2020 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 steering

7-18
7

Shift your weight to the uphill side of the ATV.
 Never attempt to turn the ATV around on any
hill until you have mastered the turning tech-
nique as described in the Owner’s Manual on
level ground. Be very careful when turning
on any hill.
Traversing a sloping surface on your ATV requires
you to properly position your weight to maintain
proper balance. Be sure that you have learned the
basic riding skills on flat ground before attempting
to cross a sloping surface. Avoid slopes with slip-
pery surfaces or rough terrain that may upset your
balance.
As you travel across a slope, lean your body in the
uphill direction. It may be necessary to correct the
steering when riding on loose surfaces by pointing
the front wheels slightly uphill. When riding on
slopes, be sure not to make sharp turns either up
or down hill.
If your ATV does begin to tip over, gradually steer
in the downhill direction if there are no obstacles
in your path. As you regain proper balance, grad-
ually steer again in the direction you wish to travel. CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
WARNING
EWB01642Operating this vehicle through deep or fast-
flowing water can lead to loss of control or an
overturn. To reduce your risk of drowning or
other injuries, use care when crossing through
water. Never operate this ATV water deeper
than the depth specified in your Owner’s Man-
ual, as tires may float, increasing the risk of an
overturn.
UBB562E0.book Page 18 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9:59 AM

7-21
7accident. 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 lo s e c o n tr o l o f th is A T V . Y o u ma y a ls o r e g a i n
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.UBB562E0.book Page 21 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9:59 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 320UBB562E0.book Page 7 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9:59 AM

8-52
8
EBU25054Lubricating the rear knuckle pivotsThe rear knuckle pivots must be lubricated at the
intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
TIPFor parts equipped with a grease nipple, use a
grease gun. EBU25095Lubricating the steering shaftThe steering shaft must be lubricated by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals specified in the pe- riodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease1. Grease nippleRecommended lubricant:Lithium-soap-based grease
1
1
UBB562E0.book Page 52 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9:59 AM

12-2
12
Instruments, lights and switches ................................... 5-7LLabel locations ............................................................... 1-1
Light switch .................................................................... 4-9MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................ 8-3
Model label ................................................................... 11-1NNeutral indicator light .....................................................4-2OOn-Command drive switch “4WD/LOCK” (differential gear lock models) ...................................................... 4-11
Override switch (differential gear lock models) ............ 4-10
Owner’s Manual and tool kit .......................................... 8-2PPanels, removing and installing ................................... 8-10
Park indicator light ......................................................... 4-2
Parking ........................................................................... 6-4
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-5
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1RRear brake, adjusting the lever and pedal ................... 8-42
Rear knuckle pivots, lubricating ................................... 8-52
Reverse indicator light ................................................... 4-2
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 2-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-18 Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front and
rear ............................................................................. 4-20
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-36
Spark plug, checking ................................................... 8-17
Specifications .............................................................. 10-1
Speed limiter ................................................................ 4-13
Stabilizer bushes, checking ......................................... 8-51
Starting the engine ......................................................... 6-1
Start switch .................................................................... 4-9
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-52
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Storage compartment .................................................. 4-19
TThrottle lever ........................................................ 4-13, 5-4
Throttle lever free play, adjusting ................................. 8-38
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Trailer hitch (equipped models) ................................... 4-23
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-65
Troubleshooting charts ................................................ 8-66VValve clearance ............................................................ 8-39
V-belt case drain plug .................................................. 8-37
V-belt cooling duct check hose ................................... 8-37
Vehicle identification number ....................................... 11-1WWheel hub bearings, checking ..................................... 8-50
Wheel, installing ........................................................... 8-64
Wheel, removing .......................................................... 8-63
Winch (for Europe) ....................................................... 4-22
Winch pre-wiring (for Oceania) .................................... 4-25
Winch switch ................................................................ 4-10
UBB562E0.book Page 2 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9:59 AM

EBU26173
WARNING
ALWAYS
:
• use proper riding techniques to avoid
vehicle overturns on hills and rough
terrain and in turns.

seriously affect handling and control.
Improper ATV use can result in SEVERE INJURY or DEATH.
NEVER USE
WITH DRUGS
OR ALCOHOL
ALWAYS USE
AN APPROVED HELMET AND
PROTECTIVE GEAR NEVER USE
ON PAVED ROADS NEVER CARRY
PASSENGERS
NEVER
operate:


conditions.

another vehicle.

balance and steering and increase risk
of losing control.
LOCATE AND READ OWNER’S MANUAL. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.\
PRINTED IN USA
2019.03-0.8× 1 CR
(E)
UBB562E0.book Page 1 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9:59 AM