MerCruiser 3.0 MPI, Owner'S Manual

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Section 3 - On the Water
Page 38 90-899883272 MARCH 2008
6. Inspect the power package for fuel, oil, water and exhaust leaks.
7. Move control handle with a firm, quick motion forward to shift to forward gear, or
backward to shift to reverse. After shifting, advance throttle to desired setting.
NOTICE
Shifting into gear at engine speeds above idle will damage the drive system. Shift the
drive into gear only when the engine is operating at idle.
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 to 5 minutes.
2. Turn ignition key to the "OFF" position.
Starting the Engine After Stopped While in Gear
IMPORTANT: Avoid stopping the engine if the sterndrive is in gear.
If you stopped the engine while in gear, return the shift control to neutral and 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.