2012 YAMAHA VMAX engine oil

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
NOTICE
ECA10260
●
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for long periods of time
with the engine off, and do not
tow the motorcycle for long dis-
tances. The transmission is
properly lubricated only when
the engine is running. Inade-
quate lubrication may damage
the transmission.
●
Always use the clutch while
changing gears to avoid damag-
ing the engine, transmission,
and drive train, which are not
designed to withstand the
shock of forced shifting.
EAU16810
Tips for reducing fuel con-
sumption Fuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the following
tips to reduce fuel consumption:●
Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
●
Do not rev the engine while shifting
down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the engine.
●
Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length of
time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traffic
lights or at railroad crossings).
EAU16841
Engine break-in There is never a more important period
in the life of your engine than the period
between 0 and 1600 km (1000 mi). For
this reason, you should read the follow-
ing material carefully.
Since the engine is brand new, do not
put an excessive load on it for the first
1600 km (1000 mi). The various parts in
the engine wear and polish themselves
to the correct operating clearances.
During this period, prolonged full-throt-
tle operation or any condition that might
result in engine overheating must be
avoided.
EAU17123
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 4800
r/min. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the engine oil and
final gear oil must be changed, and
the oil filter cartridge or element re-
placed.
[ECA10332]
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-6
6
20*Rear suspension re-
lay arm and con-
necting arm
pivoting points Check operation.
√√√√
21 Engine oil Change.
Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage. √√√√√√
22 Engine oil filter car-
tridge Replace.
√√√
23 *Cooling system Check coolant level and vehicle
for coolant leakage. √√√√√
Change with ethylene glycol anti- freeze coolant. Every 3 years
24 *EXUP system Check operation, cable free play
and pulley position. √√√
25 Final gear oil Check oil level and vehicle for oil
leakage. √√ √
Change. √√√
26 *Front and rear brake
switches
Check operation.
√√√√√√
27 Moving parts and
cables Lubricate.
√√√√√
28 *Throttle grip Check operation.
Check throttle grip free play, and
adjust if necessary.
Lubricate cable and grip housing. √√√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
U2S3E3E0.book Page 6 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-11
6
TIPIf a torque wrench is not available when
installing a spark plug, a good estimate
of the correct torque is 1/4–1/2 turn
past finger tight. However, the spark
plug should be tightened to the speci-
fied torque as soon as possible.NOTICE
ECA10840
Do not use any tools to remove or in-
stall the spark plug cap, otherwise
the ignition coil coupler may get
damaged. The spark plug cap may
be difficult to remove because the
rubber seal on the end of the cap fits
tightly. To remove the spark plug
cap, simply twist it back and forth
while pulling it out; to install it, twist
it back and forth while pushing it in.
EAU19908
Engine oil and oil filter car-
tridge The engine oil level should be checked
before each ride. In addition, the oil
must be changed and the oil filter car-
tridge replaced at the intervals speci-
fied in the periodic maintenance and
lubrication chart.
To check the engine oil level1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. A slight tilt to the side can
result in a false reading.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Wait a few minutes until the oil set- tles, and then check the oil level
through the check window located
at the bottom-right side of the
crankcase.TIPThe engine oil should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
4. If the engine oil is below the mini-mum level mark, add sufficient oil
of the recommended type to raise
it to the correct level.
To change the engine oil (with or
without oil filter cartridge replace-
ment) 1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face.
2. Start the engine, warm it up for several minutes, and then turn it
off.
3. Place an oil pan under the engine to collect the used oil.
Tightening torque:Spark plug:
13 Nm (1.3 m·kgf, 9.4 ft·lbf)
1. Engine oil level check window
2. Maximum level mark
3. Minimum level mark
23
1
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-12
6
4. Remove the engine oil filler cap,
the engine oil drain bolt and its
gasket to drain the oil from the
crankcase.
TIPSkip steps 5–7 if the oil filter cartridge is
not being replaced.5. Remove the oil filter cartridge withan oil filter wrench.TIPAn oil filter wrench is available at a
Yamaha dealer.6. Apply a thin coat of clean engineoil to the O-ring of the new oil filter
cartridge.
TIPMake sure that the O-ring is properly
seated.7. Install the new oil filter cartridgewith an oil filter wrench, and then
tighten it to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
1. Engine oil filler cap
1. Engine oil drain bolt
2. Gasket
1
2
1
1. Oil filter wrench
2. Oil filter cartridge
1
2
1. O-ring
U2S3E3E0.book Page 12 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
68. Install the engine oil drain bolt and
its new gasket, and then tighten
the bolt to the specified torque.
