light YAMAHA VX 2008 User Guide

Operation
52
EJU32900
Operating your watercraft EJU32960Getting 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, and all warning and caution labels
on the watercraft. Pay particular attention to
the safety information on page 9. These ma-
terials should give you an understanding 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.
EJU33000Learning 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 to your left
wrist and keep it free from the handlebars so
that the engine stops if you, the operator, 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.
UF1K73E0.book Page 52 Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:15 AM

Maintenance and care
65

Do not smoke when refueling, and keep
away from sparks, flames, and other
sources of ignition.

Stop the engine before refueling.

Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the
watercraft in a horizontal position.

Do not stand or sit on the watercraft
while refueling in case of fire.

Take care not to spill gasoline. If gaso-
line spills, wipe it up immediately with
dry rags. Always properly dispose of
gasoline-soaked rags.

Avoid overfilling the fuel tank. Stop fill-
ing when the fuel level reaches approxi-
mately 50 mm (2 in) from the top of the
fuel tank. Fuel expands as it warms up
and could overflow if the fuel tank has
been overfilled. If temporarily leaving
the watercraft with a full fuel tank, do not
leave it in direct sunlight. Leave it in a
well-ventilated area with the watercraft
in a horizontal position.

Tighten the fuel tank filler cap securely
after refueling.

If you should swallow some gasoline, in-
hale a lot of gasoline vapor, or get gaso-
line in your eyes, get immediate medical
attention.

If any gasoline spills on your skin or
clothing, immediately wash the affected
area with soap and water and change
your clothes.
Top off the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and
add fuel stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel
tank according to the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
EJU33680Battery
If the watercraft will not be used for more than
a month, remove the battery from the water-
craft and store it in a cool, dry place.(1) Disconnect the negative (–) battery lead
first, then the positive (+) battery lead and
breather hose, and then remove the bat-
tery from the watercraft.
(2) Clean the battery casing using fresh wa-
ter.
(3) If the battery terminals are dirty or corrod-
ed, clean them with a wire brush.
(4) Fully charge the battery.
(5) Apply Yamaha Marine Grease or
Yamaha Grease A to the battery termi-
nals, and then store the battery in a cool,
dry place.
(6) Check the battery at least once every 2
months and fully charge it if necessary.
CAUTION:
ECJ00100
Always keep the battery charged. Storing
a discharged battery can cause permanent
battery damage.
To check the condition of the battery, check
the specific gravity of the electrolyte or mea-
sure the voltage at both battery terminals.
Charge the battery if the voltage is less than
12 volts.
It is recommended to have a Yamaha dealer
check the specific gravity and charge the bat-
tery. If you maintain the battery yourself, be
sure to read and follow the instructions provid-
ed with the battery tester and charger you
use.
EJU33730Cleaning the watercraft
Clean the watercraft before storing it for a long
period.
(1) Wash down the hull, handlebars, and jet
unit with fresh water. Specific gravity (for reference):
1.28 at 20 °C (68 °F)
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Trouble recovery
79
Engine runs irregu-
larly or stallsFuel Empty Refill as soon as pos-
sible39
Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer70
Fuel tank Water or dirt present Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer70
Spark plug Fouled or defective Replace 72
Incorrect heat range Replace 72
Gap incorrect Adjust 72
Spark plug
capLoose Connect properly 72
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-
sible39
Engine over-
heatedJet intake clogged Clean
80
Check engine
warningFaulty sensors Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer34
Watercraft slow or
loses powerYamaha Se-
curity Sys-
tem (VX
Deluxe/VX
Cruiser)Low-RPM mode se-
lectedSelect normal mode
30
Cavitation Jet intake clogged Clean 80
Impeller damaged or
wornHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer80
Engine over-
heat warningEngine speed reduc-
tion control activatedClean jet intake and
cool engine33
Oil pressure
warningEngine speed reduc-
tion control activatedAdd oil
32
Spark plug Fouled or defective Replace 72
Incorrect heat range Replace 72
Gap incorrect Adjust 72
Spark plug
capsLoose Connect properly
72
Electrical wir-
ingLoose connection Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer—
Fuel Stale or contaminat-
edHave serviced by
Yamaha dealer70
Air filter Clogged or oil buildup Have serviced by
Yamaha dealer71 TROUBLE POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY PAGE
UF1K73E0.book Page 79 Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:15 AM

