MerCruiser 496 MAG Owner's Manual page 6

Protecting People in the Water............................................... 42
While You Are Cruising..................................................... 42
While Boat Is Stationary................................................... 42
High-Speed and High-Performance Operation....................... 42
Passenger Safety in Pontoon Boats and Deck Boats............ 43
Boats Having An Open Front Deck................................... 43
Boats With Front-Mounted, Raised Pedestal Fishing Seats
..........................................................................................43
Wave and Wake Jumping....................................................... 43
Impact with Underwater Hazards........................................... 44
Drive Unit Impact Protection............................................. 44
Operating with Low Water Inlets in Shallow Water................. 45
Fuel Requirements................................................................. 50
Fuel Ratings......................................................................50
Using Reformulated (Oxygenated) Gasoline (USA Only). 50
Gasoline Containing Alcohol............................................. 50
Engine Oil...............................................................................50
Engine Specifications............................................................. 51
Owner/Operator Responsibilities............................................ 56
Dealer Responsibilities........................................................... 56
Maintenance...........................................................................56
Do-It-Yourself Maintenance Suggestions............................... 56
Inspection............................................................................... 57
Maintenance Schedule-Sterndrive Models.......................... 57
Routine Maintenance...................................................... 57
Scheduled Maintenance.................................................. 57
Maintenance Log....................................................................58
Engine Oil...............................................................................59
Checking......................................................................... 59
Filling...............................................................................60
Changing Oil and Filter.................................................... 60
Easy Engine Oil Drain System........................................ 60
Engine Oil Drain Pump.................................................... 61
Changing the Oil Filter..................................................... 61
Power-Assisted Steering Fluid............................................... 62
Checking......................................................................... 62
Filling...............................................................................62
Changing.........................................................................62
Engine Coolant.......................................................................63
Checking......................................................................... 63
Filling...............................................................................63
Changing ........................................................................64
Sterndrive Gear Lube............................................................. 64
Checking......................................................................... 64
Filling...............................................................................64
Changing.........................................................................65
Power Trim Fluid.................................................................... 66
Checking...........................................................................66
Filling................................................................................ 67
Changing.......................................................................... 67
Battery.................................................................................... 67
Multiple EFI Engine Battery Precautions......................... 67
Cleaning the Flame Arrestor................................................... 68
Cleaning the IAC Muffler (Non-DTS Models Only)................. 68
Water-Separating Fuel Filter.................................................. 69
Page ii
Conditions Affecting Operation............................................... 45
Getting Started....................................................................... 46
Section 4 - Specifications
Fluid Specifications................................................................. 52
Section 5 - Maintenance
Lubrication..............................................................................71
Propellers............................................................................... 75
Serpentine Drive Belt.............................................................. 82
Corrosion Protection............................................................... 84
Flushing the Seawater System-Sterndrive Models.............. 88
Weight Distribution (Passengers and Gear) Inside the
Boat.................................................................................45
The Bottom of the Boat................................................... 45
Cavitation........................................................................ 45
Ventilation........................................................................45
Elevation and Climate..................................................... 46
Propeller Selection.......................................................... 46
20-Hour Break-In Period................................................. 46
After Break-In Period....................................................... 46
End of First Season Checkup.......................................... 47
Engine............................................................................. 52
Bravo Sterndrives............................................................ 52
Power-Assisted Steering and Power Trim Fluids............ 52
Approved Power-Assisted Steering Fluids.................. 52
Approved Power Trim Fluids....................................... 53
GEN III Models................................................................ 70
Removal......................................................................70
Installation...................................................................70
Steering System.............................................................. 71
Throttle Cable.................................................................. 72
Shift Cable - Typical........................................................ 73
Sterndrive Unit and Transom Assembly.......................... 73
Sterndrive U-joint Shaft Splines And O-rings (Sterndrive
Unit Removed)................................................................ 74
Engine Coupler................................................................ 74
Driveshaft Extension Models........................................... 74
Propeller Repair.............................................................. 75
Bravo Sterndrive Propeller Removal............................... 75
Bravo One Models...................................................... 75
Bravo Two Models...................................................... 77
Bravo Three Models.................................................... 77
Bravo Sterndrive Propeller Installation............................ 79
Bravo One Models...................................................... 79
Bravo Two Models...................................................... 80
Bravo Three................................................................ 81
Belt Routing.....................................................................82
Checking......................................................................... 82
Replacing........................................................................ 83
Corrosion Information...................................................... 84
Maintaining Ground Circuit Continuity............................. 84
Anodes and MerCathode System Locations................... 84
Checking the Quicksilver MerCathode System............... 85
Power Package Exterior Surfaces................................... 86
Boat Bottom Care............................................................ 86
Anti-fouling Paint............................................................. 86
Sterndrive Surface Care.................................................. 88
90-899883274 MARCH 2008