warning YAMAHA VX CRUISER HO 2017 User Guide

Operation and handling requirements
49
EJU31823
Fuel requirementsEJU43641Fuel
WARNING
EWJ00283
Gasoline and gasoline vapors are ex-
tremely flammable. To avoid fires and
explosions and to reduce the risk of in-
jury when refueling, follow these in-
structions.
Gasoline is poisonous and can cause in-
jury or death. Handle gasoline with care.
Never siphon gasoline by mouth. If you
should swallow some gasoline, inhale a
lot of gasoline vapor, or get some gaso-
line in your eyes, see your doctor imme-
diately. If gasoline spills on your skin,
wash with soap and water. If gasoline
spills on your clothing, change your
clothes.
NOTICE
ECJ00322
Do not use leaded gasoline. Leaded
gasoline can seriously damage the en-
gine.
Avoid getting water and contaminants in
the fuel tank. Contaminated fuel can
cause poor performance and engine
damage. Use only fresh gasoline that
has been stored in clean containers.
Gasohol
There are two types of gasohol: gasohol con-
taining ethanol and that containing methanol.Gasohol containing ethanol can be used if
ethanol content does not exceed 10% and
the fuel meets the minimum octane ratings.
E-85 is a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol
and therefore must not be used in this water-
craft. All ethanol blends containing more than
10% ethanol can cause fuel system damage
or engine performance problems.
Yamaha does not recommend gasohol con-
taining methanol because it can cause fuel
system damage and engine performance
problems.
To fill the fuel tank:
(1) Before refueling, stop the engine. Do not
stand or sit on the watercraft. Never refu-
el while smoking, or while in the vicinity
of sparks, open flames, or other sources
of ignition.
(2) Place the watercraft in a well-ventilated
area and in a horizontal position.
(3) Remove the seats, and then check the
fuel level. (See page 42 for seat removal
and installation procedures.)
(4) Pull the hood latch up, and then lift up
the rear of the hood.
Recommended fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline with a mi-
nimum octane rating of
86
(Pump octane number) = (R + M)/2
90 (Research octane number)
1Hood latch
1
UF4E71E0.book Page 49 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Operation and handling requirements
51
curely closed before using the water-
craft.
(11) Securely install the seats in their original
positions.EJU40291
Engine oil requirementsEJU41513Engine oil
NOTICE
ECJ00282
Use only 4-stroke engine oil. Usage of 2-
stroke engine oil could result in severe en-
gine damage.
TIP:
When the engine is operated at high speeds,
some engine oil may be consumed. Be sure
to check the engine oil level.
Checking the engine oil level
WARNING
EWJ00341
Engine oil is extremely hot immediately af-
ter the engine is turned off. Coming in con-
tact with or getting any engine oil on your
clothes could result in burns.
NOTICE
ECJ01002
Make sure that debris and water do not
enter the oil filler hole. Debris and water in
the engine oil can cause serious engine
damage.
To check the engine oil level:
(1) Place the watercraft in a precisely level
position on land with the engine
stopped. If the engine was running, allow
the engine oil to settle by waiting 5 minu-
tes or more before checking the oil level.
(2) Remove the seats. (See page 42 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
Recommended engine oil type:
SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-40,
20W-50
Recommended engine oil grade:
API SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL
UF4E71E0.book Page 51 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Pre-operation checks
56
EJU31982
WARNING
EWJ00412
Failure to inspect or maintain the watercraft properly increases the possibility of an ac-
cident or damage to the watercraft. Do not operate the watercraft if you find any prob-
lem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in this manual, have
the watercraft inspected by a Yamaha dealer.
EJU41234Pre-operation checklist
Before using this watercraft, be sure to perform the checks in the following checklist.
ITEM ROUTINE PAGE
PRE-LAUNCH CHECKS
Engine compartmentVentilate the engine compartment.
Check inside the engine compartment for damage.58
Fuel systemCheck the fuel system for leakage.
