2020 YAMAHA VX steering

Pre-operation checks
62
ed properly. WARNING! Fire or explosion
could result if the breather hose is dam-
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 the
whole 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
72
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 aretraveling at speeds above trolling, you
will have rapidly decreasing ability to
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. VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited:
If the RiDE lever is squeezed and the
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Operation
73
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.
EJU45001Stopping 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-
proximately 100 m (330 ft) after the throttle le-
ver is released or the engine is stopped,
although this distance will vary depending on
many factors, including gross weight, water
surface conditions, and wind direction.
VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited: If
the RiDE lever is squeezed to slow down, the
stopping distance is approximately 30%
shorter than when the RiDE lever is not used.
However, this distance will vary depending
on many factors, including gross weight, wa-
ter surface conditions, and wind direction.
WARNING
EWJ01793
Allow adequate stopping distance. Stay
far enough away from others so you can
always safely coast to a stop.
Take early action to avoid collisions. Re-
member, watercraft and other boats do
not have brakes.
Operate defensively at safe speeds and
keep a safe distance away from people,
objects, and other watercraft to give you
time to stop.
Do not shut the engine off when slowing
down in case you need engine power to
steer away from a boat or other obstacle
that comes into your path.
1Reverse gate
E
1
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Care and storage
85
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 81 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 82 for in-
formation on cleaning the watercraft.)
Wax the hull with a non-abrasive wax.
EJU43663Lubrication
To keep moving parts sliding or rotating
smoothly, lubricate them with water-resistant
grease.
Steering cable (jet thrust nozzle end)
VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited:
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- Recommended water-resistant grease:
YAMALUBE MARINE GREASE /
Ya m a h a G r e a s e A
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Maintenance
88
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√√90
Oil filterReplace√90
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 (VX /
VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX
Limited)Check exterior and con-
nections, and lubricate√—
Air filter elementCheck for damage and
dirt√—
Air intake hosesCheck for damage, and
check clamps√—
UF4G74E0.book Page 88 Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:27 AM

Index
100
Low RPM Mode (VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ....................... 33
Lubrication ............................................... 85
M
Main components, location of ................. 21
Maintenance ............................................ 87
Manufactured date label ............................ 2
Model information ...................................... 3
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 ...................... 79
Operating the watercraft .......................... 70
Operating the watercraft in reverse or
neutral (VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser /
VX Limited)............................................ 74
Operating your watercraft ........................ 68
Operation requirements ........................... 12
P
Periodic maintenance chart ..................... 88
Post-launch checks ................................. 66
Post-operation care ................................. 81
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 (VX /
VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser / VX Limited) .... 96
Reboarding step (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ....................... 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 checks (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited) ....................... 63RiDE lever (VX / VX Deluxe / VX Cruiser /
VX Limited) ............................................ 28
Riding position ......................................... 69
Rustproofing ............................................ 85
S
Safe boating rules .................................... 18
Safety equipment check .......................... 65
Seats ........................................................ 43
Shift indicator (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)........................ 39
Shift system check (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)........................ 66
Shift system (VX / VX Deluxe /
VX Cruiser / VX Limited)........................ 31
Speedometer ........................................... 38
Start switch .............................................. 27
Starting off ............................................... 77
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 ........................... 73
Storage compartment checks.................. 64
Storage compartments ............................ 46
Submerged watercraft ............................. 97
Switch checks .......................................... 64
T
Tachometer .............................................. 39
Throttle lever ............................................ 28
Throttle lever checks ................................ 63
Towing the watercraft .............................. 97
Transporting on a trailer ........................... 56
Troubleshooting ....................................... 92
Troubleshooting chart .............................. 92
Turning the watercraft .............................. 71
V
Voltmeter .................................................. 41
W
Wakeboarding and water-skiing .............. 17
Water separator ....................................... 29
Water separator check ............................. 61
Watercraft characteristics ........................ 15
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