2021 YAMAHA KODIAK 450 4WD

5-4
5
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.
EBU17955Four-wheel drive indicator light “ ”
This indicator light comes on when the drivetrain
is set to “4WD” (four-wheel drive).TIPDue to the synchronizing mechanism in the differ-
ential gear case, the light may not come on until
the ATV starts moving. EBU38751Differential gear lock indicator light “ ”
(equipped models)
This indicator light comes on when the drivetrain
is set to “4WD” with the differential gear locked.TIPWhen using the On-Command differential gear
lock switch, the “ ” indicator light will flash until
the differential gear is completely locked or un-
locked. Turn the handlebar or start moving to help
the differential lock to engage or disengage.
EBU37054Display unit The display unit is equipped with the following:
speedometer
 fuel gauge
 multi-function display
 self-diagnostic device1. Select button “SEL”
2. Fuel gauge
3. Speedometer
4. Multi-function display1 2
4
3
DIFF.LOCK
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5-9
5
For differential gear lock models
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 7-1 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
(equipped models), 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 9-53.) EBU18171Horn switch “ ”
Press the switch to sound the horn.
1. On-Command drive switch “2WD/4WD”
2. On-Command drive switch “4WD/LOCK”
3. Drive switch lock lever
2WD
4WD
LOCK4WD
3
3
2
1
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5-11
5
es with the riding speed. You may lose control
and have an accident if you cannot make a
sharp enough turn for the speed you are trav-
eling.
EBU2660AOn-Command drive switch “2WD/4WD”
Stop the ATV and push this switch to change from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive or vice versa.
Select the appropriate drive according to the ter-
rain and riding conditions.

“2WD” (two-wheel drive): power is supplied to
the rear wheels only, giving a smooth ride and
fuel economy.
 “4WD” (four-wheel drive): power is supplied to
the front and rear wheels, giving increased trac-
tion.
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 handle differently. This could distract the oper-
ator and increase the risk of losing control and
of causing an accident.
EBU38760On-Command drive switch “4WD/LOCK” (dif-
ferential gear lock models)
Stop the ATV and push this switch to change from
standard four-wheel drive to four-wheel drive with
the differential locked. Select the appropriate
switch position according to the terrain and the
conditions.

“4WD” (four-wheel drive): power is supplied to
the front and rear wheels, with the front differen-
tial unlocked.
 “LOCK” (four-wheel drive with the differential
gear locked): power is supplied to the front and
rear wheels and the differential gear is locked.
Unlike in four-wheel drive, all wheels turn at the
same speed, giving maximum traction.
WARNING
EWB00132Always stop the ATV before changing from
four-wheel drive to four-wheel-drive differen-
tial gear lock or vice versa.
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5-12
5The ATV handles differently in four-wheel drive
than in differential gear lock in some circum-
stances. Changing from four-wheel drive to
differential gear lock or vice versa while mov-
ing may cause the ATV to handle differently un-
expectedly. This could distract the operator
and increase the risk of losing control and
causing an accident.
To access the “4WD/LOCK” switch, set the
“2WD/4WD” switch to “4WD”, and then move the
drive switch lock lever to the right.
TIP
When the switch is set to “LOCK”, the differen-
tial gear lock indicator light will flash until the dif-
ferential gear is completely locked or unlocked.
 When the indicator light is flashing, turning the
handlebar back and forth will help the differen-
tial gear lock to engage or disengage.
 Riding before the differential gear is properly en-
gaged or disengaged (e.g., when the indicator
light is flashing) will cause the vehicle speed to
be limited until the differential gear is completely
engaged or disengaged.
 When the ATV is in four-wheel-drive differential
gear lock, the maximum traveling speed is limit-
ed to 35 km/h (22 mi/h). However, if conditions
require full engine power to be available, push
and hold the override switch to disable the dif-
ferential gear lock speed limiter. (See page
5-10.)
WARNING
EWB00141Always ride at a slow speed when the ATV is in
differential gear lock, and allow extra time and
distance for maneuvers.
1. On-Command drive switch “4WD/LOCK”
2. Drive switch lock lever
LOCK4WD
1
2
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8-15
8Do 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
“4WD” or 4WD-LOCK (“DIFF. LOCK”). Travel fast
enough to maintain momentum, 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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8-16
8
around 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.
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8-17
8Use 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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9-39
9
For differential gear lock models
Periodically check the throttle lever free play and
adjust if necessary.
1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut. 3. To increase the throttle lever free play, turn
the throttle lever free play adjusting bolt in di-
rection (a). To decrease the throttle lever free
play, turn the adjusting bolt in direction (b).
4. Tighten the locknut.
5. Slide the rubber cover to its original position.
EBU24062Valve clearanceThe valve clearance changes with use, resulting in
improper air-fuel mixture and/or engine noise. To
prevent this from occurring, the valve clearance
must be adjusted by a Yamaha dealer at the inter-
vals specified in the periodic maintenance chart.EBU29602BrakesReplacement of brake components requires pro-
fessional knowledge. Brake service should be
performed by a Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB02572Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could lead to a loss in braking ability
and an accident.
1. Throttle lever free play
2. Rubber cover
3. Locknut
4. Throttle lever free play adjusting boltThrottle lever free play: 2.0–4.0 mm (0.08–0.16 in)
2WD
4WD
3
4
2
1
(b)
(a)
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