2009 YAMAHA VMAX checking oil

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY INFORMATION
...................1-1
DESCRIPTION
...................................2-1
Left view ...........................................2-1
Right view .........................................2-2
Controls and instruments..................2-3
INSTRUMENT AND CONTROL
FUNCTIONS
........................................3-1
Immobilizer system ..........................3-1
Main switch/steering lock .................3-2
Indicator and warning lights .............3-3
Speedometer unit ............................3-5
Multi-function display .......................3-6
Anti-theft alarm (optional) ..............3-14
Handlebar switches .......................3-15
Clutch lever ....................................3-16
Shift pedal ......................................3-17
Brake lever ....................................3-17
Brake pedal ...................................3-18
ABS ...............................................3-18
Fuel tank cap .................................3-19
Fuel ................................................3-20
Catalytic converters .......................3-22
Seats .............................................3-22
Adjusting the front fork ...................3-24
Adjusting the shock absorber
assembly ....................................3-26
Luggage strap holders ...................3-28
EXUP system ................................3-28
Sidestand .......................................3-29Ignition circuit cut-off system ......... 3-29
FOR YOUR SAFETY –
PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
.............. 4-1
OPERATION AND IMPORTANT
RIDING POINTS
.................................. 5-1
Starting the engine .......................... 5-1
Shifting ............................................ 5-2
Engine break-in ............................... 5-3
Parking ............................................ 5-3
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND
ADJUSTMENT
.................................... 6-1
Owner’s tool kit ................................ 6-1
Periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart ........................... 6-2
Removing and installing the
cowling and panels ...................... 6-6
Checking the spark plugs ................ 6-8
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ...... 6-9
Final gear oil .................................. 6-12
Coolant .......................................... 6-14
Air filter element ............................ 6-17
Checking the engine idling
speed ......................................... 6-17
Checking the throttle cable free
play ............................................ 6-17
Valve clearance ............................. 6-18
Tires .............................................. 6-18
Cast wheels ................................... 6-20Clutch lever ................................... 6-21
Checking the front brake lever
free play ..................................... 6-21
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch ......................................... 6-22
Checking the front and rear brake
pads ........................................... 6-22
Checking the brake fluid level ....... 6-23
Changing the brake and clutch
fluids .......................................... 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
cables ........................................ 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable ................ 6-24
Checking and lubricating the
brake and clutch levers .............. 6-25
Checking and lubricating the
brake pedal ................................ 6-25
Checking and lubricating the
shift pedal .................................. 6-26
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand ................................... 6-26
Checking the front fork .................. 6-26
Checking the steering ................... 6-27
Checking the wheel bearings ........ 6-28
Battery ........................................... 6-28
Replacing the fuses ...................... 6-31
Replacing the headlight bulb ........ 6-32
Tail/brake light ............................... 6-34
Replacing a turn signal light
bulb ............................................ 6-34

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-11
2
3
4
5
67
8
9
8. Install the engine oil drain bolt, and
then tighten it to the specified
torque.
9. Refill with the specified amount of
the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
TIP

Be sure to wipe off spilled oil on any
parts after the engine and exhaust sys-
tem have cooled down.
NOTICE

ECA11620

In order to prevent clutch slip-
page (since the engine oil also
lubricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a high-
er quality than specified. In
addition, do not use oils labeled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
higher.

Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the crankcase.
10. Start the engine, and then let it idle
for several minutes while checking
it for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, im-
mediately turn the engine off and
check for the cause.
TIP

After the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.
NOTICE

ECA10400
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on, immediately turn the
engine off and have a Yamaha dealer
check the vehicle.
1. Torque wrench
Tightening torque:
Oil filter cartridge:
17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 30 ft·lbf)
1

Recommended engine oil:
See page 8-1.
Oil quantity:
Without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment:
4.30 L (4.55 US qt, 3.78 Imp.qt)
With oil filter cartridge replacement:
4.70 L (4.97 US qt, 4.14 Imp.qt)
1. “CD” specification
2. “ENERGY CONSERVING II”
1
2

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11. Turn the engine off, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.

EAU46572
Final gear oil
The final gear case must be checked
for oil leakage before each ride. If any
leakage is found, have a Yamaha deal-
er check and repair the vehicle. In addi-
tion, the final gear oil must be checked
and changed as follows at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
WARNING

EWA10370

Make sure that no foreign mate-
rial enters the final gear case.

Make sure that no oil gets on the
tire or wheel.
To check the final gear oil level
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
TIP


The final gear oil level must be
checked on a cold engine.

Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the oil level.2. Loosen the final gear oil check bolt
until oil flows out.
3. If no oil flows out, remove the final
gear oil filler bolt. (See steps 3–4
under “To change the final gear oil”
for oil filler bolt removal.)
4. Pour the recommended type of oil
in the final gear oil filler hole until it
flows out of the oil check bolt hole.
5. Install the final gear oil filler bolt
and final gear oil check bolt, and
then tighten them to their specified
torques.
1. Final gear oil drain bolt
2. Final gear oil check bolt
3. Final gear oil drain bolt washer
12
3

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-23
2
3
4
5
67
8
9

EAU46540
Checking the brake fluid level
Front brake
Rear brake
Insufficient brake fluid may allow air toenter the brake system, possibly caus-
ing it to become ineffective.
Before riding, check that the brake fluid
is above the minimum level mark and
replenish if necessary. A low brake fluid
level may indicate worn brake pads
and/or brake system leakage. If the
brake fluid level is low, be sure to check
the brake pads for wear and the brake
system for leakage.
TIP

The rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the passenger seat. (See
page 3-22.)
Observe these precautions:

When checking the fluid level,
make sure that the top of the brake
fluid reservoir is level.

