Note. Some special maintenance procedures that require additional fluid level checks are also described below. Check under the vehicle regularly for signs of fluid leaks.
Various fluids play the role of working fluids in lubrication, cooling, braking, heating and air conditioning systems, glass washing, etc. Due to the fact that all fluids are subject to thinning and exhaustion over time, and also gradually become contaminated during the normal operation of systems, it is necessary to periodically replace them completely. Please refer to the list of fluids recommended for use in your vehicle before attempting any level adjustment or replacement (see Specifications to this Chapter).
Note. When checking fluid levels, the car must be parked on a flat horizontal area, if possible with a hard surface.
Engine oil
Checking the level of impellent oil is carried out using a dipstick threaded into the guide tube and lowered into the engine to the lowest point of its oil pan. The location of the probe is shown in the illustrations in Vehicle settings and routine maintenance.
The oil level should be checked before the first ride of the day, or about 15 minutes after the engine has been stopped. If the check is performed immediately after turning off the engine, the results will not adequately reflect the situation, as part of the oil will be distributed to the internal galleries and engine components.
1. Remove the dipstick from the guide tube and dry the blade with a clean cloth or paper towel. Insert the dipstick back into the tube until it stops, then remove it again. After examining the probe blade, estimate the size of the area wetted with oil. The oil level must be between the top (F) and lower (L) marks on the stylus blade. If necessary, top up the engine with the appropriate amount of oil of the required grade.
2. A little less than one liter of oil is required to raise the level from the bottom mark on the dipstick to the top. Lowering the level beyond the lower limit of the permissible range leads to the development of engine oil starvation, which is fraught with serious mechanical damage to the latter. Try also not to fill the oil above the upper mark, as this can lead to the spark plugs being thrown (Gas engine) or failure of power pack oil seals as a result of excessive pressurization.
3. In order to fill the engine with oil, it is necessary to remove the threaded filler cap (refer to the illustrations in Vehicle settings and routine maintenance). Use a funnel or an oil can with a long spout to avoid splashing oil when filling it into the engine. After filling in oil, screw on and firmly tighten the filler cap, then start the engine and carefully inspect the drain plug and the surface of the oil filter mating with the block for signs of leakage. Stop the engine, wait about 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the sump, then check the level again.
Checking the engine oil level is an important preventative engine maintenance procedure.
A constantly low level indicates the presence of oil leaks as a result of failed oil seals, damaged seals, worn piston rings or valve guides. If the oil resembles milk in color or consistency, or there are drops of water in it, this indicates a possible damage to the cylinder head gasket, or the formation of cracks in the body of the head (OK) or cylinder block. The verification must be done without delay. When measuring the oil level, always also check its condition. Using your thumb and forefinger, remove traces of oil from the dipstick blade - if there are small metal particles in it, the oil must be replaced (see Section Changing the engine oil and oil filter).
Engine coolant
Attention! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body and painted surfaces of the car. Wash off accidental splashes with plenty of water without delay. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and getting it into the body, even in small quantities, is fraught with the most serious consequences, even death. Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely closed container, immediately collect spilled coolant on the floor. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult with local authorities about ways to dispose of used coolant - in many regions of the world there are special points for receiving various kinds of waste. Never drain old coolant down the drain and onto the ground!
Note. Recently, non-toxic grades of antifreeze have been developed, however, they must also be disposed of in an organized manner.
All models of vehicles described in this manual are equipped with an overpressure compensation type cooling system. The expansion tank of the cooling system made of translucent plastic is located in the front of the engine compartment (refer to the illustrations in Vehicle settings and routine maintenance) and is connected by an overflow hose to the base of the radiator filler neck. When the engine warms up, the coolant expands, and its excess flows through the valve mounted in the radiator filler cap into the expansion tank. As it cools, the liquid returns through the hose back to the radiator, which allows you to constantly maintain its normal level in the system.
Attention! Never remove the cap from the filler neck of the radiator/expansion tank when the engine is hot!
The coolant level in the expansion tank is checked on a regular basis and must be maintained between the FULL and LOW marks on the stack of the translucent plastic reservoir. It should be remembered that the level of the coolant depends on its temperature, therefore, in a cold state, it should be only slightly above the lower (LOW), and after warming up the engine - rise to the FULL mark. If necessary, make the appropriate adjustment by adding the required amount of fresh mixture to the tank through the neck.
Attention! Use only the correct mixture of ethylene glycol and distilled water to correct the fluid level (about 50/50). Remember that the frequent use of plain water for this purpose leads to a gradual dilution of the antifreeze and the loss of frost resistance and anti-corrosion properties of the mixture. You should also not abuse various types of additives.
