4WD YAMAHA GRIZZLY 550 2012 Owners Manual

1-6
1
**.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²*.* psi **.* kPa
*.** kgf/cm²
*.* psi
NEVER use with drugs or alcohol.
NEVER store fuel or flammable liquids.
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. Adjust the tire pressure.
Improper tire pressure can cause loss of
control.
Loss of control can result in severe injury or
death.
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.
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.
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1
5ND-F1558-00
Turning the ATV in 4WD-LOCK (“DIFF.LOCK”)
takes more effort.
WARNING
Improper ATV use can result in SEVERE
INJURY or DEATH.ALWAYS USE
AN APPROVED HELMET ANDPROTECTIVE GEAR NEVER USE
ON PUBLIC ROADS NEVER CARRY
PASSENGERS NEVER USE
WITH DRUGS
OR ALCOHOLNEVER operate :
ALWAYS : without proper training or instruction.
 at speeds too fast for your skills or the
conditions.
 on public roads-a collision can occur
with another vehicle.
 with a passenger-passengers affect
balance and steering and increase risk
of losing control.
 use proper riding techniques to avoid
vehicle overturns on hills and rough
terrain and in turns.
 avoid paved surfaces-pavement may
seriously affect handling and control.
LOCATE AND READ OWNER ’S MANUAL.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS.
4XE-F1568-10
YAMAHA
91 0
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4-4
4
after the engine is started, the EPS system may
not be working correctly. When this occurs, have a
Yamaha dealer check the EPS system. The electrical circuit of the warning light can be
checked by turning the key to “” (on). If the
warning light does not come on, have a Yamaha
dealer check the electrical circuit.
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.EBU30450On-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 ” or “ 4WD”, the
indicator “” and the indicator light “DIFF.
LOCK ” will flash until the differential gear is com-
pletely locked or unlocked. If the indicator and
the indicator light continue to flash, the differen-
tial is not completely locked or unlocked. In this
case, start moving to allow time for the differen-
tial to lock or unlock.
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4-9
4
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 the
first 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.
EBU26606On-Command four-wheel-drive switch
“
2WD ”/“ 4WD ”
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 and
of causing an accident.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.
“2WD ” (two-wheel drive): Power is supplied to
the rear wheels.
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4

“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.
EBU30461On-Command differential gear lock switch
“ 4WD ”/“ LOCK ”
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
1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD ”
2WD
4WD
1
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4control 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. 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.
1. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD ”
2. On-Command differential gear lock switch “4WD”/“LOCK ”
2WD
4WD
1
2
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4
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 multi-function display. To unlock the differential gear, stop the ATV and
push the switch to the
“4WD ” position.
TIP
When the switch is set to “LOCK ” or “ 4WD ”, the
differential gear lock indicator and indicator light
will flash until the differential gear is completely
locked or unlocked.
When the indicator and indicator light are flash-
ing, turning the handlebar back and forth will
help the differential gear lock to engage or disen-
gage.
1. Differential gear lock lever
2. On-Command four-wheel-drive switch “2WD”/“4WD ”
2WD
4WD
2
1
(a)
1. On-Command differential gear lock switch “4WD”/“LOCK ”
LOCK4WD
1
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4

Riding before the differential gear is properly en-
gaged or disengaged (e.g., when the indicator
and indicator light are flashing) will cause the ve-
hicle speed to be limited until the differential gear
is completely engaged or disengaged.
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 differ-
ential gear lock speed limiter. (See page 4-8 for
a detailed explanation of this switch.)EBU18282Throttle lever Once 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.Before starting the engine, check the throttle to be
sure it is operating smoothly. Make sure it returns
to the idle position as soon as the lever is released.
EBU18323Speed limiter Your ATV is equipped with an adjustable speed
limiter. The speed limiter keeps the throttle from
fully opening, even when the throttle lever is
pushed to the maximum.
1. Loosen the locknut.
2. To increase the maximum engine power avail- able and the maximum speed of the ATV, turn
the adjusting screw in direction (a). To de-1. Throttle lever
2WD
4WD
1
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7
Do 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
“
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. Whenev-
er 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 remember
that some hills are too steep for you to climb or de-
scend. 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 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. 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 intercon-
nected by the drive train, applying either brake will
brake all wheels, therefore, avoid sudden applica-
tion 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, lock shift to the park position and dis-
mount the ATV immediately on the uphill side. Dis-
mount on uphill side or to a side if pointed straight
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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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