warning YAMAHA KODIAK 450 2006 Owner's Manual

5-7
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 the lever moves
slowly inward, there may be a leak in the brake
system. If there is any leakage, the brake system
should be inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
Brake operation
Test the brakes at slow speed after starting out to
make sure they are working properly. If the brakes
do not provide proper braking performance, in-
spect the brake pads for wear. (See pages 8-93–
8-95.)
WARNING
_ Always check the brakes at the start of every
ride. Do not ride the ATV if you find any prob-
lem with the brakes or you could lose braking
ability, which could lead to an accident. If a
problem cannot be corrected by the adjust-
ment procedures provided in this manual,
have a Yamaha dealer check for the cause. _
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5-11
CAUTION:_ Use only unleaded gasoline. The use of leaded
gasoline will cause severe damage to internal
engine parts, such as the valves and piston
rings, as well as to the exhaust system. _
WARNING
_

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Fuel expands
when it heats up. If the fuel tank is over-
filled, fuel could spill out due to heat from
the engine or the sun.


Be careful not to spill fuel, especially on
the engine or exhaust pipe which can
cause a fire and severe injury. Wipe up any
spilled fuel immediately.


Do not refuel right after the engine has
been running and is still very hot.


Be sure the fuel tank cap is closed secure-
ly.
_
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5-21
WARNING
_ Wait 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 put a thick rag over the cap
when opening. Allow any remaining pressure
to escape before completely removing the cap. _
EBU01083
Throttle lever
Check to see that the throttle lever operates cor-
rectly. It must open smoothly and spring back to
the idle position when released. Have a Yamaha
dealer repair as necessary for proper operation.
EBU01162
Fittings and fasteners
Always check the tightness of chassis fittings and
fasteners before a ride. Take the machine to a
Yamaha dealer or refer to the Service Manual for
correct tightening torque.
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5-25
EBU00158
Tires
Always use the recommended tires.
WARNING
Use of improper tires on this ATV, or operation
of this ATV with improper or uneven tire pres-
sure, may cause loss of control, increasing
your risk of accident.
Pay attention to the following.
1. The tires listed below have been approved
by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. for this model.
Other tire combinations are not recom-
mended.(For Europe)
(For Oceania)2. The tires should be set to the recommend-
ed pressure:
Manufacturer Size Type
Front MAXXIS AT25
× 8 - 12 M911Y
Rear MAXXIS AT25
× 10 - 12 M912Y
Manufacturer Size Type
Front CHENG-SHIN AT25
× 8 - 12 C828
Rear CHENG-SHIN AT25
× 10 - 12 C828
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6-1
EBU00162
OPERATION
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls. Loss of control could
cause an accident or injury. If there is a control
or function you do not understand, ask your
Yamaha dealer.
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6-3
EBU15071
Starting a cold engine
WARNING
_ Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision. _1. Apply the rear brake lever.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position.
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6-15
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, and
then release the brake pedal.
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and contin-
ue to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
_ Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or person behind you, resulting
in serious injury. When you shift into reverse,
make sure there are no obstacles or people be-
hind you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly. _
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6-21
EBU06761
Parking on a slope
WARNING
_ Avoid parking on hills or other inclines. Park-
ing on a hill or other incline could cause the
ATV to roll out of control, increasing the
chance of an accident. If you must park on an
incline, place the machine transversely across
the incline, apply the parking brake, and block
the front and rear wheels with rocks or other
objects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily. _1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive
select lever to the park position “P”.
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6-31

Ride more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slower
you should go. Although conditions vary, it is
good practice not to exceed low range whenev-
er you are carrying heavier loads or when tow-
ing a trailer.


Allow more braking distance. A heavier vehicle
takes longer to stop.


Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.


Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV.WARNING
_ Never exceed the stated load capacity for this
ATV. Overloading this ATV or carrying or tow-
ing cargo improperly could cause changes in
vehicle handling which could lead to an acci-
dent. Cargo should be properly distributed and
securely attached. Reduce speed when carry-
ing cargo or pulling a trailer. Allow greater dis-
tance for braking. _
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7-5
RIDE WITH CARE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT
Get training if you are inexperienced.
Beginners should get training from a certified in-
structor.
Become familiar with this ATV at slow speeds first,
even if you are an experienced operator. Do not
attempt to operate at maximum performance until
you are totally familiar with the ATV’s handling and
performance characteristics.
WARNING
_ Never operate this ATV without proper instruc-
tion. Beginning and inexperienced operators
should regularly practice the skills and the op-
erating techniques described in this Owner’s
Manual. The risk of an accident is greatly in-
creased if the operator does not know how to
operate the ATV properly in different situations
and on different types of terrain. _
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