2015 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 maintenance

EBU17171
INTRODUCTION
EBU17293Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha YFM550DF/YFM550PF/YFM550PHF. This ATV repre-
sents the result of many years of Yamaha experience in the production of fine sporting, touring, and pace-
setting racing machines. With the purchase of this Yamaha, you can now appreciate the high degree of
craftsmanship and reliability that have made Yamaha a leader in these fields.
This manual will provide you with a good basic understanding of the features and operation of this ATV.
This manual includes important safety information. It provides information about special techni-
ques and skills necessary to ride the ATV. It also includes basic maintenance and inspection proce-
dures. If you have any questions regarding the operation or maintenance of your ATV, please consult a
Yamaha dealer.
AN IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE:
 Read this manual completely before operating your ATV. Make sure you understand all instructions.
 Pay close attention to the warning and notice labels on the ATV.
 This ATV should not be ridden by anyone under 16 years of age.U2LB61E0.book Page 1 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

Parking ........................................................ 6-5
Parking on a slope ...................................... 6-5
Accessories and loading ............................. 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV ........................................ 7-1 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV ................ 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............... 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV................................ 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL .................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE................................ 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER .................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ............. 7-21
SLIDING AND SKIDDING .......................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO IF... ..................................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO... ......................................... 7-23
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT................................................ 8-1 Owner’s manual and tool kit ....................... 8-2
Periodic maintenance chart for the emission control system ........................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication chart .......................................................... 8-5 Removing and installing panels ................ 8-10
Removing the radiator grills ...................... 8-19
Checking the spark plug........................... 8-20
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ............... 8-22
Final gear oil ............................................. 8-26
Differential gear oil .................................... 8-29
Coolant ..................................................... 8-31
Cleaning the air filter element ................... 8-39
Cleaning the spark arrester ...................... 8-42
V-belt case drain plug............................... 8-44
Adjusting the throttle lever free play ......... 8-45
Valve clearance......................................... 8-46
Adjusting the drive select lever safety
system cable .......................................... 8-46
Brakes....................................................... 8-46
Checking the front and rear brake pads... 8-46
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-47
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-49
Checking the front and rear brake lever free play .................................................. 8-49
Adjusting the brake pedal free play .......... 8-50
Axle boots................................................. 8-52
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-52
Checking and lubricating the front and rear brake levers ..................................... 8-53
Checking and lubricating the brake pedal ....................................................... 8-54
U2LB61E0.book Page 2 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

2-2
2
Never operate at speeds too fast for your skills
or the riding conditions. Always go at a speed
that is proper for the terrain, visibility, operating
conditions, and your experience.
 Never attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.
 Always inspect your ATV each time you use it to
make sure it is in safe operating condition. Al-
ways follow the inspection and maintenance
procedures and schedules described in this
manual.
 Always keep both hands on the handlebars and
both feet on the footboards of the ATV during
operation.
 Always go slowly and be extra careful when op-
erating on unfamiliar terrain. Always be alert to
changing terrain conditions when operating the
ATV.
 Never operate on excessively rough, slippery or
loose terrain until you have learned and prac-
ticed the skills necessary to control the ATV on
such terrain. Always be especially cautious on
these kinds of terrain.
 Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this manual. Practice turning at low
speeds before attempting to turn at faster
speeds and never turn at excessive speeds. 
Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for the
ATV or for your abilities. Practice on smaller hills
before attempting larger hills.
 Always follow proper procedures for climbing
hills as described in this manual. Check the ter-
rain carefully before you start up any hill. Never
climb hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. Shift your weight forward. Never open
the throttle suddenly. Never go over the top of a
hill at high speed.
 Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills and for braking on hills as described
in this manual. Check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill. Shift your weight back-
ward. Never go down a hill at high speed. Avoid
going down a hill at an angle that would cause
the vehicle to lean sharply to one side. Go
straight down the hill where possible.
 Always follow proper procedures for crossing
the side of a hill as described in this manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces. 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
U2LB61E0.book Page 2 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

