Honda ARX1500 2009 Owner's Manual

2009
Honda ARX1500T3DX/T3/N3
AQUATRAX F-15X with GPScape/F-15X/F-15
OWNER

’S MANUAL

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.

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.

Introduction

Introduction

NOTICE

Read the Warranties Booklet (page 263)
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 product 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:
http://powersports.honda.com/, or call Customer
Support at 1-866-784-1870 (USA only).

Happy riding!

California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: This product contains or emits
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.

Introduction

Introduction

A Few Words About Safety

Safety Messages

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 judgement.

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 :

A Few Words About Safety

Safety Messages

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.

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.

GPScape System
(ARX1500T3DX only)

· · · · · · · · · · · · 59

Instructions for use of your PWC
Navigation System.

Before Riding · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 89

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· · · · · · · · · · 107

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

Contents

Contents

Servicing Your Honda · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 141

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 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 209

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

Taking Care of the Unexpected· · · · · · · 219

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

Technical Information · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 241

Serial numbers, technical specifications,
and other technical facts.

Consumer Information · · · · · · · · · · · · · 259

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

“Reporting Safety Defects” · · · · · · · · 268

Table of Contents · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 270

Sequential listing of topics in this owner’s
manual.

Index · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 276

Quick Reference

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

Contents

PWC Safety

PWC Safety

1

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

Important Safety Information

PWC Safety

2

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 to be most important.

Avoid Collisions

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

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 109), so the
engine must be on with throttle applied to
accelerate or turn. Without jet thrust, you will
not be able to steer (page 128).

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 110).
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 wet suit bottom or
equivalent, footwear, gloves and eye
protection (page 90).

PWC Safety

3

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 93).

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.

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.

PWC Safety

4

Important Safety Information

PWC Safety

5

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

PWC Safety

Safety Labels

6

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.

Safety Labels

PWC Safety

7

8

PWC Safety

Safety Labels

9

PWC Safety

Safety Labels

(USA only)

(ARX1500T3DX only)

PWC Safety

10

Instruments & Controls

Instruments & Controls

11

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

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

Multi-function Display

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

WP SET Button (ARX1500T3DX) . . . . 28

SET Button (ARX1500T3/N3) . . . . . . . . 28

MODE Button (ARX1500T3DX) . . . . . 29

MODE Button (ARX1500T3/N3) . . . . . 30

ID SET Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

ID No. Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

. . . . . . . . . 32

High Engine Cooling Water Temperature
Indicator

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Low Battery Voltage Indicator

. . . . . . . 34

Fuel Gauge, Low Fuel Indicator and
Available Cruising Hour Meter

. . . . . . . 35

Digital Clock (ARX1500T3DX)

. . . . . . 37

Digital Clock (ARX1500T3/N3)

. . . . . . 39

(cont’d)

Instruments & Controls

Instruments & Controls

12

Controls & Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

ID Lock System

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Limit Mode

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Start Button

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Engine Stop Button/Switch

. . . . . . . . . 49

Safety Lanyard & Lock Clip

. . . . . . . . 50

Handlebar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Throttle Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Reverse Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Jet Pump Water Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Cooling Water Bypass Outlet . . . . . . . . . 53

Bilge Drain Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Flushing Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Jet Pump Steering Nozzle . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Bow & Stern Eyelets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Grab Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Seat Strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Boarding Step (ARX1500T3DX) . . . . . .58

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

13

(ARX1500T3DX)

display control
buttons

rearview
mirror

start button

lock clip

front hood latch

multi-function
display

engine stop
button/switch

rearview
mirror

safety lanyard

(ARX1500T3/N3)

rearview
mirror

start
button

throttle
lever

front hood latch

multi-function
display

lock clip

engine stop
button/switch

display control
buttons

rearview
mirror

throttle
lever

safety lanyard

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

14

hood

front storage
compartment

bow eyelet

handlebar

fuel fill cap

fire extinguisher compartment

reverse lever

front seat

seat strap

rear seat

tool kit compartment

sponson

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

15

rear seat latch rear storage compartment

grab rail

stern eyelet

stern eyelets

glove box

front seat latch

boarding step
(ARX1500T3DX only)

sponson

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

16

jet pump water intake

grate

footboard

engine compartment

UNDER HULL

ride plate

drive shaft

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

17

exhaust outlet

cooling water
bypass outlet

flushing connector

bilge drain plug

jet pump steering nozzle

reverse bucket

bilge drain plug

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

18

ARX1500T3DX/T3

oil filler cap/dipstick

(FRONT) (REAR)

air filter

engine dipstick

throttle
adjuster

bilge strainerspark plugsoil filter

maintenance
port cap

fuse box

air box
drain tube

battery

Component Locations

Instruments & Controls

19

ARX1500N3

oil filler cap/dipstick

(FRONT) (REAR)

spark plugs

oil filter

engine dipstick

throttle
adjuster

air filter

bilge strainer

maintenance
port cap

fuse box

battery

Multi-function Display

Instruments & Controls

20

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.

(1) tachometer
(2) LIMIT MODE indicator
(3) WARNING lamp
(4) fuel gauge
(5) low fuel indicator
(6) multi-function meter
(7) ID No. button
(8) ID SET button

(9) PGM-FI malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
(10) low oil pressure indicator
(11) high engine cooling water temperature indicator
(12) low battery voltage indicator
(13) speedometer
(14) MODE button
(15) WP SET button (ARX1500T3DX)

SET button (ARX1500T3/N3)
(16) – (minus) button (ARX1500T3DX)
(17) + (plus) button (ARX1500T3DX)

USA: Speedometer, tripmeter and mileage to a

waypoint read in miles.

Canada: Speedometer, tripmeter and mileage to a

waypoint read in kilometers.

(ARX1500T3DX)

(1)

(17)

(16)

(15)

(14)

(ARX1500T3/N3)

(1)

(15)

(14)

(2)

(13) (12) (11) (10)

(2)

(13) (12) (11)(10) (9)

(3)

(4)(3)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Multi-function Display

Instruments & Controls

21

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 (except the hundreds digits) of the
multi-function display will appear in
sequence.

The beeper sounds twice and all the segments
of the multi-function display will appear in
sequence (Canada only).

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.

(1) multi-function display

(ARX1500T3DX)

(ARX1500T3/N3)

(1)

(1)

Multi-function Display

Instruments & Controls

22

1 tachometer Shows engine speed in revolutions per minute

(rpm).

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

to flash while the mode is active (page 48).
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) The engine oil temperature is high.
(6) There is any abnormality in the PGM-FI system.
(7) The battery voltage is low (below approx. 11.5 V).
(8) The engine charging pressure and intake

pressure is excessive. (ARX1500T3DX/T3)
If the indicator flashes, immediately take the
shortest route to land.