2016 YAMAHA VIKING VI warning

6-1
6
EBU31870
OPERATION
EBU31880Read the Owner’s Manual carefully to be-
come familiar with all controls. If there is a
control or function you do not understand,
ask your Yamaha dealer.
WARNING
EWB03290Failure to familiarize yourself with the con-
trols can lead to loss of control, which
could cause an accident or injury. EBU31890Engine break-inThere is never a more important period in the
life of your vehicle than the period between 0
and 20 hours.
For this reason, we ask that you read the fol-
lowing material carefully. Because the engine
is brand new, you must not put an excessive
load on it for the first several hours of opera-
tion. During the first 20 hours, the variousparts in the engine wear and polish them-
selves to achieve the correct operating clear-
ances.
During this period, prolonged full-throttle op-
eration or any condition that might result in
excessive engine heating must be avoided.
However, momentary (2–3 seconds maxi-
mum) full-throttle operation under load does
not harm the engine.
Each full-throttle acceleration sequence
should be followed with a substantial rest pe-
riod for the engine, by cruising at lower r/min
so the engine can rid itself of the temporary
build-up of heat. If any abnormality is noticed
during this period, consult a Yamaha dealer.
0–10 hours:
Avoid continuous operation above 1/2-throt-
tle. Allow a cooling-off period of 5 to 10 minu-
tes after every hour of operation. Vary the
speed of the vehicle from time to time. Do not
operate it at one set throttle position.UB857AE0.book Page 1 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

6-2
6
10–20 hours:
Avoid prolonged operation above three-quar-
ter throttle.
After break-in:
The vehicle may now be operated normally.EBU33080Starting the engine1. Turn the key to “ ” (on).NOTICEECB02290The coolant temperature warning light and
engine trouble warning light should come
on, then go off.
The EPS warning light should come on,
then go off when the engine is started.
If a warning light does not go off, see page
4-2 for the corresponding warning light
circuit check. 2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift the drive select lever into the neutralposition. 
When the drive select lever is in the
neutral position, the neutral indicator
light should come on. If the neutral indi-
cator light does not come on, ask a
Yamaha dealer to inspect the electric
circuit.
 The engine can be started in any gear if
the brake pedal is applied. However, it
is recommended to shift into neutral
before starting the engine.
4. With your foot off the accelerator pedal,
start the engine by turning the key to “ ”
(start).
If the engine fails to start, release the key, and
then try starting it again. Wait a few seconds
before the next attempt. Each attempt should
be as short as possible, to preserve battery
energy. NOTICE: Do not crank the engine
more than 5 seconds on each attempt, or
starter damage could occur. Wait at least
5 seconds between each operation of the
electric starter to let it cool.
[ECB02140]
UB857AE0.book Page 2 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

6-4
6
Shifting: neutral to reverse
WARNING
EWB03300Before you shift into reverse, make sure
there are no obstacles or people behind
you. When it is safe to proceed, go slowly.
Hitting an obstacle or person could result
in serious injury or death. 1. Stop the vehicle, take your foot off the ac-celerator pedal, and check behind you.
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Shift from neutral to reverse or vice versa by moving the drive select lever along the
shift guide.
When in reverse, the reverse indicator
light should be on. If the light does not
come on, ask a Yamaha dealer to in-
spect the reverse indicator light electri-
cal circuit.
 Due to the synchronizing mechanism in
the engine, the light may not come on
until the vehicle starts moving. 4. Release the parking brake, if applied.
5. Check behind the vehicle for people or
obstacles, and then release the brake
pedal.
6. Press the accelerator pedal gradually and
continue to watch to the rear while back-
ing.
1. Drive select lever
2. L (Low-range)
3. H (High-range)
4. N (Neutral)
5. R (Reverse)
1
2
5 4
3
UB857AE0.book Page 4 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

6-7
6
EBU31930ParkingWhen parking, stop the engine and shift the
drive select lever into the neutral position. Ap-
ply the parking brake to help prevent the ve-
hicle from rolling. See page 7-17 for more
information on parking and parking on a
slope.EBU31940LoadingTake extra precautions when driving with a
load or trailer. Follow these instructions and
always use common sense and good judg-
ment when carrying cargo or towing a trailer.
Prepare your load or trailer
WARNING
EWB03310Improper loading or towing can increase
the risk of loss of control, an overturn, or
other accident: 
Do not exceed the Maximum Loading
Limits for the vehicle (see “MAXIMUM
LOADING LIMIT” in this section and ve-
hicle labeling).
 Keep weight in the cargo bed centered
side to side, and as low and as far for-
ward as possible. Top-heavy loads in-
crease the risk of overturn. Be sure
cargo is secured – a loose load could
change handling unexpectedly or strike
occupants.
 Do not exceed the maximum tongue
weight.
 Make sure the load does not interfere
with your control or ability to see where
you are going.
 Tie down cargo in the trailer securely.
Make sure cargo in the trailer cannot
move around. A shifting load can cause
an accident.
Use the hooks equipped on the cargo bed to
tie down loads.
UB857AE0.book Page 7 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

