2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 checking oil

Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ..................................... 6-6
Accessories and loading ............................ 6-7
RIDING YOUR ATV ...................................... 7-1 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV............... 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-18
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER ................................................... 7-19
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-22
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT ............................................... 8-1 Owner’s manual and tool kit ....................... 8-2
Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system ........................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication chart ......................................................... 8-5 Removing and installing the panel ..............8-9
Checking the spark plug ...........................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter element .................8-14
Coolant .....................................................8-20
Cleaning the air filter element ...................8-24
Cleaning the spark arrester ......................8-28
Adjusting the carburetor ............................8-30
Checking the engine idling speed .............8-30
Adjusting the throttle lever free play .........8-31
Valve clearance ........................................8-31
Brakes .......................................................8-32
Checking the front and rear brake pads ...8-32
Checking the brake fluid level ...................8-33
Changing the brake fluid ...........................8-36
Checking the front brake lever free play ...8-36
Checking the brake pedal height ..............8-36
Adjusting the parking brake free play .......8-37
Brake light switches ..................................8-38
Adjusting the clutch lever free play ...........8-39
Drive chain slack .......................................8-41
Lubricating the drive chain ........................8-43
Checking and lubricating the cables .........8-43
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ............................................8-44
Checking the shift pedal ...........................8-45
Checking and lubricating the brake pedal .......................................................8-45
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8-20
8a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.

Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.15. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several
minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
16. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil lev- el and correct it if necessary.
17. Install the engine guard by installing the bolts, and then tighten them to the specified torque.
NOTICE: Be sure to apply LOCTITE
® to the
engine guard bolts before installing them.
[ECB00371] EBU23470
Coolant The coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.EBU27942To check the coolant level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser- voir.TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks.
Tightening torque:Engine guard bolt:7 Nm (0.7 m ·kgf, 5.1 ft ·lbf)
U1PD60E0.book Page 20 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-36
8brake pads for wear and the brake system for leak-
age. If the brake fluid level goes down suddenly,
have a Yamaha dealer check the cause before fur-
ther riding.
EBU24291Changing 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 cali-
pers as well as the brake hoses replaced at the in-
tervals listed below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.
Oil seals: Replace every two years.
Brake hoses: Replace every four years.EBU24394Checking the front brake lever free play The brake lever free play must be checked at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. The brake lever should have no
free play as shown. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
EBU24613Checking the brake pedal height The brake pedal height must be checked and, if
necessary, adjusted at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
The top of the brake pedal should be positioned
11.7 mm (0.46 in) below the top of the footrest as
shown. If the brake pedal is not positioned as spec-
ified, have a Yamaha dealer adjust it.1. No brake lever free play
1
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8-43
8
EBU24882Lubricating the drive chain The drive chain must be cleaned and lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart, otherwise it will quickly wear
out, especially when riding in dusty or wet areas.
Service the drive chain as follows.NOTICEECB00561The drive chain must be lubricated after wash-
ing the ATV or riding in the rain or wet areas.1. Clean the drive chain with kerosene and asmall soft brush. NOTICE: To prevent dam-
aging the O-rings, do not clean the drive
chain with steam cleaners, high-pressure
washers or inappropriate solvents.
[ECB00571]
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 lubricants
for the drive chain, as they may contain
substances that could damage the O-
rings.
[ECB00581]
EBU24902
Checking and lubricating the cables The operation and the condition of all control ca-
bles should be checked before each ride, and the
cables and cable ends should be lubricated if nec-1. O-rings
1
1
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8-44
8essary. If a cable is damaged or does not move
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check or replace
it.
WARNING
EWB02581
Inspect cables frequently and replace if dam-
aged. Corrosion can result when the cable
sheaths become damaged, and cables can
also become frayed or kinked, which could
restrict the operation of controls and lead to
an accident or injury.
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.
EBU24922Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers The operation of the brake and clutch levers
should be checked before each ride, and the lever
pivots should be lubricated if necessary.
Brake lever
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or engine oilRecommended lubricants: Brake lever:Silicone grease
Clutch lever: Lithium-soap-based grease
U1PD60E0.book Page 44 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-7
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-24BBattery .......................................................................... 8-48
Brake and clutch levers, checking and lubricating ....... 8-44
Brake fluid, changing ................................................... 8-36
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-33
Brake lever ..................................................................... 4-5
Brake lever free play, checking the front ...................... 8-36
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-38
Brake pads, checking the front and rear ...................... 8-32
Brake pedal .................................................................... 4-6
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ......................... 8-45
Brake pedal height, checking ....................................... 8-36
Brakes .......................................................................... 8-32
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-4CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-43
Carburetor, adjusting ................................................... 8-30
Chassis fasteners .......................................................... 5-7
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Clutch lever .................................................................... 4-5
Clutch lever free play, adjusting ................................... 8-39
Coolant .................................................................. 5-4, 8-20
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-2DDrive chain ..................................................................... 5-5Drive chain, lubricating ................................................ 8-43
Drive chain slack .......................................................... 8-41
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-5
Engine, cold start ........................................................... 6-1
Engine idling speed ..................................................... 8-30
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-4
Engine oil and oil filter element .................................... 8-14
Engine, starting a warm ................................................. 6-3
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-3FFuel ......................................................................... 4-8, 5-4
Fuel cock ..................................................................... 4-10
Fuel tank cap ................................................................. 4-8
Fuse, replacing ............................................................ 8-50HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-3
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-53
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-51IIdentification numbers .................................................. 11-1
Indicator light and warning light ..................................... 4-2
Instruments, lights and switches .................................... 5-7LLabel locations ............................................................... 1-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-3MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
U1PD60E0.book Page 1 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM