check engine YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 2012 User Guide

6-4
6
TIP
When in reverse, the reverse indicator light
should come on. If the indicator light does not
come on, have a Yamaha dealer check the elec-
trical circuit.
Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the en-
gine, the indicator light may not come on until the
ATV starts moving.
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, andthen release the brake pedal.
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and continue to watch to the rear while backing.EBU20682Engine break-in TIP
For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.
For ATVs not equipped with an odometer or
hour meter, follow the figures given in hours.There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
polish themselves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged full-throttle
operation or any condition that might result in en-
gine overheating must be avoided.
1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
6. P (Park)
L 2H 3N4R5P6
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6-5
6
0
– 160 km (0 –100 mi) or 0 –10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.
160– 320 km (100 –200 mi) or 10 –20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine freely, but do not use full throttle at any
time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.
NOTICEECB00220If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the ATV.EBU27321Parking When parking the ATV, stop the engine, and shift
the drive select lever into the park position.
EBU29900Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00860Avoid 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 ATV transversely across the
incline, stop the engine, shift the drive select
lever to the park position, and then block the
front and rear wheels with rocks or other ob-
jects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.1. Bring the ATV 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.
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7-8
7an overturn. Never attempt stunts, such as
wheelies or jumps. Don
’t try to show off.
[EWB01481]Modifications and accessories
Never modify this ATV through improper installa-
tion or use of accessories or other modification. All
parts and accessories added to this ATV should be
genuine Yamaha or equivalent components de-
signed for use on this ATV and should be installed
and used according to instructions. If you have
questions, consult an authorized ATV dealer.
WARNING! Operating this ATV with improper modifications may cause changes in handling
which in some situations could lead to an acci-
dent.
[EWB01491]
Exhaust system
WARNING
EWB01501
Dry grass or brush or other combustible ma-
terial accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire. Do not operate, idle, or park
the ATV in dry grass or other dry ground cov-
er. Keep the engine area free of dry grass,
brush, or other combustible material.
Someone touching the exhaust system dur-
ing or after operation could be burned. Do
not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV in a place where others might
be likely to touch it.The muffler and other engine parts become ex-
tremely hot during operation and remain hot after
the engine has stopped. To reduce the risk of fire
during operation or after leaving the ATV, do not let
brush, grass and other materials collect under the
vehicle, near the muffler or exhaust pipe, or next to
other hot parts. Check under the vehicle after op-
erating in areas where combustible materials may
have collected. Do not idle or park the vehicle in
long dry grass or other dry ground cover.
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7-16
7uphill. Turn the ATV around and remount, following
the procedure described in the Owner
’s Manual.
WARNING! Stalling, rolling backwards or im- properly dismounting while climbing a hill
could result in ATV overturning. If you cannot
control the ATV, dismount immediately on the
uphill side.
[EWB01802]
RIDING DOWNHILL
WARNING
EWB01621Going down a hill improperly could cause
overturns or loss of control. Always follow
proper procedures for going down hills as de-
scribed 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 compres-
sion braking effect, select the low-range position
and change to “4WD ” before beginning to descend
the hill.
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8
10*Chassis fasteners 
Make sure that all nuts, bolts, and screws are
properly tightened. √√√√√
11 *Shock absorber as-
semblies 
Check operation and correct if necessary.
 Check for oil leakage and replace if necessary. √√√
12 *Stabilizer bushes 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
13 *Rear knuckle pivots Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
14 *Steering shaft Lubricate with lithium-soap-based grease. √√√
15 *Steering system 
Check operation and repair or replace if damaged.
 Check toe-in and adjust if necessary. √√√√√
16 *Engine mount 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
17 *Axle boots 
Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√√
18 Engine oil 
Change.
 Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
19 Engine oil filter car-
tridge 
Replace. √√√
NO. ITEM
CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km
(mi) 320
(200) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320U1HS60E0.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:53 PM

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8
EBU28671Removing the radiator grills The radiator grills can be removed to access the
radiator for cleaning.
To remove a radiator grill
Remove the quick fastener, pull the radiator grill
outward at the top, and then pull it upward.
To install a radiator grill
Place the radiator grill in its original position, and
then install the quick fastener.
EBU23213Checking the spark plug The spark plug is an important engine component,
which is easy to check. Since heat and deposits
will cause any spark plug to slowly erode, the spark
plug should be removed and checked in accor-
dance with the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug1. Remove the spark plug cap.
1. Radiator grill
2. Quick fastener
21
1. Spark plug cap1
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8-21
82. Remove the spark plug as shown, with the
spark plug wrench included in the owner ’s tool
kit.
To check the spark plug 1. Check that the porcelain insulator around the center electrode of the spark plug is a medi-
um-to-light tan (the ideal color when the ATV
is ridden normally).
TIPIf the spark plug shows a distinctly different color,
the engine could be operating improperly. Do not
attempt to diagnose such problems yourself. In-
stead, have a Yamaha dealer check the ATV.2. Check the spark plug for electrode erosionand excessive carbon or other deposits, and
replace it if necessary.
3. Measure the spark plug gap with a wire thick- ness gauge and, if necessary, adjust the gap
to specification.
1. Spark plug wrench
Specified spark plug:NGK/LMAR6A-9
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8
To install the spark plug
1. Clean the surface of the spark plug gasket and its mating surface, and then wipe off any
grime from the spark plug threads.
2. Install the spark plug with the spark plug wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque.
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when installing
the spark plug, a good estimate of the correct
torque is 1/4 –1/2 turn past finger tight. However,
the spark plug should be tightened to the specified
torque as soon as possible.3. Install the spark plug cap.EBU27467Engine oil and oil filter cartridge The engine oil level should be checked before
each ride. In addition, the oil must be changed and
the oil filter cartridge replaced at the intervals spec-
ified in the periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
To check the engine oil level 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap: 0.8 –0.9 mm (0.031– 0.035 in)
Tightening torque:
Spark plug:13 Nm (1.3 m ·kgf, 9.4 ft· lbf)
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TIPIf the engine was started before checking the oil
level, be sure to warm up the engine sufficiently,
and then wait at least 10 minutes until the oil settles
for an accurate reading.3. Remove the access cover by turning it coun-terclockwise.
4. Remove the engine oil dipstick, and then wipe it off with a clean rag. 5. Insert the dipstick completely into the oil filler
hole, and then remove it again to check the oil
level.
TIPThe engine oil should be between the minimum
and maximum level marks.
1. Access cover
1. Engine oil dipstick
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8-27
8

Make sure that no foreign material enters the
crankcase.12. Start the engine, and then let it idle for severalminutes while checking it for oil leakage. If oil
is leaking, immediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
13. Turn the engine off, wait at least ten minutes, and then check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
14. Install the access cover by turning it clock- wise.EBU27306Final gear oil The final gear case must be checked for oil leak-
age before each ride. If any leakage is found, have
a Yamaha dealer check and repair the ATV. In ad-
dition, the final gear oil level must be checked and
the oil changed as follows at the intervals specified
in the periodic maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the final gear oil level1. Place the ATV on a level surface. 2. Remove the final gear oil level check bolt and
its gasket, and then check the oil level in the
final gear case. The oil level should be at the
brim of the check hole.
3. If the oil is below the brim of the check hole, remove the final gear oil filler bolt and its gas-
ket, and then add sufficient oil of the recom-
mended type to raise it to the correct level.
1. Final gear oil
2. Gasket
3. Final gear oil level check bolt
4. Correct oil level
1
243
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