engine YAMAHA KODIAK 400 2003 Owner's Guide

6-21
EBU00216
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 easi-
ly. _1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the rear brake applied, apply the parking
brake.
U5VH60.book Page 21 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

7-7
Riding your ATV requires skills acquired
through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques well
before attempting more difficult maneuvers.
Not recommended for children under 16 years
of age.
WARNING
_ A child under 16 should never operate an ATV
with engine size greater than 90cc. Use by chil-
dren of ATVs that are not recommended for
their age can lead to severe injury or death of
the child. _
U5VH60.book Page 7 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

7-17 1. Locknut 2. Adjusting screw
1. Contre-écrou 2. Vis de réglage
1. Contratuerca 2. Tornillo de ajuste
Speed limiter
For riders less experienced with this model, this
model is equipped with a speed limiter in the throt-
tle lever housing. The speed limiter keeps the
throttle from fully opening, even when the throttle
lever is pushed to the maximum. Turning the ad-
justing screw in limits the maximum engine power
available and decreases the maximum speed of
the ATV. Turning the adjusting screw in decreases
the top speed and turning it out increases the top
speed.
Loading and accessories
Use extra caution when riding the ATV with addi-
tional loads, such as accessories or cargo. The
ATV’s handling may be adversely affected. Re-
duce your speed when adding additional loads.
U5VH60.book Page 17 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

7-25
Exhaust system
The exhaust system on the ATV is very hot during
and following operation. To prevent burns, avoid
touching the exhaust system. Park the ATV in a
place where pedestrians or children are not likely
to touch it. Dry grass or brush or other combustible
material accumulated around the engine area
could catch fire.
WARNING
_ Do not touch the hot exhaust system. Do not
park the ATV during or after operation in a
place where others might be likely to touch it.
Keep the engine area free of dry grass, brush,
or other combustible material. Do not operate,
idle, or park the ATV in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. _
U5VH60.book Page 25 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

7-35
Select a large, flat area off-road to become familiar
with your ATV. Make sure that this area is free of
obstacles and other riders. You should practice
control of the throttle, brakes, and turning tech-
niques in this area before trying more difficult ter-
rain. Always avoid riding on paved surfaces: the
ATV is designed for off-road use only, and han-
dling maneuvers are more difficult to perform on
pavement.
Set the parking brake and follow the instructions
on page 6-3 to start the engine. Once it has
warmed up you are ready to begin riding your
ATV. Remember that the engine and exhaust pipe
will be hot when riding and afterwards; do not al-
low skin or clothing to come in contact with these
components.
U5VH60.book Page 35 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

7-37
With the engine idling, return the starter (choke) to
the closed position and shift the drive select lever
into the forward position, then release the parking
brake. 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
until 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
possibility of an accident.
U5VH60.book Page 37 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

8-1
EBU00516
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENTPeriodic inspection, adjustment and lubrication will
keep your machine in the safest and most efficient
condition possible. Safety is an obligation of the
machine owner. The most important points of ma-
chine inspection, adjustment and lubrication are
explained on the following pages.
WARNING
Never service an engine while it is running.
Moving parts can catch clothing or parts of the
body, causing injury. Electrical components
can cause shocks or can start fires. Turn off
the engine when performing maintenance un-
less otherwise specified. Have a Yamaha deal-
er perform service if you are not familiar with
machine service.
U5VH60.book Page 1 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

8-7
EBU00262
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE/LUBRICATION
ITEM ROUTINEINITIAL EVERY
1
month3
months6
months6
months1
year
Valves*•Check valve clearance.
•Adjust if necessary.
Cooling system•Check coolant leakage.
•Repair if necessary.
•Replace coolant every 24 months.Spark plug•Check condition.
•Adjust gap and clean.
•Replace if necessary.Air filter element•Clean.
•Replace if necessary.Every 20–40 hours
(More often in wet or dusty areas.)
Carburetor*•Check and adjust idle speed/starter operation.
•Adjust if necessary.Crankcase breather
system*•Check breather hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Exhaust system*•Check for leakage.
•Tighten if necessary.
•Replace gasket(s) if necessary.Fuel line*•Check fuel hose for cracks or damage.
•Replace if necessary.Engine oil
•Replace. (Warm engine before draining.)Engine oil filter cartridge
•Replace.Engine oil strainer*
•Clean.Final gear oil•Check oil level/oil leakage.
•Replace every 12 months.Front brake*•Check operation/fluid leakage. (See NOTE page 8-8.)
•Correct if necessary.Rear brake•Check operation.
•Adjust if necessary.U5VH60.book Page 7 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

8-29 1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Bouchon de remplissage d’huile de moteur
1. Tapa del filtro de aceite de motor
1. Maximum level mark 2. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau maximum 2. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel máximo 2. Marca de nivel mínimo
EBU01099
Engine oil
Engine oil level measurement
1. Remove panel F. (See page 8-27 for panel
removal and installation procedures.)
2. Place the ATV on a level surface and warm
up the engine for several minutes.
3. Stop the engine.
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap and wipe off
the dipstick with a clean rag.
5. Insert the dipstick in the filler hole without
screwing it in.NOTE:_ Wait a few minutes until the oil level settles before
checking. _6. The oil level should be between the maxi-
mum and minimum marks. If the level is low,
fill the engine with sufficient oil to reach the
specified level.
U5VH60.book Page 29 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM

8-31 1. Engine oil drain bolt
1. Boulon de vidange de l’huile
1. Perno de drenaje del aceite de motor
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge replacement
1. Remove panels E and F. (See pages 8-25–
8-27 for panel removal and installation proce-
dures.)
2. Warm up the engine for several minutes.
3. Stop the engine. Place an oil pan under the
engine to collect the used oil, and then re-
move the engine oil filler cap.
4. Remove the drain bolt and drain the oil.
U5VH60.book Page 31 Wednesday, August 7, 2002 12:00 PM