A: Yes it is a 4 cycle Honda engine
A: Yes it is a 4 stroke engine. Mowers are no longer made with 2 stroke engines. Just trimmers, blowers, and chain saws are still 2 stroke. If you want a 2 stroke , you will need to look for an old lawn boy mower.
A: Charlot: Yes, like all Honda mower engines, this one is a 4-stroke overhead valve design. This engine is 160cc in size, and also has an overhead camshaft. -Robert@Honda
A: Yes.
A: Hi CuriousCanadian, I'm Travis from The Home Depot. Thanks for visiting our site. The operating sound level of a lawnmower is the noise of the engine plus the noise of the blade. Therefore, the noise level of an engine may not accurately inform you of the actual mower in operation. I did some research and found this website that attempted to give the most accurate information. Here is the link to that website: http://www.nonoise.org/library/qz6/ This site tested a Honda HRX217HXA, a mower with a slightly larger engine than the HRS216. They're findings were that it's noise level is 84 decibels. Thank you for asking, -Travis
A: it is not as loud as other push mowers
A: Moderate.
A: Hi Oldtimer66: Honda engines have a great reputation, as you already know. That said, Honda does not publish "life hours" of any engine, as the actual warranty is based on the age of the engine since purchased new, not the number of hours it can operate. This mower's (including the engine) has a 36-month warranty. Hope this helps, -Robert@Honda
A: Read up a little on oil weights and what all that means. Of course 10W30 is different than straight 30w oil. 10W30 hybrid weighted oil that has the characteristics to not get too thick in winter and still be good at 30 weight in the summer protection. That is a somewhat simplistic explanation and doesn't mean it is right for your mower. Why don't you just use the oil recommended by the mower/motor manufacturer? Different engines need certain oil for good reasons like tolerances within the motor build etc. My newer cars use 5W20! Man it is as you say "like water"! However, thicker oil may not reach places that need it because of the engine design. I use the weight of oil that is recommended. Good luck!
A: Hi Bobby: While the appearance and visible "thickness" of oils will vary, especially when comparing synthetic to petroleum-type oils, the most important thing to keep in mind is to always use the recommend SAE grade/type. For all Honda mowers, Honda says use SAE 10W-30, period. Do not use "SAE-30." While it does not matter if you use synthetic or petroleum SAE 10W-30, Honda's engines are certified using petroleum oil. It will NOT effect your warranty if you use synthetic SAE 10W-30 and change it according to the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. -Robert@Honda
A: Hi drew, I'm Travis from The Home Depot. Thanks for visiting our site. To drain the oil of your Honda mower, Turn the mower on its side. Make sure that the air filter is in the up position after you do this. The air filter needs to be facing the sky. With the mower in this position, the oil dipstick will be on the bottom. Place a drip pan under the engine to capture the oil when you remove the dipstick. The oil will drain from the dipstick opening. After it stops draining, turn the mower back onto its wheels and refill with 12oz. of 10w30 motor oil. Check the level with the dipstick as usual. -Travis
A: The manual says to tilt the mower over and drain the oil out the same spout as you put the oil into it. The fill/drain spout is a little longer than some I have seen and makes it easy. OH, and be sure to turn off the fuel petcock beside the carburetor before you turn the mower sideways. Saves a spilled fuel out of the carburetor mess. Good Luck!
A: You can use the auto 10W-30 oil.
A: Yes same weight oil (SAE 10W-30) of any brand may be used. Honda is a brand.
A: Hi Sam: No real difference, Sam. SAE 10W-30 is the grade (weight) of oil, and that part of the oil is the same for all brands. It's perfectly fine to use a non-Honda oil in your Honda mower, as long as it is marked SAE 10W-30. Change and fill it according to the owner's manual, and you'll be fine. The brand of oil used does NOT effect the warranty. Finally, when Honda certifies the engine for the EPA, we use regular petroleum oil, so we suggest owner's use it as well. Synthetic oil is fine, and again, no issues if you decide to use it, provided it is 10W-30, and you change/fill as stated in the owner's manual. -Robert@Honda
A: Yes the mower handle folds down for storage purposes
A: The handle does not fold down for storage
A: The mower comes with the handle folded and the manual says the handle may be folded for storage.
A: No, the handle does not fold down. Otherwise, this is an excellent mower. It is the easiest one to crank I have ever owned, runs fairly quiet, very dependable.
A: Hi Robven: Yes, the handlebars fold down flat against the mower for storage. -Robert@Honda
A: Yes it does - with two easy fasteners...
A: Yes it does fold down
A: Hi Muffin: No, this specific model is push-only. Honda does make a nearly-identical model with that is self-propelled called the HRS216SDA. It's a single-speed model; see the link here: -Robert@Honda
A: This mower is not self propelled.
A: No
A: No this model (HRS216PDA) is not, Model HRS216SDA, about $30-$40 more is.
A: No. There is a similar model that is.
A: No
A: Not the model: HR S2 There is another similar model that is self propelled but not this one. I did not have long straight distances to run. The short distances with many turns suits the my model (HR S2) which is not self propelled.much better.
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