Can-Am 2018 Defender Series Manual

2018
DEFENDERSeries
2 1 9 0 0 1 8 0 7
219 001 807
OPERATOR’S GUIDE DEFENDER Series / ENGLISH
GUIDE DU CONDUCTEUR Séries DEFENDER / ANGLAIS
FAIT AU / MADE IN CANADA U/M:P.C.
®™ AND THE BRP LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC. OR ITS AFFILIATES.
©2017 BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN CANADA. Original Instructions
Operator’s
Guide
IIIncludes
Safety,Vehicle
andMaintenanceInformation
DEFENDER
TM
Series
Read this guide thoroughly. It contains important safety information.
Minimum age: Operator: 16 or older with a valid driver's license. Keep this Operator’s Guide in the vehicle.
The removal or modification of evaporative emission-related parts on this OHRV is illegal.
Violators may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties under California and federal law.
WARNING
2018
WARNING
To reduce risk of serious injury or death, read this
Operator’s Guide and safety labels, watch the safety
video and:
Be prepared
• Fasten seat belts and make sure nets and/or doors
are securely latched in place.
• Wear an approved helmet and protective gear.
• Each rider must be able to sit with back against
seat, foot flat on the floor or on footrest, and hands
on steering wheel or handholds. Stay completely
inside the vehicle.
Drive responsibly
• Avoid loss of control and rollovers.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvers, sideways sliding, skidding
or fishtailing and never do donuts.
• Avoid hard acceleration when turning, even from
a stop.
• Slow down before entering a turn.
• Plan for hills, rough terrain, ruts and other changes
in traction and terrain.
• Avoid paved surfaces.
• Avoid side hilling (riding across slopes).
Be Qualified and Responsible
• Do not allow careless or reckless driving.
• Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid
driver's license.
• Do not operate after using drugs or alcohol.
•Do not allow operation on public roads (unless
designated for off-highway vehicle access) –
collisions with cars and trucks can occur.
• Do not exceed vehicle seating capacity.

WARNING
YOUR VEHICLE CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. A collision or rollover
can occur quickly, if you fail to take proper precautions, even during routine
maneuvers such as turning and driving on hills or over obstacles.
For your safety, understand and follow all the warnings contained in this
Operator's Guide and on the labels on your vehicle. Failure to follow these
warnings can result in SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH!
Keep this Operator's Guide with the vehicle at all times.
WARNING
Disregarding any of the safety precautions and instructions contained in
this Operator's Guide,
SAFETY VIDEO and on-product safety labels could
result in severe injury including the possibility of death!
WARNING
This vehicle may exceed the performance of other vehicles you may have
ridden in the past. Take time to familiarize yourself with your new vehicle.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
WARNING: Operating, servicing and maintaining an off-road
vehicle can expose you to chemicals including engine
exhaust, carbon monoxide, phthalates, and lead, which are
known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To minimize exposure,
avoid breathing exhaust, do not idle the engine except
as necessary, service your vehicle in a well-ventilated
area and wear gloves or wash your hands frequently
when servicing your vehicle. For more information go to
www.p65warnings.ca.gov/products/passenger-vehicle.
In Canada, products are distributed by Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
(BRP).
In USA, products are distributed by BRP US Inc.
The following trademarks are the property of Bombardier Recreational
Products Inc.:
Can-Am®D.E.S.S.™ DPS™ Rotax®TTI™ XPS™
This document contains the trademark of the following company:
–†Mossy Oak is a trademark of Haas Outdoors, Inc.
–VELCRO®is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B. V
–†Visco-Lok is a trademark of GKN Viscodrive GmbH.
219001807 en LG
®™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.
©2017 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. and BRP US Inc. All rights reserved.

