2014 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 tires

7-12
7
Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free
of obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain.
Shift to the park position and follow the instruction
on page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it has
warmed up you are ready to begin riding your ATV.
With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever
into the low-range position or the high-range posi-
tion. Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly.
The centrifugal clutch will engage and you will start
to accelerate. If the throttle is applied too abruptly,
the front wheels may lift off the ground, resulting in
a loss of directional control. Avoid higher speeds
until you are thoroughly familiar with the operation
of your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to lose
traction, reducing control and increasing the possi-
bility of an accident.
NOTICEECB00251Do not shift from low-range to high-range or
vice versa without coming to a complete stop.
Damage to the engine or drive train may occur.TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01771Always follow proper procedures for turning
as described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn.To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside
of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction,
the ATV will resist turning. A special turning tech-
nique must be used to allow the ATV to make turns
quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill be
learned first at low speed.
U2LB60E0.book Page 12 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM

7-18
7
●Shift your weight to the uphill side of the
ATV.●Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning
on any hill.Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.
As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles in
your path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you wish to travel.CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
WARNING
EWB01641Operating this vehicle through deep or fast-
flowing water can lead to loss of control or an
overturn. To reduce your risk of drowning or
other injuries, use care when crossing through
water. Never operate this ATV water deeper
than the depth specified in your Owner’s Man-
ual, as tires may float, increasing the risk of an
overturn.
U2LB60E0.book Page 18 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM

8-6
8
3*Rear brake Check operation and correct if necessary.
Check brake pedal free play and adjust if neces-
sary.
Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and correct if necessary. √√√√√
Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4 *Brake hoses Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√
Replace. Every 4 years
5 *Brake fluid Replace. Every 2 years
6 *Wheels Check runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary. √ √√√
7 *Tires Check tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
Check air pressure and balance, and correct if necessary. √ √√√
8 *Wheel hub bearings Check for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary. √ √√√
9 *V- b e l t Check for wear, cracks or other damage, and re-
place if necessary. √ √√√
10 *Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
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 320U2LB60E0.book Page 6 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM

9-2
9
EBU27261Storage Short-term
Always store your ATV in a cool, dry place and, if
necessary, protect it against dust with a porous
cover. NOTICE: Storing the ATV in a poorly ven-
tilated room or covering it with a tarp while it is
still wet, will allow water and humidity to seep
in and cause rust. To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because of the presence
of ammonia) and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
[ECB00721]
Long-term
Before storing your ATV for several months: 1. Follow all the instructions in the “Cleaning” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer (if available) to prevent the fuel from deteriorat-
ing. 3. Perform the following steps to protect the cyl-
inder, piston rings, etc. from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug cap and spark plug.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil into the spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug cap onto the spark plug, and then place the spark plug on the
cylinder head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit sparking during
the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several times with the starter. (This will coat the cylinder wall with
oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug cap from the spark plug, and then install the spark plug and
the spark plug cap.
4. Lubricate all control cables and the pivoting points of all levers and pedals.
5. Check and, if necessary, correct the tire air pressure, and then block up the ATV so that
all of its wheels are off the ground. Alternative-
ly, turn the wheels a little every month in order
to prevent the tires from becoming degraded
in one spot.
Specified amount:
7.5 ml of stabilizer to each liter of fuel (or 1
oz of stabilizer to each gallon of fuel)U2LB60E0.book Page 2 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM

10-4
10
Tire air pressure (measured on cold tires):Recommended:Front:35.0 kPa (0.350 kgf/cm², 5.0 psi)
Rear: 30.0 kPa (0.300 kgf/cm², 4.4 psi)
Minimum:
Front:32.0 kPa (0.320 kgf/cm², 4.6 psi)
Rear:
27.0 kPa (0.270 kgf/cm², 4.0 psi)Front wheel:Wheel type:Panel wheel
Rim size:
12 x 6.0ATRear wheel:Wheel type:Panel wheel
Rim size:
12 x 7.5ATFront brake:Type:Disc brake
Operation:
Right hand operation
Specified brake fluid: DOT 4Rear brake:Type:
Disc brake Operation:
Left hand and right foot operation
Specified brake fluid: DOT 4
Front suspension:Type:Double wishbone
Spring/shock absorber type: Coil spring/oil damper
Wheel travel:
180 mm (7.1 in)Rear suspension:Type:Double wishbone
Spring/shock absorber type:
Coil spring/gas-oil damper
Wheel travel: 230 mm (9.1 in)Electrical system:Ignition system:
TCI
Charging system: AC magnetoBattery:Model:
YTX20L-BS
Voltage, capacity: 12 V, 18.0 AhHeadlight:Bulb type:
Halogen bulb
U2LB60E0.book Page 4 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM

Light switch .................................................................... 4-8
Low-range indicator light ................................................ 4-2MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................. 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................. 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-1
Multi-function display ..................................................... 4-5NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOn-Command differential gear lock switch .................. 4-10
On-Command four-wheel-drive switch ........................... 4-9
Override switch .............................................................. 4-8
Owner’s manual and tool kit ........................................... 8-2PPanels, removing and installing ................................... 8-10
Park indicator light ......................................................... 4-2
Parking ........................................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-5
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1RRadiator grills, removing .............................................. 8-19
Rear knuckle pivots, lubricating ................................... 8-55
Reverse indicator light ................................................... 4-2
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 2-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-18
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front and rear ............................................................................ 4-21
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-42 Spark plug, checking ................................................... 8-20
Specifications ............................................................... 10-1
Speed limiter ................................................................ 4-13
Stabilizer bushes, checking ......................................... 8-54
Starting the engine ......................................................... 6-1
Start switch .................................................................... 4-8
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-55
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Storage compartments ................................................ 4-18
TTail/brake light bulb, replacing ..................................... 8-63
Throttle lever ......................................................... 4-13, 5-4
Throttle lever free play, adjusting ................................. 8-45
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-66
Troubleshooting charts ................................................ 8-67VValve clearance ........................................................... 8-46
V-belt case drain plug .................................................. 8-44
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-54
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-65
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-64
U2LB60E0.book Page 2 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM