2017 YAMAHA YFZ450R engine coolant

EBU17421
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND
SPECIFICATION LABELS .............................. 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION ................................ 2-1
DESCRIPTION................................................ 3-1Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-2
Controls and instruments............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS ................................................... 4-1 Main switch ................................................. 4-1
Indicator light and warning lights ................ 4-2
Handlebar switches .................................... 4-3
Throttle lever ............................................... 4-4
Speed limiter ............................................... 4-5
Clutch lever ................................................. 4-5
Brake lever .................................................. 4-6
Brake pedal ................................................. 4-6
Parking brake lever ..................................... 4-7
Shift pedal ................................................... 4-8
Fuel tank cap............................................... 4-8
Fuel ............................................................. 4-9 Seat .......................................................... 4-10
Adjusting the front shock absorber
assemblies .............................................. 4-11
Adjusting the rear shock absorber assembly ................................................ 4-16
Handlebar position ................................... 4-24
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS .......................... 5-1 Fuel ............................................................. 5-4
Engine oil .................................................... 5-4
Coolant ....................................................... 5-4
Front and rear brakes ................................. 5-4
Throttle lever ............................................... 5-5
Drive chain .................................................. 5-5
Tires ............................................................ 5-5
Chassis fasteners ....................................... 5-7
Instruments, lights and switches ................ 5-8
OPERATION .................................................. 6-1 Starting the engine ..................................... 6-1
Shifting........................................................ 6-2
Engine break-in........................................... 6-4
Parking........................................................ 6-4
Parking on a slope ...................................... 6-5UBW260E0.book Page 1 Thursday, May 12, 2016 2:28 PM

Accessories and loading ............................. 6-5
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 ............... 7-8
TURNING YOUR ATV................................ 7-11
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL .................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE................................ 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER .................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ............. 7-20
SLIDING AND SKIDDING.......................... 7-20
WHAT TO DO IF... ..................................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO... ......................................... 7-22
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 the cowling and panels...................................................... 8-10 Checking the spark plug........................... 8-13
Engine oil and oil filter element................. 8-14
Coolant ..................................................... 8-20
Cleaning the air filter element ................... 8-21
Cleaning the spark arrester ...................... 8-25
Adjusting the throttle lever free play ......... 8-27
Valve clearance......................................... 8-27
Brakes....................................................... 8-28
Checking the front and rear brake pads... 8-28
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-29
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-30
Checking the front brake lever free play... 8-31
Checking the brake pedal height.............. 8-31
Adjusting the parking brake free play ....... 8-31
Brake light switches ................................. 8-33
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-33
Drive chain slack....................................... 8-35
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-37
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-37
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-38
Checking the shift pedal ........................... 8-39
Checking and lubricating the brake pedal ....................................................... 8-39
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-39
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-40
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2-5
2
4. Once immediate safety hazards are con-
firmed not to exist, you may remove your hel-
met to more closely inspect your vehicle.
Check for external signs of wear, broken
parts, fluid leaks, cracks in the frame, sus-
pension damage, wheel damage, and so on.
Fuel, oil, and coolant usually give off a notice-
able odor.
5. If your vehicle will not restart or if it is unsafe to ride, then turn off all vehicle systems (en-
gine stop switch, main switch, and fuel cock),
and then signal or go for help.
Aftermarket Parts, Accessories, and Modifica-
tions
While you may find aftermarket products similar in
design and quality to genuine Yamaha accesso-
ries, recognize that some aftermarket accessories
or modifications are not suitable because of po-
tential safety hazards to you or others. Installing
aftermarket products or having other modifica-
tions performed to your vehicle that change any of
the vehicle’s design or operation characteristics
can put you and others at greater risk of serious
injury or death. You are responsible for injuries re- lated to changes in the vehicle. Keep the following
guidelines in mind, as well as those provided un-
der “Loading” when mounting accessories.

