Mercury 25 Jet 4-Stroke User manual

i
Welcome Aboard!
Proper care and maintenance is an important part in keeping
your Mercury Product operating at peak efficiency for
maximum performance and economy. The enclosed Owner's
Registration Card is your key to trouble‑free family fun. Refer
to your Operation and Maintenance Manual for full details
of your warranty coverage.
Details of your nearest dealer can be found on
www.marinepower.com where country maps and full
contact information are displayed.
Is your engine properly registered for warranty purpose?
Please check on www.marinepower.com. If necessary,
please contact your local dealer.
Declaration of Conformity
This outboard motor's serial number plate contains in the
lower left hand corner the CE mark. This outboard motor
manufactured by Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
USA or Marine Power Europe Inc., Park Industriel, de
Petit‑Rechain, Belgium complies with the requirements of the
following directives by meeting the associated standards, as
amended:
Recreational Craft Directive: 2003/44/EC amending 94/25/EC
Owner's manual (A.2.5) ISO 10240
Handling characteristics (A.4) ISO 8665
Outboard engine starting (A.5.1.4) ISO 11547
Fuel tanks (A.5.2.2) ISO 13591; ISO 8469
General steering system (A.5.4.1) ABYC P‑17
Exhaust emission requirements (B.
2) ISO 8178
Owner's manual (B.4) ISO 8665
Noise emission levels (C.1) ISO 14509
The notified body responsible for EC‑Type Examination for the engine
exhaust emissions assessment under Modules B+C of Directive 2003/44/
EC and for noise emission assessment under Module Aa of Directive
2003/44/EC is:
© 2006 Mercury Marine 25 Jet 4-Stroke 90-10256070 905

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TÜV SÜD
Munich, Germany
Notified Body Number: 0123
Safety of Machinery Directive 98/37/EC
Principles of safety integration
(1.1.2) ISO 12100‑1; ISO 12100‑2; EN 1050
Noise (1.5.8) ICOMIA 39/94
Vibration (1.5.9) ICOMIA 38/94
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EC
Generic emission standard EN 61000‑6‑3
Generic immunity standard EN 61000‑6‑1
Vehicles, boats and internal
combustion engine driven devices ‑
radio disturbance characteristics
SAE J551 (CISPR 12)
Electrostatic discharge testing EN 61000‑6‑2; EN 61000‑4‑2; EN
61000‑4‑3
This declaration is issued under the sole responsibility of Mercury
Marine and Marine Power Europe.
Patrick C. Mackey
President, Mercury Marine, Fond du Lac, WI USA on December 16, 2005.
European Regulations Contact:
Regulations and Product Safety Department, Mercury Marine,
Fond du Lac, WI USA

TABLE OF CONTENTS
iii
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Transfer Of Warranty...................................................................1
Warranty Registration United States And Canada......................1
Warranty Registration Outside The United States And Canada
.....................................................................................................2
FourStroke Outboard Limited Warranty United States, Canada,
Europe, Confederation of Independent States, Middle-East and
Africa............................................................................................3
3 Year Limited Warranty Against Corrosion................................6
Warranty Coverage And Exclusions..........................................10
GENERAL INFORMATION
Boater's Responsibilities............................................................13
Before Operating Your Outboard...............................................13
Boat Horsepower Capacity........................................................14
High-Speed And High-Performance Boat Operation.................14
Outboard Remote Control Models ............................................15
Remote Steering Notice.............................................................15
Lanyard Stop Switch..................................................................16
Protecting People In The Water.................................................19
Wave And Wake Jumping.........................................................20
Safety Instructions For Hand Tilled Outboards..........................21
Exhaust Emissions....................................................................21
Selecting Accessories For Your Outboard.................................23
Safe Boating Suggestions.........................................................23
Recording Serial Number..........................................................26
25 Jet 4-Stroke Specifications - International............................26
Component Identification...........................................................28
TRANSPORTING
Trailering Boat/Outboard...........................................................30

TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
FUEL & OIL
Fuel Recommendations.............................................................31
Filling Fuel Tank........................................................................33
Engine Oil Recommendations...................................................33
Checking And Adding Engine Oil...............................................34
FEATURES & CONTROLS
Remote Control Features..........................................................36
Tiller Handle Models..................................................................37
Power Trim And Tilt (If Equipped)..............................................43
Warning System........................................................................46
Replaceable Jet Drive Shear Key..............................................48
OPERATION
Pre-Starting Check List..............................................................49
Operating In Freezing Temperatures.........................................49
Operating In Salt Water Or Polluted Water................................50
Operating In Shallow Water.......................................................50
How the Jet Drive Operates.......................................................50
Stopping the Boat in an Emergency..........................................52
Steering The Boat......................................................................52
Mooring The Boat......................................................................53
Water Intake Blockage...............................................................53
Clearing A Lodged Impeller.......................................................54
Pre-Starting Instructions............................................................54
Engine Break-in Procedure........................................................55
Starting The Engine - Remote Control Models..........................56
Starting The Engine - Tiller Handle Models...............................58
Gear Shifting .............................................................................60
Stopping The Engine ................................................................62
Emergency Starting...................................................................62

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MAINTENANCE
Outboard Care...........................................................................65
EPA Emissions..........................................................................66
Inspection and Maintenance Schedule......................................66
Top Cowl Removal and Installation...........................................68
Exterior Care..............................................................................69
Worn/Dull Impeller.....................................................................69
Impeller Clearance Adjustment..................................................70
Impeller Removal and Installation..............................................71
Shift Link Rod Adjustment......................................................... 76
Battery Inspection .....................................................................77
Fuel System...............................................................................78
Steering Link Rod Fasteners.....................................................79
Corrosion Control Anode...........................................................80
Spark Plug Inspection And Replacement..................................82
Fuse Replacement - Electric Start Models................................ 83
Timing Belt Inspection............................................................... 84
Lubrication Points......................................................................84
Checking Power Trim Fluid........................................................88
Changing Engine Oil .................................................................88
Submerged Outboard................................................................90
STORAGE
Storage Preparation...................................................................91
Protecting External Outboard Components...............................91
Protecting Internal Engine Components....................................92
Jet Drive.....................................................................................92
Positioning Outboard For Storage.............................................92
Battery Storage..........................................................................92
TROUBLESHOOTING
Starter Motor will not Crank the Engine (Electric Start Models)
...................................................................................................93
Engine Will Not Start..................................................................93
Engine Runs Erratically............................................................. 94

TABLE OF CONTENTS
vi
Engine Over-Speed (Excessive RPM).......................................94
Performance Loss......................................................................94
Battery Will Not Hold Charge.....................................................95
OWNER SERVICE ASSISTANCE
Local Repair Service..................................................................96
Service Away From Home.........................................................96
Parts And Accessories Inquiries................................................96
Service Assistance....................................................................96
Mercury Marine Service Offices.................................................97
ENGINE INSTALLATION
Installation Information...............................................................99
Top Cowl Removal And Installation.........................................100
Lifting Outboard.......................................................................101
Determining the Mounting Height of the Outboard .................101
Fastening the Outboard...........................................................103
Steering Bracket, Steering Cable Installation..........................104
Steering Link Rod Fasteners...................................................105
Electrical Harness, Battery Connection, Fuel Tanks...............107
Control Cable Installation.........................................................111
Water Testing..........................................................................115

WARRANTY INFORMATION
1
Transfer Of Warranty
The limited warranty is transferable to a subsequent purchaser, but
only for the remainder of the unused portion of the limited warranty.
This will not apply to products used for commercial applications.
To transfer the warranty to the subsequent owner, send or fax a
copy of the bill of sale or purchase agreement, new owner’s name,
address and engine serial number to Mercury Marine’s warranty
registration department. In the United States and Canada, mail to:
Mercury Marine
Attn: Warranty Registration Department
W6250 W. Pioneer Road
P.O. Box 1939
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1939
920-929-5054
Fax [phone]
Upon processing the transfer of warranty, Mercury Marine will send
registration verification to the new owner of the product by mail.
There is no charge for this service.
For products purchased outside the United States and Canada,
contact the distributor in your country, or the Marine Power Service
Center closest to you.
Warranty Registration United States And Canada
Outside United States and Canada ‑ Check with your local
distributor.
1. You may change your address at any time, including at time
of warranty claim, by calling Mercury Marine or sending a letter
or fax with your name, old address, new address, and engine
serial number to Mercury Marine’s warranty registration
department. Your dealer can also process this change of
information.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
2
Mercury Marine
Attn: Warranty Registration Department
W6250 W. Pioneer Road
P.O. Box 1939
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1939
920-929-5054
Fax [phone]
NOTE: Registration lists must be maintained by Mercury Marine
and any dealer on marine products sold in the United States,
should a safety recall notification under the Federal Safety Act be
required.
