engine YAMAHA WOLVERINE 2015 Owner's Manual

6-1
6
EBU31870
OPERATION
EBU31880Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to be-
come familiar with all controls. If there is a
control or function you do not understand,
ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB03290Failure to familiarize yourself with the con-
trols can lead to loss of control, which
could cause an accident or injury. EBU31890Engine break-inThere is never a more important period in the
life of your vehicle than the period between 0
and 20 hours.
For this reason, we ask that you read the fol-
lowing material carefully. Because the engine
is brand new, you must not put an excessive
load on it for the first several hours of opera-
tion. During the first 20 hours, the variousparts in the engine wear and polish them-
selves to achieve the correct operating clear-
ances.
During this period, prolonged full-throttle op-
eration or any condition that might result in
excessive engine heating must be avoided.
However, momentary (2–3 seconds maxi-
mum) full-throttle operation under load does
not harm the engine.
Each full-throttle acceleration sequence
should be followed with a substantial rest pe-
riod for the engine, by cruising at lower r/min
so the engine can rid itself of the temporary
build-up of heat. If any abnormality is noticed
during this period, consult a Yamaha dealer.
0–10 hours:
Avoid continuous operation above 1/2-throt-
tle. Allow a cooling-off period of 5 to 10 min-
utes after every hour of operation. Vary the
speed of the vehicle from time to time. Do not
operate it at one set throttle position.U2MB7AE0.book Page 1 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

6-2
6
10–20 hours:
Avoid prolonged operation above three-quar-
ter throttle.
After break-in:
The vehicle may now be operated normally.EBU31900Starting the engine1. Turn the key to “ ” (on).NOTICEECB02130The coolant temperature warning light and
engine trouble warning light should come
on, then go off.
The EPS warning light should come on,
then go off when the engine is started. (for
EPS model)
If a warning light does not go off, see page
4-2 for the corresponding warning light
circuit check. 2. Apply the brake pedal. 3. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral
position.
When the drive select lever is in the
neutral position, the neutral indicator
light should come on. If the neutral indi-
cator light does not come on, ask a
Yamaha dealer to inspect the electric circuit.
 The engine can be started in any gear if
the brake pedal is applied. However, it
is recommended to shift into neutral
before starting the engine.
4. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, start the engine by turning the key to “ ”
(start).
If the engine fails to start, release the key, and
then try starting it again. Wait a few seconds
before the next attempt. Each attempt should
be as short as possible, to preserve battery
energy. NOTICE: Do not crank the engine
more than 5 seconds on each attempt, or
U2MB7AE0.book Page 2 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

6-3
6
starter damage could occur. Wait at least
5 seconds between each operation of the
electric starter to let it cool.
[ECB02140]
Do not turn the key to the “ ” (start) position
with the engine running; otherwise, damage
to the electric starter may result.TIPFor maximum engine life, never accelerate
hard when the engine is cold! EBU31910Drive select lever operation and re-
verse drivingNOTICEECB02150Do not shift without coming to a complete
stop and waiting for the engine to return to
normal idle speed. Damage to the engine
or drive train may occur. Shifting: neutral to high and high to low1. Stop the vehicle, and take your foot off
the accelerator pedal. 2. Apply the brake pedal, then shift by mov-
ing the drive select lever along the shift
guide. Make sure that the drive select le-
ver is completely shifted into position.
3. Release the parking brake, if applied.
4. Release the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal gradually.
1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
1
2
5 4
3
U2MB7AE0.book Page 3 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

6-4
6
Shifting: neutral to reverse
WARNING
EWB03300Before you shift into reverse, make sure
there are no obstacles or people behind
you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly.
Hitting an obstacle or person could result
in serious injury or death. 1. Stop the vehicle, take your foot off the ac-celerator pedal, and check behind you.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or vice versa by moving the drive select lever along the
shift guide.
When in reverse, the reverse indicator
light should be on. If the light does not
come on, ask a Yamaha dealer to in-
spect the reverse indicator light electri-
cal circuit.
 Due to the synchronizing mechanism in
the engine, the light may not come on
until the vehicle starts moving. 4. Release the parking brake, if applied.
5. Check behind the vehicle for people or
obstacles, and then release the brake
pedal.
6. Press the accelerator pedal gradually and
continue to watch to the rear while back-
ing.
1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
1
2
5 4
3
U2MB7AE0.book Page 4 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

