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:

    Instrument panel components - removal and refitting
    Panel illumination and warning lamp bulbs Removal 1 Remove the instrument panel as described in Section 9. 2 Turn the bulbholders anti-clockwise and remove them from the rear of the instrument ...

    Manual transmission oil level check (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
    1 With the car on level ground wipe the area around the filler plug, then unscrew the plug using a socket spanner, or on later versions a suitable Torx or Allen key or socket bit, as applicable. A ...

    Cylinder head - removal and refitting (engine removed)
    Note: Up to early 1984, splined type cylinder head bolts were used, and from early 1984, size T55 Torx bolts were used. Torx type bolts must always be renewed after slackening. The two types of bo ...