2018 YAMAHA YFZ450R oil 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

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

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

8-14
8Before installing the spark plug, the spark plug
gap should be measured with a wire thickness
gauge and, if necessary, adjusted to specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its
mating surface, and then wipe off any grime from
the spark plug threads.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when installing
the spark plug, a good estimate of the correct
torque is 1/4–1/2 turn past finger tight. However,
the spark plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible. EBU2949BEngine oil and oil filter elementThe engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter element replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Start the engine, warm it up until the engine oil has reached a normal temperature of 60
°C (140 °F), let it continue to idle for ten sec-
onds or more, and then turn the engine off.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR8E
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:0.7–0.8 mm (0.028–0.031 in)
Tightening torque:Spark plug:13 N·m (1.3 kgf·m, 9.6 lb·ft)
UBW261E0.book Page 14 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM

8-15
8
TIPTo achieve the proper engine oil temperature for
an accurate oil level reading, the engine must have
first completely cooled down, and then warmed
up again for several minutes to normal operating
temperature. 3. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, andwipe the engine oil dipstick off with a clean
rag.
4. Insert the dipstick into the filler hole (without screwing it in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.TIPThe engine oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
5. If the engine oil is at or below the minimumlevel mark, add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type through the engine oil tank filler
hole to raise it to the correct level. NOTICE:
Be sure the engine oil is at the correct lev-
el, otherwise engine damage may result.
[ECB00852]
1. Engine oil tank filler cap
2. O-ring
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Maximum level mark
5. Half-level mark
6. Minimum level mark12
3
4
65
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8-16
8
TIPWhen adding oil, be careful not to overfill the en-
gine oil tank; the oil level rises faster starting from
the half-level mark on the dipstick. 6. Check the O-ring for damage, and replace itif necessary.
7. Insert the dipstick into the engine oil tank filler hole, and then tighten the engine oil tank filler
cap. NOTICE: Make sure that the engine oil
tank filler cap is securely tightened; other-
wise, oil may seep out when the engine is
running.
[ECB00363]
To change the engine oil (with or without oil fil-
ter element replacement) 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove the engine guard by removing the bolts. 3. Start the engine, warm it up for several minu-
tes, and then turn it off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
5. Remove the engine oil tank filler cap, and then remove the engine oil tank drain bolt and
its gasket.
1. Engine guard
2. Bolt
2 21
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8-19
8
11. Install the crankcase engine oil drain bolt, the
engine oil tank drain bolt and their new gas-
ket, and then tighten the bolts to their speci-
fied torques.
12. Refill with the specified amount of the recom- mended engine oil through the engine oil tank
filler hole.
TIPBe sure to wipe off spilled oil on any parts after the
engine and exhaust system have cooled down.
NOTICEECB00301In order to prevent clutch slippage (since the
engine oil also lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do not use oils
with a diesel specification of “CD” or oils of
a higher quality than specified. In addition,
do not use oils labeled “ENERGY CONSERV-
ING II” or higher.
 Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase. 13. Check the engine oil tank filler cap O-ring for
damage, and replace it if necessary.
14. Install and tighten the engine oil tank filler cap.
15. Start the engine, and then let it idle for several minutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
16. Turn the engine off, and then check the oil level and correct it if necessary.
17. Install the engine guard by installing the bolts, and then tighten them to the specified torque.
NOTICE: Be sure to apply LOCTITE
® to the
engine guard bolts before installing them.
[ECB00372]
Tightening torques: Crankcase engine oil drain bolt:20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Engine oil tank drain bolt: 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 lb·ft)
Recommended oil: See page 10-1.
Oil quantity: Without oil filter element replacement:1.40 L (1.48 US qt, 1.23 Imp.qt)
With oil filter element replacement: 1.45 L (1.53 US qt, 1.28 Imp.qt)
UBW261E0.book Page 19 Friday, May 26, 2017 9:38 AM