FOREWORD
Deutsch
Dieses Handbuch ist möglicherweise in Ihrer Landessprache
verfügbar. Bitte wenden Sie sich an Ihren Händler oder besuchen Sie:
www.operatorsguides.brp.com
English This guide may be available in your language. Check with your dealer or
go to: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
Español Es posible que este manual esté disponible en su idioma. Consulte a su
distribuidor o visite: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
Français Ce guide peut être disponible dans votre langue. Vérifier avec votre
concessionnaire ou aller à: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
日本語
このガイドは、言語によって翻訳版が用意されています。.
ディーラーに問い合わせるか、次のアドレスでご確認ください：
www.operatorsguides.brp.com
Nederlands Deze handleiding kan beschikbaar zijn in uw taal. Vraag het aan uw dealer
of ga naar: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
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concessionária ou visite o site: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
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tai käy osoitteessa: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
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eller gå till: www.operatorsguides.brp.com
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Congratulations on your purchase of
a new Can-Am®side-by-side vehicle.
It's backed by the BRP limited warranty
and a network of authorized Can-Am
dealers ready to provide the parts, ac-
cessories or service you may require.
At delivery, you were informed of the
warranty coverage and signed the
PREDELIVERY CHECK LIST to ensure
your new vehicle was prepared to your
entire satisfaction.
Your dealer is committed to your satis-
faction. If you need more information,
please ask your dealer.
Know Before you Go
To learn how to reduce the risk of ac-
cident for you or bystanders, read this
Operator's Guide before you operate
the vehicle.
Also, read all safety labels on your vehi-
cleandwatchthe
SAFETY VIDEO .
Failure to follow the warnings con-
tained in this Operator's Guide can
result in SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH.
Safety Messages
The types of safety messages, what
they look like and how they are used in
this guide are explained as follows:
_______________ 1

FOREWORD
The safety alert symbol indicates a
potential injury hazard.
WARNING
Indicates a potential hazard which,
if not avoided, could result in seri-
ous injury or death.
CAUTION Indicates a haz-
ardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in minor or
moderate injury.
NOTICE Indicates an instruction
which, if not followed, could result
in severely damaged vehicle com-
ponents or other property.
About this Operator's
Guide
This Operator's Guide has been pre-
pared to acquaint the owner/operator
of a new vehicle with the various ve-
hicle controls, maintenance and safe
operating instructions. It is indispens-
able for the proper use of the product.
Keep this Operator's Guide in the vehi-
cle as you can refer to it for things such
as maintenance, troubleshooting and
instructing others.
Note that this guide is available in sev-
eral languages. In the event of any dis-
crepancy, the English version shall pre-
vail.
Ifyouwanttoviewand/orprintan
extra copy of your Operator's Guide,
simply visit the following website
www.operatorsguides.brp.com.
The information contained in this doc-
ument is correct at the time of publi-
cation. BRP, however, maintains a pol-
icy of continuous improvement of its
products without imposing upon itself
any obligation to install them on prod-
ucts previously manufactured. Due
to late changes, some differences be-
tween the manufactured product and
the descriptions and/or specifications
in this guide may occur. BRP reserves
the right at any time to discontinue or
change specifications, designs, fea-
tures, models or equipment without
incurring any obligation upon itself.
This Operator's Guide and the
SAFETY
DVD
should remain with the vehicle
when it is sold.
2_______________

