Honda 00X31-VL0-U540 Owner'S Manual Download Page 9

9

SERVICING YOUR LAWN 
MOWER

Proper maintenance is essential for safe, economical, and 
trouble-free operation. It will also help reduce air pollution.

To help you properly care for your mower, the following pages include 
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and simple 
maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service tasks 
that are more difficult, or require special tools, are best handled by 
professionals and are normally performed by a Honda technician or 
other qualified mechanic.

The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions. If 
you operate your mower under severe conditions, such as sustained 
high-load or high-temperature operation, or use in unusually wet or 
dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer for recommendations 
applicable to your individual needs and use.

Remember that an authorized Honda servicing dealer knows your 
mower best and is fully equipped to maintain and repair it.

To ensure the best quality and reliability, use only new, Honda 
Genuine parts or their equivalents for repair and replacement.

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed by any engine repair 
establishment or individual, using parts that are “certified” to 
EPA standards.

MAINTENANCE SAFETY

Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we 
cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in 
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you 

should perform a given task.

Safety Precautions

• Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or 

repairs. This will eliminate several potential hazards:

Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust.

Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate
the engine.

Burns from hot parts.

Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching.

Injury from moving parts.

Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.

• Read the instructions before you begin, and make sure you have 

the tools and skills required.

• To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when 

working around gasoline. Use only a nonflammable solvent, not 
gasoline, to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away 
from all fuel-related parts.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE  

1. Service more frequently when used in dusty areas.

2. These items should be serviced by an authorized Honda servicing 

dealer, unless you have the proper tools and are mechanically 
proficient. Refer to the Honda shop manual for service procedures.

Failure to follow this maintenance schedule could result in 
non-warrantable failures.

B

 WARNING

Improper maintenance, or failure to correct a problem 
before operation, can cause a malfunction in which you 
can be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the inspection and maintenance 
recommendations and schedules in this owner’s manual.

B

 WARNING

Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and 
precautions can cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the procedures and precautions in this 
owner’s manual.

Interval

Item

Before each use

Inspect the blade(s) (page 10)
Check the rear shield (page 5)
Check the blade torque (page 11)
Check the grass bag (HRR) (page 11)
Check the engine oil level (page 12)
Check the air filter (page 12)

First month or 
5 hours

Change the engine oil (page 12)

Every year or 
25 hours

Clean the air filter 

(page 12)

Every 50 hours

Clean the air filter 

(page 12)

Change the engine oil 

(page 12)

Adjust the Smart Drive cable 

2

Every 100 hours

Clean the air filter 

(page 12)

Change the engine oil 

(page 12)

Inspect-adjust the spark plug (page 13)
Clean-check the spark arrester (page 13)
Check operation of the blade control lever 
(page 13)
Adjust the throttle cable 

2

Adjust the Smart Drive cable 

2

Check the flywheel brake pad 

2

Grease the pinion gears 

2

Every 150 hours

Change the engine oil 

(page 12)

Replace the air filter 

(page 12)

Replace the spark plug (page 13)
Adjust the valve clearance 

2

 

Adjust the idle speed 

2

Clean the fuel tank and filter 

2

After every 250 
hours

Clean the combustion chamber 

2

Every 2 years

Check the fuel line and replace if necessary 

2

Summary of Contents for 00X31-VL0-U540

Page 1: ...orrectly and safely Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert A symbol and one of three signal words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION These signal words mean Each message tells you what the hazard is what c...

Page 2: ...PORTANT to Honda That s why we urge you to read this message before letting your child operate this lawn mower Lawn mowers are tools not toys As with any equipment bad judgments can result in serious...

Page 3: ...All Honda engines are run at the factory prior to packaging Most of the oil is removed prior to shipment however some oil remains in the engine The amount of oil left in the engine varies If not usin...

Page 4: ...ank will help to eliminate or reduce operating interruptions for refueling CHECK YOUR MOWING AREA For your safety and the safety of others always inspect the area before operating the lawn mower Objec...

Page 5: ...chute as shown Mulching Plug HRR The mulching plug helps to curve the inside of the mower deck for more efficient mulching Install and remove the mulching plug by raising the rear discharge guard as...

Page 6: ...en if you have operated other mowers take time to become familiar with how this mower works and practice in a safe area until you build up your skills For your safety avoid starting or operating the e...

Page 7: ...hold it against the handlebar to propel the mower forward Release the clutch lever to stop the mower s forward movement Always release the clutch lever before starting the engine If the clutch is enga...

Page 8: ...wer deck or other components Vibration usually indicates serious trouble The DISTRIBUTOR S LIMITED WARRANTY page 20 does not cover parts damaged by collision Gravel and Loose Objects Gravel loose ston...

Page 9: ...egin and make sure you have the tools and skills required To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion be careful when working around gasoline Use only a nonflammable solvent not gasoline to clean p...

Page 10: ...ning the blade s or causing imbalance or poor cutting the blade s should be sharpened by trained staff at an authorized Honda servicing dealer BLADE REPLACEMENT Use Honda Genuine replacement blade s o...

Page 11: ...nsert the frame into the bag as shown 2 Clip the plastic edges of the bag onto the frame as shown ENGINE MAINTENANCE Engine Oil Level Check 1 Unscrew and remove the filler cap dipstick and wipe it cle...

Page 12: ...nd using 2 stroke oil can damage the engine Air Cleaner Service A dirty air cleaner will restrict air flow to the carburetor reducing engine performance If you operate the mower in very dusty areas cl...

Page 13: ...e spark plug cap on the spark plug Spark Arrester Service optional equipment Your lawn mower engine is not factory equipped with a spark arrester In some areas it is illegal to operate an engine witho...

Page 14: ...e bed of the transport vehicle Tie the mower down with rope or straps and block the wheels Keep the tie down rope or straps away from the controls adjustment levers cables and the carburetor Fold the...

Page 15: ...ing from neglected storage preparation Engine Oil Change the engine oil page 12 Engine Cylinder 1 Remove the spark plug page 13 2 Pour 1 2 teaspoons 5 10 cc of clean engine oil into the cylinder to ke...

Page 16: ...logged Clean out the mower deck page 14 Air filter is clogged Clean or replace the air filter page 12 Bad fuel mower stored without treating gasoline or refueled with bad gasoline Refuel with fresh ga...

Page 17: ...ions control system may increase emissions beyond the legal limit Among those acts that constitute tampering are Removal or alteration of any part of the intake fuel or exhaust systems Altering or def...

Page 18: ...del GCV160 Engine type 4 stroke overhead cam single cylinder air cooled Displacement 9 8 cu in 160 cc Bore and stroke 2 52 x 1 97 in 64 x 50 mm Compression ratio 8 5 1 Ignition system Transistorized m...

Page 19: ...publications will give you additional information for maintaining and repairing your lawn mower Shop Manual This manual covers complete maintenance and overhaul procedures It is intended to be used by...

Page 20: ...l rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state Honda Accessories Replacement Parts And Apparel This warranty is limited to Honda Power Equipment parts accessories and appar...

Page 21: ...nda approved replacement parts may be used in the performance of any warranty repairs and must be provided without charge to the owner The use of replacement parts not equivalent to the original parts...

Page 22: ...NOTES...

Page 23: ...NLINE www hondapowerequipment com commercial rental users check one private homeowner use for hire use Owner s Last Name Company Name Address City Date of Purchase First Name Telephone State ZIP Code...

Page 24: ...RETTA GA 30005 9956 POWER EQUIPMENT DIVISION Product Registration FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO 117 ALPHARETTA GA 1 Go www hondapowerequipment com to register your unit 2 Click on Product Registration 3...

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