2019 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 engine

7-6
7fully opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum. Turning in the adjusting
screw limits the maximum engine power available
and decreases the maximum speed of the ATV.
Turning in the adjusting screw decreases top
speed, and turning it out increases top speed.
(See page 4-8.)
Loading and accessories
WARNING
EWB01463Improper loading or towing can increase the
risk of loss of control, an overturn, or other ac-
cident. To reduce the risk of an accident: 
Do not exceed the maximum loading limits
for the vehicle (see “MAXIMUM LOADING
LIMIT” in this section or vehicle labeling).
 Keep weight on racks centered side to side,
and as low as possible. Be sure cargo is se-
cured – a loose load could change handling
unexpectedly.
 Make sure the load does not interfere with
your control or ability to see where you are
going.
 Tie down cargo in the trailer securely. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around.
A shifting load can cause an accident.
 Reduce speed and allow more room to stop.
A heavier vehicle takes longer to stop.
 Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Use extreme caution when towing
or carrying a load on inclines.
 Turn gradually and go slowly.
Take extra precautions when driving with a load or
trailer. Follow these instructions and always use
common sense and good judgment when carrying
cargo or towing a trailer.
1. Adjusting screwUBB561E0.book Page 6 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

7-8
7an overturn. Never attempt stunts, such as
wheelies or jumps. Don’t try to show off.
[EWB01482]Modifications and accessories
Never modify this ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories or other modification. All
parts and accessories added to this ATV should
be genuine Yamaha or equivalent components
designed for use on this ATV and should be in-
stalled and used according to instructions. If you
have questions, consult an authorized ATV dealer.
WARNING! Operating this ATV with improper modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01492]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01502 Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
terial accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire. Do not operate, idle, or park
the ATV in dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er. Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.
 Someone touching the exhaust system dur-
ing or after operation could be burned. Do
not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV in a place where others might
be likely to touch it. The muffler and other engine parts become ex-
tremely hot during operation and remain hot after
the engine has stopped. To reduce the risk of fire
during operation or after leaving the ATV, do not
let brush, grass and other materials collect under
the vehicle, near the muffler or exhaust pipe, or
next to other hot parts. Check under the vehicle
after operating in areas where combustible mate-
rials may have collected. Do not idle or park the
vehicle in long dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er.
UBB561E0.book Page 8 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

7-12
7Select a large, flat, unpaved area to become famil-
iar with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free
of obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain.
Shift to the park position and follow the instruction
on page 6-1 to start the engine. Once it has
warmed up you are ready to begin riding your
ATV. With the engine idling, shift the drive select
lever into the low-range position or the high-range
position. Apply the throttle slowly and smoothly.
The centrifugal clutch will engage and you will
start to accelerate. If the throttle is applied too
abruptly, the front wheels may lift off the ground,
resulting in a loss of directional control. Avoid
higher speeds until you are thoroughly familiar
with the operation of your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the
throttle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly.
Improper use of the brakes can cause the tires to
lose traction, reducing control and increasing the
possibility of an accident.
NOTICEECB00252Do not shift from low-range to high-range or
vice versa without coming to a complete stop.
Damage to the engine or drive train may occur. TURNING YOUR ATV
WARNING
EWB01772Always follow proper procedures for turning as
described in this Owner’s Manual. Practice
turning at low speeds before attempting to turn
at faster speeds. Do not turn at speeds too fast
for your skills or the conditions. ATV could go
out of control, causing a collision or overturn. To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es, the two rear wheels turn together at the same
speed. Therefore, unless the wheel on the inside
of the turn is allowed to slip or lose some traction,
the ATV will resist turning. A special turning tech-
nique must be used to allow the ATV to make
turns quickly and easily. It is essential that this skill
be learned first at low speed.
UBB561E0.book Page 12 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

7-16
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
cause loss of traction. Apply brakes gradual-
ly. 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.
UBB561E0.book Page 16 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

8-1
8
EBU28788
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21677Periodic 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.
UBB561E0.book Page 1 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

8-3
8
EBU36872Periodic maintenance chart: Emission control systemTIPFor ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals in-
stead.
 For odometer or hour meter-equipped vehicles, follow the month maintenance interval if the ATV isn’t
ridden for the stated distance or engine operating hours.
 Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills. 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 80 160 160 320
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. √√√
UBB561E0.book Page 3 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

8-5
8
EBU36892Periodic maintenance chart: General maintenance and lubricationTIPFor ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an hour meter, follow the month maintenance intervals in-
stead.
 For odometer or hour meter-equipped vehicles, follow the month maintenance interval if the ATV isn’t
ridden for the stated distance or engine operating hours.
 Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by a Yamaha dealer as they require special tools,
data and technical skills. 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 80 160 160 320
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
UBB561E0.book Page 5 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM

8-7
8
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. √√√√√
18 *Engine mount • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
19 *Axle boots • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√√
20 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter car-
tridge • Replace.
√√√
22 *Engine oil strainer • Clean. √√√
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 320UBB561E0.book Page 7 Monday, March 26, 2018 11:15 AM