Listed below are the vehicle inspections and services that
should be made by either the owner or a qualified technician at the frequencies
indicated to help ensure the following:
| • | Proper safety of the vehicle. |
| • | The vehicle emission system performance. |
| • | Dependability of the vehicle. |
Complete any necessary repairs at once. Use the proper fluids or lubricants
whenever adding to the vehicle. For information on fluids and lubricants to
use when service is required, refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
At Each Fuel Fill
The following information covers the checks and services required to
retain the safety, dependability, and emission control performance of the
vehicle.
Make sure any necessary repairs are completed on time. Whenever any
fluids or lubricants are added to the vehicle, make sure that they are the
proper ones. Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
It is important to perform these underhood check at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. In order
to select the proper fluids and lubricants, refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
Engine Coolant Level
Check the engine coolant levels and add the proper coolant mixture,
if necessary. Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir
and add the proper fluid, if necessary. Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
At Least Monthly
Tire Inflation
Check tire inflation. Make sure the tires are inflated to the pressures
specified on the Certification/Tire label located on the driver's door
lock pillar. Refer to
Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications
.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean the playback heads and capstan on the cassette deck. Cleaning
should be done every 50 hours of tape play. Refer to
Cassette Player Care and Cleaning
in Entertainment.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts buckles,
latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that
might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Have
any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings, and have them
repaired or replaced. (The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
For SIR Diagnosis refer to
SIR General Diagnosis
in SIR.
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade inserts that
appear worn or damaged or that streak or miss areas of the windshield. Refer
to
Wiper Blade Element Replacement
in Windshield Wipers/Washer System.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if needed.
For the automatic transmission fluid level checking procedure, refer
to
Transmission Fluid Check
in Automatic Transaxle.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders
Lubricate the lock cylinders with the recommended lubricant. Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
Body Lubrication
Lubricate all of the following areas:
| • | Body hood, safety lever, and prop rod pivot |
| • | Rear compartment hinges |
| • | Rear compartment latches and locks |
| • | Instrument panel compartment hinges, latch, and lock cylinder |
| • | Console cover hinges and latch. |
More frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. In order to locate the proper lubricant, refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
.
Park Neutral Position Switch Check
Caution: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury
or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle,
in case the vehicle does move. Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn
OFF the engine immediately if it starts.
| • | Before you start, make sure you have enough room around the vehicle
in case the vehicle jumps suddenly. |
| • | Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake. Do
not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately
if it starts. |
| • | Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work
only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in any other position,
refer to
Starting System Circuit Description
in Engine Electrical. |
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check (Automatic Transaxle)
Caution: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury
or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle,
in case the vehicle does move. Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately should
the vehicle begin to move.
Use the following procedure for checking the Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock:
| • | Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle
in case the vehicle jumps suddenly. It should be parked on a level surface. |
| • | Firmly apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle begins to move. |
| • | With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position, but don't
start the engine. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of the PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), refer to
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check
in steering
wheel and Column-Tilt. |
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
| • | While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn the
ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position. |
| • | The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK
(P). |
| • | On vehicles with a key release lever, try to turn the key to LOCK
without pressing the lever. The key should turn to LOCK only when you press
the key lever. |
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check.
Caution: When performing this check, the vehicle could begin to move. You or others could
be injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is room in front of the
vehicle in case the vehicle begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake at
once, should the vehicle begin to move.
Follow this procedure to test the parking brake and automatic transmission
PARK mechanism:
- Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill.
- Keep your foot on the hydraulic brake pedal.
- Set the parking brake.
- In order to check the parking brake:
| 4.2. | Place the transmission in NEUTRAL. |
| 4.3. | Slowly remove foot pressure from the hydraulic brake pedal. |
- In order to check the PARK (P) mechanism, follow steps 1-3
above then do the following:
If the park mechanism fails to hold the vehicle, repair the system.
Refer to
No Park Range
in Transmission/Transaxle.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials
from the underbody. Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