2. To be eligible for warranty coverage, the product must be
registered with Mercury Marine. At the time of sale, the dealer
should complete the warranty registration and immediately
submit it to Mercury Marine via MercNET, E‑mail, or mail.
Upon receipt of this warranty registration, Mercury Marine will
record the registration.
3. Upon processing the warranty registration, Mercury Marine
will send registration verification by mail to the purchaser of
the product. If this registration verification is not received
within 30 days, please contact your selling dealer immediately.
Warranty coverage is not effective until your product is
registered with Mercury Marine.
Warranty Registration Outside The United States
And Canada
1. It is important that your selling dealer fills out the Warranty
Registration Card completely and mails it to the distributor or
Marine Power Service Center responsible for administering
the warranty registration/claim program for your area.
2. The Warranty Registration Card identifies your name and
address, product model and serial numbers, date of sale, type
of use and the selling distributor's/dealer's code number,
name and address. The distributor/dealer also certifies that
you are the original purchaser and user of the product.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
3
3. A copy of the Warranty Registration Card, designated as the
Purchaser's Copy, MUST be given to you immediately after
the card has been completely filled out by the selling
distributor/dealer. This card represents your factory
registration identification, and should be retained by you for
future use when required. Should you ever require warranty
service on this product, your dealer may ask you for the
Warranty Registration Card to verify date of purchase and to
use the information on the card to prepare the warranty claim
forms.
4. In some countries, the Marine Power Service Center will issue
you a permanent (plastic) Warranty Registration Card within
30 days after receiving the Factory Copy of the Warranty
Registration Card from your distributor/dealer. If you receive
a plastic Warranty Registration Card, you may discard the
Purchaser's Copy that you received from the distributor/dealer
when you purchased the product. Ask your distributor/dealer
if this plastic card program applies to you.
IMPORTANT: Registration lists must be maintained by the factory
and dealer in some countries by law. It is our desire to have ALL
products registered at the factory should it ever be necessary to
contact you. Make sure your dealer/distributor fills out the
warranty registration card immediately and sends the factory copy
to the Marine Power International Service Center for your area.
5. For further information concerning the Warranty Registration
Card and its relationship to Warranty Claim processing, refer
to the International Warranty.
FourStroke Outboard Limited Warranty United
States, Canada, Europe, Confederation of
Independent States, Middle‑East and Africa
Outside the United States, Canada, Europe, Confederation of
Independent States, Middle‑East and Africa ‑ check with your local
distributor.
WHAT IS COVERED: Mercury Marine warrants its new Outboard
and Jet Products to be free of defects in material and workmanship
during the period described below.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
4
DURATION OF COVERAGE: This Limited Warranty provides
coverage for three (3) years from the date the product is first sold
to a recreational use retail purchaser, or the date on which the
product is first put into service, whichever occurs first. Commercial
users of these products receive warranty coverage of one (1) year
from the date of first retail sale, or one (1) year from the date in
which the product was first put into service, whichever occurs first.
Commercial use is defined as any work or employment related use
of the product, or any use of the product which generates income,
for any part of the warranty period, even if the product is only
occasionally used for such purposes. The repair or replacement of
parts, or the performance of service under this warranty, does not
extend the life of this warranty beyond its original expiration date.
Unexpired warranty coverage can be transferred from one
recreational use customer to a subsequent recreational use
customer upon proper re–registration of the product. Unexpired
warrant coverage cannot be transferred either to or from a
commercial use customer.
CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE MET IN ORDER TO OBTAIN
WARRANTY COVERAGE: Warranty coverage is available only to
retail customers that purchase from a Dealer authorized by
Mercury Marine to distribute the product in the country in which the
sale occurred, and then only after the Mercury Marine specified
pre–delivery inspection process is completed and documented.
Warranty coverage becomes available upon proper registration of
the product by the authorized dealer. Routine maintenance
outlined in the Operation and Maintenance Manual must be timely
performed in order to maintain warranty coverage. Mercury Marine
reserves the right to make future warranty coverage contingent on
proof of proper maintenance.
