light YAMAHA VX 2009 User Guide
Page 58 of 92
Operation
51
EJU32901
Operating your watercraft EJU32961Getting to know your watercraft
Operating your watercraft requires skills ac-
quired through practice over a period of time.
Take the time to learn the basic techniques
well before attempting more difficult maneu-
vers.
Operating your new watercraft can be a very
enjoyable activity, providing you with hours of
pleasure. However, it is essential to familiar-
ize yourself with the operation of the water-
craft to achieve the skill level necessary to
enjoy riding safely.
Before operating this watercraft, read this
owner’s/operator’s manual, the Riding Prac-
tice Guide, the Riding Instruction card, and all
labels on the watercraft. Pay particular atten-
tion to the safety information on page 9.
These materials should give you an under-
standing of the watercraft and its operation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and up to 2 passengers.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or allow
more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a water-
skier is being pulled) to ride the watercraft at
any time.
EJU33001Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
40. The short time spent checking the water-
craft will reward you with added safety and re-
liability.
Check local laws before operating your water-
craft.Operate defensively at safe speeds and keep
a safe distance away from people, objects,
and other watercraft. Select a wide area to
learn in, where there is good visibility and light
boat traffic.
Use the buddy system—operate with some-
one nearby. Scan constantly for people, ob-
jects, and other watercraft. Be alert for
conditions that limit your visibility or block your
vision of others.
Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to
your left wrist and keep it free from the handle-
bars so that the engine stops if you, the oper-
ator, fall off.
Wear a personal flotation device (PFD). All
riders must wear a PFD that is approved by
the appropriate authorities and is suitable for
personal watercraft use.
Wear protective clothing. Severe internal inju-
ries can occur if water is forced into body cav-
ities as a result of falling into the water or
being near the jet thrust nozzle. Normal swim-
wear does not adequately protect against
forceful water entry into the rectum and vagi-
na. All riders must wear a wetsuit bottom or
clothing that provides equivalent protection.
Such clothing includes thick, tightly woven,
sturdy and snug-fitting apparel such as den-
im, but does not include spandex or similar
fabrics, like those used in bicycle shorts. A full
wetsuit can also protect against hypothermia Maximum load:
240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, oper-
ator, and passengers.
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Page 83 of 92
Trouble recovery
76
Engine runs irregu-
larly or stallsFuel Empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible38
Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer68
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer68
Spark plug Fouled or defective Replace 70
Incorrect heat range Replace 70
Gap incorrect Adjust 70
Spark plug
capLoose Connect properly 70
Cracked, torn, or
damagedHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Electrical wir-
ingLoose connection Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Fuel injec-
tion systemFaulty or clogged in-
jectorsHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Warning light or in-
dicator blinksFuel level Empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible38
Oil pressure
warningOil pressure dropped Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer33
Engine over-
heatedJet intake clogged Clean
78
Check engine
warningFaulty sensors Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer34 TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE
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Index
A
Air filter element ....................................... 68
B
Battery ................................................ 44, 63
Battery, checking...................................... 72
Battery, jumping ....................................... 79
Beaching the watercraft ........................... 59
Bilge ......................................................... 43
Boarding alone ......................................... 54
Boarding and starting from a dock ........... 53
Boarding and starting in deep water ........ 53
Boarding and starting in shallow water .... 53
Boarding with passengers ........................ 54
Bow eye ................................................... 28
Builder’s plate............................................. 2
C
Capsized watercraft ................................. 56
Check engine warning indicator ............... 34
Cleaning the watercraft ............................ 64
Cooling water pilot outlet .................... 26, 47
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ............... 1
Cruising limitations ................................... 10
D
Docking the watercraft ............................. 59
E
Emergency procedures ............................ 78
Engine break-in ........................................ 48
Engine compartment ................................ 42
Engine oil ................................................. 39
Engine oil and oil filter .............................. 68
Engine oil level ......................................... 42
Engine overheat warning indicator ........... 33
Engine serial number ................................. 1
Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) .................. 46
Engine shut-off switch .............................. 25
Engine stop switch ................................... 25
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ............ 18
F
Fire extinguisher....................................... 44
Flushing the cooling system ..................... 62
Front storage compartment ...................... 35
Fuel .......................................................... 38
Fuel and oil............................................... 38
Fuel injection system................................ 73
Fuel level .................................................. 42Fuel level meter ........................................ 31
Fuel level warning indicator ...................... 32
Fuel system, checking .............................. 68
Fuel tank .................................................. 68
Fuel tank filler cap .................................... 24
Fuses, replacing ....................................... 79
G
Getting to know your watercraft ............... 51
Glove compartment .................................. 36
H
Handgrip ................................................... 27
Hazard information ................................... 14
Hood ......................................................... 23
Hour meter/voltmeter ............................... 32
Hull and deck ........................................... 42
I
Identification numbers ................................ 1
J
Jet intake .................................................. 46
Jet intake and impeller, cleaning .............. 78
Jet thrust nozzle angle, checking ............. 68
Jumper cables, connecting ...................... 79
L
Labels, important ........................................ 3
Labels, other .............................................. 7
Labels, warning .......................................... 4
Launching the watercraft .......................... 48
Learning to operate your watercraft ......... 51
Leaving the watercraft .............................. 50
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft .......................................... 9
“L-MODE” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 35
Lubrication................................................ 63
Lubrication points ..................................... 71
M
Main components, location of .................. 19
Maintenance and adjustments ................. 64
Model information....................................... 2
Multifunction information center ......... 31, 47
O
Oil pressure warning indicator .................. 33
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 60
Operating your watercraft ......................... 51
Operation ................................................. 48
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Page 90 of 92
Index
Operation of controls and other
functions ............................................... 23
Operation requirements ........................... 11
Owner’s/operator’s manual and tool kit .... 64
P
Periodic maintenance chart...................... 66
Post-operation care .................................. 60
Pre-operation check list............................ 40
Pre-operation check points ...................... 42
Pre-operation checks ............................... 40
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
R
Reboarding step (for VX Cruiser) ............. 28
Recommended equipment ....................... 13
Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 24
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 59
Riding with passengers ............................ 52
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 17
Seat .......................................................... 23
“SECURITY” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 34
Selecting the operation mode
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 30
Shift cable, checking
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 69
Shift lever and reverse gate
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 45
Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ..... 27
Shifting (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ......... 50
Spark plugs, cleaning and adjusting ........ 70
Speedometer............................................ 31
Start switch............................................... 26
Starting the engine ................................... 48
Starting the watercraft .............................. 52
Steering system ................................. 27, 45
Stern drain plugs ...................................... 44
Stern eyes ................................................ 28
Stopping the engine ................................. 49
Stopping the watercraft ............................ 58
Storage..................................................... 62
Storage compartments ............................. 35
Submerged watercraft .............................. 80Switches ................................................... 46
T
Tachometer .............................................. 31
Throttle cable, checking and adjusting ..... 69
Throttle lever ...................................... 26, 45
Towing the watercraft ............................... 80
Transporting ............................................. 61
Trolling speed, checking .......................... 73
Troubleshooting ....................................... 75
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 75
Turning the watercraft .............................. 57
W
Water separator ....................................... 43
Watercraft characteristics ......................... 14
Water-skiing ............................................. 16
Y
Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS) ................................................. 28
Yamaha Security System
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 29
Yamaha Security System settings
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 29
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