Vehicle Maintenance
The Following Preventive Maintenance Checks Can Also Extend the Life of Your Vehicle:
- Inspect windsheild-wiper blades for cracks,
tears and windshield contact. Blades
should be relaced at least once a year or
sooner if smearing begins.
- Check tire inflation monthly. Underinflated
tires waste fuel. Check your owner's manual
for correct tire inflation pressure.
- Inspect engine belts regularly. Worn belts
will affect the engine's performance. Look
for cracks or missing sections or segments.
- Check the battery cables and posts for
corrosion and clean them if needed.
- Inspect all vehicle lights, including headlights,
turn signals, brake lights and emergency
flashers. Replace burnt-out bulbs.
- Check the air filter approximately every
other oil change. This filter, along with the
other filters, ensures that the vehicle is
performing at its peak condition.
Maintenance That Should be Performed by Qualified Technicians
Always check your owner's manual for specific recommendations for your vehicle.
- Change engine oil and filter regularly-
every 3,000 to 4,000 miles or 5,000 to
8,000 kilometers.
- Have engine tuned up regularly. A fouled
spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by
as much as 30 percent. Follow the service
schedules listed in your vehicle owner's
manual.
- Have the fuel filter changed every 10,000
miles or 15,000 kilometers to prevent rust,
dirt and other impurities from entering the
fuel system.
- Change the crankcase vent filter (if your car
has one) every 24,000 miles or 40,000
kilometers. This filter cleans the air that is
exposed to the crankcase and the working
components of the engine.
- Change the transmission fluid and filter
every 15,000 to 18,000 miles or 25,000 to
30,000 kilometers. This will protect the
precision-crafted components of the
transmission/transaxle. The filter removes
dirt and other foreign material from the
transmission/transaxle fluid.
- Check the manual transmission fluid level
as specified in your owner's manual.
- Check the differential (rear-end) fluid level.
- Lubricate the chassis frequently to extend
the life of the moving components of the
suspension system.
- Check the suspension system regularly.
This will extend the life of the vehicle's tires.
- Change the vapor canister every 24,000
miles or 40,000 kilometers. The vapor
canister collects gas fumes from the gas
tank to prevent their escape into the
atmosphere. These fumes are then burned
by the engine.
Maintenance You Can Do Yourself
The vehicle's fluids are very important and should be checked regularly.
- Brake Fluid - This check is done by loosening
the clip on the master cylinder and removing
the lid. If fluid is needed, consult your vehicle
owner's manual for correct type and fill to
recommended level.
- Engine Oil - Correct engine oil level should
be maintained to assure proper lubrication
of your vehicle's engine. It is best to check
engine oil level approximately five minutes after a fully warmed-up engine is turned off
or before starting the engine after it has
been sitting for a longer period of time
(overnight). Remove the engine oil dipstick,
wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free cloth
or paper towel. Reinsert dipstick until it fully
seats in its tube. Remove dipstick and read
oil level. Add oil only when the level is at or
below the ADD OIL mark.
- Transmission/Transaxle Fluid - This check
should be done while the engine is running
in neutral with the parking brake securely
set. The transmission should be at operating
temperature. Remove the dipstick, wipe
clean, insert and remove again to check
fluid level. (CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL!)
- Windshield Washer Solvent - This check
should be done by removing the cap of the
reservoir and refilling with wash fluid solvent.
- Antifreeze - This check is done by removing
the radiator cap from the cooled engine
and refilling, if needed, with antifreeze.(Caution: Make sure engine is completely cooled and you use the recommended engine coolant as identified in your owner's manual)