2012 YAMAHA YFZ450 cooling

5-1
5
EBU19201
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19224Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always
follow the inspection and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWB00481Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equip-
ment damage. Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected
by the procedures provided in this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
Fuel 
Check fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
 Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary. 4-8, 5-4
Engine oil 
Check oil level in engine oil tank, and add recommended oil to spec-
ified level if necessary.
 Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-4, 8-14
Coolant 
Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
 Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-4, 8-20
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8-7
8
14*Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
15 *Shock absorber as-
semblies 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary. √√√
16 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points 
Check operation and correct if necessary. √√√√
17 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
18 *Steering system 
Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
 Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
19 *Engine mount 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
20 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter ele-
ment

Replace. √√√
22 Cooling system 
Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
 Replace coolant. Every 2 years
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 320U1PD60E0.book Page 7 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-21
8
3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove the coolant reservoir cap, add
coolant or distilled water to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir cap.
NOTICE: If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water instead. Do
not use hard water or salt water since they
are harmful to the engine. If water has
been used instead of coolant, replace it
with coolant as soon as possible, other-
wise the cooling system will not be pro- tected against frost and corrosion. If water
has been added to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con- tent of the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of the coolant
will be reduced.
[ECB01011]
TIP
The radiator fan is automatically switched on or
off according to the coolant temperature in the
radiator.
If the engine overheats, see page 8-58 for fur-
ther instructions.EBU23564To change the coolant
WARNING
EWB01890Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
3. Coolant reservoir
4. Coolant reservoir cap
1
2 4
3
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark):
0.29 L (0.31 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
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8-23
8
7. After draining the coolant, thoroughly flush the
cooling system with clean tap water.
8. Install the coolant reservoir by installing the bolts.
9. Install the coolant drain bolt and its new gas- ket, and then tighten the bolt to the specified
torque. 10. Pour the recommended coolant into the reser-
voir to the maximum level mark, and then in-
stall the reservoir cap. NOTICE: Mix
antifreeze with distilled water only. Howev-
er, if distilled water is not available, soft
water may be used for refilling. Do not use
hard water or salt water since they are
harmful to the engine.
[ECB00991]
11. Pour the recommended coolant into the radia- tor until it is full.
12. Install the radiator cap, start the engine, let it idle for several minutes, and then turn it off.
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir
3. BoltTightening torque:Coolant drain bolt:10 Nm (1.0 m ·kgf, 7.2 ft· lbf)
1
3
2
Antifreeze/water mixture ratio:1:1
Recommended antifreeze: High-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze con-
taining corrosion inhibitors for aluminum en-
gines
Coolant quantity: Radiator capacity (including all routes):1.30 L (1.37 US qt, 1.14 Imp.qt)
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maxi-
mum level mark): 0.29 L (0.31 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
U1PD60E0.book Page 23 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-24
813. Remove the radiator cap to check the coolant
level in the radiator. If it is low, add sufficient
coolant until it reaches the top of the radiator,
and then install the radiator cap.
14. Start the engine, and then check for coolant leakage.
TIPIf any leakage is found, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cooling system.15. Install the panel.EBU23707Cleaning the air filter element The air filter element should be cleaned at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart. Clean or, if necessary, replace
the air filter element more frequently if you are
riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.TIPThere is a check hose at the bottom of the air filter
case. If dust or water collects in this hose, empty
the hose and clean the air filter element and air fil-
ter case.
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the seat. (See page 4-12.)
3. Remove the air filter case cover by unhookingthe holders.1. Air filter case check hose
1
U1PD60E0.book Page 24 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM

8-58
8Engine overheating
WARNING
EWB02290Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before removing the radiator cap. You could be burned by
hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure. Always put a thick rag over the cap when opening.
Allow any remaining pressure to escape before completely removing the cap.TIPIf coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the rec-
ommended coolant as soon as possible.Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See TIP.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again, have a
Yamaha dealer check and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
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10-2
10
Type:SAE 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40, 15W-40, 20W-40 or 20W-
50
Recommended engine oil grade: API service SG type or higher, JASO standard MA
Engine oil quantity:
Without oil filter element replacement:1.75 L (1.85 US qt, 1.54 Imp.qt)
Quantity in oil tank:
1.55 L (1.64 US qt, 1.36 Imp.qt)
Quantity in crankcase: 0.20 L (0.21 US qt, 0.18 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement: 1.85 L (1.96 US qt, 1.63 Imp.qt)
Quantity in oil tank:
1.55 L (1.64 US qt, 1.36 Imp.qt)
Quantity in crankcase: 0.30 L (0.32 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
Cooling system:Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maximum level mark):0.29 L (0.31 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
Radiator capacity (including all routes):
1.30 L (1.37 US qt, 1.14 Imp.qt)Air filter:Air filter element:Wet elementFuel:Recommended fuel:Premium unleaded gasoline only
Fuel tank capacity: 10.0 L (2.64 US gal, 2.20 Imp.gal)
Fuel reserve amount:
1.9 L (0.50 US gal, 0.42 Imp.gal)Carburetor:Type × quantity:
BSR42 x 1Spark plug (s):Manufacturer/model: NGK/CR8E
Spark plug gap: 0.7 –0.8 mm (0.028 –0.031 in)Clutch:Clutch type:
Wet, multiple-discTransmission:Primary reduction system:
Spur gear
Primary reduction ratio: 62/22 (2.818)
0 10 30 50 70 90 110 130 ˚F
–20 –10 0 10 20 30 40 50 ˚CSAE 5W-30
SAE 10W-30
SAE 10W-40
SAE 15W-40
SAE 20W-40SAE 20W-50
U1PD60E0.book Page 2 Monday, June 13, 2011 2:57 PM