4WD YAMAHA GRIZZLY 450 2009 Owners Manual

4-3
4

Start the engine after making sure that the
warning light is out. Continuous use while
the warning light is on may cause damage tothe engine.EBU17961On-Command four-wheel-drive/differential
gear lock indicator“”/“”
The On-Command four-wheel-drive indicator“”
comes on when the On-Command four-wheel-
drive switch is set to the “4WD” position.
The On-Command differential gear lock
indicator“” in the On-Command four-wheel-
drive indicator also comes on when the On-Com-
mand differential gear lock switch is set to the
“LOCK” position.TIP
Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the dif-
ferential gear case, the four-wheel-drive indica-
tor may not come on until the ATV starts moving.
When the On-Command differential gear lock
switch is set to “LOCK”, the indicator“” willflash until the differential gear is locked.
EBU17970Park indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the park position.EBU17980High-range indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the high-range position.EBU17990Low-range indicator light“”
This indicator light comes on when the transmis-
sion is in the low-range position.EBU18001On-Command differential gear lock indicator
light “DIFF. LOCK”
This indicator light and the On-Command differen-
tial gear lock indicator in the display come on when
the On-Command differential gear lock switch is
set to the “LOCK” position.TIPWhen the switch is set to “LOCK”, the On-Com-
mand differential gear lock indicator light will flashuntil the differential gear is locked.
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4-7
4Top speed is normally limited when operating in
differential gear lock. If conditions require more en-
gine power when riding forward, push and hold this
switch to override the differential gear lock speed
limiting function. (See page 4-8.) Releasing the
switch restores the speed limiting function.
While the override switch is pushed, the segments
of the speedometer digits will appear as shown in
the figure.
TIPIf the digits of the speedometer appear as shown
when the switch is NOT being pushed, this could
indicate a malfunction in the electrical system. In
this case, take the ATV to a Yamaha dealer at thefirst opportunity.
WARNING
EWB00150Always ride at a slow speed when the ATV is in
four-wheel-drive differential gear lock, and al-
low extra time and distance for maneuvers.
All wheels turn at the same speed when the dif-
ferential is locked, so it takes more effort to
turn the ATV. The effort needed to turn increas-
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.EBU26605On-Command four-wheel-drive switch
“2WD”/“4WD”
This ATV is equipped with a switch to change from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and vice versa.
Select the appropriate drive according to the ter-
rain and the conditions.
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4-8
4

“2WD” (two-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear wheels.
“4WD” (four-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear and front wheels.
To change from two-wheel drive to four-wheel
drive, stop the ATV and push the switch in to the
“4WD” position. Then, the four-wheel-drive
indicator“” comes on in the multifunction dis-
play.
To change from four-wheel drive to two-wheel
drive, stop the ATV and push the switch in to the
“2WD” position.
WARNING
EWB00163Always 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 andof causing an accident.EBU18254On-Command differential gear lock switch
“4WD”/“LOCK”
This ATV is equipped with a switch allowing you to
lock the differential gear when in four-wheel drive.
Select the appropriate switch position according to
the terrain and the conditions.
“4WD” (four-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear and front wheels.
“LOCK” (four-wheel drive with the differential
gear locked): Power is supplied to the rear and
front wheels and the differential gear is locked.
Unlike in four-wheel drive, all wheels turn at the
same speed.
1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”U37S60E0.book Page 8 Thursday, June 5, 2008 6:51 PM

