2012 YAMAHA XJ6-S check oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
6
EAU39372
Checking the brake fluid level Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark.
Check the brake fluid level with the top
of the reservoir level. Replenish the
brake fluid if necessary.
Front brakeRear brake
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
behind panel A. (See page 6-8.)
WARNING
EWA15990
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of braking ability. Observe
these precautions:●
Insufficient brake fluid may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, reducing braking
performance.
●
Clean the filler cap before re-
moving. Use only DOT 4 brake
fluid from a sealed container.
●
Use only the specified brake flu-
id; otherwise, the rubber seals
may deteriorate, causing leak-
age.
●
Refill with the same type of
brake fluid. Adding a brake fluid
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
●
Be careful that water does not
enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of
the fluid and may result in vapor
lock.
NOTICE
ECA17640
Brake fluid may damage painted sur-
faces or plastic parts. Always clean
up spilled fluid immediately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake sys-
tem leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level markSpecified brake fluid:
DOT 4
1
U1PWEAE0.book Page 26 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6
brake system for leakage. If the brake
fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before further riding.
EAU22731
Changing the brake fluid Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake fluid at the intervals specified in
the TIP after the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have
the oil seals of the master cylinders and
calipers as well as the brake hoses re-
placed at the intervals listed below or
whenever they are damaged or leak-
ing.●
Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
●
Brake hoses: Replace every four
years.
EAU22760
Drive chain slack The drive chain slack should be
checked before each ride and adjusted
if necessary.
EAU22794
To check the drive chain slack 1. Place the motorcycle on the cen- terstand.
2. Shift the transmission into the neu- tral position.
3. Measure the drive chain slack as shown.
4. If the drive chain slack is incorrect, adjust it as follows.1. Drive chain slack
Drive chain slack:45.0–55.0 mm (1.77–2.17 in)
1
U1PWEAE0.book Page 27 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-29
6
EAU23025
Cleaning and lubricating the
drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and
lubricated at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or
wet areas. Service the drive chain as
follows.NOTICE
ECA10583
The drive chain must be lubricated
after washing the motorcycle, riding
in the rain or riding in wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kero-sene and a small soft brush.
NOTICE: To prevent damaging
the O-rings, do not clean the
drive chain with steam cleaners,
high-pressure washers or inap-
propriate solvents.
[ECA11121]
2. Wipe the drive chain dry.
3. Thoroughly lubricate the drive chain with a special O-ring chain
lubricant. NOTICE: Do not use
engine oil or any other lubri-
cants for the drive chain, as they may contain substances that
could damage the O-rings.
[ECA11111]
EAU23095
Checking and lubricating the
cables The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING! Damage to the outer
housing of cables may result in in-
ternal rusting and cause interfer-
ence with cable movement. Replace
damaged cables as soon as possi-
ble to prevent unsafe conditions.[EWA10711]
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or
engine oil
U1PWEAE0.book Page 29 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-32
6
EAUM1652
Lubricating the swingarm piv-
ots The swingarm pivots must be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23272
Checking the front fork The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.
[EWA10751]
2. While applying the front brake, push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
U1PWEAE0.book Page 32 Tuesday, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-4
7
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to pro- tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug caps and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto the spark plugs, and then place
the spark plugs on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
WARNING! To prevent dam- age or injury from sparking,
make sure to ground the
spark plug electrodes while
turning the engine over.
[EWA10951]
e. Remove the spark plug caps from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct the tire air pressure, and then lift
the motorcycle so that both of its
wheels are off the ground. Alterna-
tively, turn the wheels a little every
month in order to prevent the tires
from becoming degraded in one
spot.
6. Cover the muffler outlet with a plastic bag to prevent moisture
from entering it.
7. Remove the battery and fully charge it. Store it in a cool, dry
place and charge it once a month.
Do not store the battery in an ex-
cessively cold or warm place [less
than 0 °C (30 °F) or more than 30
°C (90 °F)]. For more information
on storing the battery, see page
6-34.
TIPMake any necessary repairs before
storing the motorcycle.
U1PWEAE0.book Page 4 Tuesda y, February 7, 2012 4:21 PM

INDEXAABS ....................................................... 3-15
ABS warning light.................................... 3-7
Air filter element, replacing ................... 6-18
Anti-theft alarm (optional)...................... 3-11
Auxiliary light bulb ................................. 6-40BBattery................................................... 6-34
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ..................... 6-31
Brake and shift pedals, checking and lubricating ..................... 6-30
Brake fluid, changing ............................ 6-27
Brake fluid level, checking .................... 6-26
Brake lever ............................................ 3-14
Brake lever free play, checking ............. 6-24
Brake light switches .............................. 6-25
Brake pedal ........................................... 3-14CCables, checking and lubricating .......... 6-29
Care ........................................................ 7-1
Carrier ................................................... 3-22
Catalytic converter ................................ 3-18
Centerstand and sidestand, checking and lubricating ..................... 6-31
Clutch lever ........................................... 3-13
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ............ 6-23
Coolant.................................................. 6-14
Coolant temperature warning light .......... 3-4
Cowlings and panels, removing and installing ......................... 6-8DDimmer switch ...................................... 3-12
Drive chain, cleaning and lubricating .... 6-29 Drive chain slack .................................. 6-27
EEngine break-in ...................................... 5-3
Engine guards and
rear guards,
checking ............................................. 6-43
Engine idling speed .............................. 6-19
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ........... 6-11
Engine stop switch................................ 3-12
Engine trouble warning light ................... 3-7FFront and rear brake pads, checking .... 6-25
Front fork, checking .............................. 6-32
Fuel....................................................... 3-16
Fuel consumption, tips for reducing........ 5-3
Fuel tank breather hose and
overflow hose ..................................... 3-17
Fuel tank cap ........................................ 3-16
Fuses, replacing ................................... 6-35HHandlebar switches .............................. 3-12
Hazard switch ....................................... 3-13
Headlight bulb, replacing ...................... 6-37
High beam indicator light ........................ 3-4
Horn switch ........................................... 3-12IIdentification numbers ............................ 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ................ 3-23
Immobilizer system ................................. 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light........... 3-7
Indicator lights and warning lights .......... 3-4LLicense plate light bulb, replacing ........ 6-39MMain switch/steering lock........................ 3-2 Maintenance and lubrication, periodic..... 6-4
Maintenance, emission control system ... 6-3
Matte color, caution ................................. 7-1
Model label .............................................. 9-1
Multi-function meter unit .......................... 3-8
NNeutral indicator light .............................. 3-4OOil level warning light .............................. 3-4PParking .................................................... 5-4
Part locations .......................................... 2-1
Pass switch ........................................... 3-12
Patrol switch .......................................... 3-13RRear view mirrors .................................. 3-19SSafety information ................................... 1-1
Seat ....................................................... 3-18
Shifting .................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................. 3-14
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting .... 3-21
Sidecases.............................................. 3-20
Sidestand .............................................. 3-22
Siren switch ........................................... 3-13
Spark plugs, checking ........................... 6-10
Specifications .......................................... 8-1
Starting the engine .................................. 5-1
Start switch............................................ 3-12
Steering, checking................................. 6-33
Storage.................................................... 7-3
Swingarm pivots, lubricating ................. 6-32TTail/brake light bulb, replacing .............. 6-38
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