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD .......................................................................... 1
KnowBefore youGo............................................................. 1
SafetyMessages................................................................. 1
AboutthisOperator'sGuide .................................................... 2
SAFETY INFORMATION
GENERALPRECAUTIONS......................................................... 10
AvoidCarbon MonoxidePoisoning............................................ 10
AvoidGasoline Fires andOtherHazards ...................................... 10
AvoidBurnsfromHotParts .................................................... 10
Accessories andModifications ................................................ 10
SAFEOPERATION -RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................ 11
Owner-BeResponsible........................................................ 11
Operator-BeQualifiedandResponsible...................................... 11
RidingCarefully.................................................................. 12
OccupantRestraintSystem.................................................... 12
Terrain Condition ................................................................ 12
PRE-RIDEINSPECTION............................................................ 14
Pre-RideInspection CheckList ................................................ 14
PREPARETORIDE.................................................................. 17
Before youRide ................................................................. 17
RidingGear ...................................................................... 17
AVOIDACCIDENTS ................................................................ 19
AvoidRolloversand Tipovers................................................... 19
Avoid Collisions.................................................................. 20
RIDING YOURVEHICLE............................................................ 21
Practice Exercises .............................................................. 21
Off-RoadOperation............................................................. 22
GeneralRidingTechniques..................................................... 22
MOVING LOADSAND DOINGWORK........................................... 27
Working withyourVehicle...................................................... 27
Carrying Loads .................................................................. 27
HaulingaLoad................................................................... 29
Pulling a Trailer................................................................... 30
IMPORTANTON-PRODUCTLABELS............................................ 31
HangTag......................................................................... 31
Safety Labels .................................................................... 34
TechnicalInformation Label.................................................... 44
ComplianceLabels.............................................................. 45
VEHICLE INFORMATION
PRIMARYCONTROLS ............................................................. 48
_______________ 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRIMARY CONTROLS (cont’d)
1)Steering Wheel............................................................... 48
2)AcceleratorPedal............................................................. 48
3)Brake Pedal ................................................................... 49
4)Shift Lever .................................................................... 49
SECONDARYCONTROLS......................................................... 51
1)IgnitionSwitchandKeys..................................................... 51
2)HeadlightDimmer Switch ................................................... 53
3)2WD/4WDSwitch............................................................ 53
4)RearDifferentialSwitch(If Equipped) ...................................... 53
5)ECO/Normal/WorkModeSwitch(IfEquipped)............................ 54
6)Winch Switch(IfEquipped).................................................. 54
MULTIFUNCTIONGAUGE(LCD)................................................. 55
MultifunctionGauge Description .............................................. 55
MultifunctionGauge Modes ................................................... 56
NavigatingintheLCD Gauge................................................... 59
GaugeSetup..................................................................... 59
MULTIFUNCTIONGAUGE(ANALOG/DIGITAL) ............................... 61
MultifunctionGauge Features ................................................. 61
GaugeSetup..................................................................... 65
EQUIPMENT......................................................................... 66
1)Tilt Steering ................................................................... 68
2)CupHolders................................................................... 68
3)PassengersHandhold........................................................ 69
4)StorageCompartments...................................................... 69
5)Tool Kit......................................................................... 72
6)Footrests...................................................................... 72
7)SideNets...................................................................... 72
8)Shoulder Guards.............................................................. 72
9)SeatBelts ..................................................................... 72
10) Driver'sSeat................................................................. 73
11) PassengerSeats ............................................................ 74
12) Fuel ReservoirCap.......................................................... 74
13) Winch(If Equipped)......................................................... 74
14) CargoBox.................................................................... 75
15) CargoBoxTilt ReleaseHandles............................................ 75
16) AnchoringHooks............................................................ 75
17) Tailgate....................................................................... 75
18) TrailerHitch.................................................................. 76
19) 12-Volt PowerOutlets ...................................................... 76
20) Full DoorsWithElectricWindows(ModelswithaCab) ................. 77
21) FullGlass Windshield withWiper (ModelswithaCab) .................. 77
22) Rear WindowWithSlidingOpening(Modelswith a Cab) ............... 78
23) Roof (IfEquipped)........................................................... 78
24) Heating System(IfEquipped).............................................. 78
4_______________

TABLE OF CONTENTS
OPTIONALEQUIPMENT (IFAVAILABLEONYOURMODEL) ................ 80
1)FullUnderbodySkidPlate ................................................... 80
2)GunBoot ...................................................................... 80
3)GunBoot Mount.............................................................. 82
4)PortableLight................................................................. 82
5)LinQTool Holders ............................................................ 82
6)LH SideMirror ................................................................ 84
7)HalfWindshield............................................................... 84
8)Headache Rack............................................................... 85
9)CentralPanoramicMirror.................................................... 85
TUNEYOUR RIDE .................................................................. 86
SuspensionAdjustmentGuidelines........................................... 86
SuspensionFactorySettings................................................... 86
SuspensionAdjustments....................................................... 86
DPS Function.................................................................... 87
FUEL.................................................................................. 88
FuelRequirements.............................................................. 88
VehicleFueling Procedure...................................................... 88
FuelingaGasolineContainer................................................... 89
BREAK-INPERIOD.................................................................. 90
OperationDuringBreak-In...................................................... 90
BASICPROCEDURES .............................................................. 91
Starting theEngine.............................................................. 91
OperatingtheShiftLever....................................................... 91
ChoosingtheCorrectRange(LoworHigh) ................................... 91
Stopping the Engineand ParkingtheVehicle................................. 92
Tips for Maximizing Drive Belt Durability ...................................... 92
SPECIALPROCEDURES ........................................................... 93
Whattodoif WaterisSuspectedtobeintheCVT ........................... 93
Whattodoif Batteryis Drainedout............................................ 93
Whattodoif VehicleRolled Over.............................................. 93
Whattodoif VehicleisSubmerged............................................ 93
TRANSPORTINGTHEVEHICLE .................................................. 94
LIFTINGANDSUPPORTING THE VEHICLE..................................... 95
Frontof Vehicle.................................................................. 95
RearofVehicle................................................................... 95
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCESCHEDULE...................................................... 98
SEVERE DUSTY CONDITIONS ................................................ 98
MAINTENANCESCHEDULELEGEND ....................................... 98
MAINTENANCESCHEDULE .................................................. 99
MAINTENANCEPROCEDURES ................................................ 102
EngineAirFilter ............................................................... 102
_______________ 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES (cont’d)
CVT AirFilter................................................................... 103
Evaporative Emission SystemPre-Filter(IfEquipped)..................... 104
EngineOil...................................................................... 104
Oil Filter ........................................................................ 106
Radiator ........................................................................ 107
EngineCoolant ................................................................ 107
Mufflerand Spark Arrester ................................................... 110
GearboxOil (HD8 andHD10)................................................. 111
RearFinalDrive Oil(HD5)..................................................... 112
DifferentialOil ................................................................. 114
SparkPlugs .................................................................... 115
CVT Cover ..................................................................... 116
CVT CoverInstallation(AllModels).......................................... 117
DriveBelt ...................................................................... 117
Battery ......................................................................... 120
FusesandFusibleLinks ...................................................... 120
Lights........................................................................... 122
DriveShaft Boot andProtector............................................... 123
PropellerShaftBoot(HD5) ................................................... 123
WheelBearing................................................................. 124
Wheels andTires.............................................................. 124
Suspensions................................................................... 125
Brakes.......................................................................... 126
SeatBelts...................................................................... 127
DoorsWithElectricWindows (IfEquipped) ................................ 127
HeatingSystem (IfEquipped)................................................ 127
VEHICLECARE.................................................................... 129
Post-Operation Care .......................................................... 129
VehicleCleaningand Protection ............................................. 129
STORAGEANDPRESEASON PREPARATION................................ 130
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
VEHICLEIDENTIFICATION ...................................................... 132
VehicleIdentification Number................................................ 132
EngineIdentification Number................................................ 132
EVAPORATIVEEMISSIONCONTROLSYSTEM.............................. 133
NOISEEMISSIONCONTROLSYSTEMREGULATION...................... 134
EC-DECLARATIONOFCONFORMITY ......................................... 135
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................. 136
6_______________

