2015 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 differential

4-11
4
expectedly. This could distract the operator
and increase the risk of losing control and
causing an accident.

WARNING
EWB00141Always ride at a slow speed when the ATV is in
differential gear lock, and allow extra time and
distance for maneuvers.
All wheels turn at the same speed when the dif-
ferential gear is locked, so it takes more effort
to turn the ATV. The effort needed to turn in-
creases with the riding speed. You may lose
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
U2LB61E0.book Page 11 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

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
differential gear is locked, the differential gear lock
indicator light “DIFF. LOCK” will come on along
with the indicator “ ” in the multi-function dis-
play. 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 dis-
engage.
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
vehicle 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 dif-
ferential gear lock speed limiter. (See page 4-8
for a detailed explanation of this switch.)
EBU18283Throttle leverOnce 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.
EBU18324Speed limiterYour 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 available and the maximum speed of the ATV,
turn the adjusting screw in direction (a). To1. Throttle lever
2WD
4WD
1
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5-1
5
EBU19202
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19225Inspect 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
EWB00482Failure 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:
ITEMROUTINE PAGE
Fuel • Check fuel level in fuel tank,
and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
• Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary. 4-16, 5-3
Engine oil • Check oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified
level if necessary.
• Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-22
Final gear oil • Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-26
Differential gear oil • Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-29
Coolant • Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
• Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-31
U2LB61E0.book Page 1 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

5-3
5
EBU19542FuelMake sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-16.)EBU19561Engine oilMake sure that the engine oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-22.)EBU19591Final gear oilMake sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-26.)EBU19601Differential gear oilMake sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-29.)EBU19632CoolantMake sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-31.)
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture. EBU29083Front and rear brakesBrake levers and brake pedal
Check that there is no free play in the front and
rear brake levers. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.
 Check for correct free play in the brake pedal. If
the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See page
8-50.)
 Check the operation of the brake levers and
pedal. They should move smoothly and there
should be a firm feeling when the brakes are ap-
plied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-47.)
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8-7
8
11*Shock absorber as-
semblies • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
12 *Stabilizer bushes • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
13 *Rear knuckle pivots • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
14 *Steering shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
15 *Steering system • Check operation and repair or replace if dam-
aged.
• Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
16 *Engine mount • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
17 *Axle boots • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√√
18 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
19 Engine oil filter car-
tridge • Replace.
√√√
20 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 320U2LB61E0.book Page 7 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

8-29
8
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.
EBU23427Differential gear oilThe 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. To check the differential gear oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the differential gear oil filler bolt and its gasket, and then check the oil level in the
differential gear case. The oil level should be
at the brim of the filler hole.
3. If the oil is below the brim of the filler hole, add sufficient oil of the recommended type to
raise it to the correct level.
4. Check the gasket for damage, and replace it if necessary.
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)
1. Differential gear oil filler bolt
2. Gasket
3. Differential gear oil
4. Correct oil level
1
2
3
4
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8-30
85. Install the oil filler bolt and its gasket, and then
tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
To change the differential gear oil 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Place an oil pan under the differential gear case to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the differential gear oil filler bolt, the differential gear oil drain bolt and their gasket
to drain the oil from the differential gear case. 4. Install the drain bolt and its new gasket, and
then tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
5. Refill with the recommended differential gear oil to the brim of the filler hole as shown.
NOTICE: Be sure no foreign material en-
ters the differential gear case.
[ECB00412]
Tightening torque: Differential gear oil filler bolt:23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)1. Differential gear oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
Tightening torque:Differential gear oil drain bolt:9.8 Nm (0.98 m·kgf, 7.1 ft·lbf)1. Differential gear oil filler bolt
2. Gasket
3. Differential gear oil
4. Correct oil level
1
2
3
4
U2LB61E0.book Page 30 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM