For 1990-2009 cars

## Periodic Maintenance Inspection General Maintenance

Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each spring and fall). A dealer's service department or qualified service center should perform these inspections. All repairs should be completed at once.

#### Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection

Inspect the front and the rear suspension for the following:

• | Damaged parts

• | Loose or missing parts

• | Signs of wear or lack of lubrication

Inspect the power steering lines and the hoses for the following:

• | Proper hookup

• | Binding

• | Leaks

• | Cracks

• | Chafing, etc.

Inspect the drive axle boot seals for the following:

• | Damage

• | Tears

• | Leakage

Replace damaged, torn or leaking seals.

#### Exhaust System Inspection

Inspect the complete 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. For exhaust system inspection diagnosis, refer to Exhaust Leakage in Engine Exhaust.

#### Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection

Inspect the hoses and replace if they are cracked, swollen or deteriorated.

Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace as needed.

#### Throttle Linkage Inspection

Inspect the following:

• | Missing parts such as retainers or clips

• | Interference of the linkage or cable conduit to critical components such as fuel lines, brake lines, harness leads, etc.

• | Proximity of the cable to the exhaust system and other head sources: check for melting and/or discoloration

• | Cable for kinks and sharp bends

• | Clearance of the throttle system moving parts throughout their travel from other stationary components

• | Damage of the components due to cable kinking, severe kinking, severe abrasion, misalignment, etc.

Replace high effort or excessively worn cables.

#### Drive Axle Inspection

Check the front/rear axle fluid level, add the proper fluid as needed. Refer to Lubricant Level Check

Check the universal joints for damage or leakage.

#### Brake System Inspection

Inspect the complete system.

Notice: A low brake fluid level can indicate worn disc brake pads which may need to be serviced. Also, if the brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be wrong with the brake system. If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on or comes on, something may be wrong with the anti-lock brake system.

Inspect the brake lines and the hoses for the following:

• | Proper hookup

• | Binding

• | Leaks

• | Cracks

• | Chafing, etc.

Inspect the disc brake pads for wear. Inspect the rotors for surface condition. Inspect the drum brake linings for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including the calipers, the wheel cylinders, the parking brake, etc. Check the parking brake adjustment.

The brakes may need to be inspected more often if driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking.

## Periodic Maintenance Inspection Cooling System Maintenance

Notice: Do not spray cold water on a hot radiator.

Notice: Do not use pressure greater than 138 kPa (20 psi) to test the radiator. Damage to the radiator will result if a higher pressure is used.

• | Check the outside of the radiator for bent fins or signs of leakage. Do not temporarily seal the cooling system with a sealer type antifreeze or coolant additive.

• | Remove any stones from between the fins.

• | Clean loose debris and road film from the radiator core with a quality grease solvent and compressed air. For a more efficient cleaning, direct the stream of solvent at the front of the core. Remove the radiator grille, the fan guard, and the fan shroud in order to ensure a thorough cleaning.

• | Remove the radiator cap and look for plugging and scale on the inside of the tank. Replace a badly plugged radiator. Test the cooling system and the radiator.

• | Check the coolant level. If the level is low, add the recommended coolant as required.

• | Check the condition of the radiator hose clamps. Tighten the clamps if any leakage is seen. Replace the clamps if you see the following conditions:

- | Cracked clamps

- | Stripped clamps

- | Corroded clamps

• | Check the radiator hoses for cracking or for a spongy appearance. Replace deteriorated hoses or bursting could occur, resulting in coolant loss and extensive damage from overheating.

• | Check the radiator core for leaks and for accumulation of dirt that could obstruct the air passages and reduce heat transfer.

• | Check the coolant recovery reservoir for leaks.

• | Inspect the radiator rubber mountings and bumpers for deterioration. Replace these as necessary. Check the mounting bolts, the supports, and the braces. Also, check for damage to the radiator core, the side flanges, and the supporting components.

• | Check for clearance between the fan blade, the core, and the shroud. Check the fan attaching bolts for tightness. Make sure no bolts are missing. Replace the fan if any blade is bent. The blade and the shroud should be equal distance around the entire perimeter of the shroud. Adjust the distance as necessary after you make any adjustment to the fan or the fan mounting bracket and hub.

• | Inspect the filler cap seal. Replace the cap if the following seal conditions apply:

- | Cracking

- | Separation

- | Deterioration

• | In order to help maintain efficient heat dissipation, do an occasional external flush of the radiator with water. This removes the majority of dirt accumulation and foreign matter from between the core fins. Using moderate pressure, direct water from behind the core in order to force out debris. Direct the water stream in line with the fins in order to reduce the possibility of bending the fins.

• | A radiator with a dirty, obstructed, or leaking core causes the engine to overheat. Radiator scale deposits result from using water that is hard and has a high mineral content in the cooling system. Heat affects the minerals in the water causing the formation of scale, or hard coating, on the metal surfaces within the radiator, reducing the transfer of heat. Some hard water produces a silt-like deposit that restricts the flow of water. Replace a radiator that is plugged, or has a heavy scale on the core.