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:
Door inner trim panel - removal and refitting
Front door
Models up to 1987
1 On models with manually-operated
windows, prise the cover from the window
regulator handle, note the position of the
handle with the window fully shut, then
remove ...
Engine oil
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off an ...
Suspension and steering check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)
Front suspension and steering
check
1 Raise the front of the vehicle, and securely
support it on axle stands (see “Jacking and
Vehicle Support”).
2 Visually inspect the balljoint dust covers
and ...
