HONDA HRC216PDA User Manual
HONDA Gardening equipment

1
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.
We want to help you get the best results from your new mower and to 
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 20) and EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY 
(page 21) 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.
SAFETY MESSAGES
Your safety and the safety of others are very important. We have 
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.
Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the 
hazards associated with operating or maintaining a lawn mower. You 
must use your own good judgment.
You will find important safety information in a variety of forms:
• Safety Labels – on the lawn mower.
• Instructions – how to use this mower correctly and safely.
• Safety Messages – preceded by a safety alert
 symbol and one
of three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. These 
signal words mean:
Each message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen, and 
what you can do to avoid or reduce injury.
• Damage Prevention Messages – You will also see other
important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE. This 
word means:
CONTENTS
∗
∗ For lawn mowing tips, see FAQs at
www.hondapowerequipment.com/faq.com
 DANGER
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY 
HURT if you don't follow instructions.
 WARNING
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY 
HURT if you don't follow instructions.
 CAUTION
You CAN be HURT if you don't follow 
instructions.
NOTICE
Your mower or other property can be 
damaged if you don’t follow instructions.
INTRODUCTION...................................... 1
SAFETY MESSAGES .............................. 1
LAWN MOWER SAFETY......................... 2
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO
EMPLOYERS ................................... 2
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO
PARENTS......................................... 2
SAFETY LABEL LOCATIONS.......... 3
SETTING UP YOUR NEW MOWER........ 3
CONTROL LOCATIONS.......................... 5
BEFORE OPERATION ............................ 6
IS YOUR LAWN MOWER READY
TO GO? ............................................ 6
CHECK YOUR MOWING AREA ...... 6
GET THE MOWER READY.............. 6
OPERATION ............................................ 7
MOWING PRECAUTIONS ............... 7
STARTING THE ENGINE................. 7
OPERATING THE CONTROLS
FOR MOWING.................................. 8
STOPPING THE ENGINE ................ 8
SAFE MOWING PRACTICES .......... 8
SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER ....... 9
MAINTENANCE SAFETY................. 9
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ........... 9
BLADES.......................................... 10
GRASS BAG CLEANING AND
REPLACEMENT............................. 11
ENGINE MAINTENANCE............... 11
REFUELING ................................... 14
TRANSPORTING................................... 14
STORAGE.............................................. 14
PROBLEMS ........................................... 16
TECHNICAL INFORMATION................. 16
SERIAL NUMBER LOCATIONS..... 16
CARBURETOR
MODIFICATION FOR HIGH
ALTITUDE OPERATION ................ 17
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM .... 17
AIR INDEX ...................................... 18
SPECIFICATIONS .......................... 18
CONSUMER INFORMATION ................ 19
REPLACEMENT PARTS,
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, AND
SERVICE ITEMS ............................ 19
DEALER LOCATION
INFORMATION............................... 19
CUSTOMER SERVICE
INFORMATION............................... 19
DISTRIBUTOR'S LIMITED
WARRANTY ................................... 20
ACCESSORIES, REPLACEMENT
PARTS, AND APPAREL
WARRANTY ................................... 20
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY ................................... 21
OWNER’S MANUAL
HRC216PDA
IPC
WARNING:
The engine exhaust from this product contains
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
© 2004–2008 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.—All Rights Reserved
31VK6613
00X31-VK6-6130
EM5
POM31VK6613
1200.2008.03
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
IPC
K3
Document Outline
- INTRODUCTION
- SAFETY MESSAGES
- CONTENTS
- LAWN MOWER SAFETY
- SETTING UP YOUR NEW MOWER
- CONTROL LOCATIONS
- BEFORE OPERATION
- OPERATION
- SERVICING YOUR LAWN MOWER
- TRANSPORTING
- STORAGE
- TAKING CARE OF UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS
- TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- CONSUMER INFORMATION
