Stopping The Engine; Throttle-Only Operation; Trailering The Boat; Freezing Temperature Operation - Mercury 350 MAG Manual

Section 3 - On the Water
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. The engine can be stopped by any one of the following 4 methods:
a. Move the ignition key switch to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" position. The engine will stop and the control system will
be deactivated.
b. Depress the start/stop button, if equipped. The engine will stop and the control system will remain active.
c. Momentarily move the ignition key switch to the "START" position, then release immediately. The control system will
recognize that the engine is running and will stop the engine. The control system will remain active. Moving the ignition
key switch to the "START" position again will issue a start request to the control system and the control system will start
the engine, if appropriate.
d. Activate the lanyard stop switch, if equipped. The engine will stop, but the control system will remain active. The control
system will not allow the engine to start if the lanyard stop switch is activated.
Throttle‑Only Operation
NOTE: When operating in throttle only (neutral) mode, the DTS Control System will not allow the engine speed to increase above
3500 RPM.
Zero effort remote controls: Zero effort remote controls have seperate throttle control and shift control levers. Advancing the
throttle control lever beyond the idle position while the shift control lever is in the neutral position will cause engine speed to
increase, but only up to the maximum neutral engine speed of 3500 RPM.
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. Depress 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.

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.
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NOTICE
WARNING
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90-8M0050539 MAY 2011
eng