2016 YAMAHA WOLVERINE Owners Manual

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EBU31921On-Command drive knobThe vehicle handles differently in each of the drive modes (“2WD”, “4WD” and “DIFF LOCK”). For
example, the vehicle requires more effort to turn in “DIFF LOCK” than in “2WD”. Always stop the
vehicle before changing the position of the On -Command drive knob. The meter display changes
according to the selected drive mode. The different drive indicators, and the differential gear lock
indicator light “DIFF. LOCK” come on as follows:
Knob position Indication Drive mode
No indicator light.
“2WD” (two-wheel drive): Power is supplied to the rear
wheels.
“4WD” (four-wheel drive): Power is supplied to the rear and
front wheels.
“DIFF 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.
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TIPWhen the knob is set to “DIFF LOCK” or “4WD”, the differential gear lock indicator and indica-
tor light will flash until the differential gear is completely locked or unlocked.
 When the indicator and indicator light are flas hing, turning the steering wheel back and forth
will help the differential gear lock to engage or disengage.
 Riding before the differential gear is properly engaged 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. UBN57AE0.book Page 6 Tuesday, November 24, 2015 1:42 PM

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EBU31930ParkingWhen parking, stop the engine and shift the
drive select lever into the neutral position. Ap-
ply the parking brake to help prevent the ve-
hicle from rolling. See page 7-16 for more
information on parking and parking on a
slope.EBU33531LoadingTake extra precautions when driving with a
load or trailer. Follow these instructions and
always use common sense and good judg-
ment when carrying cargo or towing a trailer.
Prepare your load or trailer
WARNING
EWB03310Improper loading or towing can increase
the risk of loss of control, an overturn, or
other accident:
Do not exceed the Maximum Loading
Limits for the vehicle (see “MAXIMUM
LOADING LIMIT” in this section and ve-
hicle labeling).
 Keep weight in the cargo bed centered
side to side, and as low and as far for-
ward as possible. Top-heavy loads in-
crease the risk of overturn. Be sure
cargo is secured – a loose load could
change handling unexpectedly or strike
occupants.
 Do not exceed the maximum tongue
weight.
 Make sure the load does not interfere
with your control or ability to see where
you are going.
 Tie down cargo in the trailer securely.
Make sure cargo in the trailer cannot
move around. A shifting load can cause
an accident.
Use the hooks equipped on the cargo bed to
tie down loads.
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Choose a trailer hitch drawbar designed for
use with a 5 cm (2 in) receiver. (See page 4-33
for more information.)
You can measure tongue weight with a bath-
room scale. Put the tongue of the loaded trail-
er on the scale with the tongue at hitch height.
Adjust the load in the trailer, if necessary, to
reduce the weight on hitch. If you are carrying
cargo and towing a trailer, include the tongue
weight in the maximum vehicle load limit.Operating when loaded with cargo or tow-
ing a trailer
Drive 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 keep the vehicle in low gear
whenever you are carrying heavier loads or
when towing a trailer.
WARNING
EWB03320Carrying loads or towing a trailer can in-
crease the risk of loss of control, an over-
turn, or other accident. To reduce the risk
of an accident:

Reduce speed, operate in low gear only,
and allow more room to stop. A heavier
vehicle takes longer to stop.
 Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose
terrain carefully. Use extreme caution
when towing or carrying a load on in-
clines.
 Turn gradually and go slowly.
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
Vehicle loading limit (total weight of cargo,
operator, passenger and accessories and
tongue weight): 327.0 kg (721 lb)
Cargo bed: 136.0 kg (300 lb)
Trailer hitch:Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 6664 N (680 kgf, 1500 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf)
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Pulling something other than a trailer
Yamaha recommends that loads be trans-
ported in the bed or in a trailer. If you need to
move an object a short distance use a winch
and follow the winch manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
If you choose to use something other than a
winch use extreme caution, follow the manu-
facturer’s instructions for that product, and
only attach to the hitch or hitch bracket of the
Wolverine. WARNING! Improperly pulling
can cause serious injury or death. Never
exceed the pulling load limit of the
Wolverine. Avoid pulling on inclines.
[EWB03330]
Pulling objects on the ground can be more
hazardous than pulling a trailer. It may be dif-
ficult to predict how the load will affect vehicle
operation. That effect could also change de-
pending upon terrain or what obstacles might
be in the object’s path.UBN57AE0.book Page 9 Tuesday, November 24, 2015 1:42 PM

