YAMAHA VX 2008 Owner's Guide

Features and functions
24
To close the hood, push the hood down to
lock it in place.
NOTE:
Make sure that the hood is securely closed
before operating the watercraft.
EJU31090Fuel tank filler cap
To remove the fuel tank filler cap, turn it coun-
terclockwise.
NOTE:
Make sure that the fuel tank filler cap is se-
curely closed before operating the watercraft.
EJU36620Remote control transmitter (for VX
Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The Yamaha Security System and low-RPM
mode settings are selected using the remote
control transmitter. (See “Yamaha Security
System and low-RPM mode” on page 29 forinformation on using the remote control trans-
mitter.)
CAUTION:
ECJ00020
The Yamaha Security System and low-
RPM mode settings can only be selected
using the remote control transmitter. Ob-
serve the following precautions to protect
your remote control transmitter:

Store the remote control transmitter
carefully so it will not be lost. When op-
erating the watercraft, use the transmit-
ter holder in the glove compartment. If
you accidentally lose your remote con-
trol transmitter, contact a Yamaha deal-
er.

While the remote control transmitter has
been designed for use in wet environ-
ments, it should not be operated under-
water or submerged for an extended
length of time. If it gets wet, dry it with a
soft, dry cloth.

Keep the remote control transmitter
away from high temperatures and do not
place it in direct sunlight.

Do not drop the remote control transmit-
ter, subject it to strong shocks, or place
any heavy items on it.

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the trans-
mitter. Do not use detergent, alcohol, or
other chemicals.
1Fuel tank filler cap
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Features and functions
25

If the remote control transmitter needs a
new battery or is not operating properly,
contact a Yamaha dealer. Do not attempt
to replace the battery yourself.
NOTE:

While the engine is running, input from the
remote control transmitter is not received.

Refer to local hazardous waste regulations
when disposing of transmitter batteries.
EJU31150Engine stop switch
Push the engine stop switch (red button) to
stop the engine normally.
EJU31160Engine shut-off switch
Insert the clip, on the end of the engine shut-
off cord, under the engine shut-off switch
(black button). The engine will stop automati-
cally when the clip is removed from theswitch, such as if the operator falls off the wa-
tercraft.
WARNING
EWJ00010

Always attach the engine shut-off cord
to your left wrist and the clip to the en-
gine shut-off switch BEFORE starting
the engine.

To prevent accidental starting of the en-
gine or unauthorized use by children or
others, always remove the clip from the
engine shut-off switch when the engine
is not running.
1Transmitter holder
1Engine stop switch
1Clip
2Engine shut-off cord
3Engine shut-off switch
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Features and functions
26
EJU31191Start switch
Push the start switch (green button) to start
the engine.
NOTE:
The engine will not start when the lock mode
of the Yamaha Security System has been se-
lected (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser), the clip is
removed from the engine shut-off switch, or
the throttle lever is squeezed. (See page 29
for Yamaha Security System lock and unlock
mode selection procedures.)
EJU31210Throttle lever
Squeeze the throttle lever to increase engine
speed.
Release the throttle lever to decrease engine
speed or to return it to the idle position.
EJU35971Cooling water pilot outlet
This watercraft is equipped with a cooling wa-
ter pilot outlet.
When the engine is running, cooling water is
circulated in the engine, and then it is dis-
charged from the pilot outlet.
To check for proper operation of the cooling
system, check that water is being discharged
from the pilot outlet. If water is not being dis-
charged from the outlet, cooling water may
not be circulating in the engine. When this oc-
curs, stop the engine and check for the cause.
(See pages 33 and 80 for more information.)
NOTE:

If the cooling water passages are dry, it will
take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlet after the engine is started.

Water discharge may not be constant at
idle, therefore, open the throttle a little to
check that water discharges properly.
1Start switch
1Throttle lever
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Features and functions
27
EJU31260Steering system
Your watercraft can be steered by turning the
handlebars in the direction you wish to travel.
When the handlebars are turned, the angle of
the jet thrust nozzle is changed, and the direc-
tion of the watercraft is changed accordingly.
Since the strength of the jet thrust determines
the speed and degree of a turn, throttle must
always be applied when attempting a turn, ex-
cept at trolling speed.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever. The OTS system assists in
turning by continuing to supply some thrust
while the watercraft is decelerating, but youcan turn more sharply if you apply throttle
while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine is off.
Once the engine slows down, the watercraft
will no longer turn in response to handlebar in-
put until you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
EJU31300Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The shift lever is located on the starboard
(right) side of the watercraft and is used to
control the reverse gate, which allows the wa-
tercraft to move in reverse or forward.
When the shift lever is in the reverse position,
the watercraft can be launched from a trailer,
or backed up out of tight spots where you can-
not turn around easily.
To shift into reverse:
(1) Release the throttle lever and let the en-
gine speed return to idle.
(2) Pull the shift lever toward you.
WARNING
EWJ00030

Make sure that the throttle lever is com-
pletely released and that the engine is at
idle before shifting into reverse.

Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or
impact the handlebars.
1Handlebar
2Jet thrust nozzle
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Features and functions
28

Use reverse for slow-speed maneuver-
ing only.

Make sure that there are no obstacles or
people behind you before shifting into
reverse.

Do not touch the reverse gate while the
shift lever is being operated, otherwise
you could be pinched.
To shift into forward:
(1) Release the throttle lever and let the en-
gine speed return to idle.
(2) Push the shift lever away from you.
EJU31360Handgrip
The handgrip provides a handhold for board-
ing the watercraft and for a spotter when fac-
ing rearward.
WARNING
EWJ00020
Do not use the handgrip to lift the water-
craft. The watercraft could fall, which
could result in severe injury.
EJU34870Bow eye
The bow eye is located at the bow of the wa-
tercraft.The bow eye is used to attach a rope to the
watercraft when transporting, mooring, or
towing it in an emergency.
EJU34880Stern eyes
The stern eyes are located at the stern of the
watercraft.
The stern eyes are used to attach a rope to
the watercraft when transporting or mooring it.
EJU31370Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS)
This model is equipped with an integrated,
computerized management system that con-
trols and adjusts ignition timing, fuel injection,
engine diagnostics, and the off-throttle steer-
ing (OTS) system.
1Handgrip
1Bow eye
1Stern eye
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Features and functions
29
EJU31380Yamaha Security System and low-
RPM mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
This watercraft is equipped with a remote con-
trol transmitter that is used to select the secu-
rity system and low-RPM mode settings.
Since the watercraft is programmed to recog-
nize the internal code from this transmitter
only, the security system setting can only be
changed with this transmitter. If you lose the
remote control transmitter or it does not oper-
ate properly, contact a Yamaha dealer.
EJU31390Yamaha Security System
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The Yamaha Security System functions to
help prevent unauthorized use or theft of the
watercraft. The engine cannot be started if the
security system is in the lock mode. The en-
gine can only be started in the unlock mode.
EJU36102Yamaha Security System lock and unlock
modes (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The lock and unlock modes of this system can
only be selected while the engine is stopped.
When the lock button on the remote control
transmitter is pressed, the beeper sounds
once. This indicates the lock mode is selected
and the engine cannot be started.
The “SECURITY” indicator light comes on
when the security system is in the unlockmode and goes off when the security system
is in the lock mode.
When the unlock button on the remote control
transmitter is pressed for a short time, the
beeper sounds two times for the normal mode
or three times for the low-RPM mode. The
“SECURITY” indicator light will come on and
the engine can be started. (See the items in
“Selecting the normal mode/low-RPM mode”
for operation mode information.)
1Lock button
1“SECURITY” indicator light
1Unlock button
Number
of beepsYamaha Security Sys-
tem modeEngine
can be
started
1 beep Lock NO
2 beepsUnlock
(normal mode)YES
3 beepsUnlock
(low-RPM mode)YES
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Features and functions
30
EJU31412Selecting the normal mode/low-RPM
mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
The normal mode and low-RPM mode can
only be selected when the engine is stopped
in the unlock mode. Press the unlock button
on the remote control transmitter for more
than 4 seconds to switch between the normal
mode and the low-RPM mode.
Normal mode
If the beeper sounds twice, the normal mode
is activated.
The watercraft can be ridden normally.
Low-RPM mode
If the beeper sounds three times, the low-
RPM mode is activated and the “L-MODE” in-
dicator light comes on.
Maximum engine speed (r/min) in the low-
RPM mode is limited to approximately 90% of
the maximum engine speed in the normal
mode.
NOTE:

If neither the start switch nor the remote
control transmitter is operated within 25
seconds after the unlock button is pressed
to select the unlock mode, the multifunction
information center display and the “L-
MODE” indicator light will go off. If this oc-
curs, press the lock button on the transmit-
ter briefly to select the lock mode, press the
unlock button briefly to select the unlockmode, and then press the unlock button
again for more than 4 seconds to select the
normal mode or low-RPM mode.

While the engine is running, input from the
remote control transmitter is not received.
CAUTION:
ECJ00080
If the remote control transmitter does not
operate when its buttons are pressed, the
battery may be low. Have a Yamaha dealer
replace the battery.
EJU31452Multifunction information center
This meter contains the following functions for
help and convenience in operating the water-
craft.
1“L-MODE” indicator light1Tachometer
2Speedometer
3Hour meter/voltmeter
4Fuel level meter
5“L-MODE” indicator light (for VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)
6“WARNING” light
7Fuel level warning indicator
8Oil pressure warning indicator
9Engine overheat warning indicator
10Check engine warning indicator
11Select button
12“SECURITY” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser)
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Features and functions
31
CAUTION:
ECJ00072
Do not run the engine for more than 15
seconds without supplying water or over
4000 r/min when checking the operation of
the meter on land, otherwise the engine
could overheat.
NOTE:

When the engine is started, all displays light
up for 2 seconds, and then the meter starts
to operate normally.

The current display will continue to operate
for 25 seconds after the engine stops.
EJU31461Tachometer
The engine speed (r/min) is displayed by seg-
ments. Each segment indicates a 250 r/min
increment.
EJU31500Speedometer
The meter shows the watercraft speed
against water.
NOTE:
To switch the speedometer display between
kilometers and miles, push the select button
for at least 1 second, within 10 seconds after
the meter is displayed.
EJU31511Fuel level meter
The fuel level meter is provided for convenient
fuel level checking while riding.
The fuel level meter has eight segments
which show the amount of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank.
1Tachometer
1Select button
2Speedometer
1Fuel level meter
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Features and functions
32
NOTE:
The fuel level is most accurate when the wa-
tercraft is sitting level on a trailer or in the wa-
ter.
EJU31551Hour meter/voltmeter
NOTE:
To switch the display between the hour meter
and the voltmeter, push the select button for
at least 1 second after the meter is displayed
for more than 10 seconds.
Hour meter
The hour meter is provided to make it easy to
follow the maintenance schedule.
The meter shows the hours of engine opera-
tion that have elapsed since the watercraft
was new.
Voltmeter
The voltmeter is provided to display the volt-
age of the battery.
When the battery voltage is normal, the volt-
meter displays approximately 12 volts.
If the battery voltage is less than 8.0 volts,
“LO” is displayed on the voltmeter and if the
voltage is above 18.1 volts, “HI” is displayed
on the voltmeter. If “HI” or “LO” is displayed,
return to shore and, if necessary, have aYamaha dealer check the charging system
and the battery.
EJU31560Fuel level warning indicator
If the fuel remaining in the fuel tank drops to
about 13 L (3.4 US gal, 2.9 Imp gal), the low-
est two fuel level segments, the fuel level
warning indicator, and the “WARNING” light
begin to blink. The buzzer also starts sound-
ing intermittently.
If this occurs, refill the fuel tank as soon as
possible.
The warning signals will be cleared when the
engine is restarted after the fuel tank is re-
filled.
EJU31622Oil pressure warning indicator
If the oil pressure does not rise to specifica-
tion, the “WARNING” light and the oil pres-
sure warning indicator begin to blink, and the
buzzer sounds intermittently. At the same
time, the engine speed is limited to help pre-
vent damage.
1Select button
2Hour meter/voltmeter
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Features and functions
33
If this occurs, reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then check the engine oil level.
(See page 42 for engine oil level checking
procedures.) If the oil level is low, add enough
engine oil to raise it to the proper level. If the
oil level is sufficient, have a Yamaha dealer
check the watercraft.
NOTE:
Press the select button on the multifunction
information center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31604Engine overheat warning indicator
This model is equipped with an engine over-
heat warning system.
If the engine starts to overheat, the “WARN-
ING” light and the engine overheat warning in-
dicator blink, and then come on. The buzzer
also begins to sound intermittently, and then it
sounds continuously. After the light and indi-
cator start to blink and the buzzer sounds, theengine speed is limited to help prevent dam-
age.
If this occurs, immediately reduce the engine
speed, return to shore, and then check for wa-
ter discharge at the port (left) cooling water pi-
lot outlet while the engine is running. If there
is no discharge of water, shut the engine off,
and then check the intake grate and impeller
for clogging.
WARNING
EWJ00050
Before attempting to remove weeds or de-
bris from the intake grate or impeller, shut
the engine off and remove the clip from the
engine shut-off switch. Severe injury or
1Select button
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