A constant drop in the coolant level usually indicates the development of leaks in the system. Check the radiator, connecting hoses and their clamps, filler cap, radiator cap gaskets, drain plugs and water pump housing for signs of leaks. If no signs of leaks can be detected, a pressure test of the radiator cap should be carried out in a car service workshop.
Attention! Never remove the cap from the radiator/expansion tank when the engine is hot!
If it is necessary to remove the radiator cap, wait for the engine to cool completely, then wrap the neck with a thick layer of rags and slowly unscrew the cap to the first stop. If this produces steam, let the engine cool down a little more, only then remove the cover completely.
In addition to the level, always also check the condition of the coolant - it should be relatively clear. If the coolant is rust reddish brown, the cooling system must be emptied, flushed and filled with a fresh mixture of antifreeze and water. Even if the fluid does not change externally, the corrosion inhibitors it contains will wear out over time, so the coolant should be changed regularly in accordance with the vehicle's routine maintenance schedule (see Section Schedule of ongoing maintenance).
Try not to allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed skin or painted surfaces of body components. Accidental splashes should be washed off immediately with plenty of water.
Windshield washer fluid
Windshield washer fluid is poured into a special plastic reservoir located in the front of the vehicle's engine compartment (refer to the illustrations in Vehicle settings and routine maintenance). Some models are also equipped with rear window and headlight washer systems, which are part of the windshield washer system. In temperate regions, clean water can be used as a glass washer fluid, but the tank should not be more than 2/3 full to compensate for the expansion of the water when it freezes during frosts. When operating the vehicle in harsh climates, only fill the reservoir with proprietary windshield wipers that will adequately lower the fluid's freezing point. To avoid freezing of the glass when washing in cold weather, preheat it by blowing air passed through the heater heat exchanger.
Attention! Mixing rules are usually printed on the container label. In no case do not use antifreeze used in the cooling system to add to the washer fluid, the latter is aggressive towards the paintwork of body panels!
Battery electrolyte
The vehicles covered in this manual are equipped with a maintenance-free, sealed-type battery with only vent holes in the casing.
The battery case can be made of translucent plastic, in which case the electrolyte level in its banks can be monitored in order to obtain indirect information about the correct functioning of the charging system and the current state of the battery (refer to accompanying illustration).
If during the operation of the vehicle the battery for any reason was replaced with a conventional (serviced), you should at least once a month check the electrolyte level in its banks, for which it is necessary to remove the upper control / filler plugs. Particular attention should be paid to the level of electrolyte in the warm season. Only distilled water should be used to correct the electrolyte level.
Brake fluid
Master brake cylinder (GTZ) mounted on the brake booster servo unit (refer to the illustrations in Vehicle settings and routine maintenance).
The liquid level inside the GTZ tank is clearly visible through the translucent walls of the latter and must be maintained between the MIN and MAX marks, not reaching the top by 8 - 9 mm (refer to accompanying illustration).
1. If the fluid level needs to be adjusted, thoroughly wipe the reservoir cap and area around it with a clean cloth to prevent dirt from entering the hydraulic system.
2. When pouring liquid into the tank, make sure that it does not splash onto the surrounding painted surfaces of the body elements. Add Only Regulatory Grade Fluid (see Specifications), – mixing of two fluids of different grades is by no means permissible and may lead to failure of the respective system! Fill the GTZ tank no more than 3/4, when installing the cover, the level will rise due to the displacement of liquid by the float of the measuring sensor.
Attention! Brake fluid is highly chemically aggressive, do not allow it to get into your eyes and onto painted surfaces of body panels! Do not use hydraulic fluid that has stood for more than one year or has been stored in a loosely closed container to add to the system. Remember that brake fluid is very hygroscopic, ie. has the ability to absorb moisture from the air, as a result of which the effectiveness of the braking system can be dangerously reduced!
3. At the stage of level adjustment, you should also carefully check the condition of the liquid and the internal walls of the tank. If dirt deposits, solid foreign particles or water droplets are detected, the system must be emptied and filled with fresh hydraulic fluid (see chapters transmission line and Brake system).
4. Once the reservoir is filled to the correct level, fit the lid tightly onto the reservoir.
5. Remember that the level of hydraulic fluid in the GTZ reservoir gradually drops as the friction linings of the brake pads actuate, but this decrease is always very small. If the fluid has to be added too often, therefore, there is a leak in the system, the source of which must be identified without delay, and the cause eliminated - carefully inspect all brake lines and their union connections, including calipers, wheel cylinders and vacuum booster servo (see Section Checking the brake system).
6. If, during the check of the liquid level in the GTZ, the fact that its reservoir is almost empty is revealed, the system must be completely pumped (see chapter Brake system).