stop start YAMAHA VX 2012 Owners Manual

Table of contents
General and important labels ........... 1
Identification numbers .................... 1
Primary Identification (PRI-ID)
number ........................................... 1
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ...... 1
Engine serial number ........................ 1
Manufactured date label .................... 2
Model information ........................... 2
Builder’s plate .................................... 2
Important labels .............................. 4
Warning labels ................................... 5
Other labels ....................................... 8
Safety information ........................... 10
Limitations on who may operate
the watercraft ............................ 10
Cruising limitations ....................... 11
Operation requirements ............... 12
Recommended equipment ........... 14
Hazard information ....................... 15
Watercraft characteristics ............. 15
Water-skiing ................................. 17
Safe boating rules ........................ 18
Enjoy your watercraft
responsibly ................................ 19
Description....................................... 20
Watercraft glossary ...................... 20
Location of main components ...... 21
Control function operation ............. 25
Watercraft control functions ......... 25
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............. 25
Yamaha Security System
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............. 26
Engine stop switch .......................... 27
Engine shut-off switch ..................... 27
Start switch ...................................... 27
Throttle lever ................................... 28
Steering system ............................... 28
Cooling water pilot outlet ................. 29
Water separator ............................... 29
Watercraft operation ....................... 30
Watercraft operation functions ..... 30
Reverse system
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............. 30
Watercraft operation modes ......... 31
Low RPM Mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............. 31
Instrument operation ...................... 33
Multifunction information center ... 33
Information display .......................... 33
Equipment operation ...................... 38
Equipment .................................... 38
Seat ................................................. 38
Handgrip .......................................... 39
Reboarding step (VX Cruiser) ......... 39
Bow eye ........................................... 39
Stern eyes ....................................... 40
Cleat ................................................ 40
Storage compartments .................... 40
Fire extinguisher holder and
cover ............................................ 42
Operation and handling
requirements ................................... 44
Fuel requirements ........................ 44
Fuel ................................................. 44
Engine oil requirements ............... 45
Engine oil ......................................... 45
Draining the bilge water ............... 47
Draining the bilge water on land ...... 47
Draining the bilge water on water .... 47
Transporting on a trailer ............... 48
First-time operation ........................ 49
Engine break-in ............................ 49
Pre-operation checks ..................... 50
Pre-operation checklist .................... 50
Pre-operation check points .......... 52
Pre-launch checks ........................... 52
Post-launch checks ......................... 58
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Table of contents
Operation ......................................... 59
Operating your watercraft ............. 59
Getting to know your watercraft ....... 59
Learning to operate
your watercraft ............................. 59
Riding position ................................. 60
Launching the watercraft ................. 60
Starting the engine on water ........... 60
Stopping the engine ........................ 61
Leaving the watercraft ..................... 61
Operating the watercraft .................. 61
Turning the watercraft ..................... 62
Stopping the watercraft ................... 63
Operating the watercraft in reverse
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) ............. 64
Boarding the watercraft ................... 64
Starting off ....................................... 67
Capsized watercraft ......................... 68
Beaching and docking
the watercraft ............................... 69
Operating in weeded areas ............. 70
After removing the watercraft
from the water .............................. 70
Care and storage ............................. 71
Post-operation care ...................... 71
Flushing the cooling water
passages ...................................... 71
Cleaning the watercraft ................... 72
Battery care ..................................... 72
Long-term storage ........................ 75
Cleaning .......................................... 75
Lubrication ....................................... 75
Rustproofing .................................... 76
Maintenance..................................... 77
Maintenance ................................. 77
Tool kit ............................................. 77
Periodic maintenance chart ............. 78
Engine oil and oil filter ..................... 79
Specifications.................................. 80
Specifications ................................ 80
Trouble recovery ............................. 81
Troubleshooting ........................... 81
Troubleshooting chart ...................... 81
Emergency procedures ................ 84
Cleaning the jet intake and
impeller ........................................ 84
Jumping the battery ......................... 85
Replacing the fuses ......................... 85
Towing the watercraft ...................... 87
Submerged watercraft ..................... 87
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Safety information
15
EJU30870
Hazard information

Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.

Do not touch the hot oil tank, muffler, or en-
gine during or immediately after engine op-
eration; they can cause serious burns.
EJU30934
Watercraft characteristics

Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle lever completely produces only
minimum thrust. If you are traveling at
speeds above trolling, you will have rapidly
decreasing ability to steer without throttle.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds should
you attempt to steer the watercraft after re-
leasing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can 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
input until you apply throttle again or you
reach trolling speed.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.

VX Sport: This watercraft is water-jet pro-
pelled. The jet pump is directly connected to
the engine. This means that jet thrust will
produce some movement whenever the en-
gine is running. There is no “neutral” posi-
tion.

VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: This watercraft is
water-jet propelled. The jet pump is directly
connected to the engine. This means that
jet thrust will produce some movement
whenever the engine is running. There is no
“neutral” position. You are in either “for-
ward” or “reverse”, depending upon the
shift lever position.

VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: Do not use the re-
verse function to slow down or stop the wa-
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Description
23
5
4 1
23
10
1112 7
68
9
1Start switch (page 27)
2Engine shut-off switch (page 27)
3Clip (page 27)
4Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) (page 27)
5Engine stop switch (page 27)
6Glove compartment (page 41)
7Multifunction information center (page 33)
8Rearview mirror
9Remote control transmitter (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser) (page 25)
10Beverage holder (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser)
(page 42)
11Shift lever (VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser) (page
30)
12Throttle lever (page 28)
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Control function operation
26
EJU31384Yamaha Security System (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser)
The Yamaha Security System functions to
help prevent unauthorized use or theft of the
watercraft. The lock and unlock modes of the
security system can be selected by operating
the remote control transmitter that is included
with this watercraft. The engine cannot be
started if the lock mode of the security system
is selected. The engine can only be started if
the unlock mode is selected. (See page 25 for
information on the remote control transmitter.)
TIP:
The Yamaha Security System settings can
only be selected while the engine is stopped.
EJU36106Yamaha Security System settings
The Yamaha Security System settings will be
confirmed by the number of beeps when the
remote control transmitter is operated, and by
the “SECURITY” indicator light of the multi-
function information center. (See page 33 for
information on the multifunction information
center.)
TIP:

The beeper sounds two times for the nor-
mal operation mode or three times for the
Low RPM Mode. (See page 31 for Low
RPM Mode activation procedures.)

If the remote control transmitter is operated
while the multifunction information center is
in the standby state, the center will performthe initial operation, and then the setting is
selected.
To select the lock mode:
Push the lock button on the remote control
transmitter briefly. The beeper sounds once
and the “SECURITY” indicator light blinks
once, then goes off. This indicates the lock
mode is selected.
To select the unlock mode:
Push the “L-Mode” (unlock) button on the re-
mote control transmitter briefly. The beeper
sounds two or three times and the “SECURI-
TY” indicator light blinks two or three times,
then comes on. This indicates the unlock
mode is selected.
Number of
beepsYamaha Security
System mode“SECURI-
TY” indi-
cator light
Lock Goes off
Unlock
(normal operation
mode)Comes
on
Unlock
(Low RPM Mode)Comes
on
1Lock button
2“SECURITY” indicator light
1“L-Mode” (unlock) button
2“SECURITY” indicator light
21
2L-Mode1
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Control function operation
27
EJU31152Engine stop switch“”
The engine stop switch (red button) stops the
engine when the switch is pushed.
EJU31163Engine shut-off switch“”
The engine shut-off switch automatically
stops the engine when the clip, on the end of
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard), is removed
from the switch, such as if the operator falls off
the watercraft.
Insert the clip under the engine shut-off switch
before starting the engine.
When the engine is not running, remove the
clip from the engine shut-off switch to preventaccidental starting or unauthorized operation
by children or others.
EJU41650Start switch“”
NOTICE
ECJ01310
Do not run the engine over 4000 r/min on
land. Also, do not run the engine for more
than 15 seconds without supplying water,
otherwise the engine could overheat.
The start switch (green button) starts the en-
gine when the switch is pushed.
Release the start switch as soon as the en-
gine starts to run. If the engine does not start
in 5 seconds, release the start switch, wait 15
seconds, and then try again. NOTICE: Never
push the start switch while the engine is
running. Do not operate the start switch
for more than 5 seconds, otherwise the
battery will be discharged and the engine
1Engine stop switch
1Engine shut-off switch
2Clip
3Engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
1
STOP
312
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Control function operation
29
in response to handlebar input until you apply
throttle again or you reach trolling speed.
EJU35974Cooling water pilot outlet
When the engine is running, some of the cool-
ing water that is circulated in the engine is dis-
charged from the cooling water pilot outlet.
There is a cooling water pilot outlet on the port
(left) side of the watercraft. To check for prop-
er operation of the cooling system, make sure
that water is being discharged from the cool-
ing water pilot outlet. If water is not being dis-
charged from the outlet, stop the engine and
check the jet intake for clogging. (See page
84 for information on the jet intake.)
TIP:

It will take about 60 seconds for the water to
reach the outlet after the engine is started.

