2015 YAMAHA VMAX engine

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-1
5
EAU15952
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
EWA10272
Failure to familiarize yourself with
the controls can lead to loss of con-
trol, which coul d cause an acci dent
or injury.
EAU48712
TIPThis model is equipped with:  a lean angle sensor to stop the en-
gine in case of a turnover. In this
case, the display will indicate error
code 30, but this is not a malfunc-
tion. Turn the key to “OFF” and
then to “ON” to clear the error
code. Failing to do so will prevent
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.
EAU51693
Startin g the en gineIn 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
U2CEE0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-2
5
NOTICE
ECA11834
If a warning or in dicator li ght does
not come on initially when the key is
turne d to “ON”, or if a warnin g or in-
d icator li ght remains on, see pa ge
3-4 for the correspon din g warnin g
an d in dicator li ght circuit check.
The ABS warning light should
come on when the main switch is
turned to “ON” and then go off af-
ter traveling at a speed of 10 km/h
(6 mi/h) or higher.
NOTICE
ECA17682
If the ABS warnin g li ght does not
come on an d then go off as ex-
plaine d a bove, see pa ge 3-4 for the
warnin g li ght circuit check.2. Shift the transmission into the
neutral position. The neutral indi-
cator light should come on. If not,
ask a Yamaha dealer to check the
electrical 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
battery. Do not crank the engine
more than 10 seconds on any one
attempt.
NOTICE
ECA11043
For maximum en
gine life, never ac-
celerate har d when the en gine is
col d!
EAU16673
Shiftin gShifting 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
U2CEE0E0.book Page 2 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

OPERATION AND IMPORTANT RIDING POINTS
5-3
5
NOTICE
ECA10261
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for lon g period s of time
with the en gine off, an d d o not
tow the motorcycle for lon g d is-
tances. The transmission is
properly lu bricated only when
the en gine is runnin g. Ina de-
quate lu brication may damag e
the transmission.
 Always use the clutch while
chan gin g g ears to avoi d d am-
a g in g the en gine, transmission,
an d d rive train, which are not
d esi gne d to withstan d the
shock of force d shifting .
EAU16811
Tips for re ducin g fuel con-
sumptionFuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the follow-
ing tips to reduce fuel consumption:
 Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
 Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the en-
gine.
 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).
EAU16842
Engine break-inThere 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 fol-
lowing 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.
EAU17124
0–1000 km (0–600 mi)
Avoid prolonged operation above 4800
r/min. NOTICE: After 1000 km (600
mi) of operation, the en gine oil an d
final gear oil must be chan ged , an d
the oil filter cartri dge or element re-
place d.
[ECA10333]
U2CEE0E0.book Page 3 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

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) an
d b eyon d
The vehicle can now be operated nor-
mally.
NOTICE
ECA10311
 Keep the en gine speed out of
the tachometer re d zone.
 If any en gine trou ble shoul d oc-
cur durin g the en gine break-in
period , imme diately have a
Yamaha dealer check the vehi-
cle.
EAU17214
Parkin gWhen parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10312
Since the en gine an d exhaust
system can b ecome very hot,
park in a place where ped estri-
ans or chil dren are not likely to
touch them an d b e burne d.
 Do not park on a slope or on soft
groun d, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasin g the
risk of a fuel leak an d fire.
 Do not park near grass or other
flamma ble materials which
mi ght catch fire.
U2CEE0E0.book Page 4 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-1
6
EAU17245
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition
possible. Safety is an obligation of the
vehicle owner/operator. The most im-
portant points of vehicle inspection,
adjustment, and lubrication are ex-
plained 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
EWA10322
Failure to properly maintain the vehi-
cle or performing maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death durin g
service or while usin g the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha d ealer perform
service.
WARNING
EWA15123
Turn off the en gine when performin g
maintenance unless otherwise
specified .
 A runnin g en gine has movin g
parts that can catch on body
parts or clothin g an d electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
 Runnin g the en gine while ser-
vicin g can lead to eye injury,
b urns, fire, or car bon monoxi de
poisonin g – possi bly lea din g to
d eath. See pag e 1-3 for more in-
formation a bout car bon monox-
i d e.
WARNING
EWA15461
Brake discs, calipers, drums, and
linin gs can b ecome very hot d uring
use. To avoi d possi ble burns, let
b rake components cool before
touchin g them.
EAU17303
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, replace-
ment, or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be per-
formed by any repair establishment or
individual that is certified (if applicable).
Yamaha dealers are trained and equipped to perform these particular
services.
U2CEE0E0.book Page 1 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-10
6
To install the panel
Place the panel in the original position,
and then install the bolt.
EAU46681
Checkin
g the spark plu gsThe spark plugs are important engine
components, which should be
checked periodically, preferably by a
Yamaha dealer. Since heat and depos-
its will cause any spark plug to slowly
erode, they should be removed and
checked in accordance with the peri-
odic maintenance and lubrication
chart. In addition, the condition of the
spark plugs can reveal the condition of
the engine.
The porcelain insulator around the
center 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 engine should have the same
color. If any spark plug shows a dis-
tinctly different color, the engine could
be operating improperly. Do not at-
tempt to diagnose such problems
yourself. Instead, have a Yamaha deal-
er check the vehicle.
If a spark plug shows signs of elec-
trode 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 re-
placed 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 plu g:
NGK/CR9EIA
DENSO/IU27D
1. Spark plug gap
Spark plu g g ap:
0.8–0.9 mm (0.031–0.035 in)
1
U2CEE0E0.book Page 10 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 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
specified torque as soon as possible.NOTICE
ECA10841
Do not use any tools to remove or in-
stall the spark plug cap, otherwise
the i gnition coil coupler may get
d amag ed . The spark plu g cap may
b e difficult to remove because the
ru bber seal on the en d of the cap fits
ti g htly. To remove the spark plu g
cap, simply twist it b ack and forth
while pullin g it out; to install it, twist
it back an d forth while pushin g it in.
EAU19909
En gine oil an d oil filter car-
tri dgeThe 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 en gine oil level
1. 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 locat-
ed 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 chan ge the en gine oil (with or
without oil filter cartri dge 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.
Tightenin g 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
U2CEE0E0.book Page 11 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

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
U2CEE0E0.book Page 12 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM