Starting The Engine; Stopping The Engine; Throttle Only Operation; Freezing Temperature Operation - Mercury MerCruiser Tow Sport 5.7 LHS Manual

Starting the Engine

1.
Check all items listed in the Operation Chart.
2. Place the remote control handle in neutral.
Without sufficient cooling water, the engine, the water pump, and other components will overheat and suffer damage. Provide
a sufficient supply of water to the water inlets during operation.
Explosive fumes contained in the engine compartment can cause serious injury or death from fire or explosion. Before
starting the engine, operate the bilge blower or vent the engine compartment for at least five minutes.
3. Turn ignition key to "START." Release key when engine starts and allow switch to return to "ON" position. Allow the engine
to warm up 6–10 minutes on the first start of the day.
NOTE: If the engine has not run for a long period it may require a couple of attempts.
4. If engine does not start after three attempts:
a. Push the throttle only button and position the remote control handle/throttle lever to the 1/4 throttle position.
b. Turn ignition key to "START." Release key when engine starts and allow switch to return to "ON" position.
5. If engine does not start after step 4:
a. Move the remote control handle/throttle lever to full throttle position, then return to 1/4 throttle.
b. Turn ignition key to "START." Release key when engine starts and allow switch to return to "ON" position.
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 the desired setting.
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 to 5 minutes.
2. Turn ignition key to the "OFF" position.

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.

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.
90-8M0086943 DECEMBER 2014
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NOTICE
WARNING
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NOTICE
Section 3 - On The Water
Page 29