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EBU31950
BASIC GUIDE FOR SAFE USE
EBU31960As a Wolverine owner you are responsible for
the safe and proper operation of this vehicle.
Read this chapter and review the safety in-
structions in Chapter 2 before operating the
vehicle. Use these chapters and the labels on
the vehicle to instruct new operators and pas-
sengers. Do not allow anyone else to operate
the vehicle or ride as a passenger if you are
unsure that he/she is willing and able to follow
these instructions.
WARNING
EWB03340Follow these instructions to reduce your
risk of an accident and to reduce the risk
of serious injury or death in the event of an
accident.
EBU33510KNOW YOUR VEHICLEThis off-road vehicle will handle and maneu-
ver differently from cars, ATVs, go-carts, golf-
cars and grounds-keeping vehicles. The
Wolverine has higher ground clearance and other features to handle rugged terrain, and,
as a result, can overturn in situations where
some vehicles may not. This would include
vehicles made primarily for pavement, roads,
improved paths, or grounds-keeping. If you
do not use care in maneuvering the
Wolverine, you can cause it to roll over even on flat, open areas.
Doing things with a Wolverine that some peo-
ple do for thrills in other vehicles (such as
sideways sliding, skidding, back-wheel slid-
ing, or donuts) have led to side rollovers.
These rollovers can resu lt in crushed limbs
and other serious injuries or death to drivers
or passengers.
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As the owner/operator, it is your responsibility
to protect yourself and your passenger from
accidents, including rollovers. The Wolverine
has many features, including a protective
structure and seat belts, to help protect occu-
pants, but the best way to avoid injuries is to
avoid accidents. There is a risk of injury or
death in any accident, even with these safety
features.
Driver requirements
This vehicle is intended for use only by an
operator 16 or older with a valid motor ve-
hicle license. Check country laws for mini-
mum age requirements. 
The driver must be able to place both feet
flat on the floorboard while seated upright
with his/her back against the backrest.
 Do not drive after using drugs or alcohol.
 Remove the ignition key when the vehicle is
not in use to prevent unauthorized use of
the machine.
Parents:
Many countries have implemented new mo-
tor vehicle licensing requirements for young
drivers. These requirements are in response
to the disproportionately high rate of crashes
involving youthful drivers. As with automo-
DRIVER
UNDER
16
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biles, to promote safe driving behaviors, you
should supervise younger drivers and consid-
er setting rules and putting limits on how,
when, and where the Wolverine can be used.
Passenger requirements
This vehicle is designed for the operator and
one passenger. Allowing passengers to ride
improperly can lead to serious injury or death.
As the operator, you are responsible for your
passenger.
Your passenger must be able to place both
feet on the floorboard while seated upright
with his/her back against the backrest.
 Your passenger must be able to reach and
hold the passenger handhold.
 Allow only one passenger in the vehicle and
only in the designated passenger seat. Do
not carry any other passengers. Do not car-
ry passengers in the cargo bed.
 Do not allow someone to ride as a passen-
ger who has been using drugs or alcohol. 
Do not allow children who need child safety
seats or booster seats in the Wolverine. The
seat belt is not designed to restrain auto-
motive child safety seats.
Occupant protection system
WARNING
EWB03350Do not make changes to the occupant pro-
tection system. If you install aftermarket
products or have your vehicle modified,
you may put yourself and others at greater
risk of serious injury or death. You are re-
sponsible for any such changes to the ve-
hicle.
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