engine coolant YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 2010 Owners Manual
Page 9 of 168
EBU17420
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF THE WARNING AND 
SPECIFICATION LABELS  ............................ 1-1
SAFETY INFORMATION  .............................. 2-1
DESCRIPTION .............................................. 3-1
Left view ...................................................... 3-1
Right view.................................................... 3-1
Controls and instruments ............................ 3-2
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL 
FUNCTIONS .................................................. 4-1
Main switch  ................................................ 4-1
Indicator lights and warning lights  .............. 4-2
Multi-function display .................................. 4-5
Handlebar switches  .................................... 4-7
Throttle lever  ............................................ 4-13
Speed limiter  ............................................ 4-13
Front brake lever  ...................................... 4-14
Brake pedal and rear brake lever  ............. 4-14
Drive select lever ...................................... 4-15
Fuel tank cap ............................................ 4-15
Fuel .......................................................... 4-16
Seat .......................................................... 4-18Storage compartments  .............................4-18
Front carrier  ..............................................4-21
Rear carrier  ...............................................4-21
Adjusting the front and rear shock 
absorber assemblies ...............................4-21
Auxiliary DC jack .......................................4-23
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS ..........................5-1
Fuel .............................................................5-3
Engine oil  ....................................................5-3
Final gear oil  ...............................................5-3
Differential gear oil  ......................................5-3
Coolant .......................................................5-3
Front and rear brakes  .................................5-3
Throttle lever  ...............................................5-4
Tires ............................................................5-4
Chassis fasteners  .......................................5-7
Instruments, lights and switches  .................5-7
OPERATION...................................................6-1
Starting the engine ......................................6-1
Operating the drive select lever and 
driving in reverse  ......................................6-2
Engine break-in ...........................................6-4U28P61E0.book  Page 1  Wednesday, March 18, 2009  9:25 AM 
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Parking ....................................................... 6-5
Parking on a slope  ..................................... 6-5
Accessories and loading  ............................ 6-6
RIDING YOUR ATV  ...................................... 7-1
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ATV............... 7-2
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD 
JUDGMENT .............................................. 7-2
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU RIDE ............. 7-9
TURNING YOUR ATV .............................. 7-12
CLIMBING UPHILL ................................... 7-13
RIDING DOWNHILL.................................. 7-16
CROSSING A SLOPE............................... 7-17
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW 
WATER ................................................... 7-18
RIDING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN ........... 7-21
SLIDING AND SKIDDING ......................... 7-21
WHAT TO DO IF... .................................... 7-22
WHAT TO DO... ........................................ 7-23
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND 
ADJUSTMENT ............................................... 8-1
Owner’s manual and tool kit  ....................... 8-1
Periodic maintenance chart for the 
emission control system  ........................... 8-3
General maintenance and lubrication 
chart ......................................................... 8-4Removing and installing panels  ..................8-8
Removing the radiator grills  ......................8-19
Checking the spark plug  ...........................8-20
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................8-22
Final gear oil  .............................................8-26
Differential gear oil  ....................................8-28
Coolant .....................................................8-30
Cleaning the air filter element  ...................8-36
Cleaning the spark arrester  ......................8-40
V-belt case drain plug  ...............................8-41
Adjusting the throttle cable free play .........8-42
Valve clearance  ........................................8-43
Adjusting the drive select lever safety 
system cable  ...........................................8-43
Brakes .......................................................8-43
Checking the front and rear brake pads  ...8-43
Checking the rear brake hose 
protectors ................................................8-44
Checking the brake fluid level  ...................8-45
Changing the brake fluid  ...........................8-46
Checking the front and rear brake lever 
free play  ..................................................8-46
Adjusting the brake pedal free play  ..........8-47
Axle boots  .................................................8-49
Checking and lubricating the cables  .........8-50
Checking and lubricating the front and 
rear brake levers  .....................................8-50
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3-1
3
EBU17680
DESCRIPTION 
EBU17690Left view
EBU17700Right view
1. Radiator cap
2. Battery
3. Fuses
4. Air filter case
5. Spark arrester
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Oil filter cartridge
8. Coolant reservoir
1. Rear shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting 
ring
2. Rear storage compartment and tool kit
3. Fuel tank cap cover
4. Front shock absorber assembly spring preload adjusting 
ring
5. Spark plug
6. Brake pedal
7. V-belt case drain plug
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4-2
4
EBU26693Indicator lights and warning lights 
EBU17830Reverse indicator light“” 
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the reverse position.EBU17860Neutral indicator light“” 
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the neutral position.EBU28664Coolant temperature warning light“” 
This warning light comes on when the engine over-
heats. When this occurs during operation, stop the
engine as soon as it is safe to do so and allow it to
cool down for about 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 re-
mains on, have a Yamaha dealer check the electri-
cal circuit.