WHAT MERCURY WILL DO: Mercury’s sole and exclusive
obligation under this warranty is limited to, at our option, repairing
a defective part, replacing such part or parts with new or Mercury
Marine certified remanufactured parts, or refunding the purchase
price of the Mercury product. Mercury reserves the right to improve
or modify products from time to time without assuming an
obligation to modify products previously manufactured.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
5
HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY COVERAGE: The customer
must provide Mercury with a reasonable opportunity to repair, and
reasonable access to the product for warranty service. Warranty
claims shall be made by delivering the product for inspection to a
Mercury dealer authorized to service the product. If purchaser
cannot deliver the product to such a dealer, written notice must be
given to Mercury. We will then arrange for the inspection and any
covered repair. Purchaser in that case shall pay for all related
transportation charges and/or travel time. If the service provided is
not covered by this warranty, purchaser shall pay for all related
labor and material, and any other expenses associated with that
service. Purchaser shall not, unless requested by Mercury, ship
the product or parts of the product directly to Mercury. Proof of
registered ownership must be presented to the dealer at the time
warranty service is requested in order to obtain coverage.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED: This limited warranty does not cover
routine maintenance items, tune ups, adjustments, normal wear
and tear, damage caused by abuse, abnormal use, use of a
propeller or gear ratio that does not allow the engine to run in its
recommended wide open throttle RPM range (see the Operation
and Maintenance Manual), operation of the product in a manner
inconsistent with the recommended operation/duty cycle section
of the Operation and Maintenance Manual, neglect, accident,
submersion, improper installation (proper installation
specifications and techniques are set forth in the installation
instructions for the product), improper service, use of an accessory
or part not manufactured or sold by us, jet pump impellers and
liners, operation with fuels, oils or lubricants which are not suitable
for use with the product (see the Operation and Maintenance
Manual), alteration or removal of parts, or water entering the
engine through the fuel intake, air intake or exhaust system, or
damage to the product from insufficient cooling water caused by
blockage of the cooling system by a foreign body, running the
engine out of water, mounting the engine too high on the transom,
or running the boat with the engine trimmed out too far.. Use of the
product for racing or other competitive activity, or operating with a
racing type lower unit, at any point, even by a prior owner of the
product, voids the warranty.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
6
Expenses related to haul out, launch, towing, storage, telephone,
rental, inconvenience, slip fees, insurance coverage, loan
payments, loss of time, loss of income, or any other type of
incidental or consequential damages are not covered by this
warranty. Also, expenses associated with the removal and/or
replacement of boat partitions or material caused by boat design
for access to the product are not covered by this warranty.
No individual or entity, including Mercury Marine authorized
dealers, has been given authority by Mercury Marine to make any
affirmation, representation or warranty regarding the product,
other than those contained in this limited warranty, and if made,
shall not be enforceable against Mercury Marine.
For additional information regarding events and circumstances
covered by this warranty, and those that are not, see the Warranty
Coverage section of the Operation and Maintenance Manual,
incorporated by reference into this warranty.
DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS:
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. TO THE EXTENT
THAT THEY CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE LIFE OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY.
INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARE EXCLUDED FROM
COVERAGE UNDER THIS WARRANTY. SOME STATES/COUNTRIES DO
NOT ALLOW FOR THE DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, AS A RESULT, THEY MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS
WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO
HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE AND
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.
3 Year Limited Warranty Against Corrosion
WHAT IS COVERED: Mercury Marine warrants that each new
Mercury, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Sport Jet, M2 Jet Drive, Tracker
by Mercury Marine Outboard, Mercury MerCruiser Inboard or
Sterndrive Engine (Product) will not be rendered inoperative as a
direct result of corrosion for the period of time described below.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
7
DURATION OF COVERAGE: This limited corrosion warranty
provides coverage for three (3) years from either the date the
product is first sold, or the date on which the product is first put into
service, whichever occurs first. The repair or replacement of parts,
or the performance of service under this warranty does not extend
the life of this warranty beyond its original expiration date.
Unexpired warranty coverage can be transferred to subsequent
(non‑commercial use) purchaser upon proper re‑registration of the
product.
CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE MET IN ORDER TO OBTAIN
WARRANTY COVERAGE: Warranty coverage is available only to
retail customers that purchase from a Dealer authorized by
Mercury Marine to distribute the product in the country in which the
sale occurred, and then only after the Mercury Marine specified
pre‑delivery inspection process is completed and documented.
Warranty coverage becomes available upon proper registration of
the product by the authorized dealer. Corrosion prevention devices
specified in the Operation and Maintenance Manual must be in use
on the boat, and routine maintenance outlined in the Operation and
Maintenance Manual must be timely performed (including without
limitation the replacement of sacrificial anodes, use of specified
lubricants, and touch‑up of nicks and scratches) in order to
maintain warranty coverage. Mercury Marine reserves the right to
make warranty coverage contingent upon proof of proper
maintenance.