6-7
6
EBU31930ParkingWhen parking, stop the engine and shift the
drive select lever into the neutral position. Ap-
ply the parking brake to help prevent the ve-
hicle from rolling. See page 7-16 for more
information on parking and parking on a
slope.EBU33531LoadingTake extra precautions when driving with a
load or trailer. Follow these instructions and
always use common sense and good judg-
ment when carrying cargo or towing a trailer.
Prepare your load or trailer
WARNING
EWB03310Improper loading or towing can increase
the risk of loss of control, an overturn, or
other accident: 
Do not exceed the Maximum Loading
Limits for the vehicle (see “MAXIMUM
LOADING LIMIT” in this section and ve-
hicle labeling).
 Keep weight in the cargo bed centered
side to side, and as low and as far for-
ward as possible. Top-heavy loads in-
crease the risk of overturn. Be sure
cargo is secured – a loose load could
change handling unexpectedly or strike
occupants.
 Do not exceed the maximum tongue
weight.
 Make sure the load does not interfere
with your control or ability to see where
you are going.
 Tie down cargo in the trailer securely.
Make sure cargo in the trailer cannot
move around. A shifting load can cause
an accident.
Use the hooks equipped on the cargo bed to
tie down loads.
U2MB7AE0.book Page 7 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

7-14
7
Become familiar with the way the vehicle feels
in low and high ranges, first in two-wheel
drive “2WD” and then in four-wheel drive
“4WD” and four-wheel drive with the differen-
tial locked “DIFF LOCK”. Steering may take
more effort in four-wheel drive with the differ-
ential locked “DIFF LOCK”. Also practice
driving in reverse.
Take the time to learn basic operation of the
vehicle before attempting more difficult ma-
neuvers. Getting ready to ride
Perform the Pre-Operation Checks on page
5-1. Follow the instructions starting on page
6-2 to start the engine.
Turning
Use care in turns – turning the steering wheel
too far or too fast can result in loss of control
or a rollover. Slow down before entering
turns. When making tight turns from a stand-
still or at slow speeds, avoid sudden or hard
acceleration. Driving aggressively or making
abrupt maneuvers even on flat, open areas
can cause side rollovers. Avoid sideways slid-
ing, skidding, or back-wheel sliding, and nev-
er do donuts. If you feel the Wolverine begin
to slide sideways or the back wheels slide
during a turn, steer into the direction of the
slide, if possible, and gradually let off the ac-
celerator pedal to regain directional control
and avoid rollover. For example, if you feel the
back of the vehicle start
to slide to your right,
steer to the right.U2MB7AE0.book Page 14 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

7-15
7
If you think or feel that the vehicle may tip or
roll, keep your body completely inside the
protective structure of the vehicle:
Brace yourself by pressing your feet firmly
on the floorboard and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel or passenger handhold.
 Do not put your hands or feet outside of the
vehicle for any reason. Do not try to stop a
tipover using your arm or leg.
Accelerating
With the engine idling in neutral and your foot
on the brake, shift the drive select lever into
low or high. NOTICE: Do not shift from low
to high or vice versa without coming to a
complete stop and waiting for the engine
to return to normal idle speed – damage to
the engine or drive train may occur. Then
release the parking brake.
[ECB02160]
Press the
accelerator pedal slowly and smoothly. The
centrifugal clutch will engage and the vehicle
will begin to accelerate. Avoid higher speeds and sudden or hard ac-
celeration until you are thoroughly familiar
with the operation of your vehicle. Avoid sud-
den or hard acceleration in any turn.
Braking
When slowing down or stopping, take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal smoothly. Improper use of the
brakes can cause the tires to lose traction, re-
ducing control of the vehicle and increasing
the possibility of an accident.
Braking ability is affected by type of terrain. In
most cases, gradual application of the brakes
is more effective than
abrupt braking, partic-
ularly on loose surfaces, such as gravel. Al-
ways allow for greater braking distance on
rough, loose, or slippery surfaces.
Engine braking
Engine compression braking is designed to
assist you when operating your Wolverine off-
road. With this feature, the engine helps slow
U2MB7AE0.book Page 15 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

