2015 YAMAHA VMAX Owners Manual

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

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-13
68. Install the engine oil drain bolt andits 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
ECA11621
In or der to prevent clutch slip-
pa ge (since the en gine oil also
lu bricates the clutch), do not
mix any chemical additives. Do
not use oils with a diesel speci-
fication of “CD” or oils of a hi gh-
er quality than specifie d. In
a ddition, do not use oils la beled
“ENERGY CONSERVING II” or
hi gher.
 Make sure that no forei gn 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,
immediately 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
ECA10402
If the oil level warnin g lig ht flickers
or remains on even if the oil level is
correct, immed iately turn the en gine
off an d have a Yamaha d ealer check
the vehicle.11. Turn the engine off, wait a few minutes until the oil settles, and
then check the oil level and cor-
rect it if necessary.
1. Torque wrenchTightenin g torque:
Oil filter cartridge: 17 Nm (1.7 m·kgf, 12 ft·lbf)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Engine oil drain bolt:
43 Nm (4.3 m·kgf, 31 ft·lbf)
1
Recommen ded en gine 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)
U2CEE0E0.book Page 13 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-14
6
EAU46578
Final gear oilThe 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 ad-
dition, the final gear oil must be
checked and changed as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
WARNING
EWA10371
 Make sure that no forei gn 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.TIPMake sure that the vehicle is posi-
tioned straight up when checking the
oil level.2. Remove the final gear oil checkbolt and its gasket, and check that
oil flows out. 3. If no oil flows out, remove the final
gear case breather cap by remov-
ing the bolt and washer and then
remove the final gear oil filler bolt
and its gasket. 4. Check the gaskets for damage,
and replace them if necessary.
5. Pour the recommended type of oil in the final gear oil filler hole until it
flows out of the oil check bolt hole.
6. Install the oil check bolt, the oil fill- er bolt and their gasket, and then
tighten the bolts to the specified
torques.
1. Final gear oil check bolt
2. Gasket
2
1
1. Final gear case breather cap bolt
2. Washer
3. Final gear case breather cap
4. Final gear oil filler bolt
5. Gasket
Tightenin g 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)3 2 145
U2CEE0E0.book Page 14 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-15
67. Install the final gear case breather
cap by installing the washer and
bolt, and then tighten the bolt to
the specified torque.
To chan ge the final gear oil
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face.
2. Place an oil pan under the final gear case to collect the used oil.
3. Remove the final gear case breather cap by removing the bolt
and washer. 4. Remove the final gear oil filler bolt,
the final gear oil drain bolt and
their gasket to drain the oil from
the final gear case. 5. Install the drain bolt and its new
gasket, and then tighten the bolt
to the specified torque.
6. Remove the final gear oil check bolt and its gasket.
Tightenin g torque:
Final gear case breather cap bolt: 10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
1. Final gear case breather cap bolt
2. Washer
3. Final gear case breather cap
4. Final gear oil filler bolt
5. Gasket
3 2 145
1. Final gear oil drain bolt
2. GasketTightenin g torque:
Final gear oil drain bolt: 23 Nm (2.3 m·kgf, 17 ft·lbf)
2
1
U2CEE0E0.book Page 15 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

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 fill- er 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.
EAU20071
CoolantThe 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.
EAU46694
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 tem-
perature.
 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
coolant reservoir.TIPThe coolant should be between the
minimum and maximum level marks.
1. Final gear oil check bolt
2. GasketRecommen ded final gear oil:
Yamaha genuine shaft drive gear oil
SAE 80W-90 API GL-5
Oil quantity:
0.30 L (0.32 US qt, 0.26 Imp.qt)
2
1
Tightenin g 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)
Ti ghtenin g torque:
Final gear case breather cap bolt: 10 Nm (1.0 m·kgf, 7.2 ft·lbf)
U2CEE0E0.book Page 16 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENT
6-17
63. If the coolant is at or below theminimum level mark, remove the
coolant reservoir cap guard by re-
moving the bolt, and then remove
the reservoir cap. WARNING! Re-
move only the coolant reservoir
cap. Never attempt to remove
the ra diator cap when the en-
g ine is hot.
[EWA15162]
4. Add coolant to the maximum level
mark, and then install the reservoir
cap. NOTICE: If coolant is not
availa ble, use distille d water or
soft tap water instea d. Do not use har
d water or salt water
since it is harmful to the en gine.
If water has been used instead
of coolant, replace it with cool-
ant as soon as possi ble, other-
wise the coolin g system will not
b e protecte d a gainst frost an d
corrosion. If water has been
a dde d to the coolant, have a
Yamaha dealer check the anti-
freeze content of the coolant as
soon as possi ble, otherwise the
effectiveness of the coolant will
b e re duce d.
[ECA10473]
5. Install the coolant reservoir cap
guard by installing the bolt.
EAU46426
To chan ge the coolant
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur- face and let the engine cool if nec-
essary.
2. Remove cowling A. (See page 6-8.) 3. Remove the right air intake duct
by removing the bolts.
4. Place a container under the en- gine to collect the used coolant.
5. Remove the radiator cap. WARNING! Never attempt to re-
move the ra diator cap when the
en gine is hot.
[EWA10382]
1. Coolant reservoir cap
2. Coolant reservoir cap guard
3. Bolt
4. Maximum level mark
5. Minimum level mark
2
1
5
4
3
Coolant reservoir capacity (up to
the maximum level mark):
0.27 L (0.29 US qt, 0.24 Imp.qt)
1. Bolt
2. Right air intake duct
1 1
2
U2CEE0E0.book Page 17 Wednesday, August 27, 2014 11:11 AM