Water discharge may not be constant when
the engine is running at idling speed. If this
occurs, apply a little throttle to make sure
that water discharges properly.
EJU40322Water separator
The water separator prevents water from en-
tering the fuel tank by collecting any water that
has entered the fuel tank breather hose if the
watercraft was capsized.If water has collected in the water separator,
drain it by loosening the drain screw.
To drain water from the water separator:
(1) Place a drain pan or dry cloth under the
water separator.
(2) Gradually loosen the drain screw to drain
the water. Catch the draining water in the
drain pan or soak it up with the dry cloth
so that it does not spill into the engine
compartment. If any water spills into the
watercraft, be sure to wipe it up with a dry
cloth.
(3) Securely tighten the drain screw until it
stops.
1Cooling water pilot outlet
1
1Water separator
1Drain screw
1
1
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Watercraft operation
30
EJU40011
Watercraft operation functions
EJU40520Reverse system (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser)
WARNING
EWJ01230

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.

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.
When the shift lever is moved to the reverse
position, the reverse gate lowers and deflects
the water jet being discharged from the jet
thrust nozzle. This allows the watercraft to
move in reverse.
To shift into reverse:
(1) Release the throttle lever and let the en-
gine speed return to idle.
(2) Pull the shift lever rearward until it stops
in the reverse position. The reverse gatewill lower and the watercraft will start
moving in reverse at trolling speed.
To shift into forward:
(1) Release the throttle lever and let the en-
gine speed return to idle.
(2) Push the shift lever forward until it stops
in the forward position. The reverse gate
will rise and the watercraft will start mov-
ing forward at trolling speed.
1Shift lever
2Reverse position
3Forward position
1Reverse gate
2Forward position
3Reverse position
1
23
13
2
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Instrument operation
33
EJU31458
Multifunction information
center
The multifunction information center displays
various watercraft information.
Multifunction information center initial op-
eration
When the multifunction information center is
activated, all of the display segments come
on. After 2 seconds, the warning indicators in
the information display go off, and then the
center starts to operate normally.
If only the multifunction information center is
activated, the “WARNING” indicator light
blinks once.
TIP:
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser: The “SECURITY” in-
dicator light also comes on as part of the initial
operation.
The “SECURITY” indicator light will go off
when the engine is started.
Multifunction information center standby
state
If the multifunction information center does
not receive any operation input within 25 sec-onds after the engine stops, the center will
turn off and enter a standby state. When the
engine is started again, the displays return to
their state before the center turned off, and
then the center starts to operate normally.
EJU35024Information display
The information display shows watercraft op-
erating conditions.
EJU31503Speedometer
The speedometer shows the watercraft speed
against water.
By switching the display units, the speed can
be shown in kilometers per hour “km/h” or
miles per hour “mph”.
1“SECURITY” indicator light (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser)
2Select button
3Information display
4“L-MODE” indicator light (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser)
5“WARNING” indicator light
21345
1Tachometer
2Speedometer
3Hour meter/voltmeter
4Fuel level meter
5Check engine warning indicator
6Engine overheat warning indicator
7Oil pressure warning indicator
8Fuel level warning indicator
1234
8765
UF2N72E0.book Page 33 Monday, July 4, 2011 1:10 PM

Instrument operation
36
cator light blink, and the buzzer sounds inter-
mittently.
If the fuel level warning is activated, refill the
fuel tank as soon as possible. (See page 44
for information on filling the fuel tank.)
After the fuel tank is refilled, the warning sig-
nals will be cleared when the engine is restart-
ed.
TIP:
Push the select button on the multifunction in-
formation center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31626Oil pressure warning
If the oil pressure drops significantly, the oil
pressure warning indicator and the “WARN-
ING” indicator light blink, and the buzzer
sounds intermittently. At the same time, the
maximum engine speed is limited.
If the oil pressure warning is activated, imme-
diately reduce the engine speed, return to
shore, and then check the engine oil level.(See page 45 for information on checking the
engine oil level.) If the oil level is sufficient,
have a Yamaha dealer check the watercraft.
TIP:
Push the select button on the multifunction in-
formation center to stop the buzzer.
EJU31609Engine overheat warning
If the engine temperature rises significantly,
the engine overheat warning indicator and the
“WARNING” indicator light blink, and the
buzzer sounds intermittently. Then, the en-
gine overheat warning indicator and the
“WARNING” indicator light stop blinking and
remain on, and the buzzer sounds continu-
ously. At the same time, the maximum engine
speed is limited.
If the engine overheat warning is activated,
immediately reduce the engine speed, return
to shore, and then make sure that water is be-
ing discharged from the cooling water pilot
outlet while the engine is running. If there is no
discharge of water, stop the engine, and then
check the jet intake for clogging. (See page
84 for information on the jet intake.) NOTICE:
If you cannot locate and correct the cause
of the overheating, consult a Yamaha deal-
er. Continuing to operate at higher speeds
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