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:
Fluid leak check (Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months)
1 Visually inspect the engine joint faces,
gaskets and seals for any signs of water or oil
leaks. Pay particular attention to the areas
around the rocker cover, cylinder head, oil
filter and sump ...
Exhaust system - renewal
1 The layout of the exhaust system varies
considerably according to model and engine.
All except the RS Turbo versions can be
renewed in sections; coupling sleeves are
supplied, enabling an old se ...
Windscreen wiper motor and linkage - removal and refitting
Removal
1 Remove the wiper arms and blades as
described in Section 17.
2 Disconnect the battery negative terminal.
3 Remove the nut covers, the fixing nuts,
washers and spacers from the pivot sha ...
