How do I contact an authorized dealer?

Have a look at the Dealer Network!

Is it better to change my engine oil/gear lube at the beginning or end of the season ?

It is better to change the oil and gear lube at the end of the season, prior to storage. Lubricants naturally accumulate moisture, combustion by-products, and other contaminants during use. It can be detrimental to store an engine or drive with large amounts of these contaminants present.

Where can I have a look at my favourite model?

Have a look at the Dealer Network and at the Event & Fairs list.

Do you have service manuals available?

Although we do not provide our customers with a service manual, we do provide you with an owner's manual supplement with specific information about each model available. For service information you will need to contact an authorized dealer.

How do I get technical support?

Technical support and services are only provided through Brunswick Marine in EMEA Sale offices, Distributors and Dealers network.

You will find your closed dealer, national Sales Office/Distributor by browsing the dealer network.

How do I obtain horsepower curves, torque curves, or fuel consumption data?

Horsepower and torque curves are not published because they are considered confidential company information. Fuel consumption data is not published because it is affected by factors beyond our control, such as boat hull type, temperature, humidity, altitude, gear ratios, propeller, etc. In some cases, fuel consumption or other performance data is available from your boat manufacturer for a specific boat/engine combination.

How do I transfer my warranty?

The remaining warranty may be transferred by contacting your local dealership. They will make the necessary changes in the warranty system. Transferring the warranty is free of cost.

I just bought a new four-stroke outboard to replace my old two-stroke. What should I know to properly service this new four-stroke?

The main items to service include checking and changing engine oil and proper lubrication as recommended by the Owner’s Manual.

My outboard does not operate in the maximum RPM range shown in my Owner’s Manual. What should I do?

The outboards 20 horsepower and below come standard with a propeller that should meet the needs of most applications. However, there may be situations in which this standard propeller does not provide the best performance. In such cases, the propeller may need to be changed to a higher- or lower-pitch propeller. Generally speaking, a higher-pitch propeller will lower the maximum RPM that the engine will run at during full throttle, at the expense of a slightly higher top speed, while a lower-pitch propeller has the opposite affect (higher maximum RPM, but slower speed).

Above 25 horsepower, the variety of boats is much greater and therefore, the propeller must be purchased separately to match the boat’s needs. You should consult your dealer to ensure you have the best propeller for your boat.

My outboard has a decal on the side that says, "This Side Up". What happens if I lay the outboard on the wrong side by accident?

The "This Side Up" decal should be facing up when the outboard is laid on its side. This position will minimize damage to the outboard and ensure that fluids do not leak out of the venting systems. In most cases, the outboard will not incur permanent damage if it is accidentally laid on the wrong side for short periods of time.

What alternative/equivalent 4-cycle oils are available when I can’t purchase Mercury Marine Precision Lubricants or Quicksilver brands of oil?

If Quicksilver or Mercury Precision Lubricants 4-cycle outboard oil is not available, use a premium quality 4-cycle engine oil, certified to meet or exceed any one or a combination of the following American Petroleum Institute (API) Service Classification SH, SG, SF, CF-4, CE, CD, CDII.

Always consult your Operation, Maintenance and Warranty Manual for additional information concerning viscosity requirements and temperature ranges.

What are ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels?

Ethanol for fuel is highly refined beverage (grain) alcohol, approximately 200 proof, that can be produced from natural products such as corn, sugar cane and wheat. New technology will allow ethanol to be made from "cellulosic" feedstocks including corn stalks, grain straw, paper, pulp, wood chips, municipal waste, switchgrass and other sources. Ethanol used for fuel has been "denatured," or rendered unsafe to drink by the addition of a hydrocarbon (usually gasoline). The ethanol-blended fuel E-10 refers to fuel that contains 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. Similarly, E-85 refers to fuel that contains 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E-85 is intended only for engines specially designed to accept high-ethanol content fuel blends, such as the Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) made by some car companies.

What is the advantage of EFI vs. carburetors?

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) technology provides precise metering of fuel to each cylinder, taking into account engine and ambient temperatures, atmospheric pressure, throttle position and boat load. The benefits include turn-key starting and smooth, trouble-free operation regardless of boating conditions.

What is the correct battery for my outboard motor?

Battery Ratings Note: These are minimum engine specifications. Additional electrical loads from the boat will require larger batteries.

FourStroke models

TwoStroke models

V-6 Carb/EFI models

OptiMax models

What is the proper break-in procedure for an OptiMax outboard?

Break-in is important to insure correct engine performance and life. Follow the procedure listed in the Operation, Maintenance and Warranty Manual. Generally, for the first two hours we recommend avoiding extended periods of idle or wide-open throttle, or holding the engine at one speed for extended periods of time. New two-stroke engines require additional oil during break-in; OptiMax engines use programming inside the computer to increase the oil mixture during the specified break-in period.

What is the purpose of the Corrosion Control Anode?

Your outboard has control anodes at different locations. An anode helps protect the outboard against galvanic corrosion by sacrificing its metal to be slowly eroded away, instead of the outboard metals.

Each anode requires periodic inspection especially in saltwater applications, which will accelerate the erosion. To maintain this corrosion protection, always replace the anode before it is completely eroded. Never paint or apply a protective coating on the anode, as this will reduce its effectiveness.

Why did Mercury eliminate model year designations for its outboard engines?

Eliminating the "model year" designation results in a host of benefits for consumers of our products and for the dealers who represent Mercury Marine.
In the past, Mercury waited for the model year changeover date before introducing new products and enhancements to existing models. But because the market continues to evolve, making new products and improvements available in "real time" is absolutely necessary. A major benefit of this initiative is that the very latest products are always available, often much sooner than in the past.

Finally, this is consistent with current trends within the marine industry. Mercury's MerCruiser sterndrive engines and MotorGuide electric trolling motors have not had model years for some time, and we have seen other major outboard manufacturers following the same direction in some markets.

Will the use of fuels containing ethanol void my engine warranty?

Fuels containing up to 10 percent ethanol are considered acceptable for use in Mercury engines. Fuels containing higher levels of ethanol are not considered acceptable for use, and the use of fuels containing ethanol higher than 10 percent can void the warranty.

What should I do to prepare my outboard engine for out-of-season storage or prolonged storage?

The major consideration in preparing your outboard for storage is to protect it from rust, corrosion, and damage caused by freezing water that may be trapped in the engine. We recommend taking your engine to an authorized Mercury dealer to perform the work. Damage from improper storage procedures is not covered under the Mercury Marine limited warranty policy. If you chose to perform the storage procedure, follow the storage procedures outlined in your Operations, Maintenance & Warranty Manual.

Where do I find maintenance and lubrication information for my engine?

The Owners and Operations Manual outlines the typical maintenance and lubrication items. If your manual is missing or damaged, please contact your local dealer or visit the "Operation & Maintenance Manual" Download Center Category if you need to find/print a replacement manual.