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TROUBLESHOOTING
TROUBLESHOOTINGGUIDELINES ........................................... 148
MESSAGESINMULTIFUNCTION GAUGE ................................... 152
WARRANTY
BRP LIMITED WARRANTY USA AND CANADA: 2018 CAN-AM®SSV.... 154
USEPAEMISSION-RELATED WARRANTY................................... 158
CALIFORNIA EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS CONTROL WARRANTY
STATEMENT....................................................................... 161
BRP INTERNATIONAL LIMITED WARRANTY: 2018 CAN-AM®SSV ...... 163
BRP LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, THE
COMMONWEALTH OF THE INDEPENDANT STATES AND TURKEY: 2018
CAN-AM®SSV.................................................................... 167
CUSTOMER INFORMATION
PRIVACY INFORMATION........................................................ 174
CONTACTUS...................................................................... 175
NorthAmerica................................................................. 175
Europe ......................................................................... 175
Oceania ........................................................................ 175
SouthAmerica................................................................. 175
Asia............................................................................. 175
CHANGEOF ADDRESS/OWNERSHIP......................................... 176
_______________ 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS
8_______________

SAFETY
INFORMATION
________ SAFETY INFORMATION ________ 9

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning
All engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, a deadly gas. Breathing car-
bon monoxide can cause headaches,
dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, confu-
sion and eventually death.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odor-
less, tasteless gas that may be present
even if you do not see or smell any en-
gine exhaust. Deadly levels of carbon
monoxide can collect rapidly, and you
can quickly be overcome and unable
to save yourself. Also, deadly levels of
carbon monoxide can linger for hours
or days in enclosed or poorly ventilated
areas. If you experience any symp-
toms of carbon monoxide poisoning,
leave the area immediately, get fresh
air and seek medical treatment.
To prevent serious injury or death from
carbon monoxide:
– Never run the vehicle in poorly ven-
tilated or partially enclosed areas
such as garages, carports or barns.
Even if you try to ventilate engine
exhaust with fans or open windows
and doors, carbon monoxide can
rapidly reach dangerous levels.
– Never run the vehicle outdoors
where engine exhaust can be drawn
into a building through openings
such as windows and doors.
Avoid Gasoline Fires and
Other Hazards
Gasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive. Fuel vapors can
spread and be ignited by a spark or
flame many feet away from the en-
gine. To reduce the risk of fire or explo-
sion, follow these instructions:
– Use only an approved gasoline con-
tainer to store fuel.
– Never fill the gasoline container in
the vehicle cargo box or on the ve-
hicle - an electrical static discharge
may ignite the fuel.
– Strictly adhere to instructions in
VE-
HICLE FUELING PROCEDURE
.
– Never start or operate the engine if
the fuel cap is not properly installed.
Gasoline is poisonous and can cause
injury or death.
– Never siphon gasoline by mouth.
– If you swallow gasoline, get any in
your eye(s), or inhale gasoline vapor,
see a doctor immediately.
If gasoline spills on you, wash with
soap and water and change your
clothes.
Avoid Burns from Hot Parts
Certain components become hot dur-
ing operation. Avoid contact with
those parts during and shortly after
operation to avoid burns.
Accessories and
Modifications
Any modifications or addition of acces-
sories may affect the handling of your
vehicle. It is important to take the time
to get familiar with the vehicle once
modifications are made to understand
how to adapt your driving behavior ac-
cordingly.
Do not temper with unauthorized mod-
ifications or install equipment not
specifically certified by BRP for the
vehicle. These modifications have not
been tested by BRP and they may in-
crease the risk of injury or loss of con-
trol, or render the vehicle illegal to ride.
As an example, tempering with tire
specifications may affect the behavior
of the vehicle and increase the risk of a
loss of control.
Ask your authorized BRP dealer for
suitable available accessories for your
vehicle.
10 _______ SAFETY INFORMATION ________

SAFE OPERATION - RESPONSIBILITIES
This is a high performance off-road
vehicle. Operators must be respon-
sibleandusecaretoavoidrollovers,
tipovers, collisions, and other acci-
dents. Even with vehicle safety fea-
tures (such as protective structure,
seat belts, side nets, doors) and pro-
tective gear (such as a helmet), there is
alwaysariskofinjuryordeathinthese
accidents. To reduce the risk of seri-
ous injury or death, follow the rules in
this section.
Owner - Be Responsible
Read this Operator's Guide and watch
the
SAFETY VIDEO .
Always inspect and confirm the safe
operating condition of your vehicle
prior to ride. Always follow the main-
tenance schedule described in this
Operator's Guide.
Never allow anyone to operate your
vehicle unless they are responsible
and can be trusted with a high perfor-
mance vehicle. Consider supervising
new or young operators and setting
rules and limits (e.g., whether they can
carry passengers, what they may do
with the vehicle, where they may ride,
etc.) for anyone using your vehicle.
If equipped with optional D.E.S.S.
keys, select the appropriate key (see
IGNITION SWITCH AND KEYS )based
on the operator's experience, vehicle
use and environment.
Discuss the safety information with
anyone who will be using the vehicle.
Be sure that all operators and passen-
gers meet the qualifications below and
agree to follow the safety information.
Help users become familiar with the
vehicle.
We encourage you to have an An-
nual Safety Inspection of your vehi-
cle. Please contact an authorized BRP
dealer for further details. Though not
required, it is recommended that an
authorized BRP dealer performs the
preseason preparation of your vehi-
cle. Each visit to your authorized BRP
dealer is a great opportunity for your
dealer to verify if your vehicle is in-
cluded in any safety campaign. We
also urge you to visit your authorized
BRPdealerinatimelymannerifyou
become aware of any safety related
campaigns.
See an authorized BRP dealer for avail-
able accessories you may require.
Operator - Be Qualified and
Responsible
Read this Operator's Guide and watch
the
SAFETY VIDEO .
Become completely familiar with the
operational controls and the general
operation of the vehicle.
Take a training course if available (con-
tact an authorized Can-Am dealer to
find out about training course avail-
ability as well as on the internet at
http://www.rohva.org/), and perform
the practice exercises in
PRACTICE
EXERCISES
section. Practice driv-
ing in a suitable area free of hazards
and feel the response of each control.
Drive at low speeds. Higher speeds re-
quire greater experience, knowledge
andsuitableridingconditions.
Be at least 16 years of age.
Be tall enough to be properly seated:
back against the backrest with the
seat belt fastened, to hold the steer-
ing wheel with both hands and still be
able to reach the full stroke of brake
and accelerator pedals with the right
foot and to firmly plant left foot on the
footrest.
Have a proper driver's license in accor-
dance with local laws.
Never use this vehicle with drugs or al-
cohol, or if tired or ill. These slow reac-
tion time and impair judgment.
________ SAFETY INFORMATION ________ 11

