2014 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 wheel

4-11
4
control and have an accident if you cannot
make a sharp enough turn for the speed you
are traveling.
This ATV is equipped with a switch allowing you to
lock the differential gear when in four-wheel drive.
Select the appropriate switch position according to
the terrain and the conditions.●“4WD” (four-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear and front wheels.●“LOCK” (four-wheel drive with the differential
gear locked): Power is supplied to the rear and
front wheels and the differential gear is locked.
Unlike in four-wheel drive, all wheels turn at the
same speed.
To lock the differential gear in four-wheel drive,
make sure the On-Command four-wheel-drive
switch is pushed in to the “4WD” position.
1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
2. On-Command differential gear lock switch “4WD”/“LOCK”
2WD
4WD
1
2
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4-12
4Stop the ATV, move the differential gear lock lever
to position (a), and then push the differential gear
lock switch in to the “LOCK” position. When the dif-
ferential gear is locked, the differential gear lock in-
dicator light “DIFF. LOCK” will come on along with
the indicator “ ” in the multi-function display. To unlock the differential gear, stop the ATV and
push the switch to the “4WD” position.
TIP●When the switch is set to “LOCK” or “4WD”, the
differential gear lock indicator and indicator light
will flash until the differential gear is completely
locked or unlocked.●When the indicator and indicator light are flash-
ing, turning the handlebar back and forth will
help the differential gear lock to engage or disen-
gage.
1. Differential gear lock lever
2. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
2WD
4WD
2
1
(a)
1. On-Command differential gear lock switch “4WD”/“LOCK”
LOCK4WD
1
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4-13
4
●Riding before the differential gear is properly en-
gaged or disengaged (e.g., when the indicator
and indicator light are flashing) will cause the ve-
hicle speed to be limited until the differential gear
is completely engaged or disengaged.●When the ATV is in four-wheel-drive differential
gear lock, the maximum traveling speed is limit-
ed to 35 km/h (22 mi/h). However, if conditions
require full engine power to be available, push
and hold the override switch to disable the differ-
ential gear lock speed limiter. (See page 4-8 for
a detailed explanation of this switch.)EBU18282Throttle lever Once the engine is running, pushing the throttle le-
ver will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the ATV by varying the
throttle position. Because the throttle is spring-
loaded, the ATV will decelerate, and the engine will
return to an idle any time the throttle lever is re-
leased.Before starting the engine, check the throttle to be
sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure it returns
to the idle position as soon as the lever is released.
EBU18323Speed limiter Your ATV is equipped with an adjustable speed
limiter. The speed limiter keeps the throttle from
fully opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum.
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the maximum engine power avail- able and the maximum speed of the ATV, turn
the adjusting screw in direction (a). To de-1. Throttle lever
2WD
4WD
1
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5-2
5
Front brake Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check brake pads for wear , and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-46, 8-47, 8-49
Rear brake Check operation. If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hy-
draulic system.
Check pedal free play, and adjust if necessary.
Check brake pads for wear , and replace if necessary.
Check brake fluid level in reservoir, and add specified brake fluid to specified level if necessary.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-46, 8-47, 8-49,
8-50
Throttle lever Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate cable and lever hous-
ing if necessary.
Check lever free play, and adjust if necessary. 5-4, 8-45
Control cables Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate if necessary. 8-52
Wheels and tires Check wheel condition, and replace if damaged.
Check tire condition and tread depth. Replace if necessary.
Check air pressure. Correct if necessary. 5-4
Brake pedal Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate pedal pivoting point if
necessary. 8-54
Brake levers Make sure that operation is smooth. Lubricate lever pivoting points if
necessary. 8-53
Axle boots Check for cracks or damage, and replace if necessary. 8-52
Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are properly tightened. 5-7
Instruments, lights and
switches Check operation, and correct if necessary. 5-7
ITEM ROUTINE PAGEU2LB60E0.book Page 2 Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:20 AM

6-5
60–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.
160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine freely, but do not use full throttle at any
time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.
NOTICEECB00220If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV.EBU27321Parking When parking the ATV, stop the engine, and shift
the drive select lever into the park position.
EBU29900Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00860Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, place the ATV transversely across the
incline, stop the engine, shift the drive select
lever to the park position, and then block the
front and rear wheels with rocks or other ob-
jects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.1. Bring the ATV to a stop by applying the brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive select lever to the park position.
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7-7
7Drive more slowly than you would without a load.
The more weight you carry, the slower you should
go. Although conditions vary, it is good practice to
drive slowly (shift into first gear or low drive if avail-
able on this model) whenever you are carrying
heavier loads or when towing a trailer. During operation
Always keep your feet on the footboards during op-
eration; otherwise, they may contact the rear
wheels.
WARNING! Removing even one hand
or foot can reduce your ability to control the
ATV or could cause you to lose your balance
and fall off of the ATV. If you remove a foot
from a footboard, your foot or leg may come
into contact with the rear wheels, which could
injure you or cause an accident.
[EWB01471]
Avoid wheelies and jumping. WARNING! At-
tempting wheelies, jumps, and other stunts in-
creases the chance of an accident, including
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of cargo, rider,
accessories, and tongue):220.0 kg (485 lb)
Fro nt c arr i er : 45.0 kg (99 lb)
Rear carrier: 85.0 kg (187 lb)
Front storage compartment: 0.5 kg (1 lb)
Rear storage compartment: 2.0 kg (4 lb)
Trailer hitch: Pulling load (total weight of trailer and car-
go):5880 N (600 kgf, 1322 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 147 N (15 kgf, 33 lbf)
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7-8
7
an overturn. Never attempt stunts, such as
wheelies or jumps. Don’t try to show off.
[EWB01481]Modifications and accessories
Never modify this ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories or other modification. All
parts and accessories added to this ATV should be
genuine Yamaha or equivalent components de-
signed for use on this ATV and should be installed
and used according to instructions. If you have
questions, consult an authorized ATV dealer.
WARNING! Operating this ATV with improper modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01491]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01501●Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
terial accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire. Do not operate, idle, or park
the ATV in dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er. Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.●Someone touching the exhaust system dur-
ing or after operation could be burned. Do
not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV in a place where others might
be likely to touch it.The muffler and other engine parts become ex-
tremely hot during operation and remain hot after
the engine has stopped. To reduce the risk of fire
during operation or after leaving the ATV, do not let
brush, grass and other materials collect under the
vehicle, near the muffler or exhaust pipe, or next to
other hot parts. Check under the vehicle after op-
erating in areas where combustible materials may
have collected. Do not idle or park the vehicle in
long dry grass or other dry ground cover.
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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.
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