2018 YAMAHA VX steering

Pre-operation checks
62
aged, obstructed, or not connected prop-
erly.
[EWJ00452]
Make sure that the electrolyte level is be-
tween the minimum and maximum level
marks. WARNING! Never operate the wa-
tercraft if the battery does not have suffi-
cient power to start the engine or if it
shows any other signs of decreased pow-
er. Loss of battery power may leave you
stranded.
[EWJ01241]
Make sure that the battery is securely held in
place.
EJU32614Steering system checks
Turn the handlebars to the right and left sev-
eral times to make sure that operation is
smooth and unrestricted throughout thewhole range, and that the free play is not ex-
cessive.
Turn the handlebars as far as possible to the
right and left to make sure that the jet thrust
nozzle moves as the handlebars are turned,
and that there is no difference between the
1Negative (–) battery terminal: Black lead
2Positive (+) battery terminal: Red lead
3Breather hose
1Maximum level mark
2Minimum level mark
1
32
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Operation
71
(idle) position. (See page 31 for shift system
operation procedures.)
EJU43422Turning the watercraft
WARNING
EWJ01782
Do not release the throttle lever when
trying to steer away from objects—you
need throttle to steer. A collision could
result in severe injury or death.
When operating at higher speeds, make
gradual turns or slow down before turn-
ing. Sharp high-speed turns may cause
the watercraft to slide sideways or spin,
throwing the operator and passenger(s)
overboard, which could cause an injury.
Take early action to avoid collisions. The
RiDE system is not a braking device for
avoiding dangerous situations.
Steering control depends on the combination
of handlebar position and the amount of
throttle.
Water sucked in through the intake grate is
pressurized by the impeller in the jet pump.
As the pressurized water is expelled from the
pump through the jet thrust nozzle, it creates
thrust to move and steer the watercraft. The
higher the engine speed, the more thrust pro-
duced.
The amount of jet thrust, in addition to the po-
sition of the handlebars, determines how
sharply you turn.
A. More throttle produces higher thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more sharply.
B. Less throttle produces lower thrust, so
the watercraft will turn more gradually.
C. Releasing the throttle lever completely
produces only minimum thrust. If you are
traveling at speeds above trolling, you
will have rapidly decreasing ability to
1“F” (Forward position)
1
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Operation
72
steer without throttle. You may still have
some turning ability immediately after re-
leasing the throttle lever, but once the
engine slows down, the watercraft will no
longer respond to handlebar input until
you apply throttle again or you reach
trolling speed.
At trolling speed, the watercraft can be
turned gradually by handlebar position
alone using just the amount of thrust
available at idle.
D. If the engine is stopped while riding,
there is no thrust. The watercraft will go
straight even though the handlebars are
turned.
You need throttle to steer.
E. If the RiDE lever is squeezed and the
handlebars are turned when the water-
craft is cruising at planing speed, the wa-tercraft will turn gradually while slowing
down.
This model is equipped with the Yamaha En-
gine Management System (YEMS) that in-
cludes an off-throttle steering (OTS) system.
It will activate at planing speeds should you
attempt to steer the watercraft after releasing
the throttle lever (see condition C above).
The OTS system assists in turning by con-
tinuing to supply some thrust while the water-
craft is decelerating, but you can turn more
sharply if you apply throttle while turning the
handlebars. The OTS system does not func-
tion below planing speeds or when the en-
gine is off. Once the engine slows down, the
watercraft will no longer turn in response to
handlebar input until you apply throttle again
or you reach trolling speed.
EJU43251Stopping the watercraft
The watercraft is not equipped with a sepa-
rate braking system. The watercraft slows
down by water resistance or, when operating
in reverse, by the water jet. The watercraft
slows down as soon as the throttle lever is re-
leased, but will coast for a distance before
fully stopping. If you are not sure you can
stop in time before hitting an obstacle, apply
throttle and turn in another direction.
From full speed, the watercraft comes to a
complete stop due to water resistance in ap-
1Reverse gate
E
1
UF4G72E0.book Page 72 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM

Care and storage
84
EJU33493
Long-term storage
WARNING
EWJ00331
Always place the watercraft upright in a
horizontal position when storing it, other-
wise fuel could leak out into the engine or
engine compartment, which could create
a fire hazard.
Storage for long periods of time, such as win-
ter storage, requires preventive maintenance
to ensure against deterioration. It is advisable
to have the watercraft serviced by a Yamaha
dealer prior to storage.
However, the following procedures can be
performed easily by the owner.
EJU40763Cleaning
(1) Flush the cooling water passages. (See
page 80 for information on flushing the
cooling water passages.)
TIP:
If you will be storing the watercraft for a pro-
longed period, such as winter storage, top off
the fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add fuel
stabilizer and conditioner to the fuel tank ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instruction be-
fore starting the engine.
(2) Clean the watercraft. (See page 81 for in-
formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU43662Lubrication
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
Shift rod (reverse gate end) and ball joint
TIP:
Disconnect the shift rod from the ball joint be-
fore lubricating.
EJU44140Rustproofing
Rustproofing the hull, deck, and engine
Spray metallic parts of the hull, deck, and en-
gine with a rust inhibitor.
Rustproofing the internal engine compo-
nents
Rustproof the internal engine components
with a rust inhibitor.
To rustproof the internal engine components:
(1) Remove the seats. (See page 43 for seat
removal and installation procedures.)
(2) Release the hooks on the port side of the
air filter case, and then lift up the air filter
case cover. NOTICE: Do not lift up the
air filter case cover forcefully. Other-
wise, the fuel hose that is secured to Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE GREASE /
Ya m a h a G r e a s e A
UF4G72E0.book Page 84 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM

Maintenance
87
EJU43101Periodic maintenance chart
The periodic maintenance chart gives general guidelines for periodic maintenance. Have a
Yamaha dealer perform the checks in the following chart. However, maintenance may need
to be performed more frequently depending on your operating conditions. If you have any
questions, consult a Yamaha dealer.
This “√” mark indicates items to be checked and serviced by a Yamaha dealer.
Item OperationInitial Thereafter every
Page
10 hours50 hours
or 12
months
*1100
hours or
12
months
*1200
hours or
24
months
*1
Fuel lineCheck fuel hoses and
clamps√—
Fuel filler cap/Wa-
ter separatorCheck O-rings for cracks
and deformation√—
Fuel tankCheck installation and
straps√—
Water inlet strainerCheck for clogs and dam-
age√—
Cooling water hos-
esCheck for damage and
leakage, and check
clamps√—
Engine oilReplace√√89
Oil filterReplace√89
Intermediate hous-
ingLubricate√—
Spark plugsCheck√√—
BatteryCheck state of charge,
terminals, bands, and
breather hose√—
Battery leadsCheck terminals√—
Steering masterCheck operation and for
looseness√√—
Steering cableCheck exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Shift rod and re-
verse gate Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Air filter elementCheck for damage and
dirt√—
Air intake hosesCheck for damage, and
check clamps√—
Throttle bodyLubricate throttle valve√—
UF4G72E0.book Page 87 Tuesday, August 1, 2017 11:30 AM

Index
99
Low RPM Mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 33
Lubrication ............................................... 84
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 86
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 2
Multifunction information center .............. 38
Multifunction information center check ... 66
N
No-wake mode
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 34
O
Oil pressure warning ................................ 40
Operating in weeded areas ...................... 78
Operating the watercraft .......................... 70
Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral ................................................... 73
Operating your watercraft ........................ 68
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 87
Post-launch checks ................................. 66
Post-operation care ................................. 80
Pre-launch checks ................................... 60
Pre-operation check points ..................... 60
Pre-operation checklist ............................ 58
Primary Identification (PRI-ID) number ...... 1
Pull-up cleats (VX Limited) ....................... 46
R
Raising the reverse gate .......................... 95
Reboarding step ...................................... 44
Recommended equipment ...................... 14
Remote control transmitter check
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 63
Remote control transmitter
(VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ... 25
Removable watertight storage
compartment ........................................ 48
RiDE lever................................................. 28
RiDE lever checks .................................... 63
Riding position ......................................... 69
Rustproofing ............................................ 84S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 65
Seats ........................................................ 43
Shift indicator ........................................... 39
Shift system ............................................. 31
Shift system check ................................... 66
Speedometer ........................................... 38
Start switch .............................................. 27
Starting off ............................................... 76
Starting off from a trailer .......................... 77
Starting the engine on water .................... 69
Steering system ....................................... 28
Steering system checks ........................... 62
Stern drain plug checks ........................... 65
Stern eyes ................................................ 45
Stopping the engine ................................. 70
Stopping the watercraft ........................... 72
Storage compartment checks.................. 64
Storage compartments ............................ 46
Submerged watercraft ............................. 96
Switch checks .......................................... 64
T
Tachometer .............................................. 39
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 63
Tool kit ..................................................... 86
Towing the watercraft .............................. 96
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 56
Troubleshooting ....................................... 91
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 91
Turning the watercraft .............................. 71
V
Voltmeter .................................................. 41
W
Wakeboarding and water-skiing .............. 17
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 60
Watercraft characteristics ........................ 15
Watercraft control functions..................... 25
Watercraft operation functions ................ 31
Watercraft operation modes .................... 33
Y
Yamaha Security System settings ........... 26
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