2018 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 4WD

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EBU17714Controls and instrumentsTIPThe ATV you have purchased may differ slightly
from the figures shown in this manual. 1. Rear brake lever
2. Handlebar switches
3. Horn switch
4. Drive select lever
5. Display unit
6. Front brake fluid reservoir
7. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
8. Throttle lever
9. Front brake lever
10.Main switch
1
2
3
5
6
9
7
4
10
8
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4
If the steering load is too heavy (i.e., excessive
steering use when the ATV is traveling at a slow
speed), the power assist is reduced to protect
the EPS motor from overheating.
EBU17954On-Command four-wheel-drive indicator
light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the On-Com-
mand four-wheel-drive switch is set to the “4WD”
position.TIPDue to the synchronizing mechanism in the differ-
ential gear case, the light may not come on until
the ATV starts moving.
EBU37051Display unit Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle’s traveling
speed. The speedometer can be set to “MPH” or
“km/h”, and the odometer and tripmeter units will
switch to miles or kilometers accordingly.
To switch the display units: turn the key to “ ”
(off), then hold the select button “SEL” pushed
and turn the key to “ ” (on).1. Select button “SEL”
2. Fuel gauge
3. Speedometer
4. Multi-function display1 2
4
3
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EBU18081Engine stop switch “ / ”
Set this switch to “ ” before starting the engine.
The engine stop switch controls the ignition and
stops the engine when it is running. Use this
switch to stop the engine in an emergency situa-
tion. The engine will not start or run when this
switch is set to “ ”.EBU18102Start switch “ ”
Push this switch to crank the engine with the start-
er. See the starting instructions on page 6-1 prior
to starting the engine.EBU34123Light switch “ / /OFF”
Set this switch to “ ” to turn on the left and right
headlights (low beams) and the taillight. Set the
switch to “ ” to turn on the left and right head-
lights (high beams), the handlebar-mounted light
(YFM45KPXJ / YFM45KPAJ / YFM45KPHJ), and
the taillight. Set the switch to “OFF” to turn off all
the lights.
NOTICEECB00046Do not use the headlights with the engine
turned off for an extended period of time. The
battery may discharge to the point that the
starter will not have enough power to crank the
engine. If this should happen, remove the bat-
tery and recharge it. (See page 8-51.) EBU18171Horn switch “ ”
Press the switch to sound the horn.EBU28433On-Command four-wheel-drive switch
“2WD”/“4WD”
WARNING
EWB00164Always stop the ATV before changing from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and vice
versa. The ATV handles differently in two-
wheel drive than in four-wheel drive in some
circumstances. Changing from two-wheel
drive to four-wheel drive or vice versa while
moving may cause the ATV to unexpectedly
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4handle differently. This could distract the oper-
ator and increase the risk of losing control and
of causing an accident.
This ATV is equipped with a switch to change from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and vice ver-
sa. Select the appropriate drive according to the
terrain and the conditions.

“2WD” (two-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear wheels.
 “4WD” (four-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear and front wheels.
To change from two-wheel drive to four-wheel
drive, stop the ATV and push the switch in to the
“4WD” position. The four-wheel-drive indicator
light “ ” comes on.
To change from four-wheel drive to two-wheel
drive, stop the ATV and push the switch in to the
“2WD” position.
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.1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
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Do not attempt to climb hills until you have mas-
tered basic maneuvers on flat ground. Always
check the terrain carefully before attempting any
hill. In all cases avoid inclines with slippery or
loose surfaces, or obstacles that might cause you
to lose control.
To climb a hill, you need traction, momentum, and
steady throttle. For more traction and control for
climbing steeper and/or rougher slopes, select the
“4WD”. Travel fast enough to maintain momen-
tum, but not so fast that you cannot react to
changes in the terrain as you climb.
It is important when climbing a hill to make sure
that your weight is transferred forward on the ATV.
This can be accomplished by leaning forward and,
on steeper inclines, standing on the footboards
and leaning forward over the handlebars. When-
ever possible, ride straight up hills.
Slow down when you reach the crest of the hill if
you cannot see clearly what is on the other side –
there could be another person, an obstacle, or a
sharp drop-off. Use common sense and remem-
ber that some hills are too steep for you to climb
or descend. If you are climbing a hill and you find that you have
not properly judged your ability to make it to the
top, you should turn the ATV around while you still
have forward motion (provided you have the room
to do so) and go down the hill.
If your ATV has stalled or stopped and you believe
you can continue up the hill, restart carefully to
make sure you do not lift the front wheels which
could cause you to lose control. If you are unable
to continue up the hill, dismount the ATV on the
uphill side. Physically turn the ATV around and
then descend the hill.
If you start to roll backwards, DO NOT apply either
brake abruptly. If you are in “2WD”, apply only the
front brake. When fully stopped, apply the rear
brake as well, and then shift to the park position. If
you are in “4WD”, because all wheels are inter-
connected by the drive train, applying either brake
will brake all wheels, therefore, avoid sudden ap-
plication of either the front or rear brake as the
wheels on the uphill side could come off the
ground. The ATV could easily tip over backwards.
Apply both the front and rear brakes gradually.
When fully stopped, shift to the park position and
dismount the ATV immediately on the uphill side,
or to a side if pointed straight uphill. Turn the ATV
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7around and remount, following the procedure de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual. WARNING! Stall-
ing, rolling backwards or improperly
dismounting while climbing a hill could result in
ATV overturning. If you cannot control the ATV,
dismount immediately on the uphill side.
[EWB01803]RIDING DOWNHILL
WARNING
EWB01622Going down a hill improperly could cause over-
turns or loss of control. Always follow proper
procedures for going down hills as described
in this Owner’s Manual. 
Always check the terrain carefully before you
start down any hill.
 Never operate the ATV on hills too steep for
the ATV or for your abilities. The ATV can
overturn more easily on extremely steep hills
than on level surfaces or small hills.
 Shift your weight backward and to the up
side of the hill.
 Never go down a hill at high speed.
 Avoid going down a hill at an angle that
would cause the ATV to lean sharply to one
side. Go straight down the hill where possi-
ble.
 Improper braking can cause the wheels on
the uphill side to come off the ground or cau-
se loss of traction. Apply brakes gradually. If
in “2WD”, apply only the rear brake.
When riding your ATV downhill, shift your weight
as far to the rear and uphill side of the ATV as pos-
sible. Move back on the seat and sit with your
arms straight. Engine compression will do most of
the braking for you. For maximum engine com-
pression braking effect, select the low-range posi-
tion and change to “4WD” before beginning to
descend the hill.
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Use caution while descending a hill with loose or
slippery surfaces. Braking ability and traction may
be adversely affected by these surfaces. Improper
braking may also cause a loss of traction.
When this ATV is in “4WD”, all wheels (front and
rear) are interconnected by the drive train. This
means that applying either the front brake or the
rear brake will brake all wheels. When descending
hills, using either brake lever or the brake pedal
will brake the wheels on the downhill side. Avoid
sudden application of either the front or rear brake
because the wheels on the uphill side could come
off the ground. Apply both the front and rear
brakes gradually.
Whenever possible, ride your ATV straight down-
hill. Avoid sharp angles which could allow the ATV
to tip or roll over. Carefully choose your path and
ride no faster than you will be able to react to ob-
stacles which may appear.
CROSSING A SLOPE
WARNING
EWB01633Improperly crossing hills or turning on hills
could cause loss of control or cause the ATV to
overturn.

Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
 Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
 Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill.
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