Throttle Only Operation; Freezing Temperature Operation; Drain Plug And Bilge Pump - Mercury MerCruiser Horizon 8.2 ECT Manual

Section 3 - On the Water
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 separate 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.

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.
Page 38
WARNING
!
90-8M0061999 MAY 2012
eng