2003 Honda ARX1200T2 AQUATRAX R-12X OWNER’S MANUAL Introduction Congratulations on choosing your Honda We also recommend that you read this personal watercraft (PWC). owner’s manual before you ride. It’s full of facts, instructions, safety information, and When you own a Honda, you’re part of a helpful tips. To make it easy to use, the worldwide family of satisfied customers manual contains a table of contents, a detailed people who appreciate Honda’s reputation for list of topics at the beginning of each section, building quality into every product. and an index at the back of the book. Your Honda was designed as a recreational As you read this manual, you will find PWC for use by one operator and one information that is preceded by a NOTICE passenger. symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Honda, other Before riding, take time to get acquainted property, or the environment. with your PWC and how it works. To protect your investment, we urge you to take responsibility for keeping your PWC well maintained. Scheduled service is a must, of course. But it’s just as important to observe the break-in guidelines, and perform all pre- ride checks and post-ride maintenance detailed in this manual. Introduction Introduction Read the Warranties Booklet (page 221) You may also want to visit our website at thoroughly so you understand the coverages www. honda.com. that protect your new Honda and are aware of your rights and responsibilities. For a list of authorized Honda PWC dealers, please refer to the following website: As a PWC owner, you have joined a larger www. hondamotorcycle.com, or call customer community of riders who want to ensure that service at 1-310-532-9811. there are places to ride. So when you ride, be considerate of other boaters, swimmers, and Happy riding! people on shore. Keep noise levels down, don’t jump wakes, and only ride in areas California Proposition 65 Warning where it’s legal to ride PWCs. WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components If you have any questions about your PWC, contain or emit chemicals known to the State or if you ever need special service or repairs, of California to cause cancer and birth defects remember that your Honda PWC dealer or other reproductive harm. knows your PWC best and is dedicated to your complete satisfaction. Please report any change of address or ownership to your Honda PWC dealer so we will be able to contact you concerning important production information. Introduction A Few Words About Safety Your safety, and the safety of others, is very important. And operating this PWC safely is an important responsibility. To help you make informed decisions about safety, we have provided operating procedures and other information on labels and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others. Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all hazards associated with operating or maintaining a PWC. You must use your own good judgment. You will find important safety information in a variety of forms, including : • Safety Labels — on the PWC. • Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of three signal words : DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. These signal words mean : Safety Messages A Few Words About Safety You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow DANGER 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. • Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important Safety Precautions. • Safety Section — such as PWC Safety. • Instructions — how to use this PWC correctly and safely. This entire manual is filled with important safety information — please read it carefully. Safety Messages Contents These pages give an overview of the contents Before Riding · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 51 of your owner’s manual. The first page of The importance of wearing a personal each section lists the topics covered in that flotation device (PFD) and other protective section. gear, how to make sure you and your PWC are ready to ride, and important information PWC Safety · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1 about loading. Important safety information you should know, plus a look at the safety related labels Basic Operation & Riding· · · · · · · · · · 67 on your PWC. How to start and stop the engine, and operate the PWC. Also, riding precautions Instruments & Controls · · · · · · · · · · · 11 and important information about launching The location and function of indicators and your PWC and riding with a passenger. controls on your PWC and operating instructions for various controls and features. Contents Contents Servicing Your Honda · · · · · · · · · · · · · 99 Technical Information · · · · · · · · · · · · 199 Why your PWC needs regular maintenance, Serial numbers, technical specifications, what you need to know before servicing and other technical facts. your Honda, an owner maintenance schedule, and instructions for specific Consumer Information · · · · · · · · · · · · 217 maintenance and adjustment items. Information on warranties, emission controls, how to get Honda service Tips · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 167 manuals, and... How to store and transport your PWC and “Reporting Safety Defects” · · · · · · · 225 how to be an environmentally-responsible rider. Table of Contents · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 226 Sequential listing of topics in this owner’s Taking Care of the Unexpected · · · · · · 179 manual. What to do if you capsize, your engine won’t start, etc. Index · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 230 Quick Reference Handy facts about fuel, engine oil, and spark plugs. Contents PWC Safety This section presents some of the most Important Safety Information . .2 important information and recommendations Safety Labels . .6 to help you operate your PWC safely. Please take a few moments to read these pages. This section also includes information about the location of safety labels on your PWC. PWC Safety 1 Important Safety Information Your Honda PWC is a high performance boat, Avoid Collisions not a toy. Honda recommends that it be The most common type of PWC accident is operated by someone at least 16 years old. colliding with another vessel. In addition, collisions result in more injuries and deaths Your PWC can provide many years of service than any other type of PWC accident. and pleasure – if you take responsibility for your safety and understand the challenges Understanding how your PWC operates is you can meet while riding. key to avoid collisions. Your PWC does not have brakes, so you must plan ahead if you There is much that you can do to protect are slowing to a stop. Your PWC is propelled yourself when you ride. You’ll find many by jet thrust (page 69), so the engine must be helpful recommendations throughout this on with throttle applied to accelerate or turn. manual. The following are a few that we Without jet thrust, you will not be able to consider most important. steer (page 88). 2 PWC Safety Important Safety Information Ride Defensively Wear a PFD and Protective Clothing Watching out for other water users around When you ride your PWC, you must wear a you and knowing the rules of the waterway Coast Guard-approved Type I , II or III PFD can help you out of trouble (page 70). Keep a (personal flotation device). It’s the law in all safe distance away from people, objects, and states, and it could save your life. In addition, other watercraft. Remember that if you are on you should wear appropriate protective a collision course, it s your responsibility to clothing, including a wet suit bottom or avoid the collision. For other riding tips, see equivalent, footwear, gloves and eye the Personal Watercraft Rider’s Handbook protection (page 53). that came with your PWC. PWC Safety 3 Important Safety Information Get Training Ride within Your Limits According to the Coast Guard, more than Pushing limits can increase the risk of loss of 85% of all fatalities involved people who did control and collision. Never ride beyond your not have boating instruction. You can receive personal abilities or faster than conditions boating and PWC instruction from a number permit. Remember that alcohol, drugs, of different agencies (page 55). fatigue, and inattention can significantly reduce your ability to make good judgements Even if you have ridden other PWCs, take and ride safely. time to become familiar with how this PWC works and handles. Practice in a safe area, Don’t Drink and Ride away from boats and swimmers, until you Alcohol and boating don’t mix. Even one build your skills and get accustomed to the drink can reduce your ability to respond to PWC’s size and handling. changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink and ride, and don’t let your friends drink and ride either. 4 PWC Safety Important Safety Information Keep Your Honda in Safe Condition It’s important to keep your PWC properly maintained and in safe riding condition. To help avoid problems, inspect your PWC before every ride and perform all recommended maintenance. Never exceed load limits (page 61), and do not remove any original equipment or modify your PWC in any way that would change its design or operation. PWC Safety 5 Safety Labels Safety labels on your PWC either warn you of potential hazards that could cause serious injury or they provide important safety information. Read these labels carefully and don’t remove them. If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact your Honda PWC dealer for a replacement. WARNING To reduce the risk of SEVERE INJURY or DEATH: PFD WEAR A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) . All riders must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD that is suitable for personal watercraft (PWC) use.