Honda ARX1200T3DXT3N3 2005 Owner's Manual

2005 Honda ARX1200T3DX/T3/N3 AQUATRAX F-12X with GPScape/F-12X/F-12 OWNER’S MANUAL

Introduction

Congratulations on choosing your Honda personal watercraft (PWC).

When you own a Honda, you’re part of a worldwide family of satisfied customers –– people who appreciate Honda’s reputation for building quality into every product.

Your Honda was designed as a recreational PWC for use by one operator and one or two passengers.

Before riding, take time to get acquainted 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 preride checks and post-ride maintenance detailed in this manual.

Introduction

We also recommend that you read this owner’s manual before you ride. It’s full of facts, instructions, safety information, and helpful tips. To make it easy to use, the manual contains a table of contents, a detailed list of topics at the beginning of each section, and an index at the back of the book.

As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded by a symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Honda, other property, or the environment.

NOTICE

Introduction

Read the Warranties Booklet (page 261) thoroughly so you understand the coverages that protect your new Honda and are aware of your rights and responsibilities.

As a PWC owner, you have joined a larger community of riders who want to ensure that there are places to ride. So when you ride, be considerate of other boaters, swimmers, and people on shore. Keep noise levels down, don’t jump wakes, and only ride in areas where it’s legal to ride PWCs.

If you have any questions about your PWC, or if you ever need special service or repairs, remember that your Honda PWC dealer 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.

You may also want to visit our website at www. honda.com.

For a list of authorized Honda PWC dealers, please refer to the following website: www. hondamotorcycle.com, or call customer service at 1-310-532-9811.

Happy riding!

California Proposition 65 Warning WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

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 in formation 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 instructions.

You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t follow instructions.

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

These pages give an overview of the contents of your owner’s manual. The first page of each section lists the topics covered in that section.

PWC Safety · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1

Important safety information you should know, plus a look at the safety related labels on your PWC.

Instruments & Controls · · · · · · · · · · · · 11

The location and function of indicators and controls on your PWC and operating instructions for various controls and features.

Contents

GPScape System (ARX1200T3DX only)

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 57

Instructions for use of your PWC Navigation System.

Before Riding · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 87

The importance of wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) and other protective gear, how to make sure you and your PWC are ready to ride, and important information about loading.

Basic Operation & Riding· · · · · · · · · · 103

How to start and stop the engine, and operate the PWC. Also, riding precautions and important information about launching your PWC and riding with passengers.

Contents

Servicing Your Honda · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 137

Why your PWC needs regular maintenance, what you need to know before servicing your Honda, an owner maintenance schedule, and instructions for specific maintenance and adjustment items.

Tips · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 205

How to store and transport your PWC and how to be an environmentally-responsible rider.

Taking Care of the Unexpected· · · · · · · 217

What to do if you capsize, your engine won’t start, etc.

Technical Information · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 239

Serial numbers, technical specifications, and other technical facts.

Consumer Information · · · · · · · · · · · · · 257

Information on warranties, emission controls, how to get Honda service manuals, and...

“Reporting Safety Defects” · · · · · · · · 266

Table of Contents · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 268

Sequential listing of topics in this owner’s manual.

Index · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 274

Quick Reference

Handy facts about fuel, engine oil, and spark plugs.

Contents

PWC Safety

This section presents some of the most important information and recommendations 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.

Important Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . .2

Safety Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

PWC Safety

Important Safety Information

Your Honda PWC is a high performance boat, not a toy. Honda recommends that it be operated by someone at least 16 years old.

Your PWC can provide many years of service and pleasure – if you take responsibility for your safety and understand the challenges you can meet while riding.

There is much that you can do to protect yourself when you ride. You’ll find many helpful recommendations throughout this manual. The following are a few that we consider most important.

PWC Safety

Avoid Collisions

The most common type of PWC accident is colliding with another vessel. In addition, collisions result in more injuries and deaths than any other type of PWC accident.

Understanding how your PWC operates is key to avoiding collisions. Your PWC does not have brakes, so you must plan ahead if you are slowing to a stop. Your PWC is propelled by jet thrust (page 105), so the engine must be on with throttle applied to accelerate or turn. Without jet thrust, you will not be able to steer (page 124).

Important Safety Information

Ride Defensively

Watching out for other water users around you and knowing the rules of the waterway can help keep you out of trouble (page 106). Keep a safe distance away from people, objects, and other watercraft. Remember that if you are on a collision course, it’s your responsibility to avoid the collision. For other riding tips, see the Personal Watercraft Rider’s Handbook that came with your PWC.

Wear a PFD and Protective Clothing

When you ride your PWC, you must wear a Coast Guard-approved Type I , II or III PFD (personal flotation device). It’s the law in all states, and it could save your life. In addition, you should wear appropriate protective clothing, including a wetsuit bottom or equivalent, footwear, gloves and eye protection (page 88).

PWC Safety

Important Safety Information

Get Training

According to the Coast Guard, more than 85% of all fatalities involved people who did not have boating instruction. You can receive boating and PWC instruction from a number of different agencies (page 91).

Even if you have ridden other PWCs, take time to become familiar with how this PWC works and handles. Practice in a safe area, away from boats and swimmers, until you build your skills and get accustomed to the PWC’s size and handling.

PWC Safety

Ride within Your Limits

Pushing limits can increase the risk of loss of control and collision. Never ride beyond your personal abilities or faster than conditions permit. Remember that alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and inattention can significantly reduce your ability to make good judgements and ride safely.

Don’t Drink and Ride

Alcohol and boating don’t mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to 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.

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 97), and do not remove any original equipment or modify your PWC in any way that would change its design or operation.

Important Safety Information

PWC Safety

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

WEAR A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) . All riders must wear a Coast Guard

approved PFD that is suitable for personal watercraft (PWC) use. WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. Severe internal injuries can occur if water is forced

into body cavities as a result of falling into water or being near jet thrust nozzle Normal swimwear does not adequately protect against forceful water entry into lower body cavities. All riders must wear a wet suit bottom or clothing that provides equivalent protection ( See Owner's Manual ) . Footwear, gloves, and goggles/glasses are recommended.

KNOW BOATING LAWS. Honda recommends a minimum operator age of 16 years old. Know the operator age and training requirements for your state. A boating safety course is recommended and may be required in your state.

ATTACH ENGINE SHUT-OFF CORD (LANYARD) to wrist and keep it free from handlebars so that engine stops if operator falls off. After riding, remove cord from PWC to avoid unauthorized use by children or others.

RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS AND AVOID AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERS to reduce the risk of loss of control, ejection, and collision. This is a high performance boat - not a toy. Sharp turns or jumping wakes or waves can increase the risk of back/spinal injury (paralysis), facial injuries, and broken legs, ankles, and other bones. Do not jump wakes or waves.

DO NOT APPLY THROTTLE WHEN ANYONE IS AT REAR OF PWC - turn engine off or keep engine at idle. Water and/or debris exiting jet thrust nozzle can cause severe injury.

KEEP AWAY FROM INTAKE GRATE while engine is on. Items such as long hair, loose clothing, or PFD straps can become entangled in moving parts resulting in severe injury or drowning.

NEVER RIDE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL READ AND FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL

To reduce the risk of SEVERE INJURY or DEATH:

Jet Thrust Nozzle

Intake Grate

PFD

Wet Suit Bottom

PWC Safety

Safety Labels

WARNING

Collisions result in more INJURIES AND DEATHS than any other type of accident

TO AVOID COLLISIONS: SCAN CONSTANTLY for people, objects, and other watercraft. Be alert for

conditions that limit your visibility or block your vision of others. OPERATE DEFENSIVELY at safe speeds and keep a safe distance away from people, objects, and other watercraft.

Do not follow directly behind PWCs or other boats. Do not go near others to spray or splash them with water. Avoid sharp turns or other maneuvers that make it hard for others to avoid you or understand where you are going. Avoid areas with submerged objects or shallow water.

TAKE EARLY ACTION to avoid collisions. Remember, PWCs and other boats do not have brakes. DO NOT RELEASE THROTTLE WHEN TRYING TO STEER away from objects - you need throttle to steer.

Always check throttle and steering controls for proper operation before starting PWC. Follow navigation rules and state and local laws that apply to PWCs. See Owner's Manual for more information.

for personal watercraft (PWC).

PWC Safety

Safety Labels

WARNING

Overloading or improperly loading the PWC can make it difficult to control and could result in an accident. See Owner's Manual for loading information.

WARNING

Storing fuel in this compartment can be a fire or explosion hazard which can result in injury or death. Do not store fuel or other flammable liquids in this unventilated compartment.

PWC Safety

WARNING

Starting the engine without ventilating the engine compartment can cause a fire or explosion. See Owner's Manual.

WARNING

Shifting to reverse while moving forward can cause abrupt deceleration. You and your passengers can be seriously injured. See Owner's Manual.

Safety Labels

WARNING

Towing a skier, another watercraft, or other heavy items can make the PWC difficult to control and could result in an accident. See Owner's Manual for towing information.

(ARX1200T3DX only)

PWC Safety

Instruments & Controls

This section shows the location of all gauges, indicators, and controls you would normally use before or while riding your PWC.

The items listed on this page are described in this section. Instructions for other components are presented in other sections of this manual where they will be most useful.

