Page 27 of 174

2-5
2
4. Once immediate safety hazards are con-
firmed not to exist, you may remove your hel-
met to more closely inspect your vehicle.
Check for external signs of wear, broken
parts, fluid leaks, cracks in the frame, suspen-
sion damage, wheel damage, and so on. Fuel,
oil, and coolant usually give off a noticeable
odor.
5. If your vehicle will not restart or if it is unsafe to ride, then turn off all vehicle systems (en-
gine stop switch, main switch, and fuel cock),
and then signal or go for help.
Aftermarket Parts, Accessories, and Modifica-
tions
While you may find aftermarket products similar in
design and quality to genuine Yamaha accesso-
ries, recognize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable because of poten-
tial safety hazards to you or others. Installing after-
market products or having other modifications
performed to your vehicle that change any of the
vehicle’s design or operation characteristics can
put you and others at greater risk of serious injury
or death. You are responsible for injuries related to changes in the vehicle. Keep the following guide-
lines in mind, as well as those provided under
“Loading” when mounting accessories.
●Never install accessories that would impair the
performance of your ATV. Carefully inspect the
accessory before using it to make sure that it
does not in any way reduce ground clearance,
limit suspension travel, steering travel or control
operation.●Accessories fitted to the ATV can create instabil-
ity due to improper weight distribution.●Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect
the stability of the ATV.●Certain accessories can displace the operator
from his or her normal riding position. This im-
proper position limits the freedom of movement
of the operator and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are not recom-
mended.●Use caution when adding electrical accessories.
If electrical accessories exceed the capacity of
the ATV’s electrical system, an electric failure
could result, which could cause a dangerous
loss of lights or engine power.
U1HS61E0.book Page 5 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
Page 99 of 174

8-7
8
10*Shock absorber as-
semblies Check operation and correct if necessary.
Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
11 *Stabilizer bushes Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
12 *Rear knuckle pivots Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
13 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
14 *Steering system Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
Check toe-in and adjust if necessary.
√√√√√
15 *Engine mount Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
16 *Axle boots Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√√
17 Engine oil Change.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
18 Engine oil filter car-
tridge Replace.
√√√
19 Differential gear oil Change.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √√
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 320U1HS61E0.book Page 7 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
Page 100 of 174
8-8
8
20 Final gear oil Change.
Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √√
21 Cooling system Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
Replace coolant. Every 2 years
22 *Moving parts and
cables Lubricate.
√√√√
23 *Drive select lever
safety system cable Check operation and adjust or replace if neces-
sary. √√√
24 *Throttle lever Check operation.
Check throttle lever free play, and adjust if neces-
sary.
Lubricate cable and lever housing. √√√√√
25 *Front and rear brake
switches Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√√
26 *Lights and switches Check operation and correct if necessary.
Adjust headlight beams.
√√√√√
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 320U1HS61E0.book Page 8 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
Page 114 of 174

8-22
8To install the spark plug
1. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
2. Install the spark plug with the spark plug wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when installing
the spark plug, a good estimate of the correct
torque is 1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight. However,
the spark plug should be tightened to the specified
torque as soon as possible.3. Install the spark plug cap.EBU27467Engine oil and oil filter cartridge The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap: 0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.035 in)
Tightening torque:Spark plug:13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
U1HS61E0.book Page 22 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
Page 116 of 174
8-24
86. If the engine oil is at or below the minimum
level mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
NOTICE: Be sure the engine oil is at the
correct level, otherwise engine damage
may result.
[ECB00851]
7. Insert the dipstick completely into the oil filler hole.
8. Install the access cover by turning it clock- wise. To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter cartridge replacement)
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the access cover by turning it coun- terclockwise.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
4. Remove the dipstick, and then remove the en- gine oil drain bolt and its gasket to drain the oil
from the crankcase.1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
U1HS61E0.book Page 24 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
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8-27
8
●Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.12. Start the engine, and then let it idle for severalminutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
13. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
14. Install the access cover by turning it clock- wise.EBU27306Final gear oil The final gear case must be checked for oil leak-
age before each ride. If any leakage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer check and repair the ATV. In ad-
dition, the final gear oil level must be checked and
the oil changed as follows at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the final gear oil level1. Place the ATV on a level surface. 2. Remove the final gear oil level check bolt and
its gasket, and then check the oil level in the
final gear case. The oil level should be at the
brim of the check hole.
3. If the oil is below the brim of the check hole, remove the final gear oil filler bolt and its gas-
ket, and then add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
1. Final gear oil
2. Gasket
3. Final gear oil level check bolt
4. Correct oil level
1
243
U1HS61E0.book Page 27 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
Page 120 of 174
8-28
84. Check the gaskets for damage, and replace
them if necessary.
5. Install the oil level check bolt, the oil filler bolt and their gasket, and then tighten the bolts to
the specified torques. To change the final gear oil
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Place an oil pan under the final gear case to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the final gear oil filler bolt, the final gear oil level check bolt, the final gear oil drain
bolt and their gasket to drain the oil from the
final gear case.
4. Install the drain bolt and its new gasket, and then tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
1. Final gear oil filler bolt
2. GasketTightening torques:Final gear oil level check bolt:10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
Final gear oil filler bolt: 23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
1
2
1. Final gear oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
U1HS61E0.book Page 28 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM
Page 121 of 174
![YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 2013 Owners Manual 8-29
8
5. Refill with the recommended final gear oil to
the brim of the check hole as shown. NOTICE:
Be sure no foreign material enters the final
gear case.
[ECB00421]
6. Check the oil level check b YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 2013 Owners Manual 8-29
8
5. Refill with the recommended final gear oil to
the brim of the check hole as shown. NOTICE:
Be sure no foreign material enters the final
gear case.
[ECB00421]
6. Check the oil level check b](/manual-img/51/50411/w960_50411-120.png)
8-29
8
5. Refill with the recommended final gear oil to
the brim of the check hole as shown. NOTICE:
Be sure no foreign material enters the final
gear case.
[ECB00421]
6. Check the oil level check bolt gasket and the oil filler bolt gasket for damage, and replace
them if necessary.
7. Install the oil level check bolt, the oil filler bolt and their gasket, and then tighten the bolts to
the specified torques.
8. Check the final gear case for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, check for the cause.EBU23426Differential gear oil The differential gear case must be checked for oil
leakage before each ride. If any leakage is found,
have a Yamaha dealer check and repair the ATV.
In addition, the differential gear oil level must be
checked and the oil changed as follows at the in-
tervals specified in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
Tightening torque:
Final gear oil drain bolt:23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
1. Final gear oil
2. Gasket
3. Final gear oil level check bolt
4. Correct oil levelRecommended final gear oil: See page 10-1.
1
243
Tightening torques:Final gear oil level check bolt:10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
Final gear oil filler bolt: 23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
U1HS61E0.book Page 29 Wednesday, May 23, 2012 5:24 PM