Under Hood - General Maintenance

MAINTENANCE: UNDER HOOD: GENERAL MAINTENANCE

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

1. GENERAL NOTES

- Maintenance requirements vary depending on the country.
- Check the maintenance schedule in the Service Intervals.
- Following the maintenance schedule is mandatory.
- Determine the appropriate time to service the vehicle using either miles driven or time elapsed, whichever reaches the specification first.
- Maintain similar intervals between periodic maintenance, unless otherwise noted.
- Failing to check each vehicle part could lead to poor engine performance and increase exhaust emissions.

2. WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
(a) Check that there is sufficient fluid in the tank.
3. ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
(a) Check that the coolant level is between the "FULL" and "LOW" lines on the see-through reservoir.
4. RADIATOR AND HOSES
(a) Check that the front of the radiator is clean and not blocked by leaves, dirt or bugs.
(b) Check the hoses for cracks, kinks, rot or loose connections.
5. BATTERY ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
(a) Check that the electrolyte level of all the battery cells is between the upper and lower level lines on the case.
6. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
(a) Check that the brake fluid levels are near the upper level lines on the see-through reservoirs.
7. ENGINE DRIVE BELT
(a) Check the drive belt for fraying, cracks, wear or oiliness.
8. ENGINE OIL LEVEL
(a) Check the level on the dipstick with the engine stopped.
9. POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL
(a) Check the level on the dipstick.
(b) The level should be in the "HOT" or "COLD" range depending on the fluid temperature.
10. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL
(a) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
(b) With the engine idling and the parking brake applied, shift the selector into all the positions from "P" to "L", and then shift into the "P" position.
(c) Pull out the dipstick and wipe off the fluid with a clean shop rag. Re-insert the dipstick and check that the fluid level is in the "HOT" range.
(d) Perform this check with the fluid at the normal driving temperature: 70 to 80°C (158 to 176°F).

HINT: Wait until the engine cools down (approx. 30 min.) before checking the fluid level after extended driving at high speed, in hot weather, in heavy traffic or pulling a trailer.

11. EXHAUST SYSTEM
(a) If any change in the sound of the exhaust or the smell of the exhaust fumes is noticed, locate and correct the cause.