Component Locations Multi-function Display

WP SET Button (ARX1200T3DX) . . . . 27

SET Button (ARX1200T3/N3) . . . . . . . . 27

MODE Button (ARX1200T3DX) . . . . . 28

MODE Button (ARX1200T3/N3) . . . . . 29

ID SET Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

ID No. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Low Oil Pressure Indicator Engine Cooling Water Temperature Indicator Low Battery Voltage Indicator Fuel Gauge and Low Fuel Indicator Digital Clock (ARX1200T3DX) Digital Clock (ARX1200T3/N3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

. . . . . . . . . 31

. . . . . . . 33

. . . . 34

. . . . . . 35

. . . . . . 37

(cont’d)

Instruments & Controls

Controls & Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

ID Lock System Limit Mode Start Button Engine Stop Button/Switch Safety Lanyard & Lock Clip

Handlebar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Throttle Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Reverse Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Jet Pump Water Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Cooling Water Bypass Outlet . . . . . . . . . 51

Bilge Drain Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Flushing Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Jet Pump Steering Nozzle . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Bow & Stern Eyelets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Grab Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Seat Strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Boarding Step (ARX1200T3DX) . . . . . .56

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . . 47

. . . . . . . . 48

Instruments & Controls

Component Locations

(ARX1200T3DX)

display control buttons

rearview mirror

start button

lock clip

safety lanyard

front hood latch

multi-function display

engine stop button/switch

(ARX1200T3/N3)

front hood latch

muiti-function display

rearview mirror

throttle lever throttle lever

rearview mirror

start button

engine stop button/switch

lock clip

safety lanyard

Instruments & Controls

indicators

display control buttons

rearview mirror

Component Locations

hood

Instruments & Controls

front storage compartment

bow eyelet

fuel fill cap

seat strap

handlebar

reverse lever

front seat

rear seat

sponson

fire extinguisher compartment tool kit compartment

Component Locations

rear seat latch

grab rail

stern eyelet

stern eyelets (ARX1200T3DX only)

boarding step (ARX1200T3DX only)

glove box

sponson

front seat latch

Instruments & Controls

Component Locations

rear seat latch

grab rail

stern eyelet

stern eyelets (ARX1200T3DX only)

boarding step (ARX1200T3DX only)

glove box

sponson

front seat latch

Instruments & Controls

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

footboard

jet pump water intake

grate

engine compartment

UNDER HULL

ride plate

drive shaft

Component Locations

air box drain tube

oil filler cap/dipstick

air filter

throttle adjuster

Instruments & Controls

joint

bilge strainerspark plugsoil filter

oil drain pipe cap

fuse box

batterymaintenance

Multi-function Display

The multi-function display and beeper on your PWC keep you informed, alert you to possible problems, and make your riding more enjoyable. Refer to the display frequently. Its functions are described on the following pages.

(ARX1200T3DX)

(1)

(17)

(16)

(15)

(14)

(ARX1200T3/N3)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(13)

(11)(10)(13)

(4) (5) (6)

(12)

(11)

(6) (7) (2)

(4)

(7)

(5)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(15)

(14)

(8)(9)(12)

(1) tachometer (2) LIMIT MODE indicator (3) WARNING lamp (4) low oil pressure indicator (5) PGM-FI malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) (6) low battery voltage indicator (7) engine cooling water temperature indicator (8) ID No. button

(9) ID SET button (10) fuel gauge (11) low fuel indicator (12) multi-function meter (13) speedometer (14) MODE button (15) WP/SET button (ARX1200T3DX)

SET button (ARX1200T3/N3) (16) minus button (ARX1200T3DX) (17) plus button (ARX1200T3DX)

Instruments & Controls

Multi-function Display

Display Check

After inserting the lock clip in the engine stop button/switch or after releasing the ID lock system, the beeper sounds twice and all the segments of the multi-function display, except the tachometer, will appear. Then all tachometer segments will turn on and off in sequence. After the check is complete, you will see the normal displays.

If any part of these displays does not come on when it should, have your Honda PWC dealer check for problems.

Instruments & Controls

(ARX1200T3DX)

(1)

(2)

(ARX1200T3/N3)

(1)

(2)

(1) multi-function display (2) tachometer

Multi-function Display

1 tachometer Shows engine speed in revolutions per minute

(rpm).

2 LIMIT MODE indicator Comes on when the limit mode is activated and

continues to flash while the mode is active (page 46). This indicator is usually off.

3 WARNING lamp Flashes under the following conditions:

(1) The remaining fuel is low. (2) There is a fault in the fuel system. (3) The engine oil pressure is low. (4) The engine cooling water temperature is high. (5) There is any abnormality in the PGM-FI system. (6) The battery voltage is low (below approx. 11.5 V). If the indicator flashes, immediately take the shortest route to land.

Instruments & Controls

Multi-function Display

4 low oil pressure indicator Flashes when the engine oil pressure is low enough

to cause engine damage. If the indicator flashes, immediately take the shortest route to land, then see page 224 for instructions and cautions. This indicator is usually off.

5 PGM-FI malfunction indicator Flashes when there is some abnormality in the

lamp (MIL) PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) system.

Occasionally, depending on the abnormality, engine revs may be limited to less than 3,000 rpm. In extreme cases, the engine will stop. If the indicator flashes, immediately take the shortest route to land. If the engine stops, tow your PWC to land. This indicator is usually off.

Instruments & Controls

+ 262 hidden pages