WHAT MERCURY WILL DO: Mercury's sole and exclusive
obligation under this warranty is limited to, at our option, repairing
a corroded part, replacing such part or parts with new or Mercury
Marine certified re‑manufactured parts, or refunding the purchase
price of the Mercury product. Mercury reserves the right to improve
or modify products from time to time without assuming an
obligation to modify products previously manufactured.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
8
HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY COVERAGE: The customer must
provide Mercury with a reasonable opportunity to repair, and
reasonable access to the product for warranty service. Warranty
claims shall be made by delivering the product for inspection to a
Mercury dealer authorized to service the product. If purchaser
cannot deliver the product to such a dealer, written notice must be
given to Mercury. We will then arrange for the inspection and any
covered repair. Purchaser in that case shall pay for all related
transportation charges and/or travel time. If the service provided is
not covered by this warranty, purchaser shall pay for all related
labor and material, and any other expenses associated with that
service. Purchaser shall not, unless requested by Mercury, ship
the product or parts of the product directly to Mercury. Proof of
registered ownership must be presented to the dealer at the time
warranty service is requested in order to obtain coverage.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED: This limited warranty does not cover
electrical system corrosion; corrosion resulting from damage,
corrosion which causes purely cosmetic damage, abuse or
improper service; corrosion to accessories, instruments, steering
systems; corrosion to factory installed jet drive unit; damage due
to marine growth; product sold with less than a one year limited
Product warranty; replacement parts (parts purchased by
customer); products used in a commercial application.
Commercial use is defined as any work or employment related use
of the product, or any use of the product which generates income,
for any part of the warranty period, even if the product is only
occasionally used for such purposes.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
9
Corrosion damage caused by stray electrical currents (on‑shore
power connections, nearby boats, submerged metal) is not
covered by this corrosion warranty and should be protected
against by the use of a corrosion protection system, such as the
Mercury Precision Parts or Quicksilver MerCathode system and/
or Galvanic Isolator. Corrosion damage caused by improper
application of copper base anti‑fouling paints is also not covered
by this limited warranty. If anti‑fouling protection is required,
Tri‑Butyl‑Tin‑Adipate (TBTA) base anti‑fouling paints are
recommended on Outboard and MerCruiser boating applications.
In areas where TBTA base paints are prohibited by law, copper
base paints can be used on the hull and transom. Do not apply
paint to the outboard or MerCruiser product. In addition, care must
be taken to avoid an electrical interconnection between the
warranted product and the paint. For MerCruiser product, an
unpainted gap of at least 38 mm (1.5 in.) should be left around the
transom assembly. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance
Manual for additional details.
For additional information regarding events and circumstances
covered by this warranty, and those that are not, see the Warranty
Coverage section of the Operation and Maintenance Manual,
incorporated by reference into this warranty.
DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS:
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. TO THE EXTENT
THAT THEY CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE LIFE OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY.
INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARE EXCLUDED FROM
COVERAGE UNDER THIS WARRANTY. SOME STATES/COUNTRIES DO
NOT ALLOW FOR THE DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
IDENTIFIED ABOVE, AS A RESULT, THEY MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS
WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO
HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE AND
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
10
Warranty Coverage And Exclusions
The purpose of this section is to help eliminate some of the more
common misunderstandings regarding warranty coverage. The
following information explains some of the types of services that
are not covered by warranty. The provisions set forth following
have been incorporated by reference into the Three Year Limited
Warranty Against Corrosion Failure, the International Limited
Outboard Warranty, and the United States and Canada Limited
Outboard Warranty.
Keep in mind that warranty covers repairs that are needed within
the warranty period because of defects in material and
workmanship. Installation errors, accidents, normal wear, and a
variety of other causes that affect the product are not covered.
Warranty is limited to defects in material or workmanship, but only
when the consumer sale is made in the country to which
distribution is authorized by us.
Should you have any questions concerning warranty coverage,
contact your authorized dealer. They will be pleased to answer any
questions that you may have.
GENERAL EXCLUSIONS FROM WARRANTY
1. Minor adjustments and tune‑ups, including checking, cleaning
or adjusting spark plugs, ignition components, carburetor
settings, filters, belts, controls, and checking lubrication made
in connection with normal services.
2. Factory installed jet drive units ‑ Specific parts excluded from
the warranty are: The jet drive impeller and jet drive liner
damaged by impact or wear, and water damaged drive shaft
bearings as a result of improper maintenance.
3. Damage caused by neglect, lack of maintenance, accident,
abnormal operation or improper installation or service.
4. Haul out, launch, towing charges, removal and/or replacement
of boat partitions or material because of boat design for
necessary access to the product, all related transportation
charges and/or travel time, etc. Reasonable access must be
provided to the product for warranty service. Customer must
deliver product to an authorized dealer.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
11
5. Additional service work requested by customer other than that
necessary to satisfy the warranty obligation.
6. Labor performed by other than an authorized dealer may be
covered only under following circumstances: When performed
on emergency basis (providing there are no authorized
dealers in the area who can perform the work required or have
no facilities to haul out, etc., and prior factory approval has
been given to have the work performed at this facility).
7. All incidental and/or consequential damages (storage
charges, telephone or rental charges of any type,
inconvenience or loss of time or income) are the owner's
responsibility.
8. Use of other than Mercury Precision or Quicksilver parts when
making warranty repairs.
9. Oils, lubricants or fluids changed as a matter of normal
maintenance is customer's responsibility unless loss or
contamination of same is caused by product failure that would
be eligible for warranty consideration.
10.Participating in or preparing for racing or other competitive
activity or operating with a racing type lower unit.
11.Engine noise does not necessarily indicate a serious engine
problem. If diagnosis indicates a serious internal engine
condition which could result in a failure, condition responsible
for noise should be corrected under the warranty.
12.Lower unit and/or propeller damage caused by striking a
submerged object is considered a marine hazard.
13.Water entering engine through the fuel intake, air intake or
exhaust system or submersion.
14.Failure of any parts caused by lack of cooling water, which
results from starting motor out of water, foreign material
blocking inlet holes, motor being mounted too high or trimmed
too far out.
15.Use of fuels and lubricants which are not suitable for use with
or on the product. Refer to the Maintenance section.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
12
16.Our limited warranty does not apply to any damage to our
products caused by the installation or use of parts and
accessories which are not manufactured or sold by us.
Failures which are not related to the use of those parts or
accessories are covered under warranty if they otherwise
meet the terms of the limited warranty for that product.

GENERAL INFORMATION
13
Boater's Responsibilities
The operator (driver) is responsible for the correct and safe
operation of the boat and safety of its occupants and general
public. It is strongly recommended that each operator (driver) read
and understand this entire manual before operating the outboard.
Be sure at least one additional person on board is instructed in the
basics of starting and operating the outboard and boat handling in
case the driver is unable to operate the boat.
Before Operating Your Outboard
Read this manual carefully. Learn how to operate your outboard
properly. If you have any questions, contact your dealer.
Safety and operating information that is practiced, along with using
good common sense, can help prevent personal injury and product
damage.
This manual as well as safety labels posted on the outboard use
the following safety alerts to draw your attention to special safety
instructions that should be followed.
! DANGER
DANGER—indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
! WARNING
WARNING—indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if
not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
! CAUTION
CAUTION—indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury or property
damage. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.

GENERAL INFORMATION
14
Boat Horsepower Capacity
! WARNING
Using an outboard that exceeds the maximum horsepower limit
of a boat can: 1) cause loss of boat control 2) place too much
weight at the transom altering the designed flotation
characteristics of the boat or 3) cause the boat to break apart
particularly around the transom area. Overpowering a boat can
result in serious injury, death or boat damage.
Do not overpower or overload your boat. Most boats will carry a
required capacity plate indicating the maximum acceptable power
and load as determined by the manufacturer following certain
federal guidelines. If in doubt, contact your dealer or the boat
manufacturer.
U.S. COAST GUARD CAPACITY
MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER XXX
MAXIMUM PERSON
CAPACITY (POUNDS) XXX
MAXIMUM WEIGHT
CAPACITY XXX
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High‑Speed And High‑Performance Boat Operation
If your outboard is to be used on a high speed or high performance
boat with which you are unfamiliar, we recommend that you never
operate it at its high speed capability without first requesting an
initial orientation and familiarization demonstration ride with your
dealer or an operator experienced with your boat/outboard
combination. For additional information, obtain a copy of our
Hi‑Performance Boat Operation booklet from your dealer,
distributor, or Mercury Marine.
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