steering YAMAHA VX 2017 User Guide

Operation
71
steer without throttle. You may still have
some turning ability immediately after re-
leasing the throttle lever, but once the
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
D. If the engine is stopped while riding,
there is no thrust. The watercraft will go
straight even though the handlebars are
turned.
You need throttle to steer.
E. If the RiDE lever is squeezed and the
handlebars are turned when the water-
craft is cruising at planing speed, the wa-tercraft will turn gradually while slowing
down.
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 (see condition C above).
The OTS system assists in turning by con-
tinuing to supply some thrust while the water-
craft is decelerating, but you can turn more
sharply if you apply throttle while turning the
handlebars. The OTS system does not func-
tion below planing speeds or when the en-
gine 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.
EJU43251Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. The watercraft slows
down by water resistance or, when operating
in reverse, by the water jet. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is re-
leased, but will coast for a distance before
fully stopping. If you are not sure you can
stop in time before hitting an obstacle, apply
throttle and turn in another direction.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop due to water resistance in ap-
1Reverse gate
E
1
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Care and storage
83
EJU33493
Long-term storage
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (See
page 79 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP:
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 80 for in-
formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU43661Lubrication
Use a suitable marine grease applicator and
spray a rust inhibitor between the inner and
outer cables to lubricate the cables and
purge out any dirt and moisture.
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
Shift rod (reverse gate end)
EJU44140Rustproofing
Rustproofing the hull, deck, and engine
Spray metallic parts of the hull, deck, and en-
gine with a rust inhibitor.
Rustproofing the internal engine compo-
nents
Rustproof the internal engine components
with a rust inhibitor.
To rustproof the internal engine components:
(1) Remove the seats. (See page 43 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Release the hooks on the port side of the
air filter case, and then lift up the air filter
case cover. NOTICE: Do not lift up the
air filter case cover forcefully. Other- Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE
GREASE/Yamaha Grease A
UF4G71E0.book Page 83 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM

Maintenance
86
EJU43101Periodic maintenance chart
The periodic maintenance chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. Have a
Yamaha dealer perform the checks in the following chart. However, maintenance may need
to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions. If you have any
questions, consult a Yamaha dealer.
This “√” mark indicates items to be checked and serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours50 hours
or 12
months
*1100
hours or
12
months
*1200
hours or
24
months
*1
Fuel lineCheck fuel hoses and
clamps√—
Fuel filler cap/Wa-
ter separatorCheck O-rings for cracks
and deformation√—
Fuel tankCheck installation and
straps√—
Water inlet strainerCheck for clogs and dam-
age√—
Cooling water hos-
esCheck for damage and
leakage, and check
clamps√—
Engine oilReplace√√88
Oil filterReplace√88
Intermediate hous-
ingLubricate√—
Spark plugsCheck√√—
BatteryCheck state of charge,
terminals, bands, and
breather hose√—
Battery leadsCheck terminals√—
Steering masterCheck operation and for
looseness√√—
Steering cableCheck exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Shift rod and re-
verse gate Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Air filter elementCheck for damage and
dirt√—
Air intake hosesCheck for damage, and
check clamps√—
Throttle bodyLubricate throttle valves√—
UF4G71E0.book Page 86 Wednesday, July 27, 2016 9:32 AM

Index
98
Low RPM Mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 33
Lubrication ............................................... 83
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 85
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 2
Multifunction information center .............. 38
Multifunction information center check ... 65
N
No-wake mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 34
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 41
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 77
Operating the watercraft .......................... 69
Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral ................................................... 72
Operating your watercraft ........................ 67
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 86
Post-launch checks ................................. 65
Post-operation care ................................. 79
Pre-launch checks ................................... 59
Pre-operation check points ..................... 59
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 57
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
Pull-up cleats (VX Limited) ....................... 46
R
Raising the reverse gate .......................... 94
Reboarding step ...................................... 44
Recommended equipment ...................... 14
Remote control transmitter check
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 62
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 25
Removable watertight storage
compartment ........................................ 48
RiDE lever................................................. 28
RiDE lever checks .................................... 62
Riding position ......................................... 68
Rustproofing ............................................ 83S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 64
Seats ........................................................ 43
Shift indicator ........................................... 40
Shift system ............................................. 31
Shift system check ................................... 65
Speedometer ........................................... 38
Start switch .............................................. 27
Starting off ............................................... 75
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 76
Starting the engine on water .................... 68
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 61
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 64
Stern eyes ................................................ 45
Stopping the engine ................................. 69
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 71
Storage compartment checks.................. 63
Storage compartments ............................ 46
Submerged watercraft ............................. 95
Switch checks .......................................... 63
T
Tachometer .............................................. 39
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 62
Tool kit ..................................................... 85
Towing the watercraft .............................. 95
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 55
Troubleshooting ....................................... 90
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 90
Turning the watercraft .............................. 70
V
Voltmeter .................................................. 42
W
Wakeboarding and water-skiing .............. 17
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 59
Watercraft characteristics ........................ 15
Watercraft control functions..................... 25
Watercraft operation functions ................ 31
Watercraft operation modes .................... 33
Y
Yamaha Security System settings ........... 26
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