brake YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 2004 User Guide

5-23
EBU01003
Lights
Check the headlights and tail/brake light to make
sure they are in working condition. Repair as nec-
essary for proper operation.
EBU11700
Switches
Check the operation of all switches. Have a
Yamaha dealer repair as necessary for proper op-
eration.
U5ND61.book Page 23 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-3
EBU00673
Starting a cold engine
WARNING
Always make sure all control cables work
smoothly before you begin riding in cold
weather. If the control cables are frozen or do
not work smoothly, you could be unable to
control the ATV, which could lead to an acci-
dent or collision.1. Apply the rear brake lever.
2. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
3. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to “”.
4. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position.
U5ND61.book Page 3 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-5 a. Starter (choke)
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
a. Starter (enrichisseur)
1. Complètement ouvert
2. Mi-ouvert
3. Fermé
a. Starter (choke)
1. Abre completamente
2. Semiabierto
3. Cerrado
NOTE:

When the drive select lever is in the neutral or
park position, if either indicator light does not
come on, ask a Yamaha dealer to inspect its
electric circuit.


The engine can be started in any gear if the
rear brake lever is applied. However, it is rec-
ommended to shift into neutral or park before
starting the engine.
5. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:
Position
1: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature below 5 °C.
Position
2: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature at 0 °C–30 °C
and warming up position.
Position
3: Cold engine start-
ambient temperature above 25 °C
and warm engine start position.
6. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
U5ND61.book Page 5 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-11 1. Drive select lever
a. L (Low)
b. H (High)
c. N (Neutral)
d. R (Reverse)
e. P (Park)
1. Levier de présélection
a. L (Rapport inférieur)
b. H (Rapport supérieur)
c. N (Point mort)
d. R (Marche arrière)
e. P (Stationnement)
1. Palanca de selección de marcha
a. L (Baja)
b. H (Alta)
c. N (Punto muerto)
d. R (Marcha atrás)
e. P (Estacionamiento)
EBU00973
Drive select lever operation and reverse driv-
ingCAUTION:_ Before shifting, you must stop the machine
and return the throttle lever to the closed posi-
tion. Otherwise, the transmission may be dam-
aged. _Shifting: Neutral to High and High to Low
1. Bring the machine to a complete stop and re-
turn the throttle lever to the closed position.
2. Apply the brakes, then shift by moving the
drive select lever along the shift guide.NOTE:_ Make sure that the drive select lever is completely
shifted into position. _3. Open the throttle lever gradually.
U5ND61.book Page 11 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-13 1. Drive select lever
a. L (Low)
b. H (High)
c. N (Neutral)
d. R (Reverse)
e. P (Park)
1. Levier de présélection
a. L (Rapport inférieur)
b. H (Rapport supérieur)
c. N (Point mort)
d. R (Marche arrière)
e. P (Stationnement)
1. Palanca de selección de marcha
a. L (Baja)
b. H (Alta)
c. N (Punto muerto)
d. R (Marcha atrás)
e. P (Estacionamiento)
Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
ParkNOTE:_ The drive select lever cannot be shifted into or
from reverse or park without applying the rear
brake. _1. Bring the machine to a complete stop and re-
turn the throttle lever to the closed position.
2. Apply the rear brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or from reverse
to park and vice versa by moving the drive
select lever along the shift guide.NOTE:_

When in reverse, the reverse indicator light
should be on. If the light does not come on,
ask a Yamaha dealer to inspect the reverse
indicator light electrical circuit.


Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the
engine, the light may not come on until the
ATV starts moving.
_
U5ND61.book Page 13 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-15
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, then
release the rear brake pedal.
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and contin-
ue to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
_ Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or person behind you, resulting
in serious injury. When you shift into reverse,
make sure there are no obstacles or people be-
hind you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly. _
U5ND61.book Page 15 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

6-21
EBU06761
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 easily. _1. Bring the machine to a stop by applying the
brakes.
2. Stop the engine.
3. With the brake pedal applied, shift the drive
select lever to the park position “P”.
U5ND61.book Page 21 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 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, shifting procedures,
and turning techniques in this area before trying
more difficult terrain.
Always avoid riding on paved surfaces: the ATV is
designed for off-road use only, and handling ma-
neuvers are more difficult to perform on pavement.
Shift to the parking position “P” and follow the in-
struction 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.
U5ND61.book Page 35 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-37
With the engine idling, shift the drive select lever to
the low position “L” or the high position “H”. 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.CAUTION:_ Do not shift from drive position low “L” to high
“H” or vice versa without coming to a com-
plete stop. Damage to the engine or drive train
may occur. _
U5ND61.book Page 37 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM

7-51
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 this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-
LOCK, all wheels (front and rear) are interconnect-
ed by the drive train. This means that applying ei-
ther 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 ei-
ther the front or rear brake because 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, or dismount the
ATV immediately on the uphill side.
U5ND61.book Page 51 Thursday, June 5, 2003 7:02 PM