6-8
6
Choose a trailer hitch drawbar designed for
use with a 5 cm (2 in) receiver. (See page 4-25
for more information.)
You can measure tongue weight with a bath-
room scale. Put the tongue of the loaded trail-
er on the scale with the tongue at hitch height.
Adjust the load in the trailer, if necessary, to
reduce the weight on hitch. If you are carrying
cargo and towing a trailer, include the tongue
weight in the maximum vehicle load limit.Operating when loaded with cargo or tow-
ing a trailer
Drive more slowly than you would without a
load. The more weight you carry, the slower
you should go. Although conditions vary, it is
good practice to keep the vehicle in low gear
whenever you are carrying heavier loads or
when towing a trailer.
WARNING
EWB03320Carrying loads or towing a trailer can in-
crease the risk of loss of control, an over-
turn, or other acciden
t. To reduce the risk
of an accident:
 Reduce speed, operate in low gear only,
and allow more room to stop. A heavier
vehicle takes longer to stop.
 Avoid hills and rough terrain. Choose
terrain carefully. Use extreme caution
when towing or carrying a load on in-
clines.
 Turn gradually and go slowly.
MAXIMUM LOADING LIMIT
Vehicle loading limit (total weight of cargo,
operator, passengers and accessories and
tongue weight): 594.0 kg (1309 lb)
Cargo bed: 272.0 kg (600 lb)
Tr a i l e r h i t c h :Pulling load (total weight of trailer and
cargo): 6664 N (680 kgf, 1500 lbf)
Tongue weight (vertical weight on trailer
hitch point): 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf)
UB857AE0.book Page 8 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

6-9
6
Pulling something other than a trailer
Yamaha recommends that loads be trans-
ported in the bed or in a trailer. If you need to
move an object a short distance use a winch
and follow the winch manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
If you choose to use something other than a
winch use extreme caution, follow the manu-
facturer’s instructions for that product, and
only attach to the hitch or hitch bracket of the
Viking VI. WARNING! Improperly pulling can
cause serious injury or death. Never ex-
ceed the pulling load limit of the Viking VI.
Avoid pulling on inclines.
[EWB03330]
Pulling objects on the ground can be more
hazardous than pulling a trailer. It may be dif-
ficult to predict how the load will affect vehicle
operation. That effect could also change de-
pending upon terrain or what obstacles might
be in the object’s path.UB857AE0.book Page 9 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

7-1
7
EBU31950
BASIC GUIDE FOR SAFE USE
EBU31960As a Viking VI owner you are responsible for
the safe and proper operation of this vehicle.
Read this chapter and review the safety in-
structions in Chapter 2 before operating the
vehicle. Use these chapters and the labels on
the vehicle to instruct new operators and pas-
sengers. Do not allow anyone else to operate
the vehicle or ride as a passenger if you are
unsure that he/she is willing and able to follow
these instructions.
WARNING
EWB03340Follow these instructions to reduce your
risk of an accident and to reduce the risk
of serious injury or death in the event of an
accident.
EBU33210KNOW YOUR VEHICLEThis off-road vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from cars, ATVs, go-carts, golf-cars
and grounds-keeping vehicles. The Viking VI
has higher ground clearance and other fea-
tures to handle rugged terrain, and, as a result,
can overturn in situations where some vehicles
may not. This would include vehicles made pri-
marily for pavement, roads, improved paths, or
grounds-keeping. If you do not use care in ma-
neuvering the Viking VI, you can cause it to roll
over even on flat, open areas.
Doing things with a Viking VI that some peo-
ple do for thrills in other vehicles (such as
sideways sliding, skidding, back-wheel slid-
ing, or donuts) have led to side rollovers.
These rollovers can result in crushed limbs
and other serious injuries or death to drivers
or passengers.
As the owner/operator, it is your responsibility
to protect yourself and your passengers from
accidents, including rollovers. The Viking VI
UB857AE0.book Page 1 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM

7-3
7
Passenger requirements
This vehicle is designed for the operator and
five passengers. Allowing passengers to ride
improperly can lead to serious injury or death.
As the operator, you are responsible for your
passengers.
 Your passengers must be able to place
both feet on the fl oorboard while seated
upright with their backs against the back-
rests.
 Your passengers must be able to reach and
hold the passenger handhold.
 Allow only five passengers in the vehicle
and only in the designated passenger
seats. Do not carry any other passengers.
Do not carry passengers in the cargo bed.
 Do not allow someone to ride as a passen-
ger who has been using drugs or alcohol.
 Do not allow children who need child safety
seats or booster seats in the Viking VI. The
seat belt is not designed to restrain auto-
motive child safety seats. Occupant protection system
WARNING
EWB03350Do not make changes to the occupant pro-
tection system. If you install aftermarket
products or have your vehicle modified,
you may put yourself and others at greater
risk of serious injury or death. You are re-
sponsible for any such changes to the ve-
hicle. 1. Seat belt
2. Shoulder bolster
3. Door
3
2
1
1
UB857AE0.book Page 3 Monday, August 24, 2015 8:59 AM