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5-3
5
EBU19541Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-15.)EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-17.)EBU19590Final gear oil Make sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-21.)EBU19600Differential gear oil Make sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-24.)EBU19631Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-26.)
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.EBU28532Front and rear brakes Brake levers and brake pedal●Check that there is no free play in the front brake
lever. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system.●Check for correct free play in the rear brake lever
and brake pedal. If the free play is incorrect, ad-
just it. (See page 8-41.)●Check operation of the levers and pedal. They
should move smoothly and there should be a
firm feeling when the brake is applied. If not,
have a Yamaha dealer check them.
Brake fluid level (front brake)
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-40.)
Specified brake fluid:DOT 4
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5-4
5Brake fluid leakage (front brake)
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
hose, joint or brake fluid reservoir of the front
brake. Apply the brake firmly for one minute. If the
lever moves slowly inward, there may be a leak in
the brake system. If there is any leakage, the brake
system should be checked by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, check
the brake pads and friction plates for wear. (See
page 8-39.)
EBU19761Throttle lever Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.EBU19814Tires Check tire pressure regularly to make sure it is at
the recommended specifications. Also check for
wear and damage. Tire pressure
Use the low-pressure tire gauge to check and ad-
just tire pressures when the tires are cold. Tire
pressures must be equal on both sides.
WARNING! Operation of this vehicle with im- proper tire pressure may cause severe injury
or death from loss of control or rollover. Tire
pressure below the minimum specified could
also cause the tire to dislodge from the rim un-
der severe riding conditions.
[EWB02541]
Set tire
pressures to the following specifications:
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5
The low-pressure tire gauge is included as stan-
dard equipment. Make two measurements of the
tire pressure and use the second reading. Dust or
dirt in the gauge could cause the first reading to be
incorrect. Tire wear limit
When the tire groove decreases to 3 mm (0.12 in)
due to wear, replace the tire.
Recommended tire pressure:
Fron t25.0 kPa (0.250 kgf/cm², 3.6 psi)
Rear 25.0 kPa (0.250 kgf/cm², 3.6 psi)
Minimum tire pressure: Fron t22.0 kPa (0.220 kgf/cm², 3.2 psi)
Rear 22.0 kPa (0.220 kgf/cm², 3.2 psi)
Maximum tire seating pressure: Fron t250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear 250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
1. Low-pressure tire gauge
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5-6
5Tire information
This ATV is equipped with tubeless tires with
valves.
WARNING
EWB02551Use of improper tires on this ATV may cause
loss of control, increasing your risk of an acci-
dent.After extensive tests, only the tires listed below
have been approved for this model by Yamaha
Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America.1. Tire wear limit
Front:Manufacturer/model:YFM450DE CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450DE MAXXIS/MU13
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PE CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450PE MAXXIS/MU13
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PHE MAXXIS/MU13
Size: AT25 x 8-12
Ty p e : Tu b e l e s s
Rear: Manufacturer/model:YFM450DE CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450DE MAXXIS/MU14
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PE CHENG SHIN/C-828
(AUS)(NZL)
YFM450PE MAXXIS/MU14
(EUR)(FRA)(GBR)
YFM450PHE MAXXIS/MU14
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5-7
5
Aftermarket tires and rims
The tires and rims that came with your ATV were
designed to match the performance capabilities
and to provide the best combination of handling,
braking, and comfort. Other tires, rims, sizes, and
combinations may not be appropriate.
EBU19840Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.EBU19850Instruments, lights and switches Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary. Size:
AT25 x 10-12
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6-1
6
EBU19881
OPERATION
EBU19901Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV. If there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB00631Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury.EBU26545Starting a cold engine NOTICEECB00150See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-5
prior to operating the engine for the first time.1. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
2. Turn the key to “ON” and the engine stopswitch to “ ”. 3. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position. The corresponding indicator
light should come on, if it does not come on,
have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.
TIPThe engine can be started under the following con-
ditions:●The drive select lever is in the neutral or park po-
sition.●The rear brake lever is applied with the drive se-
lect lever in any position. However, it is recom-
mended to shift into the neutral or park position
before starting the engine.4. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-ure:
Position (1):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
below 5 °C (40 °F).
Position (2):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
between 0 °C (30 °F) and 30 °C (90 °F).
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6
Position (3):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
above 25 °C (80 °F).
Ambient temp./starter (choke) position
5. Apply the rear brake lever.
6. Completely close the throttle lever and start the engine by pushing the start switch.
TIPIf the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as short as possible to preserve battery energy. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on each
attempt.
7. If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (1), the starter (choke) should be
returned to position (2) to warm up the engine.
If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (2), keep the starter (choke) in this
position to warm up the engine.
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.TIPThe engine is warm when it responds quickly to the
throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.NOTICEECB00163For maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold!
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
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EBU20291Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,
start the engine with the throttle slightly open.EBU20441Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverse NOTICEECB00170Before shifting, stop the ATV, otherwise the
transmission may be damaged.Shifting: Neutral to High-range and High-range
to Low-range1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift by mov- ing the drive select lever along the shift guide.TIPMake sure that the drive select lever is completely
shifted into position.
3. Release the brake pedal, and then open thethrottle lever gradually.
Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
Park
WARNING
EWB00720Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift into1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
1
2L3H4N5R6P
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