The following information covers the checks and services required to retain the safety, dependability, and emission control performance of the vehicle.

Make sure any necessary repairs are completed on time. Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to the vehicle, make sure that they are the proper ones.

It is important to perform these underhood check at each fuel fill.

Inspect the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. In order to select the proper fluids and lubricants, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

Inspect the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL ® for the proper coolant if necessary. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

Inspect the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir and add the proper fluid, if necessary. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

Tire Inflation

inspect tire inflation. Make sure the tires are inflated to the pressures specified on the Certification/Tire label located on the driver's door lock pillar. Refer to Tire Inflation Pressure Specifications .

Cassette Deck Service

Clean the cassette deck. Perform cassette deck cleaning every 50 hours of cassette tape play. Refer to Cassette Player Care and Cleaning in Entertainment.

Restraint System Check

Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all of the belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.

For seat belt diagnosis information, refer to Operational and Functional Checks in Seat Belts.

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (the SIR system does not need regular maintenance).

For Diagnosis refer to Diagnostic System Check - SIR in SIR.

Wiper Blade Check

Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace any wiper blade inserts that appear worn, cracked, damaged or that streak or miss areas of the windshield. Refer to Wiper Blade Element Replacement in Windshield Wiper/Washer System.

Weatherstrip Lubrication

Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold, damp weather more frequent application may be required. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations for the proper type of lubricant. Colder more damp climates will require more frequent applications.

Automatic Transaxle Check

Inspect the automatic transaxle fluid level; add if needed. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if needed.

Refer to Transmission Fluid Check in Transmission/Transaxle-4T65-E. If fluid was added, refer to Transmission Component Fluid Leak Diagnosis in Automatic Transmission/Transaxle-4T65-E.

Key Lock Cylinder Service

Lubricate the lock cylinders with the recommended lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

Body Lubrication Service

Lubricate all of the following areas:

More frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive environment. In order to locate the proper lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

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.

1. Before starting, make sure there is enough room around the vehicle.

Important: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.

Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
2. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in any other position, your vehicle needs service. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check in Transmission/Transaxle.

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control 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.

1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level surface.

Important: Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if the vehicle begins to move.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN position, but do not start the engine.
4. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort.
5. If the shift lever moves out of PARK (P), the automatic transmission shift lock control needs service. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check in Transmission/Transaxle.

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check

1. With the vehicle parked, set the parking brake.
2. Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock cylinder and turn the ignition lock cylinder to OFF.
3. Move the transmission shifter to REVERSE.
4. Try to turn the ignition lock cylinder to LOCK.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 with the transmission shifter in every possible position. If the ignition lock cylinder turns to LOCK when the transmission shifter is in ANY position other than PARK, repair the park lock system. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check
6. Turn the ignition lock cylinder to OFF.
7. Try to remove the key from the ignition lock cylinder.
8. Repeat Steps 6 and 7 with the ignition lock cylinder in every possible position. If the key comes out of the ignition lock cylinder in ANY position other than LOCK, repair the system. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check

Park Brake and Automatic Transaxle Park (P) 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.

1. Ensure that the vehicle is parked on a fairly steep hill with the vehicle facing downhill.
2. Keep the regular brake firmly engaged while setting the park brake.
3. Perform the following procedure in order to test the holding ability of the park brake:

•	Ensure that the engine is running.

•	Ensure that the transmission is in the NEUTRAL (N) position.

•	Slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.

•	Do this until the vehicle is held by the park brake only.

4. If the parking brake fails to hold the vehicle, repair the system. For shoe adjustment refer to Parking Brake Shoe Adjustment in Park Brake and for cable adjustment refer to Park Brake Cable Service/Adjustment in Disc Brakes.
5. Perform the following procedure in order to test the holding ability of the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:

5.1.	Ensure that the engine is running.

5.2.	Shift to PARK (P).

5.3.	Release all of the brakes.

If the park mechanism fails to hold the vehicle, repair the system.

Refer to No Park Range in Transmission/Transaxle.

Underbody Flushing Service

Use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can collect.