Joystick-Basic Operation; Engine Guardian Strategy; Premier Features (If Equipped); Chartplotter Requirements - Mercury Axius Manual

Section 1 - Getting to Know the Joystick Piloting System
Joystick—Basic Operation
The joystick offers intuitive control of your boat during low speed operation and docking maneuvers. Engine speed is limited to
approximately 1700–2500 RPM in this mode, depending on vessel and propulsion application, to prevent excessive propeller
wash or unacceptable boat dynamics during maneuvers. DOCK mode reduces this limited engine speed by approximately 30%
and will be discussed more in the DOCK mode section. This RPM reduction may vary between engine models and horsepower.
Environmental conditions such as strong wind and current may require more thrust than what is listed previously. If more power
is needed for vessel maneuvering, use the electronic remote control levers.
Though joystick operation is easy and intuitive, you should avoid using it until you have the opportunity to become familiar with
the vessel's handling characteristics while operating the vessel with the joystick in open water. Thereafter, you should
occasionally practice operating without the joystick in case the joystick becomes inoperable.
Both engines must be running and both ERC levers must be in neutral for the joystick to operate.

Engine Guardian Strategy

IMPORTANT: Boat speed could be reduced to idle and may not respond to your throttle demands.
Engine Guardian Strategy is designed to help reduce the potential for engine damage by reducing engine power when a
potential problem is detected by the PCM or SmartCraft system.
When the Guardian system detects a failure in the shift system or other abnormal condition, it will leave the shift actuator in the
last known position. Therefore, if the drive is in gear and there is a fault, the drive remains in gear. Pulling the lanyard,
activating the E‑stop switch, or turning the key to the off position and restarting the engine will result in the gear position
returning to neutral. This allows you to continue to maneuver the vessel in forward gear and return to port.
Engine Guardian monitors:
• Engine oil pressure
• Coolant temperature
• Seawater pressure
• Engine overspeed
• Shift system
Should Engine Guardian engage on your vessel, your SmartCraft instrumentation will indicate this and advise you to reduce
throttle if necessary. Engine Guardian may also reduce throttle for you if the situation requires it.
To avoid a possible recurrence of the problem you should contact an authorized dealer. The PCM will store the faults and with
this information the technician will be able to more rapidly diagnose problems.

Premier Features (If Equipped)

Chartplotter Requirements

Many of the Premier features use information from the chartplotter to function. However, not every chartplotter has the quality
of information needed to allow these features to work properly. The chartplotter on your boat has been selected from an
approved list created and maintained by Mercury MerCruiser. These chartplotters use specific software to meet the stringent
demands to function with the Premier system.
• All chartplotters on the vessel must be calibrated the same.
• All chartplotters on the vessel must have the arrival radius alarm set to no less than 0.05 nautical mile (0.06 mile).
• All chartplotters on the vessel must be capable of sharing waypoint data.
• Some chartplotter models require the turn transition distance to be set greater than the arrival alarm radius. For more
information on the turn transition distance, refer to the appropriate chartplotter operation manual.
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Typical joystick location
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90-8M0099745 MAY 2015
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