4-9
4
To lock the differential gear in four-wheel drive,
make sure the On-Command four-wheel-drive
switch is pushed in to the “4WD” position.Stop the ATV, move the differential gear lock lever
to position (a), and then push the differential gear
lock switch in to the “LOCK” position. When the dif-
ferential gear is locked, the differential gear lock in-
dicator light “DIFF. LOCK” will come on along with
the indicator“” in the multifunction display.
1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
2. On-Command differential gear lock switch “4WD”/“LOCK”
1. Differential gear lock lever
2. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
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4-10
4
To release the differential gear lock, stop the ATV
and push the switch to the “4WD” position.
WARNING
EWB00131Always stop the ATV before changing from
four-wheel drive to four-wheel-drive differen-
tial gear lock or vice versa.
The ATV handles differently in four-wheel drive
than in differential gear lock in some circum-
stances. Changing from four-wheel drive to dif-
ferential gear lock or vice versa while moving
may cause the ATV to handle differently unex-pectedly. This could distract the operator and
increase the risk of losing control and causing
an accident.
WARNING
EWB00140Always ride at a slow speed when the ATV is in
differential gear lock, and allow extra time and
distance for maneuvers.
All wheels turn at the same speed when the dif-
ferential gear is locked, so it takes more effort
to turn the ATV. The effort needed to turn in-
creases with the riding speed. You may lose
control and have an accident if you cannot
make a sharp enough turn for the speed youare traveling.TIP
When the switch is set to “LOCK”, the differential
gear lock indicator and indicator light will flash
until the differential gear is locked.
When the indicator and indicator light are flash-
ing, turning the handlebar back and forth will
help the differential gear lock to engage.
1. On-Command differential gear lock switch “4WD”/“LOCK”U37S60E0.book Page 10 Thursday, June 5, 2008 6:51 PM

7-13
7 With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever
into the low-range position or the high-range posi-
tion. 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 un-
til you are thoroughly familiar with the operation of
your ATV.
When slowing down or stopping, release the throt-
tle and apply the brakes smoothly and evenly. Im-
proper use of the brakes can cause the tires to lose
traction, reducing control and increasing the possi-
bility of an accident.
NOTICEECB00250Do not shift from drive position low-range to
high-range or vice versa without coming to a
complete stop. Damage to the engine or drivetrain may occur.
TURNING YOUR ATV
To achieve maximum traction on unpaved surfac-
es in 2WD or 4WD, the two rear wheels turn to-
gether at the same speed. Furthermore, when
riding in 4WD-LOCK (“DIFF. LOCK”), the frontwheels also 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 technique
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.
WARNING
EWB01770Always 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. Operate at a
slow speed and allow extra time and distance
for maneuvers when in 4WD-LOCK (“DIFF.LOCK”).
As you approach a curve, slow down and begin to
turn the handlebars in the desired direction. As you
do so, put your weight on the footboard to the out-
side of the turn (opposite your desired direction)
and lean your upper body into the turn. Use the
throttle to maintain an even speed through the turn.
This maneuver will let the wheel on the inside of
the turn slip slightly, allowing the ATV to make the
turn properly.
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7-16
7
WARNING
EWB01600Never 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. Avoid crossing the side of a steep hill
if possible.
When crossing the side of a hill:
Always follow proper procedures as de-
scribed in the Owner’s Manual.
Avoid hills with excessively slippery or loose
surfaces.
Shift your weight to the uphill side of theATV.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 up-
hill 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. If you are in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, be-
cause all wheels are interconnected by the drive
train, applying either brake will brake all wheels,
therefore, avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake as the wheels on the uphill side
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7-17
7 could come off the ground. The ATV could easily
tip over backwards. Apply both the front and rear
brakes gradually, or dismount the ATV immediate-
ly on the uphill side.
WARNING
EWB01781Use the proper gear and maintain a steady
speed when climbing a hill.
If you lose all forward speed:
Keep weight uphill.
Apply the brakes.
Shift into the park position after you are
stopped.
If you begin rolling backwards:
Keep weight uphill.
2WD: Never apply the rear brake while rolling
backwards. Apply the front brake. When fully
stopped, shift into the park position.
4WD or 4WD-LOCK: Apply both front and
rear brakes gradually. When fully stopped,
shift into the park position.
Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and re-
mount, following the procedure described inthe Owner’s Manual.RIDING DOWNHILL
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 compres-
sion braking effect, select the low-range position
and change to 4WD or 4WD-LOCK before begin-
ning to descend the hill. Improper braking may
cause a loss of traction.
Use 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.U37S60E0.book Page 17 Thursday, June 5, 2008 6:51 PM

7-18
7When this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, 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 down-
hill side. Avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake because the wheels on the up-
hill 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.
WARNING
EWB01620Always follow proper procedures for going
down hills as described in this Owner’s Manu-
al.
Note: a special technique is required when
braking as you go down a hill.
Always check the terrain carefully before
you start down any hill.
Shift your weight backward.
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.
CROSSING A SLOPE
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
U37S60E0.book Page 18 Thursday, June 5, 2008 6:51 PM