4WD YAMAHA KODIAK 700 2018 User Guide

7-15
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”)
(YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ /
YFM70KPSJ). Travel fast enough to maintain mo-
mentum, 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, lock shift to the park position
and dismount the ATV immediately on the uphill
side. Dismount on uphill side or to a side if pointed
UB1662E0.book Page 15 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM

7-16
7straight uphill. Turn the ATV around and remount,
following the procedure described in the Owner’s
Manual.
WARNING! Stalling, 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.
UB1662E0.book Page 16 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM

7-17
7
Use 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.
UB1662E0.book Page 17 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM

8-41
8
EBU29704Adjusting the throttle lever free playPeriodically check the throttle lever free play and
adjust if necessary.1. Slide the rubber cover back.
2. Loosen the locknut.
1. V-belt case drain plug
1
1. Rubber cover
2. Throttle lever free play adjusting bolt
3. Locknut
4. Throttle lever free playThrottle lever free play: 3.0–5.0 mm (0.12–0.20 in)
2WD
4WD
3
2
1
4
(b)
(a)
UB1662E0.book Page 41 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM

8-43
8
TIPThe wheels need to be removed to check the
brake pads. (See page 8-64.) EBU30321Rear brake friction plates
The rear brake friction plates must be checked
and, if necessary, replaced by a Yamaha dealer at
the intervals specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EBU29844Checking the brake fluid levelBefore riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark. Replenish the brake fluid
if necessary.TIPStraighten the handlebars for an accurate reading.
1. Wear indicator groove
1. Minimum level markSpecified brake fluid:DOT 4
2WD
4WD
1
UB1662E0.book Page 43 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM

12-1
12
INDEX
AAccessories and loading ................................................ 6-5
Accessories, DC jack ...................................................4-24
Air filter element, cleaning ............................................ 8-37
Axle boots .................................................................... 8-48BBattery .......................................................................... 8-53
Brake fluid, changing ...................................................8-44
Brake fluid level, checking ........................................... 8-43
Brake lever free play, checking the front ..................... 8-45
Brake lever, front .......................................................... 4-15
Brake levers, checking and lubricating ........................ 8-49
Brake light switches ..................................................... 8-48
Brake pads and friction plates, checking ..................... 8-42
Brake pedal and rear brake lever ................................. 4-16
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ........................ 8-50
Brakes .......................................................................... 8-42
Brakes, front and rear .................................................... 5-3CCables, checking and lubricating ................................. 8-49
Carrier, front ................................................................. 4-21
Carrier, rear .................................................................. 4-22
Chassis fasteners ........................................................... 5-6
Cleaning ......................................................................... 9-1
Coolant ................................................................. 5-3, 8-29
Coolant temperature warning light ................................. 4-3DDifferential gear lock, indicators (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ................ 4-5 Differential gear oil ............................................... 5-3, 8-27
Drive lever 2WD/4WD (YFM70K
DXJ / YFM70KDHJ) ... 4-13
Drive select lever .......................................................... 4-16
Drive select lever and driving in reverse ........................ 6-2
EEngine break-in .............................................................. 6-4
Engine oil ....................................................................... 5-3
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge .................................. 8-20
Engine stop switch ......................................................... 4-9
Engine trouble warning light .......................................... 4-3
EPS warning light (for EPS model) ................................. 4-4FFinal gear oil ......................................................... 5-3, 8-24
Four-wheel drive icon (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ........................................ 4-5
Four-wheel drive indica tor light (YFM70KDXJ /
YFM70KDHJ) ............................................................... 4-4
Four-wheel drive switch (On-Command 4WD)
(YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ /
YFM70KPSJ) ............................................................. 4-11
Fuel ...................................................................... 4-17, 5-3
Fuel level warning light (YFM70KDXJ / YFM70KDHJ) ............................................................... 4-3
Fuel tank cap ............................................................... 4-17
Fuses, replacing ........................................................... 8-57HHandlebar switches ....................................................... 4-8
Headlight beam, adjusting ........................................... 8-62
Headlight bulb, replacing ............................................. 8-59
UB1662E0.book Page 1 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM

12-2
12
High-range indicator light (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ................ 4-2
Horn switch .................................................................. 4-10IIdentification numbers ................................................. 11-1
Indicator lights and warning lights ................................. 4-1
Instruments, lights and switches ................................... 5-6LLabel locations ............................................................... 1-1
Light switch .................................................................. 4-10
Low-range indicator light (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ................ 4-2MMain switch .................................................................... 4-1
Maintenance and lubrication chart ................................ 8-5
Maintenance chart, emission control system ................ 8-3
Model label .................................................................. 11-1
Multi-function display (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ....................................... 4-5NNeutral indicator light ..................................................... 4-2OOn-Command drive switch “4WD/LOCK” (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ /
YFM70KPSJ) ............................................................. 4-12
Override switch (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ..................................... 4-10
Owner’s manual and tool kit .......................................... 8-2PPanels, removing and installing ..................................... 8-9
Park indicator light ......................................................... 4-2 Parking ........................................................................... 6-4
Parking on a slope ......................................................... 6-5
Part locations ................................................................. 3-1
RRear brake, adjusting the lever, pedal free play .......... 8-45
Rear knuckle pivots, lubricating .................................. 8-52
Reverse indicator light ................................................... 4-2
Riding your ATV ............................................................. 7-1SSafety information .......................................................... 2-1
Seat .............................................................................. 4-19
Shock absorber assemblies, adjusting the front and
rear (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ /
YFM70KPSJ) ............................................................. 4-22
Spark arrester, cleaning ............................................... 8-39
Spark plug, checking ................................................... 8-17
Specifications .............................................................. 10-1
Speed limiter ................................................................ 4-15
Stabilizer bushes, checking .......... ............................... 8-51
Starting the engine ........................................................ 6-1
Start switch .................................................................. 4-10
Steering shaft, lubricating ............................................ 8-52
Storage .......................................................................... 9-2
Storage compartment .................................................. 4-20TTail/brake light bulb, replacing .................................... 8-63
Throttle lever ......................................................... 4-14, 5-4
Throttle lever free play, adjusting ................................ 8-41
Tires ............................................................................... 5-4
Trailer hitch (YFM70KPXJ / YFM70KPAJ / YFM70KPHJ / YFM70KPSJ) ..................................... 4-23
Troubleshooting ........................................................... 8-65
UB1662E0.book Page 2 Monday, April 17, 2017 11:39 AM