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:

    Steering and suspension security check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
    1 Check the shock absorbers by bouncing the vehicle up and down at each corner in turn. When released, it should come to rest within one complete oscillation. Continued movement, or squeaking and ...

    Flywheel/driveplate - removal, inspection and refitting
    Note: New flywheel securing bolts must be used on refitting. 1.8 litre (R2A type) 1 Refer to Section 26, Chapter 2, Part A but also note the following points. 2 The flywheel/driveplate securing b ...

    Seats - removal and refitting
    Front seat 1 Slide the seat fully forwards, and on seats with height adjustment unhook the tension spring from the rear crosstube. Where applicable, disconnect the wiring from the seat heating pa ...