Never install accessories that would impair the
performance of your ATV. Carefully inspect the
accessory before using it to make sure that it
does not in any way reduce ground clearance,
limit suspension travel, steering travel or control
operation.
 Accessories fitted to the ATV can create insta-
bility due to improper weight distribution.
 Bulky or large accessories may seriously affect
the stability of the ATV.
 Certain accessories can displace the operator
from his or her normal riding position. This im-
proper position limits the freedom of movement
of the operator and may limit control ability,
therefore, such accessories are not recom-
mended.
 Use caution when adding electrical accesso-
ries. If electrical accessories exceed the capac-
ity of the ATV’s electrical system, an electric
failure could result, which could cause a dan-
gerous loss of lights or engine power.
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3-1
3
EBU17681
DESCRIPTION
EBU17691Left view1. Front shock absorber assembly compression damping force adjusting bolt (for fast compression damping)
2. Front shock absorber assembly compression damping force adjusting screw (for slow compression damping)
3. Front shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting nut
4. Engine oil tank filler cap
5. Rear brake fluid reservoir
6. Battery
7. Shift pedal
8. Coolant reservoir
9. Front shock absorber assembly rebound damping force adjusting screw
78
9 5
31
6
4
2
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4-2
4
EBU29383Indicator light and warning lightsEBU17861Neutral indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.
EBU29923Coolant temperature warning light “ ”
This warning light comes on when the engine
overheats. When this occurs, stop the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so and allow it to cool for
10 minutes.
The electrical circuit of the warning light can be
checked by turning the key to “ ” (on). The
warning light should come on for a few seconds,
and then go off.
If the warning light does not come on initially when
the key is turned to “ ” (on), or if the warning
light remains on, have a Yamaha dealer check the
vehicle.NOTICEECB00011The engine may overheat if the ATV is over-
loaded. In this case, reduce the load to spec-
ification.
 Start the engine after making sure that the
warning light is out. Continuous use while
the warning light is on may cause damage to
the engine.
1. Fuel level warning light “ ”
2. Engine trouble warning light “ ”
3. Coolant temperature warning light “ ”
4. Neutral indicator light “N”
12 3 4
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5-1
5
EBU19203
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19226Inspect 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. 4-9, 5-4
Engine oil • Check oil level in engine oil tank, and add recommended oil to
specified level if necessary.
• Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-4, 8-14
Coolant • Check coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to
specified level if necessary.
• Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-4, 8-20
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5-4
5
EBU19542FuelMake sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-9.)EBU19561Engine oilMake sure that the engine oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-14.)EBU19632CoolantMake sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-20.)TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture. EBU19713Front and rear brakesBrake lever and brake pedal
Check that there is no free play in the brake le-
ver. If there is free play, have a Yamaha dealer
check the brake system. 
Check for correct brake pedal height. (See page
8-31.) If the pedal height is incorrect, have a
Yamaha dealer adjust it.
 Check the operation of the lever and pedal.
They should move smoothly and there should
be a firm feeling when the brakes are applied. If
not, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-
tem.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-29.)
Brake fluid leakage
Check to see if any brake fluid is leaking out of the
pipe joints or brake fluid reservoirs. Apply the
brakes firmly for one minute. If there is any leak-
age, have a Yamaha dealer check the brake sys-
tem. Specified brake fluid:
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6-1
6
EBU19882
OPERATION
EBU19902Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV. If there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB00632Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. EBU29954Starting the engineNOTICEECB00151See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time. 1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to “ ” (on) and the engine stopswitch to “ ”.
The following warning lights should come on
for a few seconds, then go off. 
Coolant temperature warning light
 Fuel level warning light
 Engine trouble warning light
NOTICEECB00826To avoid possible damage, do not operate the
ATV if a warning light does not work as de-
scribed above. 3. Shift the transmission into neutral. The neutral
indicator light should come on, if it does not
come on, have a Yamaha dealer check the
electrical circuit.TIPThis model is equipped with an ignition circuit cut-
off system. The engine can be started under the
following conditions.
The transmission is in neutral.
 The clutch is disengaged with the transmission
in gear. However, it is recommended to shift
into neutral before starting the engine. 4. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
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