Safety information
14
EJU30870
Hazard information
Never start the engine or let it run for any
length of time in an enclosed area. Exhaust
fumes contain carbon monoxide, a color-
less, odorless gas that may cause loss of
consciousness and death within a short
time. Always operate the watercraft in an
open area.
Do not touch the hot oil tank, muffler, or en-
gine during or immediately after engine op-
eration; they can cause serious burns.
EJU30930
Watercraft characteristics
Jet thrust turns the watercraft. Releasing
the throttle lever completely produces only
minimum thrust. If you are traveling at
speeds above trolling, you will have rapidly
decreasing ability to steer without throttle.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha
Engine Management System (YEMS) that
includes an off-throttle steering (OTS) sys-
tem. It will activate at planing speeds should
you attempt to steer the watercraft after re-
leasing the throttle lever. The OTS system
assists in turning by continuing to supply
some thrust while the watercraft is deceler-
ating, but you can turn more sharply if you
apply throttle while turning the handlebars.
The OTS system does not function below
planing speeds or when the engine 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.
Practice turning in an open area without ob-
stacles until you have a good feel for this
maneuver.
This watercraft is water-jet propelled. The
jet pump is directly connected to the engine.
This means that jet thrust will produce some
movement whenever the engine is running.
There is no “neutral” position. You are in ei-
ther “forward” or “reverse”, depending upon
the shift lever position (for VX Deluxe/VX
Cruiser).
For VX Deluxe/VX Cruiser:
Do not use the reverse function to slow
down or stop the watercraft as it could
cause you to lose control, be ejected, or im-
pact the handlebars.
This could increase the risk of back/spinal
injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken
UF2L70E0.book Page 14 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
Operation
38
EJU31821
Fuel and oil EJU37162Fuel
WARNING
EWJ00282
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
ECJ00321
Do not use leaded gasoline. Leaded gas-
oline can seriously damage the engine.
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 thefuel meets the minimum octane ratings. E-85
is a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol and
therefore must not be used in this watercraft.
All ethanol blends containing more than 10%
ethanol can cause fuel system damage or en-
gine 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, turn off the engine. Do
not stand or sit on the watercraft. Never
refuel while smoking, or while in the vicin-
ity of sparks, open flames, or other sourc-
es of ignition.
(2) Place the watercraft in a well-ventilated
area and in a horizontal position.
(3) Remove the seat, and then check the fuel
level. (See page 23 for seat removal and
installation procedures.)
(4) Remove the fuel tank filler cap, and then
slowly add fuel to the fuel tank. Stop filling
when the fuel level reaches approximate-
ly 50 mm (2 in) from the top of the fuel
tank. Do not overfill the fuel tank. Be-
cause fuel expands when it heats up,
heat from the engine or the sun can
cause fuel to spill out of the fuel tank. Do
not leave the watercraft with a full tank in
direct sunlight.
Recommended fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline with a mini-
mum octane rating of
86
(Pump octane number) = (R + M)/2
90 (Research octane number)
UF2L70E0.book Page 38 Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:38 AM
