Honda HRX217VKA Owner's Manual (2)

INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your selection of a Honda lawn mower! We are certain you will be pleased with your purchase of one of the finest lawn mowers on the market. OWNER’S MANUAL We want to help you get the best results from your new mower and to HRX217VKA operate it safely. This manual contains the information on how to do that; please read it carefully. We suggest you read the DISTRIBUTOR’S LIMITED WARRANTY (page 19) and EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY (page 20) to fully understand coverage and your responsibilities of ownership. When your mower needs scheduled maintenance, keep in mind that an authorized Honda servicing dealer is specially trained in servicing Honda mowers and is supported by the parts and service divisions of American Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be pleased to answer your questions and concerns. Keep this owner’s manual handy so you can refer to it at any time. This owner’s manual is considered a permanent part of the lawn mower and should remain with the lawn mower if resold. The information and specifications included in this publication were in effect at the time of approval for printing. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications or design at any time without notice and without incurring any obligation whatever. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.

WARNING:

SAFETY MESSAGES

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. We have

cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

provided important safety messages in this manual and on the mower. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. Please read these messages carefully.

CONTENTS∗

Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the

INTRODUCTION...................................... TRANSPORTING...................................13

hazards associated with operating or maintaining a lawn mower. You

SAFETY MESSAGES.............................. STORAGE..............................................13

must use your own good judgment.

LAWN MOWER SAFETY......................... TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED You will find important safety information in a variety of forms: IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PROBLEMS ...........................................15 PARENTS......................................... TECHNICAL INFORMATION.................16

Safety Labels – on the lawn mower.

SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS.......... SERIAL NUMBER LOCATIONS.....16 Instructions – how to use this mower correctly and safely. SETTING UP YOUR MOWER................. CARBURETOR CONTROL LOCATIONS.......................... MODIFICATION FOR HIGH

Safety Messages – preceded by a safety alert A symbol and one

BEFORE OPERATION ALTITUDE OPERATION ................16

of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. These

IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM....16

signal words mean:

TO GO? AIR INDEX......................................17 CHECK YOUR MOWING AREA SPECIFICATIONS..........................17

You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY

B DANGER GET THE MOWER READY.............. CONSUMER INFORMATION ................18

HURT if you don't follow instructions.

OPERATION............................................ REPLACEMENT PARTS, SAFE OPERATING PRECAUTIONS7 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, AND

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY

B WARNING STARTING THE ENGINE................. SERVICE ITEMS ............................18

HURT if you don't follow instructions.

OPERATING THE CONTROLS DEALER LOCATOR FOR MOWING.................................. INFORMATION ..............................18

You CAN be HURT if you don't follow

B CAUTION STOPPING THE ENGINE CUSTOMER SERVICE

instructions.

SAFE MOWING PRACTICES INFORMATION...............................18 Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER DISTRIBUTOR'S LIMITED what you can do to avoid or reduce injury. MAINTENANCE SAFETY................. WARRANTY ...................................19 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE........... ACCESSORIES, REPLACEMENT

Damage Prevention Messages – You will also see other

BLADES............................................ PARTS, AND APPAREL

important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE. This

GRASS BAG CLEANING AND WARRANTY ...................................19

word means: REPLACEMENT............................. EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

ENGINE MAINTENANCE............... WARRANTY ...................................20

Your lawn mower or other property can be

NOTICE REFUELING

damaged if you don’t follow instructions.

© 2003-2009 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.—All Rights Reserved For more information regarding cable adjustment or how to mow your lawn, see FAQs at www.hondapowerequipment.com/faq

31VH7V23 POM31VH7V23

EM5 K2 IPC.2,430.2009.02

00X31-VH7-V230

PRINTED IN U.S.A.