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.58
Water separatorCheck the water separator for water. 58
Engine unitCheck the exterior of the engine unit for damage. 59
Engine oil levelCheck the engine oil level. 59
Bilge waterCheck the engine compartment for bilge water. 59
BatteryCheck the battery connections and electrolyte level. 59
Steering systemCheck the steering system for proper operation. 60
RiDE leverCheck the RiDE lever for proper operation. 61
Throttle leverCheck the throttle lever for proper operation. 61
Remote control transmitterCheck the remote control transmitter for proper op-
eration.61
Engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard)Check the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) for dam-
age.61
SwitchesCheck the start switch, engine stop switch, and en-
gine shut-off switch for proper operation.62
Storage compartmentsCheck the storage compartments for damage and
water.62
Fire extinguisher holder,
cover, and bandCheck the fire extinguisher holder, cover, and band
for damage.62
Fire extinguisherCheck the condition of the fire extinguisher. 63
Safety equipmentCheck that safety equipment meeting the applica-
ble regulations is on board.63
Hull and deckCheck the hull and deck for damage. 63
Jet intakeCheck the jet intake for damage and clogging. 63
Jet thrust nozzle and re-
verse gate Check the jet thrust nozzle and reverse gate for
damage.63
Stern drain plugsCheck the stern drain plugs for damage and foreign
material and check that they are securely installed.63
UF4E71E0.book Page 56 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Pre-operation checks
58
EJU32282
Pre-operation check pointsEJU42383Pre-launch checks
Perform the pre-launch checks in the pre-op-
eration checklist while the watercraft is on
land.
To perform the pre-launch checks:
(1) Remove the seats and removable water-
tight storage compartment. (See page 42
for seat removal and installation proce-
dures and page 47 for information on the
removable watertight storage compart-
ment.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that
there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
(3) After completing these checks, securely
install the removable watertight storage
compartment and seats in their original
positions.
EJU32334Engine compartment check
WARNING
EWJ00462
Failure to ventilate the engine compart-
ment could result in a fire or explosion. Do
not start the engine if there is a fuel leak.
Ventilate the engine compartment. Leave the
engine compartment open for a few minutes
to allow any fuel vapors to escape.Make sure that there is no damage inside the
engine compartment.
EJU34215Fuel system checks
WARNING
EWJ00382
Leaking fuel can result in fire or explosion.
Check for fuel leakage regularly.
If any fuel leakage is found, the fuel sys-
tem must be repaired by a qualified me-
chanic. Improper repairs can make the
watercraft unsafe to operate.
Make sure that there is no damage, leakage,
or other problem in the fuel system.
Check:
Fuel filler cap and seal for damage
Fuel tank for damage and leakage
Fuel hoses and joints for damage and leak-
age
Fuel tank breather hose for damage and
leakage
EJU36875Fuel level check
Check the fuel level in the fuel tank.
Add fuel if necessary. (See page 49 for infor-
mation on filling the fuel tank.)
EJU32424Water separator check
Make sure that no water has collected in the
water separator. If water has collected in the
UF4E71E0.book Page 58 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Pre-operation checks
59
water separator, drain it. (See page 28 for in-
formation on draining the water separator.)
EJU40182Engine unit check
Check the exterior of the engine unit for dam-
age or other problem.
EJU36886Engine oil level check
Make sure that the engine oil level is between
the minimum and maximum level marks onthe dipstick. (See page 51 for information on
checking the engine oil level.)
EJU32456Bilge water check
Make sure that no bilge water has collected in
the engine compartment. If bilge water has
collected in the engine compartment, drain it.
(See page 53 for information on draining the
bilge water.)
EJU32485Battery checks
Make sure that the battery terminals and
breather hose are not damaged and that the
battery leads and breather hose are connect-
ed properly. WARNING! Fire or explosion
could result if the breather hose is dam-
1Water separator
1
1Dipstick
1Maximum level mark
2Minimum level mark
1
1
2
UF4E71E0.book Page 59 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Pre-operation checks
60
aged, obstructed, or not connected prop-
erly.
[EWJ00452]
Make sure that the electrolyte level is be-
tween the minimum and maximum level
marks. WARNING! Never operate the wa-
tercraft if the battery does not have suffi-
cient power to start the engine or if it
shows any other signs of decreased pow-
er. Loss of battery power may leave you
stranded.
[EWJ01241]
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32614Steering system checks
Turn the handlebars to the right and left sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout thewhole range, and that the free play is not ex-
cessive.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left to make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle moves as the handlebars are turned,
and that there is no difference between the
1Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
2Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
3Breather hose
1Maximum level mark
2Minimum level mark
1
32
UF4E71E0.book Page 60 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Pre-operation checks
61
right and left fully turned positions of the jet
thrust nozzle.
EJU43212RiDE lever checks
Operate the RiDE lever several times to make
sure that operation is smooth throughout the
whole range. Also, make sure that the RiDElever returns automatically to its fully closed
position when released.
EJU42181Throttle lever checks
Operate the throttle lever several times to
make sure that operation is smooth through-
out the whole range. Also, make sure that the
throttle lever returns automatically to its fully
closed (idle) position when released.
EJU40113Remote control transmitter check
Make sure that the remote control transmitter
operates properly. (See page 25 for Yamaha
Security System setting procedures and
page 32 for Low RPM Mode activation pro-
cedures.)
