Honda HRX217HYU, Owner'S Manual

18

AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS

When properly maintained, your Honda lawn mower should provide years of trouble-free operation. This includes the fuel system. However, 
petrol can quickly deteriorate (in as little as 30 days) causing starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel system. Most 
fuel-related problems can be avoided by following the precautions listed below. Fuel system damage and engine performance problems 
resulting from deteriorated petrol are not covered by the 

Limited Warranty

 (see page 22).

Follow These Precautions to Prevent Most Fuel-Related Problems

During the Normal Mowing Season

Reason

Do not use petrol containing more than 10% ethanol (E10). Not all 
automotive fuel is safe to use in your power product.

Higher levels of ethanol in fuel attract water, and can corrode or 
damage the fuel system and cause performance problems. 

Store fuel in a clean, plastic, sealed container approved for fuel 
storage. 
Store your fuel supply container away from direct sunlight; if the 
container has a vent, keep it closed.

A plastic container eliminates the risk of rust and metallic 
contaminants from a metal container entering the fuel system.
fuel will deteriorate faster when exposed to air and sunlight.

Purchase only enough fuel to last for 1 to 2 months (about 30 to 60 
days).
If you purchase enough fuel to last for more than 60 days, add a fuel 
stabilizer to your storage container when you fill it.

Fuel deteriorates with age so try to avoid storing it for long periods, 
especially in summer heat.
Fuel stabilizer will extend the shelf life of fuel, but it will not 
reconstitute stale fuel.

Keep the lawn mower’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use. 
Turn the fuel valve OFF.

If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel 
deterioration.

Keep the air filter clean and properly serviced. Check it before each 
use.

A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the 
carburetor. The small passages inside the carburetor can become 
blocked.

3 to 4 Weeks Before Next Use

Reason

Keep the lawn mower’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use. 
Turn the fuel valve OFF.

If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel 
deterioration.

Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position, start the engine and let it run 
approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the 
engine stops. 

The small amount of fuel in your engine’s carburetor will deteriorate 
faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small volume and heat 
from the engine.

1 to 3 Months Before Next Use

Reason

If you did not add fuel stabilizer to your fuel storage container when 
you filled it up, fill your product’s fuel tank with fresh fuel. 

If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel 
deterioration.

Add fuel stabilizer to the lawn mower’s fuel tank according to the 
stabilizer manufacturer’s instructions. 

Fuel stabilizer will extend the life of fuel, but it will not reconstitute 
stale fuel.

Run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes. 

This makes sure treated fuel has replaced untreated fuel throughout 
the fuel system.

Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position, start the engine, and let it 
run approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the 
engine stops. 

The small amount of fuel in your engine’s carburetor will deteriorate 
faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small volume and heat 
from the engine.

More Than 3 Months Before Next Use

Reason

Start the engine and let it run long enough to empty all the fuel from 
the entire fuel system, including the fuel tank. 
Do not allow fuel to remain in your lawn mower’s fuel tank for more 
than 3 months (about 90 days) of inactivity.

All fuel stabilizers have a shelf life. It is good practice to empty the 
fuel system for long term inactivity.