2012 YAMAHA VMAX engine

FOR YOUR SAFETY – PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
4-1
4
EAU15596
Inspect your vehicle each time you use it to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Always follow the inspection
and maintenance procedures and schedules described in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
EWA11151
Failure to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly increases the possibility of an accident or equipment damage.
Do not operate the vehicle if you find any problem. If a problem cannot be corrected by the procedures provided in
this manual, have the vehicle inspected by a Yamaha dealer.Before using this vehicle, check the following points:
ITEMCHECKS PAGE
Fuel Check fuel level in fuel tank.
Refuel if necessary.
Check fuel line for leakage.
Check fuel tank breather hose and overflow hose for obstructions, cracks or dam-
age, and check hose connections. 3-23, 3-24
Engine oil Check oil level in engine.
If necessary, add recommended oil to specified level.
Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-11
Final gear oil Check vehicle for oil leakage. 6-14
Coolant Check coolant level in reservoir.
If necessary, add recommended coolant to specified level.
Check cooling system for leakage. 6-16
Front brake Check operation.
If soft or spongy, have Yamaha dealer bleed hydraulic system.
Check brake pads for wear.
Replace if necessary.
Check fluid level in reservoir.
If necessary, add specified brake fluid to specified level.
Check hydraulic system for leakage. 6-24, 6-25
U2S3E3E0.book Page 1 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU15951
Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to
become familiar with all controls. If
there is a control or function you do not
understand, ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWA10271
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which could cause an accident
or injury.
EAU48710
TIPThis model is equipped with:●
a lean angle sensor to stop the en-
gine in case of a turnover. In this
case, the multi-function display in-
dicates error code 30, but this is
not a malfunction. Turn the key to
“OFF” and then to “ON” to clear the
error code. Failing to do so will pre-
vent the engine from starting even
though the engine will crank when
pushing the start switch.
●
an engine auto-stop system. The
engine stops automatically if left
idling for 20 minutes. If the engine
stops, simply push the start switch
to restart the engine.
EAU51690
Starting the engine In order for the ignition circuit cut-off
system to enable starting, one of the
following conditions must be met:●
The transmission is in the neutral
position.
●
The transmission is in gear with
the clutch lever pulled and the
sidestand up.
See page 3-32 for more informa-
tion.
1. Turn the key to “ON” and make sure that the engine stop switch is
set to “ ”.
The following warning lights and
indicator lights should come on for
a few seconds, then go off.●
Oil level warning light
●
Fuel level warning light
●
Coolant temperature warning
light
●
Engine trouble warning light
●
Shift timing indicator light
●
Immobilizer system indicator
light
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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTICE
ECA17670
If the above warning lights or indica-
tor light do not come on initially
when the key is turned to “ON”, or if
a warning or indicator light remains
on, see page 3-4 for the correspond-
ing warning and indicator light cir-
cuit check.
The ABS warning light should
come on when the main switch is
turned to “ON” and then go off after
traveling at a speed of 10 km/h (6
mi/h) or higher.
NOTICE
ECA17680
If the ABS warning light does not
come on and then go off as ex-
plained above, see page 3-4 for the
indicator light circuit check.2. Shift the transmission into the neu-tral position. The neutral indicator
light should come on. If not, ask a
Yamaha dealer to check the elec- trical circuit.
3. Start the engine by pushing the start switch. If the engine fails to start, release
the start switch, wait a few sec-
onds, and then try again. Each
starting attempt should be as short
as possible to preserve the bat-
tery. Do not crank the engine more
than 10 seconds on any one at-
tempt.
NOTICE
ECA11042
For maximum engine life, never ac-
celerate hard when the engine is
cold!
EAU16671
Shifting Shifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.TIPTo shift the transmission into the neu-
tral position, press the shift pedal down
repeatedly until it reaches the end of its
travel, and then slightly raise it.1. Shift pedal
2. Neutral position
1
2
2 3
4 5N1
U2S3E3E0.book Page 2 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

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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OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-4
5
1000–1600 km (600–1000 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 5700
r/min.
1600 km (1000 mi) and beyond
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
NOTICE
ECA10310
●
Keep the engine speed out of
the tachometer red zone.
●
If any engine trouble should oc-
cur during the engine break-in
period, immediately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi- cle.
EAU17213
Parking When parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10311
●
Since the engine and exhaust
system can become very hot,
park in a place where pedestri-
ans or children are not likely to
touch them and be burned.
●
Do not park on a slope or on soft
ground, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasing the
risk of a fuel leak and fire.
●
Do not park near grass or other
flammable materials which
might catch fire.
U2S3E3E0.book Page 4 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-1
6
EAU17244
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and lu-
brication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition pos-
sible. Safety is an obligation of the vehi-
cle owner/operator. The most important
points of vehicle inspection, adjust-
ment, and lubrication are explained on
the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance charts should be simply
considered as a general guide under
normal riding conditions. However, de-
pending on the weather, terrain, geo-
graphical location, and individual use,
the maintenance intervals may need to
be shortened.
WARNING
EWA10321
Failure to properly maintain the ve-
hicle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death during
service or while using the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha dealer perform
service.
WARNING
EWA15122
Turn off the engine when performing
maintenance unless otherwise
specified.●
A running engine has moving
parts that can catch on body
parts or clothing and electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
●
Running the engine while ser-
vicing can lead to eye injury,
burns, fire, or carbon monoxide
poisoning – possibly leading to
death. See page 1-2 for more in-
formation about carbon monox-
ide.WARNING
EWA15460
Brake discs, calipers, drums, and
linings can become very hot during
use. To avoid possible burns, let
brake components cool before
touching them.
EAU17302
Emission controls not only function to
ensure cleaner air, but are also vital to
proper engine operation and maximum
performance. In the following periodic
maintenance charts, the services relat-
ed to emissions control are grouped
separately. These services require
specialized data, knowledge, and
equipment. Maintenance, replacement,
or repair of the emission control devic-
es and systems may be performed by
any repair establishment or individual
that is certified (if applicable). Yamaha
dealers are trained and equipped to
perform these particular services.
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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
6-10
6
To install the panel
Place the panel in the original position,
and then install the bolt.
EAU46680
Checking the spark plugs The spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be checked
periodically, preferably by a Yamaha
dealer. Since heat and deposits will
cause any spark plug to slowly erode,
they should be removed and checked
in accordance with the periodic mainte-
nance and lubrication chart. In addition,
the condition of the spark plugs can re-
veal the condition of the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the cen-
ter electrode of each spark plug should
be a medium-to-light tan (the ideal color
when the vehicle is ridden normally),
and all spark plugs installed in the en-
gine should have the same color. If any
spark plug shows a distinctly different
color, the engine could be operating im-
properly. Do not attempt to diagnose
such problems yourself. Instead, have
a Yamaha dealer check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of electrode
erosion and excessive carbon or other
deposits, it should be replaced. Before installing a spark plug, the spark
plug gap should be measured with a
wire thickness gauge and replaced if
out of specification.
Clean the surface of the spark plug
gasket and its mating surface, and then
wipe off any grime from the spark plug
threads.
1. Panel C
2. Bolt
1
2
Specified spark plug:
NGK/CR9EIA
DENSO/IU27D
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plug gap:0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.035 in)
1
U2S3E3E0.book Page 10 Monday, September 19, 2011 8:42 AM