Battery terminal check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)

Caution: Before carrying out any work on the vehicle battery, read through the precautions given in “Safety first!” at the beginning of this manual.

1 The battery fitted as original equipment is “maintenance-free”, and requires no maintenance apart from having the case kept clean, and the terminals clean and tight.

2 To clean the battery terminals disconnect them, after having first removed the cover (later models) - negative earth first. Use a wire brush or abrasive paper to clean the terminals. Bad corrosion should be treated with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, applied with an old toothbrush. Do not let this solution get inside the battery.

3 Coat the battery terminals with petroleum jelly or a proprietary anti-corrosive compound before reconnecting them. Reconnect and tighten the positive (live) lead first, followed by the negative (earth) lead. Do not overtighten.

4 Keep the top of the battery clean and dry.

Inspect the battery tray for corrosion, and make good as necessary.

    See also:

    Inlet manifold - removal and refitting
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    Engine/automatic transmission assembly - reconnection and refitting
    1 Reverse the procedure described in Section 11, noting the following points. 2 Check that the engine adapter plate is correctly positioned on its locating dowels. 3 As the torque converter is onl ...

    Coolant renewal (Every 24 000 miles or 2 Years)
    Cooling system draining 1 It is preferable to drain the system when the coolant is cold. If it must be drained when hot, release the pressure cap on the thermostat housing (or expansion tank on la ...