Section 3 - On the Water
Page 44
90-8M0074352
eng
OCTOBER 2012
NOTICE
Shifting into gear at engine speeds above idle will damage the gearcase. Shifting into gear when the engine is not running
can misalign the clutch, preventing proper shifting. Always shift the gearcase into gear when the engine is operating at idle. If
you must shift while the engine is not operating, rotate the propeller shaft in the appropriate direction during shifting.
Stopping the Engine
1. Move the remote control handle to neutral/idle and allow the engine to slow to idle speed. If engine has been operated at
high speed for a long period of time, allow the engine to cool at idle speed for 3–5 minutes.
2. Turn ignition key to the "OFF" position.
Starting the Engine After It Has Been Stopped While In Gear
IMPORTANT: Avoid stopping the engine if the sterndrive unit is in gear. If the engine does stop, refer to the following
procedure:
1. Push and pull repeatedly on the remote control handle until handle returns to the neutral/idle position. This may take
several tries if the power package was operating above idle RPM when the engine stopped.
2. After the handle returns to the neutral/idle position, resume normal starting procedures.
Throttle Only Operation
1. Refer to
Remote Controls
section for remote control features.
2. Move the control lever to the idle/neutral position.
3. Depress and hold the throttle only button, and move the control lever to the idle/forward or idle/reverse position.
4. Advancing the control lever beyond the idle/forward or idle/reverse position will cause engine speed to increase.
IMPORTANT: Moving the control lever back to the idle/neutral position will disengage the throttle only button and allow the
engine to shift into gear.
5. Throttle only mode is deactivated by moving the control lever to the idle/neutral position. Moving the control lever from the
idle/neutral position to the idle/forward or idle/reverse position without pressing the throttle only button will shift the unit into
the chosen gear.
Trailering the Boat
Your boat can be trailered with the sterndrive unit in the up or down position. Adequate clearance is required between the road
and sterndrive when transporting.
If adequate road clearance is a problem, place the sterndrive unit in full trailer position and support it with an optional trailer kit
which is available from your authorized Mercury MerCruiser dealer.
Freezing Temperature Operation
IMPORTANT: If the boat is operated during periods of freezing temperature, precautions must be taken to prevent freeze
damage to the power package. Damage caused by freezing is not covered by Mercury MerCruiser Limited Warranty.
Drain Plug and Bilge Pump
The engine compartment in your boat is a natural place for water to collect. For this reason, boats are normally equipped with a
drain plug and/or a bilge pump. It is very important to check these items on a regular basis to ensure that the water level does
not come into contact with your power package. Components on your engine will be damaged if submerged. Damage caused
by submersion is not covered by the Mercury MerCruiser Limited Warranty.
Basic Boat Operation (DTS Models)
Launching and Boat Operation
IMPORTANT: Install the bilge drain plug prior to launching the boat.
Follow these guidelines when operating your boat to avoid possible water ingestion:
•
Do not turn the key off when the engine is above idle speed.
•
Do not use the lanyard stop switch to shut off the engine when operating above idle speed.
•
Enter the water slowly when launching your boat from a steep ramp.
•
Do not shift into reverse while on plane.
•
When coming off plane, avoid impact with large following waves by applying short, light bursts of power to minimize the
wave action against the stern of the boat.
•
Do not come off plane quickly and immediately shut off the engine.