brakes YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 2004 User Guide

7-55
RIDING DOWNHILL
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 low range “L” and
change to 4WD or 4WD-LOCK before beginning
to descend the hill. Improper braking may cause a
loss of traction. Use caution while descending a hill
with loose or slippery surfaces. Braking ability and
traction may be adversely affected by these sur-
faces. Improper braking may also cause a loss of
traction.
When this ATV is in 4WD or 4WD-LOCK, 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 down-
hill side. Avoid sudden application of either the
front or rear brake because the wheels on the up-
hill side could come off the ground. Apply both the
front and rear brakes gradually.
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7-63
CROSSING THROUGH SHALLOW WATER
The ATV can be used to cross slow moving, shal-
low water of up to a maximum of 35 cm in depth.
Before entering the water, choose your path care-
fully. Enter where there is no sharp drop off, and
avoid rocks or other obstacles which may be slip-
pery or upset the ATV. Drive slowly and carefully.
WARNING
_ Never operate this ATV in fast flowing water or
in water deeper than that specified in your
Owner’s Manual. Remember that wet brakes
may have reduced stopping ability. Test your
brakes after leaving water. If necessary, apply
them several times to let friction dry out the lin-
ings. If the ATV is operated through deep or
fast flowing water, the tires may float, causing
loss of traction and loss of control, which
could lead to an accident. _
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7-65
1. Air filter case check hose
1. Flexible de contrôle du boîtier de filtre à air
1. Manguera de comprobación de la caja del filtro de aire
Test your brakes after leaving the water. Do not
continue to ride your ATV without verifying that
you have regained proper braking ability.CAUTION:_ After riding your ATV in water, be sure to drain
the trapped water by removing the check hose
at the bottom of the air filter case, the V-belt
cooling duct check hose, the drive select lever
box check hose and the storage compartment
check hose. Also, remove the V-belt case drain
plug to drain any water that may have accumu-
lated. Wash the ATV in fresh water if it has
been operated in salt water or muddy condi-
tions. _
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7-71
SLIDING AND SKIDDING
Care should be used when riding on loose or slip-
pery surfaces since the ATV may slide. If unex-
pected and uncorrected, sliding could lead to an
accident.
To reduce the tendency for the front wheels to
slide in loose or slippery conditions, positioning
your weight over the front wheels will sometimes
help.
If the rear wheels of your ATV start to slide side-
ways, control can usually be regained (if there is
room to do so) by steering in the direction of the
slide. Applying the brakes or accelerating is not
recommended until you have corrected the slide.
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7-75
WHAT TO DO IF ...
This section is designed to be a reference guide
only. Be sure to read each section on riding tech-
niques completely.
WHAT TO DO ...

If your ATV doesn’t turn when you want it to:
Bring the ATV to a stop and practice the turning
maneuvers again. Be sure you are putting your
weight on the footboard to the outside of the
turn. Position your weight over the front wheels
for better control. (See pages 7-39–7-43.)


If your ATV begins to tip while turning:
Lean more into the turn to regain balance. If
necessary, gradually let off the throttle and/or
steer to the outside of the turn. (See pages
7-39–7-43.)


If your ATV starts to slide sideways:
Steer in the direction of the slide if you have the
room. Applying the brakes or accelerating is
not recommended until you have corrected the
slide. (See pages 7-71–7-73.)
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7-79

If your ATV encounters shallow water:
Ride slowly and carefully through slow moving
water, watching for obstacles. Be sure to let
water drain from the ATV and CHECK YOUR
BRAKES FOR PROPER OPERATION when
you come out of the water. Do not continue to
ride your ATV until you have regained ade-
quate braking ability. (See pages 7-63–7-67.)
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8-93 1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel mínimo
FRONT
Avant
Delantero1. Minimum level mark
1. Repère de niveau minimum
1. Marca de nivel mínimoREAR
Arrière
Trasero
EBU06221
Inspecting the brake fluid level
Insufficient brake fluid may let air enter the brake
system, possibly causing the brakes to become in-
effective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid is above
the minimum level mark and replenish when nec-
essary. A low brake fluid level may indicate worn
brake pads and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check the brake
pads for wear and the brake system for leakage.
The rear brake fluid master cylinder reservoir is lo-
cated under panel C. (See pages 8-21–8-25 for
panel removal and installation procedures.)
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level, make sure the
top of the master cylinder reservoirs are level.


Use only the designated quality brake fluid.
Otherwise, the rubber seals may deteriorate,
causing leakage and poor brake performance.
Recommended brake fluid: DOT 4
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8-99 a. Front brake lever free play
a. Jeu au levier de frein avant
a. Juego libre de la palanca de lo freno delantero
EBU11880
Front brake lever free play
The front brake lever should have a free play of
zero mm at the lever end. If not, have a Yamaha
dealer check the brake system.
WARNING
_ Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly
and that the free play is correct.


Make sure the brakes do not drag.


Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All
air must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These procedures
should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
_
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8-103
WARNING
_ Operating with improperly serviced or adjust-
ed brakes could cause loss of braking ability
which could lead to an accident.
After servicing:

Make sure the brakes operate smoothly
and that the free play is correct.


Make sure the brakes do not drag.


Make sure the brakes are not spongy. All
air must be bled from the brake system.
Replacement of brake components requires
professional knowledge. These procedures
should be performed by a Yamaha dealer.
_
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9-3
CAUTION:
Excessive water pressure may cause water
seepage and deterioration of wheel bearings,
brakes, transmission seals and electrical de-
vices. Many expensive repair bills have result-
ed from improper high pressure detergent
applications such as those available in coin-
operated car washers.4. Once the majority of the dirt has been hosed
off, wash all surfaces with warm water and
mild, detergent-type soap. An old toothbrush
or bottle brush is handy for hard-to-get-at
places.
5. Rinse the machine off immediately with clean
water and dry all surfaces with a chamois,
clean towel or soft absorbent cloth.
6. Clean the seat with a vinyl upholstery cleaner
to keep the cover pliable and glossy.
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