7-16
7
the vehicle down after you take your foot off
the accelerator. Engine braking is more no-
ticeable in four-wheel drive. Application of ve-
hicle brakes provides additional stopping
power.
Leaving the vehicle
Do not get out of the vehicle while the engine
is running and the drive select lever is in any
gear. There is a risk of injury because:
 Children or others may accidentally press
the accelerator pedal.
 Objects tossed into the vehicle may strike
the accelerator pedal.
 The parking brake may not keep the vehicle
from accelerating.
Unwanted vehicle movement can cause seri-
ous injury or death, and it may be dangerous
to try to stop the vehicle. Parking on a flat area
When parking on a flat area, stop the engine
and shift the drive select lever into the neutral
position. Apply the parking brake to help pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling.
Parking on a slope
The parking brake acts only on the rear
wheels when in “2WD”. For the parking brake
to take effect on all four wheels, shift to “DIFF
LOCK” before stopping the engine.
If you park on a hill that is too steep, the vehi-
cle may roll out of control. Never park on hills
that are so steep you cannot walk up them
easily. If you must park on an incline, follow
these instructions:
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop by applying the brake pedal.
2. Put the vehicle in “DIFF LOCK”.
3. Turn the key to “ ” (off).
4. With the brake pedal applied, set the parking brake.U2MB7AE0.book Page 16 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

7-18
7
to see far enough ahead of you. Use common
sense and remember that some hills are too
steep for you to climb or descend. Use proper
driving techniques to avoid rearward, for-
ward, or sideways rollovers on hills and
slopes.
Drive straight up and down inclines, not
across them. If crossing a hill is unavoidable,
drive slowly. Turn downhill immediately if you
feel the vehicle may tip.
If you think or feel the vehicle may tip or
roll:
Brace yourself by pressing your feet firmly
on the floorboard and keep a firm grip on
the steering wheel or passenger handhold.
 Do not put your hands or feet outside of the
vehicle for any reason.
Uphill
Do not attempt to climb hills until you have
mastered basic maneuvers on flat ground.
Drive straight up hills, and avoid crossing the side of a hill, which increases your risk of roll-
over. Practice first on gentle slopes before at-
tempting steeper hills. Always check the
terrain carefully before attempting any hill.
To climb a hill, you need traction, momentum,
and steady throttle. For more traction and
control for climbing steeper and/or rougher
slopes, shift into low gear and select “4WD”
or “DIFF LOCK”. Travel fast enough to main-
tain momentum, but not so fast that you can-
not react to changes in the terrain as you
climb.
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.
If you start to lose traction or momentum
when climbing, and decide you will be unable
to continue, use the brakes to stop. Do not at-
tempt to turn the vehicle around. With your
foot on the brake pedal, look behind you and
plan your descent. Shift the drive select lever
into reverse so you can use engine braking toU2MB7AE0.book Page 18 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM

7-19
7
slow your descent. Release the brake and be-
gin to coast down the hill. Use engine braking
as much as possible, gently applying the
brakes when necessary.
Downhill
Check the terrain carefully before going
downhill. When possible, choose a path that
lets you drive your vehicle straight downhill.
Choose your path carefully and drive slowly
enough to be able to react to obstacles that
you encounter.
For more traction and control, before going
down steeper and/or rougher slopes, shift
into low gear and select “4WD” or “DIFF
LOCK”. Engine braking will help you go
downhill slowly. Go as slowly as possible. If
you begin to go too fast, apply the brakes
gently. Avoid hard application of the brakes,
which could cause the vehicle to slide. If you are sliding or skidding, try to steer in the
direction the vehicle is sliding, to regain con-
trol. For example, if you feel the back of the
vehicle start to slide to your right, steer to the
right.
If you must turn on the hill to avoid an obsta-
cle, do so slowly and carefully. If the vehicle
starts to tip, immediately steer in the downhill
direction if there are no obstacles in your
path. As you regain proper balance, gradually
steer again in the direction you want to go.
Rough terrain
Operation over rough terrain should be done
with caution.

Look for and avoid obstacles that could
cause damage to the vehicle or could lead
to a rollover or accident.
 Do not drive in a way that will get the vehicle
airborne, as injury, loss of control, and
damage to the vehicle could occur.U2MB7AE0.book Page 19 Thursday, January 29, 2015 3:42 PM