Hinge and lock check and lubrication (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)

1 Work around the vehicle, and lubricate the bonnet, door and tailgate hinges with a light machine oil such as Duckhams Home Oil.

2 Lightly lubricate the bonnet release mechanism and exposed sections of inner cable with a smear of grease.

3 Check the security and operation of all hinges, latches and locks, adjusting them where required. Where applicable, check the operation of the central locking system.

4 Check the condition and operation of the tailgate struts, renewing them if either is leaking or is no longer able to support the tailgate securely when raised.

    See also:

    Alternator brushes and regulator - renewal
    Bosch alternator 1 With the alternator removed from the engine, clean the external surfaces free from dirt. 2 Extract the brush box/regulator screws from the rear cover and withdraw the brush bo ...

    Rear shock absorber - removal and refitting
    Saloon and Hatchback models 1 With the weight of the vehicle resting on the roadwheels, work under the vehicle to unscrew and remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt and nut from the relevan ...

    Spark plug renewal (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
    1 The correct functioning of the spark plugs is vital for the correct running and efficiency of the engine. It is essential that the plugs fitted are appropriate for the engine. 2 Make sure that t ...