
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Parking on a slope
The parking brake acts only on the rear wheels
when in “2WD”. For the parking brake to take ef-
fect on all four wheels, shift to “LOCK” before stop-
ping the engine.
If you park on a hill that is too steep the vehicle
may roll out of control. Never park on hills that are
so steep you cannot walk up them easily. If you
must park on an incline follow these instructions:
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop by applying the
brake pedal.
2. Put the vehicle in “LOCK”.
3. Turn the key to “OFF”.
4. With the brake pedal applied, set the parking
brake.
5. Block the front and rear wheels with rocks or
other objects.
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7-59
Slow down when you reach the crest of the hill if
you cannot see clearly what is on the other side –
there could be another person, an obstacle, or a
sharp drop-off.
If you start to lose traction or momentum when
climbing, and decide you will be unable to contin-
ue, use the brakes to stop. Do not attempt to turn
the vehicle around. With your foot on the brake
pedal, look behind you and plan your descent.
Shift the drive select lever into reverse so you can
use engine braking to slow your descent. Release
the brake and begin to coast down the hill. Use en-
gine braking as much as possible, gently applying
the brakes when necessary.
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Downhill
Check the terrain carefully before going downhill.
When possible, choose a path that lets you drive
your vehicle straight downhill. Choose your path
carefully and drive slowly enough to be able to re-
act to obstacles that you encounter.
For more traction and control, before going down
steeper and/or rougher slopes, shift into low gear
and select “4WD” or “LOCK”. Engine braking will
help you go downhill slowly. Go as slowly as pos-
sible. If you begin to go too fast, apply the brakes
gently. Avoid hard application of the brakes, which
could cause the vehicle to slide.
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Brush or wooded areas
When operating in areas with brush or trees,
watch carefully on both sides and above the vehi-
cle for obstacles such as branches that the vehicle
might hit, causing an accident. Watch for brush
that might enter the vehicle as you pass and strike
you or the passenger. Never hold onto the cage/
frame. The passenger should always hold onto the
handholds with both hands.
The muffler and other engine parts become ex-
tremely hot during operation and remain hot after
the engine has stopped. To reduce the risk of fire
during operation or after leaving the vehicle, do not
let brush, grass and other materials collect under
the vehicle, near the muffler or exhaust pipe, or
next to other hot parts. Check under the vehicle af-
ter operating in areas where combustible materials
may have collected. Do not idle or park the vehicle
in long dry grass or other dry ground cover.
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