SAFE OPERATION - RESPONSIBILITIES
Carrying Passengers
Only carry a maximum of two passen-
gers. The passengers must be prop-
erly seated in the cockpit.
The passengers must be tall enough
to always be properly seated: back
against the backrest with seat belt fas-
tened, holding the handhold, and feet
firmly planted - for the RH passenger,
with right foot on the footrest and the
left foot on the vehicle floor and for
the central passenger, with both feet
firmly planted on the floor.
Never carry passengers who have
used drugs or alcohol, or are tired or
ill. These slow reaction time and im-
pair judgment.
Instruct the passengers to read the ve-
hicle’s safety labels.
Never carry passengers if you judge
their ability or judgement insufficient
to concentrate on the terrain condi-
tions and adapt accordingly. More
specifically for side-by-side vehicles,
the passenger must also pay constant
attention to the terrain ahead and be
able to brace for bumps.
Riding Carefully
– This vehicle handles differently
from other vehicles. A collision or
rollover can occur quickly, during
abrupt maneuvers such as doing
sharp turns, acceleration or decel-
eration and driving on hills or over
obstacles, if you fail to take proper
precautions.
– Never operate at excessive speeds.
Always go at a speed that is proper
for the terrain, visibility, and operat-
ing conditions, and your experience.
– Never attempt jumps, side slides,
donuts or any other stunts.
– Never attempt rapid acceleration
or deceleration when performing a
sharp turn. This may result in a roll
over.
– Never attempt skidding or sliding.
If vehicle starts to skid or slide,
counter steer in the direction of
skidding or sliding. On extremely
slippery surfaces, such as ice, go
slowly and be very cautious in order
to reduce the chance of skidding out
of control.
– Always be sure there are no obsta-
cles or people behind the vehicle
when you operate in reverse. Pay
attention to blind spots. When it
is safe to proceed in reverse, go
slowly.
– Never exceed the stated load lim-
its for this vehicle. Cargo must be
properly secured. Reduce speed,
allow for greater braking distance
and follow other instructions in
MOVING LOADS AND DOING
WORK
.
– Always remember that this vehicle
is heavy! Its pure weight alone may
entrap you should it tip or rollover.
Occupant Restraint
System
– This vehicle is designed to carry one
driver and up to two passengers, all
wearing proper protective gears (re-
fer to
RIDING GEAR in this section).
– The driver and passengers must
latch the side nets or close the full
doors and wear the seat belts at all
times when riding.
Terrain Condition
– This vehicle is not designed to ride
on paved surfaces; if you must
shortly use the vehicle on such sur-
faces, avoid abrupt inputs to steer-
ing wheel, accelerator andbrake
pedals.
– Always go slowly and be extra care-
ful when operating on unfamiliar
terrain. Always be alert to changing
terrain conditions when operating
this vehicle. Take the time to learn
how the vehicle performs in differ-
ent environments.
12 _______ SAFETY INFORMATION ________

SAFE OPERATION - RESPONSIBILITIES
– Never operate on excessively
rough, slippery or loose terrain un-
til you have learned and practiced
the skills necessary to control this
vehicleonsuchterrain. Alwaysbe
especially cautious on these kinds
of terrain.
– Never operate this vehicle on hills
too steep for the vehicle or your abil-
ities. Practice on small inclines.
– Always follow proper procedures
for climbing or going down hills as
described in
RIDING YOUR VEHI-
CLE
. Check the terrain carefully be-
fore you start up or down any hill.
Never climb or descend hills with
excessively slippery or loose sur-
faces. Never go over the top of any
hill at high speed.
– Never attempt steep hills or side
hilling when pulling a trailer.
– Always check for obstacles before
operating in a new area. Always
follow proper procedures when op-
erating over obstacles as described
in
RIDING YOUR VEHICLE .
– Never operate this vehicle in fast
flowing water or in water deeper
than specified in
RIDING YOUR VE-
HICLE
. Remember that wet brakes
may have reduced stopping ability.
Test your brakes after leaving wa-
ter. If necessary, apply them sev-
eral times to let friction dry out the
brakes.
– Always ensure to properly park the
vehicle on the flattest terrain section
available. Put shift lever in PARK,
stop engine and remove key before
leaving the vehicle.
– Never assume that the vehicle will
go everywhere safely. Sudden
changes in terrain caused by holes,
depressions, banks, softer or harder
“ground” or other irregularities may
cause the vehicle to topple or be-
come unstable. To avoid this, slow
down and always observe the ter-
rain ahead. If the vehicle does begin
to topple or rollover, the best advice
is to immediately steer in the direc-
tion of the rollover! Never attempt
to prevent a rollover with your arms
or legs. You should keep your limbs
inside the cage or ROPS (rollover
protective structure).
________ SAFETY INFORMATION ________ 13