2-4
2
Never maintain an ATV without proper knowl-
edge. Contact an authorized ATV dealer to in-
form you on basic ATV maintenance. Certain
maintenance can only be carried out by certified
staff.
In the event of an accident 1. If serious injuries are incurred, you may be safer staying next to your vehicle; it may
shield you from oncoming riders. Depending
on your injuries and position in the trail; you
must make a judgment call as to whether you
should move to a position off the trail. If you
have sustained head, neck, or back injuries,
or cannot feel your limbs, you should not
move. Keep your helmet on and remain mo-
tionless. Lie down next to your vehicle and
wait for help.
2. If less serious injuries are incurred and you can walk, then move to a position off the trail.
Check yourself for injuries and apply first aid
as needed.
3. If your injuries are light, when safe to do so, move your vehicle off the trail to avoid colli-
sions with oncoming riders. Check for injuries
and apply first aid as necessary. If you can
physically operate your vehicle, inspect your vehicle. If the vehicle is in safe operating con-
dition and you can safely operate it, restart it
and ride gently back to camp or other known
location where you can receive medical at-
tention. If necessary, contact your riding party
or local authorities to let them know where
you are and what has happened.
In the event of a breakdown 1. If your vehicle will not restart or is not in safe operating condition, turn off the main switch
and engine stop switch. If the breakdown oc-
curs at twilight or night, leave the main switch
on so that your lights may warn other riders of
your stopped vehicle.
2. Get out of danger. Check for oncoming vehi- cles and when safe, push your vehicle to the
side of the trail or even off the main trail to
avoid any possible collisions with oncoming
riders. If you cannot move your vehicle by
yourself, when safe, walk to the nearest van-
tage point and signal an oncoming rider to
help you push your vehicle to a safe place off
the trail.
3. Inspect your vehicle for any immediate haz- ardous conditions. The most obvious hazard-
ous conditions are leaking fuel and
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4-18
4Your Yamaha engine has been designed to use
regular unleaded gasoline with a research octane
number of 91 or higher (95 or higher for Europe). If
knocking (or pinging) occurs, use a gasoline of a
different brand. Use of unleaded fuel will extend
spark plug life and reduce maintenance costs.
EBU18882SeatTo remove the seat
Pull the seat lock lever upward and pull up the seat
at the rear. To install the seat
Insert the projections on the front of the seat into
the seat holders and push down on the seat at the
rear. Make sure that the seat is securely fitted.
EBU27363Storage compartmentsThis ATV is equipped with two storage compart-
ments.
1. Seat
2. Seat lock lever
1. Projection
2. Seat holder
U2LB61E0.book Page 18 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

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
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8
EBU28784
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21675Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lubrication
will keep your vehicle in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Safety is an obligation of
the vehicle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjustment, and lu-
brication are explained on the following pages.
WARNING
EWB01842Failure to properly maintain the vehicle or per-
forming maintenance activities incorrectly may
increase your risk of injury or death during ser-
vice or while using the vehicle. If you are not fa-
miliar with vehicle service, have a Yamaha
dealer perform the service.
WARNING
EWB02563Turn off the engine when performing mainte-
nance unless otherwise specified.
A running engine has moving parts that can
catch on body parts or clothing and electri-
cal parts that can cause shocks or fires. 
Running the engine while servicing can lead
to eye injury, burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning - possibly leading to death. See
page 2-6 for more information about carbon
monoxide.

WARNING
EWB02691Brake discs, calipers, drums, and linings can
become very hot during use. To avoid possible
burns, let brake components cool before
touching them. The intervals given in the periodic maintenance
charts should be considered as a general guide
under normal riding conditions. However, DE-
PENDING ON THE WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEO-
GRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL USE,
THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS MAY NEED TO
BE SHORTENED.
U2LB61E0.book Page 1 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM

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8
EBU27112Owner’s manual and tool kitBe sure to put this owner’s manual in the plastic
bag and to always carry it as well as the owner’s
tool kit and the low-pressure tire gauge in their re-
spective compartments under the seat.
The service information included in this manual
and the tools provided in the owner’s tool kit are
intended to assist you in the performance of pre-
ventive maintenance and minor repairs. However,additional tools such as a torque wrench may be
necessary to perform certain maintenance work
correctly.
TIPIf you do not have the tools or experience required
for a particular job, have a Yamaha dealer perform
it for you.
1. Owner’s manual
2. Low-pressure tire gauge
3. Owner’s tool kitU2LB61E0.book Page 2 Friday, February 21, 2014 3:03 PM