2018 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 Owners Manual

7-21
7
accident. Be sure to keep your feet firmly mounted
on the footboards at all times. Avoid jumping the
ATV as loss of control and damage to the ATV may
result.
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
WARNING
EWB01663Skidding or sliding improperly may cause you
to lose control of this ATV. You may also regain
traction unexpectedly, which may cause the
ATV to overturn.

Learn to safely control skidding or sliding by
practicing at low speeds and on level,
smooth terrain.
 On extremely slippery surfaces, such as ice,
go slowly and be very cautious in order to re-
duce the chance of skidding or sliding out of
control. Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident. To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to
slide in loose or slippery conditions, positioning
your weight over the front wheels will sometimes
help.
If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.UBB560E0.book Page 21 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

7-22
7With practice, over a period of time, skill at con-
trolled sliding can be developed. The terrain
should be chosen carefully before attempting
such maneuvers, since both stability and control
are reduced. Bear in mind that sliding maneuvers
should always be avoided on extremely slippery
surfaces such as ice, since all control may be lost.
WHAT TO DO IF...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely. WHAT TO DO...

If your ATV doesn’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footboard to the outside of the
turn. Position your weight over the front wheels
for better control. (See page 7-12.)
 If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If
necessary, gradually let off the throttle and/or
steer to the outside of the turn. (See page 7-12.)
 If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See page 7-21.)
 If your ATV can’t make it up a hill you are trying
to climb:
Turn the ATV around if you still have forward
speed. If not, stop, dismount on the uphill side
of the ATV and physically turn the ATV around.
If the ATV starts to slip backwards, DO NOT
USE THE REAR BRAKE IF THE ATV IS IN
“2WD” – the ATV may tip over on top of you.
Dismount the ATV on the uphill side. (See page
7-13.)
UBB560E0.book Page 22 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

7-23
7

If your ATV is traversing a sloping surface:
Be sure to ride with your weight positioned to-
wards the uphill side of the ATV to maintain
proper balance. If the ATV starts to tip, steer
down the hill (if there are no obstacles in your
way) to regain balance. If you discover that the
ATV is going to tip over, dismount on the uphill
side. (See page 7-17.)
 If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let wa-
ter drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION when you
come out of the water. Do not continue to ride
your ATV until you have regained adequate
braking ability. (See page 7-18.)
UBB560E0.book Page 23 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-1
8
EBU28788
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21676Periodic 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 and operator. The most impor-
tant points of vehicle inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication 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.TIPFor ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an
hour meter, follow the month maintenance in-
tervals instead.
UBB560E0.book Page 1 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-2
8

For odometer or hour meter-equipped vehicles,
follow the month maintenance interval if the ATV
isn’t ridden for the stated mileage or engine op-
erating hours.
 Items marked with an asterisk should be per-
formed by a Yamaha dealer as they require spe-
cial tools, data and technical skills.
EBU21692Owner’s manual and tool kitBe sure to put this owner’s manual and the low-
pressure tire gauge in the plastic bag and always
carry them along with the owner’s tool kit 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 tool kit
2. Owner’s manual
3. Low-pressure tire gauge
13
2
UBB560E0.book Page 2 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-3
8
EBU36871Periodic maintenance chart: Emission control systemNO.ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL
EVERY
Whichev-
er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 *Fuel line • Check fuel hoses for cracks or other damage, and
replace if necessary. √√√
2 Spark plug • Check condition and clean, regap, or replace if
necessary. √√√√√
3 *Va l ve s • Check valve clearance and adjust if necessary. √ √√√
4 *Crankcase breath-
er system • Check breather hose for cracks or other damage,
and replace if necessary. √√√
5 *Exhaust system • Check for leakage and replace gasket(s) if neces-
sary.
• Check for looseness and tighten all screw clamps and joints if necessary. √√√
6 Spark arrester • Clean. √√√
7 *Air induction sys-
tem • Check the air cut-off valve, reed valve, and hose
for damage.
• Check condition and clean or replace if neces- sary. √√√
UBB560E0.book Page 3 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-4
8
EBU36891Periodic maintenance chart: General maintenance and lubricationNO.ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL
EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320
1 Air filter element • Clean and replace if necessary. Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
2 Sub air filter ele-
ment • Clean and replace if necessary.
Every 20–40 hours (more often in wet or
dusty areas)
3 *Front brake • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check fluid level and ATV for fluid leakage, and
correct if necessary. √√√√√
• Replace brake pads. Whenever worn to the limit
4 *Rear brake • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check brake lever and pedal free play, and adjust
if necessary. √√√√√
• Check brake friction plate wear and replace if necessary. √ √√√
5 *Brake hoses • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√
• Replace. Every 4 years
6 *Brake fluid • Change. Every 2 years
7 *Wheels • Check runout and for damage, and replace if nec-
essary. √ √√√
UBB560E0.book Page 4 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-5
8
8*Tires • Check tread depth and for damage, and replace if
necessary.
• Check air pressure and balance, and correct if necessary. √ √√√
9 *Wheel hub bearings • Check for looseness or damage, and replace if
necessary. √ √√√
10 *V- b e l t • Check for wear, cracks or other damage, and re-
place if necessary. √ √√√
11 *Drive shaft univer-
sal joint • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease.
√√√
12 *Chassis fasteners • Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
13 *Shock absorber as-
semblies • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
14 *Stabilizer bushes • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
15 *Rear knuckle pivots • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
16 *Steering shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
17 *Steering system • Check operation and repair or replace if dam-
aged.
• Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev-
er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320UBB560E0.book Page 5 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM