Owner's Manual DF300 Operation

The main switch on the panel turns power of the engine on and off.

When the main switch is turned ON, all LEDs on the control panel will light and the buzzer sounds.

Start & Stop Switch
This is a switch to start and stop the engine.
The engine can be started with the remote control handle at the neutral position.

Station Select Switch

Switches control between driving stations on boats equipped with more than one driving station.

When pushing the select switch to select station, SELECT LED on the control panel at the driving station selected comes on, and the SELECT LED at the driving station not selected goes out.

This switch is enabled only when the remote control handle at the 1st and 2nd driving stations are at the neutral position. NOTE:

When the main switch is turned ON, the 1st driving station is automatically selected. By operating this switch with the remote control handle in positions other than the neutral, the SELECT LED blinks and the buzzer sounds at the same time

Throttle Only Switch

This is a switch to fix or release the shift position to the neutral, thereby allowing to operate the throttle without changing the shift position. When the shift position is fixed to the neutral, the THROTTLE ONLY LED comes on and when released, the THROTTLE ONLY LED goes out. Only when the remote control handle is at the neutral position, the throttle only switch is enabled.

If this switch is operated with the remote control handle at a position other than neutral, the THROTTLE ONLY LED blinks and the buzzer sounds at the same time.

Engine Synchronize Switch

This is a switch to synchronize or un synchronize the engine speed of the port engine with that of other engines. Engine speed is synchronized in forward cruising. When the engine speed is synchronized, the SYNC LED comes on and, when the engine speed is un synchronized, the SYNC LED goes out.
Synchronization does not take place in idle speed and full throttle operating.

When the main switch is turned ON, synchronization is automatically selected. While the engines are synchronous with each other, difference of their engine speed is automatically reduced but this function is not effective when the operating positions of the right and left remote control handles are remarkably
different.

Center Engine Control Switch

Switches control between driving stations on boats equipped with more than one driving station. When pushing the select switch to select station, SELECT LED on the control panel at the driving station selected comes on, and the SELECT LED at the driving station not selected goes out.
This switch is enabled only when the remote control handle at the 1st and 2nd driving stations are at the neutral position.

When the main switch is turned ON, the 1st driving station is automatically selected. By operating this switch with the remote control handle in positions other than the neutral, the SELECT LED blinks and the buzzer sounds at the same time

Tilt Up & Down Switch
The “Power Trim and Tilt” is operated by pressing the switch. To tilt the motor up, press the up switch. To tilt the motor down, press the DN switch.

The tilt up and tilt down switches can not be activated when the main switch is off.

1. Lower the motor into the water.
2. Make sure that the motor fuel hose and the hose from the boat’s fuel tank are securely attached and clamped.

3. Make sure the motor is in “NEUTRAL”.

4. Make sure the lock plate is in place and the emergency stop switch cord is fastened securely to your wrist or appropriate clothing area such as your belt.

• The emergency stop switch cord should be fastened securely to the
operator’s wrist or to an appropriate clothing area (belt etc.). In this way, in
an emergency, or if the operator is thrown overboard, the detached cord will stop the motor quickly.
• Ensure that no obstructions impede or restrict emergency stop switch operation.
• Take care not to pull the stop switch cord or knock out the lock plate during
normal operation. The motor will stop abruptly, and the loss of forward motion may unexpectedly throw occupants forward.

There is a spare plastic lock plate for temporary use only. Remove it from the cord and place in a safe place on the boat. However, the original cord and lock plate should be replaced as soon as possible

• Never start the engine or let it run indoors or where there is little or no ventilation. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a gas that is colorless
and odorless and can cause death or severe injury.
• Before starting the engine, make sure that you have enough fuel and oil to complete your intended trip

If the emergency stop switch lock plate is not in position, the starter motor cannot operate.

1. Squeeze the fuel line priming bulb several times until you feel resistance

2. Turn the main switch to the “ON” position.

3. Push the start & stop switch to start the engine. NOTE:

By pressing the Start & Stop switch once, the starter motor turns for 3 seconds continuously until the engine starts.

On a boat equipped with triple engines, the center engine is started first.

Never push the start & stop switch for more than 5 seconds, or the starter system could be damaged.

If the “Low Oil Pressure” is displayed on LCD of tachometer while operating, check the engine oil level after stopping the engine.

If the engine fails to start after 5 seconds, wait a few seconds and try again.

4. Warm up the engine for about 5 minutes.

Cooling water check

As soon as the engine starts, water should spray out of the pilot water hole 1, indicating that the water pump and cooling system are working properly. If you notice that water does not spray out of the pilot water hole, stop the engine as soon as possible and consult your authorized Suzuki Marine Dealer.

Never operate your outboard motor when there is no water coming out of the pilot water hole, or severe damage can result. (cid:127) Before setting off, be sure that emergency stop switch operates properly.

• Before shifting from “FORWARD” to “REVERSE” or from “REVERSE” to
“FORWARD”, stop at the “NEUTRAL” position and allow the engine speed to
return to idle and the boat speed to reduce.
• Exercise caution and use minimal speed when operating the boat in reverse. Be sure the handle/shift lever is in the desired position before accelerating.

• On a boat equipped with triple engines, the center engine and port engine are started with port shift lever 1 to link the center engine with the port engine.
• When the engine stops, the clutch moves to the neutral position irrespective of the position of the remote control lever.
• The clutch cannot be changed over either to Forward or Reverse by operating the remote control lever while the engine stops

Shifting

Type B remote control box
The type B remote control box has a lock mechanism to help prevent accidental moving from neutral to forward or reverse. To release the lock, push in the shift lock button before changing.

To shift into “FORWARD”, move the control handle forward to approximate position A, as shown in the illustration.

To shift into “REVERSE”, move the control handle rearward to approximate position B, as shown in the illustration.

A detent or notch is present on all Suzuki control boxes to provide a “feel” for positions A, B, and neutral. Always shift quickly and firmly from neutral to position A or B to prevent abnormal wear on the gear and clutch engagement surfaces.

Speed control

To increase speed after you have shifted into gear, continue moving the control handle forward or rearward.

Since the same handle is used for shifting and speed control, you must be careful not to move the control handle too far forward or rearward when shifting. If you move the handle past the detent, throttle will be engaged and the boat can start moving suddenly.

To stop the engine, shift into “NEUTRAL” and push the start & stop switch. Turn the main switch to the “OFF” position. Always leave the main switch in the “OFF” position when the motor is not running, or the battery can discharge.

If the main switch is kept ON while the engine is not running, the battery is exhausted.

To prevent unauthorized use of your boat, be sure to remove the key and emergency stop switch lock plate when the boat is unattended.

To make sure that the emergency stop switch operates properly, stop the engine occasionally by pulling out the lock plate, while operating the engine at idling speed.

The motor should be tilted up out of the water when you moor the boat in shallow water or if the motor will not be used for some time, to protect it from damage by underwater obstacles at low tide or corrosion from salt water.

Refer to the TILT LEVER section for details on how to tilt up the motor

Do not allow your motor to rub against quay walls, piers or other boats when the boat is tied up.

When operating your boat in shallow water, it may be necessary to tilt the motor higher than the normal trim angle. When you tilt the motor beyond the normal trim angle, however, you should only operate the boat at slow speeds.
After returning to deep water, be sure to lower the motor to the normal trim angle.

To tilt the motor higher than the normal trim angle, use the Power Trim and Tilt switch.

Do not operate the engine above 1500 r/min or operate the boat in a planing attitude with the engine beyond the maximum trim position (in other words, in a tilt position). In a tilt position, the swivel bracket will not have side support from the clamp bracket, and the power trim and tilt system will be unable to cushion the engine if the lower unit strikes an obstruction. This could lead to occupant injury. In addition, beyond the maximum trim position, the water intake holes may be above the water line, resulting in severe engine damage from overheating.

• When you tilt your motor for shallow water operation, make sure that the water intake holes remain in the water at all times and that water is always spraying out of the water discharge hole.
• Do not allow your motor to hit bottom. Serious damage can result. If the motor does strike bottom, inspect it immediately for damage.

After operating the motor in salt water, you should flush the water passages with clean, fresh water as outlined in the FLUSHING THE WATER PASSAGES section. If you do not flush the water passages, salt can corrode the motor and shorten its life.

When operating your outboard motor in freezing temperatures, you should keep the lower unit submerged in the water at all times. When taking motor out of the water, stand it up in a vertical position until the cooling system drains completely

If you leave your outboard motor out of the water in freezing temperatures with water still in the cooling system, the water can freeze and expand, causing severe damage to the motor.