engine YAMAHA KODIAK 450 2018 Owner's Guide

7-16
7around 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 cau-
se loss of traction. Apply brakes gradually. 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.
UBB560E0.book Page 16 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-1
8
EBU28788
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
EBU21676Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lubrication
will keep your vehicle in the safest and most effi-
cient condition possible. Safety is an obligation of
the vehicle owner and operator. The most impor-
tant points of vehicle inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication are explained on the following pages.
WARNING
EWB01842Failure to properly maintain the vehicle or per-
forming maintenance activities incorrectly may
increase your risk of injury or death during ser-
vice or while using the vehicle. If you are not fa-
miliar with vehicle service, have a Yamaha
dealer perform the service.
WARNING
EWB02563Turn off the engine when performing mainte-
nance unless otherwise specified.
A running engine has moving parts that can
catch on body parts or clothing and electri-
cal parts that can cause shocks or fires. 
Running the engine while servicing can lead
to eye injury, burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning - possibly leading to death. See
page 2-6 for more information about carbon
monoxide.

WARNING
EWB02691Brake discs, calipers, drums, and linings can
become very hot during use. To avoid possible
burns, let brake components cool before
touching them. The intervals given in the periodic maintenance
charts should be considered as a general guide
under normal riding conditions. However, DE-
PENDING ON THE WEATHER, TERRAIN, GEO-
GRAPHICAL LOCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL USE,
THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS MAY NEED TO
BE SHORTENED.TIPFor ATVs not equipped with an odometer or an
hour meter, follow the month maintenance in-
tervals instead.
UBB560E0.book Page 1 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-2
8

For odometer or hour meter-equipped vehicles,
follow the month maintenance interval if the ATV
isn’t ridden for the stated mileage or engine op-
erating hours.
 Items marked with an asterisk should be per-
formed by a Yamaha dealer as they require spe-
cial tools, data and technical skills.
EBU21692Owner’s manual and tool kitBe sure to put this owner’s manual and the low-
pressure tire gauge in the plastic bag and always
carry them along with the owner’s tool kit under
the seat.
The service information included in this manual
and the tools provided in the owner’s tool kit are
intended to assist you in the performance of pre-
ventive maintenance and minor repairs. However,
additional tools such as a torque wrench may be
necessary to perform certain maintenance work
correctly.
TIPIf you do not have the tools or experience required
for a particular job, have a Yamaha dealer perform
it for you. 1. Owner’s tool kit
2. Owner’s manual
3. Low-pressure tire gauge
13
2
UBB560E0.book Page 2 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-6
8
18*Engine mount • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√
19 *Axle boots • Check for cracks or other damage, and replace if
necessary. √√√√√
20 Engine oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
21 Engine oil filter car-
tridge • Replace.
√√√
22 *Engine oil strainer • Clean. √√√
23 Differential gear oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √√
24 Final gear oil • Change.
• Check ATV for oil leakage, and correct if neces-
sary. √ √√√
25 Cooling system • Check coolant level and ATV for coolant leakage,
and correct if necessary. √√√√√
• Replace coolant. Every 2 years
26 *Moving parts and
cables •Lubricate.
√√√√
NO.
ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE
JOB INITIAL
EVERY
Whichev- er comes first month136612
km (mi) 240
(150) 1300
(800) 2500
(1600) 2500
(1600) 5000
(3200)
hours 20 80 160 160 320UBB560E0.book Page 6 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-15
8To install the panel
1. Connect the coupler, and then place the pan-
el in the original position.
2. Install the quick fasteners.
3. Place the carrier in the original position, and then install the carrier bolts under the fenders.
4. Install the carrier top bolts, and then tighten all bolts to the specified torques. 5. Install the cover.
For YFM45KPXJ / YFM45KPAJ /
YFM45KPHJ: Install the handlebar-mount-
ed light cover.
 For YFM45KDXJ / YFM45KDHJ: Install the
handlebar cover.
6. Install the panels.
EBU23214Checking the spark plugThe 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 ac-
cordance with the periodic maintenance and lubri-
cation chart. In addition, the condition of the spark
plug can reveal the condition of the engine.
To remove the spark plug 1. Remove the spark plug cap.
Tightening torques: Carrier bolt (top):34 N·m (3.4 kgf·m, 25 lb·ft)
Carrier bolt (under fenders): 7 N·m (0.7 kgf·m, 5.2 lb·ft)
UBB560E0.book Page 15 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-16
8
2. 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.
1. Spark plug cap
1
1. Spark plug wrench
1
UBB560E0.book Page 16 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-17
82. Check the spark plug for electrode erosion
and 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. 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 speci-
fied torque as soon as possible. 3. Install the spark plug cap.EBU30243Engine oil and oil filter cartridgeThe 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
specified in the periodic maintenance chart.
Specified spark plug:
NGK/DR7EA
1. Spark plug gapSpark plug gap:0.6–0.7 mm (0.024–0.028 in)
Tightening torque:Spark plug:18 N·m (1.8 kgf·m, 13 lb·ft)
UBB560E0.book Page 17 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-18
8
To check the engine oil level
1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panel E. (See page 8-8.)
3. Check the engine oil level on a cold engine.
TIPIf the engine was started before checking the oil
level, warm up the engine, and then wait at least
ten minutes until the oil settles for an accurate
reading. 4. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. 5. Insert the dipstick into the filler hole (without
screwing it in), and then remove it again to
check the oil level.
TIPThe engine oil should be between the tip of the
dipstick and the maximum level mark. 6. If the engine oil is not between the tip of thedipstick and the maximum level mark, add
sufficient oil of the recommended type to
1. Engine oil filler cap
1
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. O-ring
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Maximum level mark
5. Tip of the engine oil dipstick
12345
UBB560E0.book Page 18 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-19
8raise it to the correct level.
NOTICE: Be sure
the engine oil is at the correct level, other-
wise engine damage may result.
[ECB00852]
7. Check the filler cap O-ring for damage, and replace it if necessary.
8. Install the engine oil filler cap and the panel.
To change the engine oil (and replace the oil fil-
ter cartridge) 1. Place the ATV on a level surface.
2. Remove panel E. (See page 8-8.)
3. Start the engine, warm it up for several minu- tes, and then turn it off.
4. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
5. Remove the engine oil filler cap, and then re- move the engine oil drain bolt and its gasket
to drain the oil from the crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 6–10 if the oil filter cartridge is not be-
ing replaced. 6. Remove panels C and D. (See page 8-8.)
7. Remove the oil filter cartridge with an oil filterwrench.1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
12
UBB560E0.book Page 19 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM

8-20
8
TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a nearby Yamaha
dealer. 8. Apply a thin coat of engine oil to the O-ring ofthe new oil filter cartridge.TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly seated. 9. Install the new oil filter cartridge with an oil fil-ter wrench, and then tighten it to the specified
torque with a torque wrench.
1. Oil filter cartridge
1. Oil filter wrench
11
1. O-ring
UBB560E0.book Page 20 Friday, March 10, 2017 10:20 AM