Index
A
Air filter element ....................................... 71
B
Battery ................................................ 44, 65
Battery, checking...................................... 74
Battery, jumping ....................................... 81
Beaching the watercraft ........................... 60
Bilge ......................................................... 43
Boarding alone ......................................... 55
Boarding and starting from a dock ........... 54
Boarding and starting in deep water ........ 54
Boarding and starting in shallow water .... 54
Boarding with passengers ........................ 55
Bow eye ................................................... 28
Builder’s plate............................................. 2
C
Capsized watercraft ................................. 57
Check engine warning indicator ............... 34
Cleaning the watercraft ............................ 65
Cooling water pilot outlet .................... 26, 48
Craft Identification Number (CIN) ............... 1
Cruising limitations ................................... 10
D
Docking the watercraft ............................. 60
E
Emergency procedures ............................ 80
Engine break-in ........................................ 49
Engine compartment ................................ 42
Engine oil ................................................. 39
Engine oil and oil filter .............................. 70
Engine oil level ......................................... 42
Engine overheat warning indicator ........... 33
Engine serial number ................................. 1
Engine shut-off cord ................................. 47
Engine shut-off switch .............................. 25
Engine stop switch ................................... 25
Enjoy your watercraft responsibly ............ 18
F
Fire extinguisher....................................... 45
Flushing the cooling system ..................... 63
Front storage compartment ...................... 35
Fuel and oil............................................... 38
Fuel injection system................................ 75
Fuel level .................................................. 42
Fuel level meter........................................ 31Fuel level warning indicator ...................... 32
Fuel system .............................................. 64
Fuel system, checking .............................. 70
Fuel tank .................................................. 70
Fuel tank filler cap .................................... 24
Fuel tank, filling ........................................ 39
Fuses, replacing ....................................... 82
G
Gasohol .................................................... 38
Gasoline ................................................... 38
Getting to know your watercraft ............... 52
Glove compartment .................................. 36
H
Handgrip ................................................... 28
Hazard information ................................... 14
Hood ......................................................... 23
Hour meter/voltmeter ............................... 32
Hull and deck ........................................... 42
I
Identification numbers ................................ 1
Important labels .......................................... 3
J
Jet intake .................................................. 47
Jet intake and impeller, cleaning .............. 80
Jet thrust nozzle angle, checking ............. 71
Jumper cables, connecting ...................... 81
L
Labels, other .............................................. 7
Labels, warning .......................................... 4
Launching the watercraft .......................... 49
Learning to operate your watercraft ......... 52
Leaving the watercraft .............................. 51
Limitations on who may operate the
watercraft ................................................ 9
“L-MODE” indicator light (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) ........................................... 35
Lubrication................................................ 64
Lubrication points ..................................... 73
M
Main components, location of .................. 19
Maintenance and adjustments ................. 66
Model information....................................... 2
Multifunction information center ......... 30, 48
O
Oil pressure warning indicator .................. 32
UF1K73E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:15 AM

Index
Operating your watercraft......................... 52
Operation ................................................. 49
Operation of controls and other
functions ............................................... 23
Operation requirements ........................... 11
Owner’s/operator’s manual and tool kit .... 67
P
Periodic maintenance chart...................... 68
Post-operation care .................................. 61
Pre-operation check list............................ 40
Pre-operation check points ...................... 42
Pre-operation checks ............................... 40
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
R
Recommended equipment ....................... 13
Remote control transmitter
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 24
Reverse on waterways
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 60
Riding with passengers ............................ 53
Rough water operation ............................. 61
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 17
Seat .......................................................... 23
“SECURITY” indicator light
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 34
Selecting the normal mode/low-RPM
mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ......... 30
Shift cable, checking (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) ........................................... 71
Shift lever and reverse gate
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 46
Shift lever (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ..... 27
Spark plugs, cleaning and adjusting ........ 72
Speedometer............................................ 31
Start switch............................................... 26
Starting the engine ................................... 49
Starting the watercraft .............................. 53
Steering system ................................. 27, 45
Stern drain plugs ...................................... 44
Stern eyes ................................................ 28
Stopping the engine ................................. 51
Stopping the watercraft ............................ 60
Storage..................................................... 63
Storage compartments ............................. 35Submerged watercraft .............................. 83
Switches ................................................... 48
T
Tachometer .............................................. 31
Throttle cable, checking and adjusting ..... 72
Throttle lever ...................................... 26, 45
Towing the watercraft ............................... 83
Transporting ............................................. 62
Trolling speed, checking .......................... 76
Troubleshooting ....................................... 78
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 78
Turning the watercraft .............................. 58
W
Water separator ....................................... 43
Watercraft characteristics ......................... 14
Water-skiing ............................................. 16
Y
Yamaha Engine Management System
(YEMS) ................................................. 28
Yamaha Security System and low-RPM
mode (for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ......... 29
Yamaha Security System
(for VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser) ................... 29
Yamaha Security System lock and
unlock modes (for VX Deluxe/
VX Cruiser) ........................................... 29
UF1K73E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:15 AM