Honda HRA215 Owner's Manual page 24

5. PRE-OPERATION CHECK
Fuel Recommendation
Pump octane rating: 86 or higher.
We recommend unleaded fuel because it produces fewer engine and spark plug
deposits and extends exhaust system life.
Never use stale or contaminated gasoline or an oillgasoline mixture. Avoid getting
dirt or water in the fuel tank.
Occasionally you may hear light "spark knock" or "pinging" (metallic rapping noise)
while operating under heavy loads. This is no cause for concern.
If spark knock or pinging occurs at a steady engine speed, under normal load,
change brands of gasoline. If spark knock or pinging persists, see an authorized
Honda lawn mower dealer.
1 IMPORTANT NCTfCE 1 Running the engine with persistent spark knock
or pinging can cause engine damage.
NOTE: Running the engine with persistent spark knock or pinging is considered
misuse, and the Distributor's Limited Warranty does not cover parts damaged by
misuse.
GASOLINES CONTAINING ALCOHOL
If you decide to use a gasoline containing alcohol (gasohol), be sure its pump octane
rating is 86 or higher. There are two types of "gasohol": one containing ethanol,
and the other containing methanol.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Using gasohol that contains more than 10%
ethanol, or gasoline containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that does
not also contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol, can cause
serious fuel system damage and poor engine performance.
Never use gasoline containing more than 5% methanol, even if it has cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors.
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Honda does not endorse the use of fuels containing methanol, since evidence of
their suitability is as yet incomplete.
NOTE: Fuel system damage, or engine performance problems resulting from the
use of fuels that contain alcohol, is not covered under the warranty.
Before buying fuel from an unfamiliar station, first determine if the fuel contains
alcohol; if it does, find out the type and percentage of alcohol used.
NOTE: If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms while using a gasoline
that contains alcohol, or one that you think contains alcohol, switch to a gasoline
that you know does not contain alcohol.
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