2001 YAMAHA VMAX engine overheat

INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL FUNCTIONS
3-3
3
EAU00101
Tachometer The electric tachometer allows the rider
to monitor the engine speed and keep it
within the ideal power range.
EC000003
CAUTION:@ Do not operate the engine in the
tachometer red zone.
Red zone: 8,500 r/min and above @
EAU00109
Anti-theft alarm (optional) This motorcycle can be equipped with
an optional anti-theft alarm by a
Yamaha dealer. Contact a Yamaha
dealer for more information.
EAU01652
Coolant temperature gauge With the key in the “ON” position, the
coolant temperature gauge indicates
the temperature of the coolant. The
coolant temperature varies with chang-
es in the weather and engine load. If
the needle reaches or enters the red
zone, stop the motorcycle and let the
engine cool. (See page 6-46 for further
instructions.)
EC000002
CAUTION:@ Do not operate the engine if it is
overheated. @
1. Tachometer
2. Red zone
1. Coolant temperature gauge
2. Red zone
E_3lr.book Page 3 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
EAU02941
Recommended shift points
(for Switzerland only) The recommended shift points during
acceleration are shown in the table be-
low.CF-01ENOTE:@ When shifting down two gears at a
time, reduce the speed accordingly
(e.g., down to 35 km/h when shifting
from 4th to 2nd gear). @
EAU00424
Tips for reducing fuel
consumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:l
Thoroughly warm up the engine.
l
Turn the starter (choke) off as
soon as possible.
l
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
l
Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
l
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU00436
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1,000 km. For this rea-
son, you should read the following ma-
terial carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1,000 km. The various parts in the en-
gine wear and polish themselves to the
correct operating clearances. During
this period, prolonged full-throttle oper-
ation or any condition that might result
in engine overheating must be avoided.
Shift point
(km/h)
1st®2nd
2nd®3rd
3rd®4th
4th®5th23
36
50
60
E_3lr.book Page 4 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-14
6
EAU03416
Coolant The coolant level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the cool-
ant must be changed at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
If the engine overheats, see page 6-46
for further instructions.
To check the coolant level
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and hold it in an upright
position.
2. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-6
for cowling removal and installa-
tion procedures.)
NOTE:@ l
The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.
l
Make sure that the motorcycle is
positioned straight up when
checking the coolant level. A slight
tilt to the side can result in a false
reading.
@3. Check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir.NOTE:@ The coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks. @4. If the coolant is at or below the
minimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap and add
coolant to the maximum level
mark.
5. Install the coolant reservoir cap
and the cowling.
1. Maximum level mark
2. Minimum level mark
Coolant reservoir capacity:
0.3 L
E_3lr.book Page 14 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-15
6
EC000080
CAUTION:@ l
If coolant is not available, use
distilled water or soft tap water
instead. Do not use hard water
or salt water since it is harmful
to the engine.
l
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possible, other-
wise the engine may not be
sufficiently cooled and the cool-
ing system will not be protected
against frost and corrosion.
l
If water has been added to the
coolant, have a Yamaha dealer
check the antifreeze content of
the coolant as soon as possible,
otherwise the effectiveness of
the coolant will be reduced.
@
EW000067
WARNING
@ Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap when the engine is hot. @
NOTE:@ The radiator fan is automatically
switched on or off according to the
coolant temperature in the radiator. If
the engine overheats, see page 6-46
for further instructions. @
EAU03417
To change the coolant
1. Place the motorcycle on a level
surface and let the engine cool if
necessary.
2. Remove cowling A and panel A.
(See pages 6-6 and 6-7 for cowl-
ing and panel removal and instal-
lation procedures.)
3. Place a container under the en-
gine to collect the used coolant.
E_3lr.book Page 15 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
6-46
6 Engine overheating
EW000070
WARNING
@ l
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding hot fluid and steam may be
blown out under pressure, which could cause serious injury. Be sure to wait until the engine has cooled.
l
After removing the radiator cap retaining bolt, place a thick rag, like a towel, over the radiator cap, and then
slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise to the detent to allow any residual pressure to escape. When the hiss-
ing sound has stopped, press down on the cap while turning it counterclockwise, and then remove the cap.
@NOTE:@ If coolant is not available, tap water can be temporarily used instead, provided that it is changed to the recommended coolant
as soon as possible. @
Wait until the
engine has cooled.
Check the coolant level in the
reservoir and radiator.
The coolant level
is OK.The coolant level is low.
Check the cooling system
for leakage.
Have a Yamaha dealer checkand repair the cooling system.Add coolant. (See NOTE.)
Start the engine. If the engine overheats again,
have a
Yamaha dealer check
and repair the cooling system.
There is
leakage.
There is
no leakage.
E_3lr.book Page 46 Wednesday, November 22, 2000 4:10 PM