Use only the recommended quality
brake fluid, otherwise the rubber
seals may deteriorate, causing
leakage and poor braking perfor-
mance.

Refill with the same type of brakefluid. Mixing fluids may result in a
harmful chemical reaction and
lead to poor braking performance.

Be careful that water or dust does
not enter the brake fluid reservoir
when refilling. Water will signifi-
cantly lower the boiling point of the
fluid and may result in vapor lock,
and dirt may clog the ABS hydrau-
lic unit valves.

Brake fluid may deteriorate paint-
ed surfaces or plastic parts. Al-
ways clean up spilled fluid
immediately.

As the brake pads wear, it is nor-
mal for the brake fluid level to grad-
ually go down. However, if the
brake fluid level goes down sud-
denly, have a Yamaha dealer
check the cause.
1. Minimum level mark
1. Minimum level mark
1
1

Recommended brake fluid:
DOT 4

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU22751
Changing the brake and
clutch fluids
Have a Yamaha dealer change the
brake and clutch fluids at the intervals
specified in the TIP after the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart. In
addition, have the oil seals of the brake
and clutch master cylinders and cali-
pers as well as the brake and clutch
hoses replaced at the intervals listed
below or whenever they are damaged
or leaking.

Oil seals: Replace every two
years.

Brake and clutch hoses: Replace
every four years.
EAU23101
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING! Damage to the outer
sheath may interfere with proper ca-
ble operation and will cause the in-
ner cable to rust. Replace a
damaged cable as soon as possible
to prevent unsafe conditions.
[EWA10721]

EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-26
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

EAU43071
Checking and lubricating the
shift pedal
The operation of the shift pedal should
be checked before each ride, and the
shift pedal rod pivots should be lubricat-
ed if necessary.
EAU23202
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10731
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it. Otherwise,
the sidestand could contact the
ground and distract the operator, re-
sulting in a possible loss of control.
EAU23272
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
WARNING! To avoid injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no danger of it falling
over.

[EWA10751]

2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

INDEX
A
ABS ......................................................... 3-18
ABS warning light ...................................... 3-5
Air filter element....................................... 6-17
Anti-theft alarm (optional) ........................ 3-14
Auxiliary light bulb, replacing ................... 6-36
B
Battery ..................................................... 6-28
Brake and clutch fluids, changing ............ 6-24
Brake and clutch levers, checking and
lubricating .............................................. 6-25
Brake fluid level, checking ....................... 6-23
Brake lever .............................................. 3-17
Brake pedal ............................................. 3-18
Brake pedal, checking and lubricating ..... 6-25
C
Cables, checking and lubricating ............. 6-24
Care ........................................................... 7-1
Catalytic converters ................................. 3-22
Clutch lever.................................... 3-16
,
6-21
Coolant .................................................... 6-14
Coolant temperature warning light............. 3-4
Cowling and panels, removing and
installing .................................................. 6-6
D
Dimmer switch ......................................... 3-15
E
Engine break-in ......................................... 5-3
Engine idling speed, checking ................. 6-17
Engine oil and oil filter cartridge ................ 6-9
Engine stop switch................................... 3-15
Engine trouble warning light ...................... 3-4
EXUP system .......................................... 3-28
F
Final gear oil ............................................ 6-12
Front and rear brake pads, checking....... 6-22
Front brake lever free play, checking ...... 6-21
Front fork, adjusting................................. 3-24
Front fork, checking ................................. 6-26
Fuel ......................................................... 3-20
Fuel level warning light .............................. 3-4
Fuel tank cap ........................................... 3-19
Fuses, replacing ...................................... 6-31
H
Handlebar switches ................................. 3-15
Hazard switch .......................................... 3-16
Headlight bulb, replacing ......................... 6-32
High beam indicator light ........................... 3-3
Horn switch.............................................. 3-15
I
Identification numbers ............................... 9-1
Ignition circuit cut-off system ................... 3-29
Immobilizer system.................................... 3-1
Immobilizer system indicator light ............. 3-5
Indicator and warning lights....................... 3-3
K
Key identification number .......................... 9-1
L
License plate light bulb, replacing ........... 6-35
Luggage strap holders............................. 3-28
M
Main switch/steering lock .......................... 3-2
Matte color, caution ................................... 7-1
Model label ................................................ 9-2
Multi-function display ................................. 3-6
N
Neutral indicator light................................. 3-3
O
Oil level warning light ................................ 3-3
P
Parking ...................................................... 5-3
Part locations ............................................ 2-1
Pass switch ............................................. 3-15
Periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart ........................................................ 6-2
R
Rear brake light switch, adjusting ........... 6-22
S
Safety information ..................................... 1-1
Seats ....................................................... 3-22
Shifting ...................................................... 5-2
Shift pedal ............................................... 3-17
Shift pedal, checking and lubricating ...... 6-26
Shock absorber assembly, adjusting ...... 3-26
Sidestand ................................................ 3-29
Sidestand, checking and lubricating ....... 6-26
Spark plugs, checking ............................... 6-8
Specifications ............................................ 8-1
Speedometer unit...................................... 3-5
Starting the engine .................................... 5-1
Start switch ............................................. 3-15
Steering, checking .................................. 6-27
Storage ..................................................... 7-4
Supporting the motorcycle ...................... 6-36
T
Tail/brake light......................................... 6-34
Throttle cable free play, checking ........... 6-17
Throttle grip and cable, checking and
lubricating ............................................. 6-24
Tires ........................................................ 6-18
Tool kit ...................................................... 6-1