The following vehicle inspections and services should be made by either the owner or a qualified technician at the frequencies indicated to help ensure the following:
| • | Proper safety of the vehicle. |
| • | The vehicle emission system performance. |
| • | Dependability of the vehicle. |
Complete any necessary repairs at once. Use the proper fluids or lubricants whenever adding to the vehicle. For information on fluids and lubricants to use when service is required, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
For emission system diagnosis information, refer to Engine Controls.
At Each Fuel Fill
Engine Oil Level
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary, refer to Engine General Information and General Diagnosis
Engine Coolant Level
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper coolant mixture if necessary. Refer to Engine Cooling System Specifications Engine Cooling.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir and add the proper fluid if necessary.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release handle inside the vehicle. The secondary latch should keep the hood from opening all the way when the primary latch is released. Make sure the hood closes firmly.
At Each Engine Oil Change
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of wear, or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams, holes, loose connections or other conditions which could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let exhaust fumes into the vehicle.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps. Replace these parts as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Throttle system (includes accelerator and cruise control) should operate freely without hesitation between full, closed and wide open throttle. Throttle system component causing hesitation or sticking should be replaced. Inspect for the following:
- Missing parts such as retainers or clips.
- Interference of linkage or cable conduit to critical components such as fuel lines, brake pipes, harness leads, etc.
- Proximity of cable to exhaust system and other heat sources. Check for melting and discoloration.
- Cable kinking, avoid sharp blends of cables.
- Clearance of throttle system moving parts throughout their travel from other stationary components.
- Damage of components due to cable kinking, severe abrasion, misalignment, etc.
- Do not lubricate the accelerator and cruise control cables. Lubricating destroys the protective coating on the cables.
Rear Axle (All) and Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive) Service
Check the gear lubricant level and add if needed. A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair the system if needed. Refer to Scheduled Maintenance Services to determine when to change the lubricant.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks. inspect other brake parts, including drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking brake adjustment. A good time to check the brakes is when the wheels are removed for tire rotation. Brakes may need to be inspected more often if driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
Clutch System Service
Check clutch pedal free travel and adjust as necessary.
At Least Monthly
Tire Inflation Check
Check the tire pressure when the tires are COLD. Maintain tire pressures indicated on the Tire Placard on the driver's door of the vehicle, or refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications .
Cassette Deck Service
Clean the cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every 50 hours of tape play to prevent permanent damage, or every 30 hours for maximum performance. Refer to Body and Accessories.
At Least Twice A Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all the belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt and built in child resistant system parts. If anything is seen that might keep a seat belt system from doing it's job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed seat belts replaced. For seat belt diagnosis information, Refer to Restraints.
Also look for any opened or broken supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) covers. For SIR diagnosis information, refer to SIR General Diagnosis in SIR.
The SIR system does not need regular maintenance.
Fluid Level Check
Check the transfer case (if equipped), axle differentials and automatic or manual transmission fluid levels and add as needed. A fluid loss in these systems could indicate a problem.
Automatic/Manual Transmission Check
Check the automatic transmission fluid level. Add the proper transmission fluid if needed. A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if needed. For information on the correct fluid to use, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
For the automatic transmission fluid level checking procedure, refer to Transmission/Transaxle.
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged, or that streak or miss areas of the windshield. Refer to Body and Accessories.
At Least Once A Year
Key Lock Cylinders
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the proper lubricant. For information on the proper lubricant to use, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
Body Lubrication
Lubricate all body door hinges and latches, including the following:
| • | The hood |
| • | The rear compartment hinges |
| • | The fuel door |
| • | The headlamp pivot points |
| • | The console door |
| • | Interior glove box |
| • | Any moving seat hardware |
| • | Hood safety lever pivot |
For information on the proper lubricants to use, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
More frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Starter Switch Check
Caution: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle, in case the vehicle does move. Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn OFF the engine immediately if it starts.
On an automatic transmission vehicle, try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should crank only in PARK or NEUTRAL. If the starter operates in any other position, the vehicle needs service.
On a manual transmission vehicle, place the shift lever in NEUTRAL, push the clutch pedal down halfway and try to start the engine. The starter should operate only when the clutch pedal is fully depressed all the way to the floor. If the starter operates when the clutch pedal is not pushed all the way down to the floor, the vehicle needs service.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
Caution: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle, in case the vehicle does move. Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately should the vehicle begin to move.
With the engine OFF, turn the ignition to RUN, but do not start the engine. Without applying the regular brakes, try to move the transmission shift lever out of PARK with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of PARK, the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) needs service. For wiring schematic information, refer to Steering.
For the BTSI solenoid replacement procedure, refer to Transmission/Transaxle.
Steering Column Park Lock Check
While parked and with the parking brake set, try to turn the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
On an automatic transmission vehicle, the key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK.
On a manual transmission vehicle, the key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in REVERSE.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in the LOCK position. For wiring schematic information, refer to Steering.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission PARK Mechanism Check
Caution: When performing this check, the vehicle could begin to move. Personal injury or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room in front of the vehicle, in case the vehicle begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately should the vehicle begin to move.
To check the parking brake's holding ability: with the engine running and transmission in NEUTRAL, slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the automatic transmission PARK mechanism's holding ability: with the engine running, shift the transmission to PARK, then release all brakes. For diagnosis information of a malfunctioning PARK mechanism, refer to Transmission/Transaxle.
Underbody Flushing
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to thoroughly clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect.