1. On-Command differential gear lock indicator light “DIFF. 
LOCK”
2. Low-range indicator light “L”
3. High-range indicator light “H”
4. Neutral indicator light “N”
5. Reverse indicator light “R”
6. Park indicator light “P”
7. On-Command four-wheel-drive/differential gear lock 
indicator“”/“”
8. Engine trouble warning light“”
9. Coolant temperature warning light“”
10.Electric Power Steering warning light “EPS” (for EPS 
model)U28P61E0.book  Page 2  Wednesday, March 18, 2009  9:25 AM 
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5-1
5
EBU19201
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
EBU19224Inspect 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
EWB00481Failure 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:
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
FuelCheck fuel level in fuel tank, and add recommended fuel if neces-
sary.
Check fuel line for leakage. Correct if necessary.4-16, 5-3
Engine oilCheck oil level in engine, and add recommended oil to specified lev-
el if necessary.
Check ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-22
Final gear oilCheck ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-26
Differential gear oilCheck ATV for oil leakage. Correct if necessary. 5-3, 8-28
CoolantCheck coolant level in reservoir, and add recommended coolant to 
specified level if necessary.
Check cooling system for leakage. Correct if necessary.5-3, 8-30
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5-3
5
EBU19541Fuel Make sure that there is sufficient fuel in the tank.
(See page 4-16.)EBU19560Engine oil Make sure that the engine oil is at the specified lev-
el. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-22.)EBU19590Final gear oil Make sure that the final gear oil is at the specified
level. Add oil as necessary. (See page 8-26.)EBU19600Differential gear oil Make sure that the differential gear oil is at the
specified level. Add oil as necessary. (See page
8-28.)EBU19631Coolant Make sure that the coolant is at the specified level.
Add coolant as necessary. (See page 8-30.)
TIPThe coolant level must be checked on a cold en-
gine since the level varies with engine tempera-
ture.EBU29081Front and rear brakes Brake levers and brake pedalCheck that there is no free play in the front and
rear brake levers. If there is free play, have a
Yamaha dealer check the brake system.Check for correct free play in the brake pedal. If
the free play is incorrect, adjust it. (See page
8-47.)Check the operation of the brake levers and
pedal. They should move smoothly and there
should be a firm feeling when the brakes are ap-
plied. If not, have a Yamaha dealer check the
brake system.
Brake fluid level
Check the brake fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.
(See page 8-45.)
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6-1
6
EBU19880
OPERATION
EBU19901Read 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
EWB00631Read 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.EBU29051Starting the engine NOTICEECB00150See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-4
prior to operating the engine for the first time.1. Turn the key to “ON” and the engine stop
switch to“”.
The following warning lights should come on
for a few seconds, then go off.
Coolant temperature warning light
Engine trouble warning light
The EPS warning light should come on, then
go off when the engine is started. (for EPS
model)
NOTICEECB00824If a warning light does not go off, see page 4-2
for the corresponding warning light circuit
check. To avoid possible damage, do not oper-
ate the ATV if a warning light stays on.2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift the drive
select lever into the neutral or park position.
The corresponding indicator light should
come on. If the indicator light 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 drive select lever is in the neutral or park po-
sition.
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8-30
85. Refill with the recommended differential gear
oil to the brim of the filler hole as shown.
NOTICE: Be sure no foreign material en-
ters the differential gear case.
 [ECB00411]
6. Install the oil filler bolt, and then tighten it to the
specified torque.7. Check the differential gear case for oil leak-
age. If oil is leaking, check for the cause.
EBU23470Coolant The 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.EBU27124To 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.
1. Differential gear oil
2. Differential gear oil filler bolt
3. Correct oil levelRecommended differential gear oil:
See page 10-1.
Tightening torque:
Differential gear oil filler bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
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8-31
8
TIPThe coolant should be between the minimum and
maximum level marks.3. If the coolant is at or below the minimum level
mark, remove panel D. (See page 8-8.)
4. Remove the coolant reservoir cap, add cool-
ant or distilled water to the maximum level
mark, install the reservoir cap, and then install
the panel. NOTICE: If coolant is not avail-
able, use distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water or salt wa-
ter since they are harmful to the engine. Ifwater has been used instead of coolant, re-
place it with coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the cooling system will not be
protected against frost and corrosion. If
water has been added to the coolant, have
a Yamaha dealer check the antifreeze con-
tent of the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of the coolant
will be reduced.
 [ECB01011]
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
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8-32
8
TIPThe radiator fan is automatically switched on or
off according to the coolant temperature in the
radiator.If the engine overheats, see page 8-63 for fur-
ther instructions.EBU27762To change the coolant
WARNING
EWB01890Wait for the engine and radiator to cool before
removing the radiator cap. You could be
burned by hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure. Always place a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap.1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panels D and F. (See page 8-8.)3. Place a container under the engine, and then
remove the coolant drain bolt. (Use a trough
or a similar object as shown to prevent coolant
from spilling on the engine guard.) Coolant reservoir capacity (up to the maximum 
level mark):
0.24 L (0.25 US qt, 0.21 Imp.qt)
1. Coolant drain bolt
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