2016 YAMAHA VMAX oil

Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-15
6 7. 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 surfa- ce.
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
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
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 surfa- ce 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 mi-
nimum 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)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-26
6
Rear
brake
TIPThe rear brake fluid reservoir is located
under the passenger seat. (See page
3-25.)
WARNING
EWA16011
Improper maintenance can result in
loss of b raking a bility. O bserve
these precautions:  Insufficient brake flui d may al-
low air to enter the brake sys-
tem, re ducin g brakin g
performance. 
Clean the filler cap before re-
movin g. Use only DOT 4 b rake
flui d from a seale d container.
 Use only the specified b rake flu-
i d ; otherwise, the ru bber seals
may deteriorate, causin g leak-
a g e.
 Refill with the same type of
brake flui d. A dding a brake fluid
other than DOT 4 may result in a
harmful chemical reaction.
 Be careful that water or d ust
d oes not enter the brake flui d
reservoir when refillin g. Water
will si gnificantly lower the boil-
in g point of the flui d an d may re-
sult in vapor lock, an d d ir t may
cl

o g the ABS hy draulic unit
valves.
NOTICE
ECA17641
Brake flui d may d amage painte d
surfaces or plastic parts. Always
clean up spilled fluid imme diately.As the brake pads wear, it is normal for
the brake fluid level to gradually go
down. A low brake fluid level may indi-
cate worn brake pads and/or brake system leakage; therefore, be sure to
check the brake pads for wear and the
brake system for leakage. If the brake
fluid level goes down suddenly, have a
Yamaha dealer check the cause before
further riding.
1. Minimum level markSpecifie
d b rake flui d:
DOT 41
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-27
6
EAU22754
Chan gin g the brake an d
clutch flui dsHave a Yamaha dealer change the
brake and clutch fluids at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart. In addition, have
the oil seals of the brake and clutch
master cylinders and calipers as well
as the brake and clutch hoses replaced
at the intervals listed below or whenev-
er they are damaged or leaking.
 Oil seals: Replace every two
years.
 Brake and clutch hoses: Replace
every four years.
EAU23098
Checkin g an d lu bricatin g the
cab lesThe 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 lubri-
cated if necessary. If a cable is
damaged or does not move smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
place it. WARNING! Dama ge to the
outer housin g of cab les may result
in internal rustin g an d cause inter-
ference with cab le movement. Re-
place damag ed cab les as soon as
possi ble to prevent unsafe con di-
tions.
[EWA10712] EAU23115
Checkin
g an d lu bricatin g the
throttle grip an d ca bleThe operation of the throttle grip
should be checked before each ride. In
addition, the cable should be lubricat-
ed by a Yamaha dealer at the intervals
specified 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 wa-
ter 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.
Recommen ded lu bricant:
Yamaha cable lubricant or other
suitable cable lubricant
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-30
6
EAU23273
Checkin g the front forkThe condition and operation of the
front fork must be checked as follows
at the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance and lubrication chart.
To check the con dition
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation 1. Place the vehicle on a level surfa- ce and hold it in an upright posi-
tion. WARNING! To avoi d injury,
securely support the vehicle so
there is no dan ger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. While applying the front brake, push down hard on the handle-
bars several times to check if the
front fork compresses and re-
bounds smoothly.
NOTICE
ECA10591
If any damag e is foun d or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha d ealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23285
Checkin g the steerin gWorn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the
periodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Raise the front wheel off the ground. (See page 6-39.)
WARNING! To avoid injury, se-
curely support the vehicle so
there is no d anger of it fallin g
over.
[EWA10752]
2. Hold the lower ends of the front fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steer-
ing.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-35
6 avoi
d causin g extensive d am-
a g e to the electrical system an d
possi bly a fire.
[EWA15132]
3. Turn the key to “ON” and turn on
the electrical circuit in question to
check if the device operates.
4. If the fuse immediately blows again, have a Yamaha dealer
check the electrical system.
EAU46463
Replacin g the hea dlig ht bul bThis model is equipped with a halogen
bulb headlight. If the headlight bulb
burns out, replace it as follows.NOTICE
ECA10651
Take care not to damag e the follow-
in g parts:
 Hea dlig ht bul b
Do not touch the glass part of
the hea dlig ht bul b to keep it free
from oil, otherwise the transpar-
ency of the glass, the luminosity
of the b ulb, an d the b ulb life will
b e ad versely affecte d. Thor-
ou ghly clean off any d irt and fin-
g erprints on the hea dlig ht bul b
usin g a cloth moistene d with al-
cohol or thinner.
 Hea dlig ht lens
Do not affix any type of tinte d
film or stickers to the hea dlig ht
lens.
Do not use a hea dlig ht bul b of a
wattag e higher than specifie d.
Specifie d fuses:
Main fuse: 50.0 A
Ignition fuse:
20.0 A
Parking lighting fuse: 7.5 A
Signaling system fuse: 7.5 A
Headlight fuse:
15.0 A
Radiator fan motor fuse: 20.0 A
Sub radiator fan motor fuse: 7.5 A
Fuel injection system fuse:
15.0 A
ABS control unit fuse: 7.5 A
ABS motor fuse: 30.0 A
ABS solenoid fuse:
15.0 A
Backup fuse: 7.5 A
Electronic throttle valve fuse: 7.5 A
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Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-1
7
EAU37834
Matte color cautionNOTICE
ECA15193
Some mo dels are equipped with
matte colore d finishe d parts. Be
sure to consult a Yamaha d ealer for
a d vice on what prod ucts to use be-
fore cleanin g the vehicle. Usin g a
b rush, harsh chemical prod ucts or
cleanin g compoun ds when cleanin g
these parts will scratch or damag e
their surface. Wax also shoul d not
b e applied to any matte colore d fin-
ishe d parts.
EAU46411
CareWhile 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 mo-
torcycle. Frequent and proper care
does not only comply with the terms of
the warranty, but it will also keep your
motorcycle looking good, extend its
life and optimize its performance.
Before cleanin g
1. Cover the muffler outlets with a plastic bag after the engine has
cooled down.
2. Make sure that all caps and cov- ers as well as all electrical cou-
plers 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 degreaser off with water.
Cleanin g
NOTICE
ECA10773
Avoi d using strong aci dic wheel
cleaners, especially on spoke d
wheels. If such prod ucts are
use d on har d-to-remove dirt, do
not leave the cleaner on the af-
fected area any lon ger than in-
structed . Also, thorou ghly rinse
the area off with water, imme di-
ately dry it, an d then apply a cor-
rosion protection spray.
 Improper cleanin g can d amage
plastic parts (such as cowlin gs,
panels, win dshiel ds, hea dlig ht
lenses, meter lenses, etc.) an d
the mufflers. Use only a soft,
clean cloth or spon ge with wa-
ter to clean plastic. However, if
the plastic parts cannot b e thor-
ou ghly cleaned with water, di-
lute d mil d d eter gent with water
may be used . Be sure to rinse
U2CEE1E0.book Page 1 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM

Motorcycle care and stora ge
7-3
7 
Never use compounds or other
special treatments to clean the ti-
tanium mufflers, as they will re-
move the finish on the outer
surface of the mufflers.
 Even the smallest amounts of oil,
such as from oily towels or finger-
prints, will leave stains on the tita-
nium mufflers, which can be
removed with a mild detergent.
 Note that the thermally induced
discoloring of the portion of the
exhaust pipe leading into the tita-
nium mufflers is normal and can-
not be removed.
After cleaning 1. Dry the motorcycle with a chamois or an absorbing cloth.
2. Immediately dry the drive chain and lubricate it to prevent it from
rusting.
3. Use a chrome polish to shine chrome, aluminum and stainless-
steel parts. 4. To prevent corrosion, it is recom-
mended to apply a corrosion pro-
tection spray on all metal,
including chrome- and nickel-plat-
ed, surfaces.
5. Use spray oil as a universal clean- er to remove any remaining dirt.
6. Touch up minor paint damage caused by stones, etc.
7. Wax all painted surfaces.
8. Let the motorcycle dry completely before storing or covering it.
WARNING
EWA11132
Contaminants on the brakes or tires
can cause loss of control.  Make sure that there is no oil or
wax on the brakes or tires.
 If necessary, clean the brake
d iscs an d b rake linin gs with a
re gular brake disc cleaner or
acetone, an d wash the tires with
warm water an d a mil d d eter-
g ent. Before ri din g at hi gher
speed s, test the motorcycle’s
b rakin g performance an d cor-
nerin g b ehavior.
NOTICE
ECA10801
 Apply spray oil an d wax spar-
in gly an d make sure to wipe off
any excess.
 Never apply oil or wax to any
rubber an d plastic parts, but
treat them with a suitab le care
prod uct.
 Avoi d usin g a brasive polishin g
compoun ds as they will wear
away the paint.TIP Consult a Yamaha dealer for ad-
vice on what products to use.
 Washing, rainy weather or humid
climates can cause the headlight
lens to fog. Turning the headlight
on for a short period of time will
help remove the moisture from the
lens.
U2CEE1E0.book Page 3 Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:32 AM