EJU32664Engine shut-off cord (lanyard) check
Make sure that the engine shut-off cord (lan-
yard) is not damaged. If the cord is damaged,
replace it. WARNING! Never try to repair
the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) or tie it
together. The engine shut-off cord (lan- Difference between fully turned posi-
tions of jet thrust nozzle (distances A
and B):
Maximum 5 mm (0.20 in)
UF4E71E0.book Page 61 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Pre-operation checks
64
Securely install the stern drain plugs by tight-
ening them until they stop.
EJU43810Hood check
Push down the hood latch and make sure
that it is securely closed.
EJU40146Post-launch checks
Perform the post-launch checks in the pre-
operation checklist while the watercraft is in
the water and the engine is running.
To perform the post-launch checks:
(1) Launch the watercraft. (See page 67 for
information on launching the watercraft.)
(2) Perform the checks and make sure that
there are no malfunctioning items or oth-
er problems.
EJU40553Cooling water pilot outlet check
Make sure that water is discharged from the
cooling water pilot outlet while the engine isrunning. (See page 28 for information on the
cooling water pilot outlet.)
EJU32715Multifunction information center check
Make sure that the multifunction information
center operates properly. (See page 37 for in-
formation on proper operation of the multi-
function information center.)
EJU43391Shift system check
Operate the throttle lever and RiDE lever, and
check that the watercraft moves or does not
move according to the displayed shift indica-
tor. (See page 30 for shift system operation
procedures.) WARNING! To avoid colli-
sions, operate at safe speeds and keep a
UF4E71E0.book Page 64 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Operation
66
EJU32903
Operating your watercraft
WARNING
EWJ00511
Before operating your watercraft, become
familiar with all of the controls. Consult a
Yamaha dealer about any control or func-
tion that you do not fully understand. Fail-
ure to understand how the controls work
could cause an accident or prevent you
from avoiding an accident.
EJU32965Getting 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 beginning on
page 9. These materials should give you an
understanding of the watercraft and its oper-
ation.
Remember: This watercraft is designed to
carry the operator and up to 2 passengers.
Never exceed the maximum load limit or al-
low more than 3 persons (or 2 persons if a
wakeboarder or water-skier is being pulled)
to ride the watercraft at any time.
EJU33006Learning to operate your watercraft
Before operating the watercraft, always per-
form the pre-operation checks listed on page
56. The short time spent checking the water-
craft will reward you with added safety and
reliability.
Check local laws before operating your wa-
tercraft.
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.
You should grip the handlebars firmly and
keep both feet on the floor of the footwell. Do
not attempt to ride with passengers until your
operating skills are fully developed.Maximum load:
240 kg (530 lb)
Load is the total weight of cargo, op-
erator, and passengers.
UF4E71E0.book Page 66 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM

Operation
67
EJU40212Riding position
Operator riding position
The operator should grip the handlebars firm-
ly with both hands and sit astride the seat
with both feet on the floor of the footwell.
Passenger riding position
The passenger(s) should hold on firmly, either
to the person in front of them or to the hand-
grip provided, and sit astride the seat with
their feet on the floor of the footwell. Never al-
low a passenger to ride in front of the opera-
tor. (See page 16 for information on the riding
position when pulling a wakeboarder or wa-
ter-skier.)
EJU32803Launching the watercraft
When launching the watercraft, make sure
that there are no obstacles around you.
If the watercraft is launched from a trailer,
someone should make sure that waves do
not push the watercraft into the trailer.
EJU36346Starting the engine on water
WARNING
EWJ01531
Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the
rear of the watercraft. Turn the engine off
or keep it at idle. Water and debris exiting
the jet thrust nozzle can cause severe in-
jury.
To start the engine:
(1) If the lock mode is selected for the
Yamaha Security System setting, select
the unlock mode. (See page 25 for
Yamaha Security System setting proce-
dures.)
(2) Move the watercraft to an area that is
free from weeds and debris, and has a
water depth of at least 60 cm (2 ft) from
the bottom of the watercraft. NOTICE:
Never run the engine in water that is
less than 60 cm (2 ft) deep from the
bottom of the watercraft, otherwise
pebbles or sand could be sucked into
the jet intake, causing impeller dam-
age and engine overheating.
[ECJ00473]
(3) Attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
to your left wrist, and then attach the clip
to the engine shut-off switch. (See page
26 for information on operating the en-
gine shut-off switch.) WARNING! Check
that the engine shut-off cord (lanyard)
UF4E71E0.book Page 67 Tuesday, June 28, 2016 11:45 AM