PRE-RIDE INSPECTION
Always inspect and confirm the safe operating condition of your vehicle prior to
ride. Always follow the maintenance schedule described in this Operator's Guide.
WARNING
Perform a pre-ride inspection before each ride to detect any potential prob-
lem that could occur during operation. The pre-ride inspection can help you
monitor component wear and deterioration before they become a problem.
Correct any problem that you discover to reduce the risk of a breakdown or
crash.
Before using this vehicle, the operator should always perform the following
pre-ride inspection check list.
Refer to
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES for details.
Pre-Ride Inspection Check List
What to Do Before Starting the Engine (Key OFF)
ITEMS TO BE
INSPECTED INSPECTION TO PERFORM ✔
Tires Check tire pressure and condition. Refer to
SPECIFICATIONS and adjust according to load.
Wheels
Check wheels for damage and for abnormal play. Make
sure that lug nuts are tightened. Refer to
WHEELS AND
TIRES
in MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES for torque
specification.
Radiator Check cleanliness of the radiator.
Front grill kit Inspect front grill kit for cleanliness.
Engine oil Check engine oil level.
Coolant Check coolant level.
Brake fluid Check brake fluid level.
Engine air filter Inspect the engine air filter, clean or replace if needed
(service more often when riding in dusty conditions).
CVT air filter Inspect and clean the CVT air filter (when riding in dusty
conditions).
Drive shaft boots Check drive shaft boots and protectors condition.
14 _______ SAFETY INFORMATION ________

PRE-RIDE INSPECTION
ITEMS TO BE
INSPECTED INSPECTION TO PERFORM ✔
Cargo Load: If you transport a cargo, respect
the maximum loading capacity. Refer to
LOADING THE CARGO BOX . Ensure cargo
is properly secured to the rear cargo box.
Vehicle Load: Ensure that total load on the vehicle
(including operator, passengers, cargo, tongue weight and
added accessories) does not exceed specifications. Refer
to
CARRYING LOADS
Cargo and load
If you are pulling a trailer or another equipment:
– Check hitch and trailer ball condition.
– Respect the tongue capacity and towing capacity as
indicated on the label affixed to the hitch or refer to
SPECIFICATIONS .
– Ensure trailer is properly secured to hitch.
Check if the cargo box is properly latched.
Rear cargo box
Check if tailgate is properly latched.
Chassis and
suspension
Check underneath vehicle for any debris on chassis or
suspension and clean them properly.
Heater air filters (XT
models with Cab)
Inspect heater air filters, clean if needed (service more
often when riding in dusty conditions).
What to Do Before Starting the Engine (Key ON)
ITEMS TO BE
INSPECTED INSPECTION TO PERFORM ✔
Check operation of indicator lamps in gauge (during first
few seconds of key ON).
Gauge
Check for messages in gauge.
Check operation and cleanliness of headlights and
taillights.
Check operation of high and low beam.
Lights
Check operation of brake lights.
________ SAFETY INFORMATION ________ 15

PRE-RIDE INSPECTION
ITEMS TO BE
INSPECTED INSPECTION TO PERFORM ✔
Check if seats are properly latched.
Check side nets for any damage. Have
the nets replaced if any damage is found.
Fasten both side nets and confirm that they latch
securely. Use the adjustment strap to tighten the net as
required.
Seats, side nets and
seat belts
Check seat belts for any damage. Fasten seat belts and
confirm that they latch securely.
Accelerator pedal
Press on the accelerator pedal a few times to ensure it
operates freely and it returns to the rest position when
released.
Brake pedal
Press down on the brake pedal and make sure you feel
firm resistance and that it fully returns to position when
released.
Fuel level Check the fuel level.
Mirror(s) Adjust mirror(s) to your preferences.
Heater fan (XT
models with Cab)
Check operation of heater fan. Check air flows out of
every louver (dash-mounted and heater-mounted).
What to Do After the Engine is Started
ITEMS TO BE
INSPECTED INSPECTION TO PERFORM ✔
Steering Check if steering wheel operates freely by completely
turning it from side to side.
Ignition switch Turn the ignition switch to OFF to verify if engine will shut
down. Restart engine.
Shift lever Check operation of shift lever (P, R, N, H and L).
2WD/4WD selector Check operation of 2WD/4WD selector.
Brakes
Drive forward slowly a few feet and apply brakes. The
brake pedal must feel firm when applied. The pedal must
return to rest position when released. The brakes must
respond adequately to the driver's input.
16 _______ SAFETY INFORMATION ________