9. Refill with the specified amount of the recommended engine oil, and
then install and tighten the oil filler
cap.
TIPBe 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.TIPAfter the engine is started, the engine
oil level warning light should go off if the
oil level is sufficient.NOTICE
ECA10401
If the oil level warning light flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immediately turn the engine
off and have a Yamaha dealer check
the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, wait a few min-utes until the oil settles, and then
check the oil level and correct it if
necessary.
1. Torque wrenchTightening 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, 31 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)
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PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-16
6
7. Check the oil check bolt gasket
and the oil filler bolt gasket for
damage, and replace them if nec-
essary.
8. Refill with the recommended final gear oil until it flows out of the oil
check bolt hole.
9. Install the oil check bolt, the oil filler bolt and their gasket, and then
tighten the bolts to the specified
torques. 10. Install the final gear case breather
cap by installing the washer and
bolt, and then tighten the bolt to the
specified torque.
11. Check the final gear case for oil leakage. If oil is leaking, check for
the cause.
EAU20070
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.
EAU46691
To check the coolant level1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.TIP●
The coolant level must be checked
on a cold engine since the level
varies with engine temperature.
●
Make sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking
the coolant level. A slight tilt to the
side can result in a false reading.
2. Check the coolant level in the cool-ant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
1. Final gear oil check bolt
2. GasketRecommended final gear oil:Yamaha genuine shaft drive gear oil
SAE 80 API GL-5
Oil quantity:
0.30 L (0.32 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
1
2
Tightening torques:Final gear oil check bolt:
10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
Final gear oil filler bolt:
23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
Tightening torque: Final gear case breather cap bolt:10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
U2S3E3E0.book Page 16 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-27
6
EAU23095
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 housing of cables may result in in-
ternal rusting and cause interfer-
ence with cable movement. Replace
damaged cables as soon as possi-
ble to prevent unsafe conditions.[EWA10711] EAU23114
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 by a
Yamaha dealer at the intervals speci- fied in the periodic maintenance chart.
The throttle cable is equipped with a
rubber cover. Make sure that the cover
is securely installed. Even though the
cover is installed correctly, it does not
completely protect the cable from water
entry. Therefore, use care not to pour
water directly onto the cover or cable
when washing the vehicle. If the cable
or cover becomes dirty, wipe clean with
a moist cloth.
EAU44273
Checking and lubricating the
brake and sh ift pedals The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Brake pedal
Shift pedal
Recommended lubricant:
Yamaha Chain and Cable Lube or
engine oil
U2S3E3E0.book Page 27 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
7-1
7
EAU37833
Matte color caution NOTICE
ECA15192
Some models are equipped with
matte colored finished parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha dealer for
advice on what products to use be-
fore cleaning the vehicle. Using a
brush, harsh chemical products or
cleaning compounds when cleaning
these parts will scratch or damage
their surface. Wax also should not
be applied to any matte colored fin-
ished parts.
EAU46410
Care While the open design of a motorcycle
reveals the attractiveness of the tech-
nology, it also makes it more vulnera-
ble. Rust and corrosion can develop
even if high-quality components are
used. A rusty exhaust pipe may go un-
noticed on a car, however, it detracts
from the overall appearance of a motor-
cycle. Frequent and proper care does
not only comply with the terms of the
warranty, but it will also keep your mo-
torcycle looking good, extend its life
and optimize its performance.
Before cleaning1. Cover the muffler outlets with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and covers as well as all electrical couplers
and connectors, including the
spark plug caps, are tightly in-
stalled.
3. Remove extremely stubborn dirt, like oil burnt onto the crankcase,
with a degreasing agent and a
brush, but never apply such prod- ucts onto seals, gaskets and wheel
axles. Always rinse the dirt and de-
greaser off with water.
Cleaning
NOTICE
ECA10772
●
Avoid using strong acidic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoked
wheels. If such products are
used on hard-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any longer than in-
structed. Also, thoroughly rinse
the area off with water, immedi-
ately dry it, and then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.
●
Improper cleaning can damage
plastic parts (such as cowlings,
panels, windshields, headlight
lenses, meter lenses, etc.) and
the mufflers. Use only a soft,
clean cloth or sponge with wa-
ter to clean plastic. However, if
the plastic parts cannot be thor-
oughly cleaned with water, di-
luted mild detergent with water
may be used. Be sure to rinse
U2S3E3E0.book Page 1 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM