Section 3 - On the Water
Page 40
90-8M0099741
eng
JUNE 2015
!
WARNING
The Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) Zero Effort control can shift the engine or transmission at speeds greater than idle,
causing unexpected boat movement, which may result in injury, death, or property damage due to loss of boat control.
Always place the throttle control lever in the idle position before moving the shift control lever into forward or reverse gear
position.
Panel mount and console mount remote controls:
Panel mount and console mount remote controls are equipped with a
throttle only button. To activate throttle only mode:
1. Refer to
Remote Controls
section for remote control features.
2. Move the control lever to the idle/neutral position.
3. Press the throttle only button, and move the control lever to the idle/forward or idle/reverse position. The DTS control
system will sound two beeps on the audio warning horn to indicate throttle only mode is active. On console mount remote
controls, the neutral light will begin to blink.
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 deactivate the throttle only mode 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.
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.
Protecting People in the Water
While You Are Cruising
It is very difficult for a person in the water to take quick action to avoid a boat heading in their direction, even at slow speeds.
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Always slow down and exercise extreme caution any time you are boating in an area where there might be people in the water.
Whenever a boat is moving (even coasting) and the gear shift is in neutral, there is sufficient force by the water on the propeller
to cause the propeller to rotate. This neutral propeller rotation can cause serious injury.
While Boat Is Stationary
!
WARNING
A spinning propeller, a moving boat, or any solid device attached to the boat can cause serious injury or death to swimmers.
Stop the engine immediately whenever anyone in the water is near your boat.
Shift into neutral and shut off the engine before allowing people to swim or be in the water near your boat.
High‑Speed and High‑Performance Operation
If your boat is considered a high‑speed or high‑performance boat and you are unfamiliar with its operation, we recommend that
you never operate it at its high speed capability without first requesting an initial orientation and demonstration ride with your
dealer or an operator experienced with your boat. For additional information, refer to
Hi
‑
Performance Boat Operation
booklet
(90‑849250R03) from your dealer, distributor, or Mercury Marine.