PREPARE TO RIDE
Before you Ride
Performpre-rideinspectiontoconfirm
the safe operating condition of your
vehicle. Refer to
PRE-RIDE INSPEC-
TION
.
Driver and passengers must:
– Be properly seated.
– Latch both side nets or close the full
doors and fasten seat belt.
– Wear appropriate riding gear. (Refer
to
RIDING GEAR ).
Riding Gear
It is important that the operator and
passengers always wears appropriate
protective clothing and apparel, includ-
ing:
– An approved helmet
– Eye protection
–Boots
–Gloves
– A long sleeved shirt or jacket
– Long pants.
Depending on conditions, anti-fogging
goggles may be required.
1
2
3
4
5
6
rmo2008-001-019_a
RIDING GEAR
1. Approved helmet
2. Eye and face protection
3. Long sleeves shirt or jacket
4. Gloves
5. Long pants
6. Boots (over-the-ankle footwear)
Weather conditions should help you
decide how to dress. To maximize
comfort and avoid frostbites in win-
ter, dress for the coldest weather ex-
pected. Thermal underwear next to
the skin also provides good insulation.
Never wear any loose clothing that
may get entangled in the vehicle or on
tree branches and shrubs.
Helmets and Eye Protection
Helmets protect the head and brain
from injury. Even with the vehicle's
cage and side nets, objects can en-
ter the cockpit and strike the head, or
the head can strike the cage itself or
objects outside the vehicle. Even the
best helmet is no guarantee against
injury, but statistics indicate that hel-
met use significantly reduces the risk
ofbraininjury. So,besafeandalways
wear a helmet while riding.
Choosing a Helmet
Helmets should be manufactured to
meet the appropriate standard in your
state, province or country and should
fit properly.
Ahelmetwithfaceprotectionisabet-
ter choice as it protects also against
frontal impacts. It can also protect
against debris, stones, insects, the el-
ements, etc.
An open-face helmet does not offer the
same protection for the face and chin.
If you wear an open-face helmet, you
should use a snap-on face shield and/or
a pair of goggles. Ordinary glasses or
sunglasses are not sufficient eye pro-
tection for riders. They can shatter
or fly off, and they allow wind and air-
borne objects to reach the eyes.
For winter riding conditions, a stock-
ing type cap, balaclava and face mask
should always be carried or worn.
________ SAFETY INFORMATION ________ 17

PREPARE TO RIDE
Use tinted face shields or goggles in
the daytime only; do not use them at
night or in poor illumination. Do not
use them if they impair your ability to
discern color.
Other Riding Gear
Footwear
Always wear closed toe footwear.
Sturdy over-the-ankle boots with
non-slip soles offer more protection
and allow you to plant your foot prop-
erly on footrest.
Avoid long shoelaces that can be tan-
gled in the accelerator or brake pedals.
For winter riding conditions, rubber
soled boots with either a nylon or
leather uppers, with removable felt
liners are best suited.
Avoid rubber boots. Rubber boots may
get trapped behind or between pedals,
impairing the proper operation of brake
and accelerator pedals.
Gloves
Full-fingered gloves protect hands
from the wind, sun, heat, cold and fly-
ing objects. Gloves that fit snugly will
improvegriponthesteeringwheeland
help reduce hand fatigue. Sturdy, rein-
forced motorcycle or ATV gloves help
protect hands better in the event of an
accident or a rollover. If gloves are too
bulky, it may be difficult to operate the
controls.
For winter riding conditions, hands
should be protected by a pair of snow-
mobile gloves which have sufficient
insulation and allow use of thumbs and
fingers for operation of controls.
Jackets, Pants and Riding Suits
Wear a jacket or a long sleeved shirt
and long pants, or a full riding suit.
Quality ATV-type protective gear will
provide comfort, and it can help you
avoid being distracted by adverse en-
vironmental elements. In case of a
crash, good quality protective gear
made of sturdy material may prevent
or reduce injury.
In cool-weather riding, protect your-
self against hypothermia. Hypother-
mia, a condition of low body tempera-
ture, can cause loss of concentration,
slowed reactions and loss of smooth,
precise muscle movement. In cool
conditions, proper protective gear like
a windproof jacket and insulated layers
of clothing are essential. Even while
riding at moderate temperatures, you
can feel very cold due to the wind.
Protective gear that is appropriate for
cold-weather riding may be too hot
when stopped. Dress in layers so that
clothing can be removed as desired.
Topping the protective gear with a
windproof outer layer can prevent cold
air from reaching the skin.
Rain Gear
Ifyoumustrideinwetweather,arain
suit or a waterproof riding suit is rec-
ommended. On long rides, it is a good
idea to carry rain gear. A dry rider will
be much more comfortable and alert.
Hearing Protection
Long-term exposure to wind and en-
gine noise when riding can cause per-
manent hearing loss. Properly worn
hearing protective devices such as
earplugs can help prevent hearing loss.
Check local laws before using any hear-
ing protective devices.
18 _______ SAFETY INFORMATION ________