2018 YAMAHA YFZ450R coolant level

RIDING YOUR ATV ........................................ 7-1GETTING 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: Emission control system .......................................... 8-3
Periodic maintenance chart: General maintenance and lubrication..................... 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......................................... 8-28
Brakes....................................................... 8-28
Checking the front and rear brake pads... 8-28
Checking the brake fluid level .................. 8-29
Changing the brake fluid .......................... 8-31
Checking the front brake lever free play... 8-31
Checking the brake pedal height.............. 8-32
Adjusting the parking brake free play ....... 8-32
Brake light switches ................................. 8-34
Adjusting the clutch lever free play .......... 8-34
Drive chain slack....................................... 8-35
Lubricating the drive chain ....................... 8-37
Checking and lubricating the cables ........ 8-38
Checking and lubricating the brake and
clutch levers ........................................... 8-39
Checking the shift pedal ........................... 8-39
Checking and lubricating the brake pedal ....................................................... 8-39
Checking the wheel hub bearings ............ 8-40
Lubricating the swingarm pivots .............. 8-40
Lubricating the upper and lower arm pivots ...................................................... 8-41
Lubricating the steering shaft ................... 8-42UBW261E0.book Page 2 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

4-1
4
EBU17739
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
EBU29913Main switch“” (on)
All electrical systems are supplied with power. The
engine can be started. The key cannot be re-
moved.
“ ” (off)
All electrical systems are off. The key can be re-
moved.
EBU29383Indicator light and warning lightsEBU17861Neutral indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.
1. Main switch
OFF
ON
1
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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4-2
4
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.
EBU29933Fuel level warning light “ ”
This warning light comes on when the fuel level
drops below approximately 3.4 L (0.90 US gal,
0.75 Imp.gal). When this occurs, refuel as soon as
possible.
The electrical circuit of the warning light can be
checked by setting the engine stop switch to “ ”
and 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
electrical circuit.EBU29943Engine trouble warning light “ ”
This warning light comes on or flashes when an
electrical circuit monitoring the engine is not work-
ing correctly. When this occurs, have a Yamaha
dealer check the self-diagnosis system.
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.
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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. 4-8, 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 4-8.)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
8-32.) 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:
DOT 4UBW261E0.book Page 4 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

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.
UBW261E0.book Page 1 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-7
8
14*Drive chain roller • Check for wear and replace if necessary. √√√
15 *Chassis fasteners • Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
16 *Shock absorber as-
semblies • Check operation and correct if necessary.
• Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary.
√√√
17 *Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points • Check operation and correct if necessary.
√√√√
18 *Steering shaft • Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
19 *Steering system • Check operation and repair or replace if dam-
aged.
• Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
20 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter ele-
ment
• Replace.
√√√
22 *Cooling system • Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
• Replace coolant. Every 2 years
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km (mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320UBW261E0.book Page 7 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-20
8
EBU29861CoolantThe coolant level should be checked before each
ride. In addition, the coolant must be changed at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. Have a Yamaha dealer
change the coolant. WARNING! Never attempt
to remove the radiator cap when the engine is
hot.
[EWB02671]
EBU27945
To check the coolant level 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture. 2. Check the coolant level in the coolant reser- voir.
TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks. 3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum levelmark, remove the coolant reservoir cap, add
coolant or distilled water to the maximum lev-
el mark, and then install the reservoir cap.
NOTICE: If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water instead.
Do not use hard water or salt water since
they are harmful to the engine. If water has
Tightening torque:
Engine guard bolt:7 N·m (0.7 kgf·m, 5.2 lb·ft)1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
1
2
3
UBW261E0.book Page 20 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM