YAMAHA WOLVERINE 450 2009 Service Manual

5-5
5
EBU19761Throttle lever Check the operation of the throttle lever. It must
open smoothly and spring back to the idle position
when released. Have a Yamaha dealer correct if
necessary.EBU19812Tires
WARNING
EWB00592Use of improper tires on this ATV, or operation
of this ATV with improper or uneven tire pres-
sure, may cause loss of control, increasing
your risk of accident.
Pay attention to the following.
The tires listed below have been approved
by Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corpora-
tion of America for this model. Other tire
combinations are not recommended.
Front:
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/M937
Size:
AT23 x 8R12
Type:
TubelessRear:
Manufacturer/model:
MAXXIS/M938
Size:
AT23 x 10R12
Type:
Tubeless

The tires should be set to the recommended
pressure:
Recommended tire pressure:
Front:
40.0 kPa (0.400 kgf/cm², 5.8 psi)
Rear:
40.0 kPa (0.400 kgf/cm², 5.8 psi)
Check and adjust tire pressures when the
tires are cold.
Tire pressures must be equal on both
sides.
Tire pressure below the minimum speci-
fied could cause the tire to dislodge from
the rim under severe riding conditions.
Minimum tire pressure:
Front:
37.0 kPa (0.370 kgf/cm², 5.3 psi)
Rear:
37.0 kPa (0.370 kgf/cm², 5.3 psi)
U3C263E0.book Page 5 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

5-6
5Use no more than the following pressures
when seating the tire beads.
Maximum tire seating pressure:
Front:
250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Rear:
250 kPa (2.5 kgf/cm², 36 psi)
Higher pressures and fast inflation may
cause a tire to burst. Inflate the tires very
slowly and carefully.EBU19821Measuring the tire pressure Use the low-pressure tire gauge.TIPThe low-pressure tire gauge is included as stan-
dard equipment. Make two measurements of the
tire pressure and use the second reading. Dust or
dirt in the gauge could cause the first reading to beincorrect.Set the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Set
the tire pressures to the following specifications:
1. Low-pressure tire gaugeRecommended pressure:
Fro nt
40.0 kPa (0.400 kgf/cm², 5.8 psi)
Rear
40.0 kPa (0.400 kgf/cm², 5.8 psi)
Minimum:
Fro nt
37.0 kPa (0.370 kgf/cm², 5.3 psi)
Rear
37.0 kPa (0.370 kgf/cm², 5.3 psi)
U3C263E0.book Page 6 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

5-7
5
EBU19830Tire wear limit Replace the tire when the tire groove decreases to
3 mm (0.12 in).EBU19840Chassis fasteners Make sure that all nuts, bolts and screws are prop-
erly tightened.EBU19850Instruments, lights and switches Check that all instruments, lights and switches are
working properly. Correct if necessary.1. Tire wear limitU3C263E0.book Page 7 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-1
6
EBU19880
OPERATION
EBU19900Read the Owner’s Manual carefully before riding
the ATV.
WARNING
EWB00630Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to become
familiar with all controls in order to help pre-
vent any loss of control, which could cause an
accident or injury. If there is a control or func-
tion you do not understand, ask your Yamahadealer.EBU26542Starting a cold engine
WARNING
EWB00640Always 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.
NOTICEECB00150See the “Engine break-in” section on page 6-5prior to operating the engine for the first time.
1. Turn the fuel cock to “ON”.
2. Turn the main switch to “ON” and the engine
stop switch to“”.
3. Shift the drive select lever into the neutral or
park position. The corresponding indicator
light should come on, if it does not come on,
have a Yamaha dealer check the electrical cir-
cuit.TIPThe engine can be started under the following con-
ditions:
The drive select lever is in the neutral or park po-
sition.
The rear brake lever is applied with the drive se-
lect lever in any position. However, it is recom-
mended to shift into the neutral or park positionbefore starting the engine.
U3C263E0.book Page 1 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-2
6 4. Use the starter (choke) in reference to the fig-
ure:
Position (1):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
below 5 °C (40 °F).
Position (2):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
between 0 °C (30 °F) and 30 °C (90 °F).
Position (3):
Cold engine start with ambient temperature
above 25 °C (80 °F).
Ambient temp./starter (choke) position5. Apply the rear brake lever.
6. Completely close the throttle lever and start
the engine by pushing the start switch.
TIPIf the engine fails to start, release the start switch,
then push it again. Pause a few seconds before
the next attempt. Each cranking should be as short
as possible to preserve battery energy. Do not
crank the engine more than 10 seconds on eachattempt.
7. If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (1), the starter (choke) should be
returned to position (2) to warm up the engine.
If the engine is started with the starter (choke)
in position (2), keep the starter (choke) in this
position to warm up the engine.NOTICEECB00160For maximum engine life, always warm the en-
gine up before starting off. Never acceleratehard when the engine is cold!
8. Continue warming up the engine until it idles
smoothly, then return the starter (choke) to
position (3) before riding.
1. Fully open
2. Half open
3. Closed
4. Starter (choke)U3C263E0.book Page 2 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-3
6
TIPThe engine is warm when it responds normally tothe throttle with the starter (choke) turned off.EBU20291Starting a warm engine Follow the same procedure as for starting a cold
engine, with the exception that the starter (choke)
is not required when the engine is warm. Instead,
start the engine with the throttle slightly open.EBU20460Operating the drive select lever and
driving in reverse NOTICEECB00170Before shifting, stop the ATV, otherwise thetransmission may be damaged.
Shifting: Neutral to Forward
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the brake pedal, and then shift by mov-
ing the drive select lever along the shift guide.
TIPMake sure that the drive select lever is completelyshifted into position.
3. Release the brake pedal, and then open the
throttle lever gradually.1. Drive select lever
2. F (Forward)
3. N (Neutral)
4. R (Reverse)
5. P (Park)
U3C263E0.book Page 3 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-4
6 Shifting: Neutral to Reverse and Reverse to
Park
TIPThe drive select lever cannot be shifted into or fromreverse or park without applying the brake pedal.
1. Bring the ATV to a complete stop.
2. Apply the 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.
TIP
When in reverse, the reverse indicator light
should come on. If the indicator light does not
come on, have a Yamaha dealer check the elec-
trical circuit.
Due to the synchronizing mechanism in the en-
gine, the indicator light may not come on until theATV starts moving.
4. Check behind for people or obstacles, and
then release the brake pedal.
5. Open the throttle lever gradually and continue
to watch to the rear while backing.
WARNING
EWB00720Improper operation in reverse could make you
hit an obstacle or even a person behind you,
resulting in serious injury. When you shift into
reverse, make sure there are no people or ob-
stacles behind you. When it is safe to proceed,go slowly.
1. Drive select lever
2. F (Forward)
3. N (Neutral)
4. R (Reverse)
5. P (Park)U3C263E0.book Page 4 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-5
6
EBU20682Engine break-in TIP
For ATVs equipped with an odometer or an hour
meter, follow the figures given in km (mi) or the
figures given in hours.
For ATVs not equipped with an odometer orhour meter, follow the figures given in hours.
There is never a more important period in the life of
your engine than the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours of riding. For this reason, you should read
the following material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not put an ex-
cessive load on it for the first 320 km (200 mi) or 20
hours. The various parts in the engine wear and
polish themselves to the correct operating clear-
ances. During this period, prolonged full-throttle
operation or any condition that might result in en-
gine overheating must be avoided.
0–160 km (0–100 mi) or 0–10 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 1/2 throttle. Vary
the speed of the ATV regularly. Do not operate it at
one set throttle position.160–320 km (100–200 mi) or 10–20 hours
Avoid prolonged operation above 3/4 throttle. Rev
the engine freely, but do not use full throttle at any
time.
320 km (200 mi) or 20 hours and beyond
The ATV can now be operated normally.
NOTICEECB00220If any engine trouble should occur during the
engine break-in period, immediately have aYamaha dealer check the ATV.EBU20690Parking When parking the ATV, stop the engine, shift the
drive select lever into the park position, and then
turn the fuel cock to the “OFF” position.EBU20820Parking on a slope
WARNING
EWB00860Avoid 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
U3C263E0.book Page 5 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-6
6 incline, place the ATV transversely across the
incline, stop the engine, shift the drive select
lever to the park position, and then block the
front and rear wheels with rocks or other ob-
jects.
Do not park the ATV at all on hills that are so
steep you could not walk up them easily.
1. Bring the ATV 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.
EBU20910Accessories and loading EBU20920Accessories
Accessories can affect the handling and control of
your ATV. Keep the following in mind when consid-
ering an accessory or operating an ATV which has
accessories.
Choose only accessories designed for your
ATV. Your Yamaha dealer has a variety of gen-
uine Yamaha accessories. Other accessories
may also be available on the market. However,
it is not possible for Yamaha to test all non-
Yamaha accessories, nor control over their qual-
ity or suitability. Choose a genuine Yamaha ac-
cessory, or one that is equivalent in design and
quality.
Accessories should be rigidly and securely
mounted. An accessory which can shift position
or come off while you are riding could affect your
ability to control the ATV.
Do not mount an accessory where it could inter-
fere with your ability to control the ATV. Exam-
ples include (but are not limited to) a heavy or
bulky object attached to the handlebars which
U3C263E0.book Page 6 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM

6-7
6could make steering difficult, an accessory that
limits your ability to move around on the seat, or
one that limits your view.

Use extra caution when riding an ATV with ac-
cessories. The ATV may handle differently than
it does without accessories.EBU26390Loading
As originally equipped, this ATV is not designed to
carry cargo or tow a trailer. If you choose to add ac-
cessories so that you can carry cargo or tow a trail-
er, you must use common sense and good
judgment as the stability and handling of an ATV
can be changed. When adding accessories, keep
the following points in mind:
Never exceed the weight limits shown. An over-
loaded ATV can be unstable.

If you are carrying cargo and towing a trailer, in-
clude the tongue weight in the maximum ATV
load limit.
Load cargo on the carriers as close to the center
of the ATV as possible. Put cargo at the rear of
the front carrier, at the front of the rear carrier,
and center it.
Tie down cargo securely to the carriers. Make
sure cargo in the trailer cannot move around. A
shifting load can cause an accident.
Make sure the load does not interfere with con-
trols or your ability to see where you are going.
Ride more slowly than you would without a load.
The more weight you carry, the slower you
should go.
Allow more braking distance. A heavier ATV
takes longer to stop.
Avoid making sharp turns unless at very slow
speeds.
Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose terrain
carefully. Added weight affects the stability and
handling of the ATV. MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
ATV loading limit (total weight of rider, cargo,
accessories, and tongue):
100.0 kg (220 lb)
Storage compartment:
2.0 kg (4 lb)
U3C263E0.book Page 7 Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:44 AM