4WD YAMAHA GRIZZLY 450 2015 Owners Manual

1-6
1
**.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²*.* psi **.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²
*.* psi
This pictogram shows trailer Hitch Tow
weight limit. (Combined weight of the trailer
and all cargo in the trailer.)
Overloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
This unit contains high-pressure nitrogen
gas.
Mishandling can cause an explosion. Do not
incinerate, puncture or open.
Use unleaded gasoline only.
Measure the tire pressure when the tires are
cold. Turning the ATV in 4WD-LOCK
(“DIFF.LOCK”) takes more effort.
Operate at a slow speed and allow extra
time and distance for maneuvers to avoid
loss of control.
Adjust the tire pressure.
Improper tire pressure can cause loss of
control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death. This pictogram shows the loading limits
and/or maximum load capacity for this ATV.
Follow all load limits and other loading
guidelines in this manual.
Load may include the driver, passenger,
human protective gear, accessories, goods,
luggage, and all other load related items.
Make sure you do not exceed the load limits.
Overloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
This pictogram shows trailer Hitch Tongue
weight limit. (Weight on the trailer tongue.)
Overloading can cause loss of control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
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4-4
4
TIPIf the engine is stopped using the engine stop
switch and the key is in the “ON” position, the
EPS warning light comes on to indicate that the
power assistance for the steering is not func-
tioning.
 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. EBU29622On-Command four-wheel-drive indicator “ ”,
On-Command differential gear lock
indicator “ ” and indicator light “DIFF. LOCK”
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 “ ” and the On-Command differential
gear lock indicator light “DIFF. LOCK” come on
when the On-Command 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 “ ” and
the indicator light “DIFF. LOCK” will flash until
the differential gear is locked. If the indicator
and the indicator light continue to flash, the dif-
ferential is not locked. In this case, start moving
to allow time for the differential to lock.
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4-9
4
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.
EBU26607On-Command four-wheel-drive switch
“2WD”/“4WD”
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. This ATV is equipped with a switch to change from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and vice ver-
sa. Select the appropriate drive according to the
terrain and the conditions.

“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 multi-function dis-
play.
To change from four-wheel drive to two-wheel
drive, stop the ATV and push the switch in to the
“2WD” position.
1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD”
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4
EBU18256On-Command differential gear lock switch
“4WD”/“LOCK”
WARNING
EWB00132Always 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
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.
WARNING
EWB00141Always 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 losecontrol and have an accident if you cannot
make a sharp enough turn for the speed you
are traveling.
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.
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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
differential gear is locked, the differential gear lock
indicator light “DIFF. LOCK” will come on along
with the indicator “ ” in the multi-function dis-
play.
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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4-12
4To release the differential gear lock, stop the ATV
and push the switch to the “4WD” position.
TIPWhen the switch is set to “LOCK”, the differen-
tial 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. 
Riding before the differential gear lock is prop-
erly engaged (e.g., when the indicator and indi-
cator light are flashing) will cause the vehicle
speed to be limited until engagement is com-
plete.
 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 4-8
for a detailed explanation of this switch.)
EBU18283Throttle leverOnce the engine is running, pushing the throttle le-
ver will increase the engine speed.
Regulate the speed of the ATV by varying the
throttle position. Because the throttle is spring-
loaded, the ATV will decelerate, and the engine
will return to an idle any time the throttle lever is re-
leased.
1. On-Command differential gear lock switch
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7-15
7Do 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 the
“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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7
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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7-17
7Use 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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