Warning: The following procedures are for checking fluid levels every 1000 km, monthly and before every long trip. A description of other fluid level checks can be found later in the Sections on specific maintenance procedures. Regardless of the scheduled inspection intervals, do not allow fluid to leak under the vehicle, such leaks indicate a malfunction that should be repaired immediately.
Fluids are an integral part of the lubrication, cooling, brake and windshield washer systems. Due to the gradual consumption and / or contamination of fluids during normal vehicle operation, they should be replaced periodically. Check out Section «Types and volumes of lubricants and fluids used» V Specifications, before adding fluid to any of the listed components.
Warning: Whenever checking the fluid level, the vehicle must be on a level surface.
Visual control of leaks
1. Remove the engine top cover, refer to Section Removal and installation of the upper engine cover / lower protection of the engine compartment / subframe.
2. Remove the bottom cover of the engine, refer to Section Removal and installation of the upper engine cover / lower protection of the engine compartment / subframe.
3. Visually inspect the following piping, hoses and connections for leaks, chafing, cracks or damage:
- Fuel lines;
- Hoses of the cooling and heating system;
- Brake pipelines and hoses;
- Power steering hydraulic lines;
- Air conditioning lines.
Engine oil
1. With an oily engine and high oil consumption, check for leaks. For this, the following places are checked:
- Open the filler cap and check the gasket for cracks or damage.
- Crankcase ventilation: For example, a ventilation hose from the cylinder head cover to the air intake hose.
- Cylinder head cover gasket.
- Cylinder head gasket.
- Oil removal plug (round ring).
- Oil filter gasket: Fitting the filter to the flange.
- Oil pan gasket.
- Front and rear crankshaft seals.
2. Since oil spreads over a large surface of the engine in the presence of leaks, it is difficult to immediately determine the location of leaks. To detect leaks, proceed as follows:
3. Flush the engine as follows: cover the generator with a plastic bag. Spray the engine with a normal cold cleaner and after a short time wash it with water at a car wash.
4. Sprinkle the interfaces and oil seals on the engine with lime or talc from the outside.
5. Check the oil level, top up if necessary.
6. Take a test drive. Since the oil in a hot engine reduces its viscosity and leaks out more quickly at leaks, a test drive of about 30 km on the highway should be carried out.
7. Finally, examine the engine with a lamp and locate leaks by troubleshooting.
Checking the oil level with a dipstick
Checking the oil level is an important preventive procedure. Permanent oil level drop indicates either the presence of its leaks through damaged glands or loose connections, or its burning (internal leaks through worn piston rings or through valve guides). In addition, you should pay attention to the condition of the oil itself. If the oil has milky color or you can see drops of water in its composition, this indicates a possible leakage of the cylinder head gasket or the presence of a crack in the head or cylinder block. In this case, the engine should be repaired immediately. Each time you check the oil level, run your thumb and forefinger over the dipstick blade before wiping. If they discover particles adhering to the probe dirt or metal particles, the oil should be changed (refer to Section Changing the engine oil and oil filter).
1. Drive the vehicle to warm up the engine and stop the vehicle on level ground.
2. After stopping the engine, wait at least 3 minutes for the oil to drain into the sump.
3. Remove the engine oil level indicator and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Then insert the pointer into the hole as far as it will go and then pull it out again.
5. The oil level is normal if it is in the range (IN). If the oil level is in the range (WITH), oil must be topped up to the range level (IN). The accompanying illustration shows different versions of the level indicators. If the oil is in the range (A), it should not be topped up.
Warning: Excess oil (above range A) need to suck, tk. otherwise the gaskets or seals of the engine and the catalytic converter may be damaged.
6. If the engine is subjected to increased loads, such as long motorway driving in the summer, trailer towing, or driving in mountainous terrain, the oil level should be at the top of the range (IN).
7. The system is filled with oil through the cylinder head cover plug. Use correct grade of oil, do not use additives, refer to section Engine lubrication system.
Engine oil consumption
Max. 0.8 l/1000 km, depending on driving style.
The oil consumption of the engine can only be determined after a long distance has been covered. During the break-in period, it may exceed the given value. Frequent driving at high engine speeds leads to increased oil consumption.
Engine coolant
Warning: Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with your skin or painted vehicle surfaces. If this does happen, rinse off the antifreeze immediately with plenty of water. Antifreeze is extremely toxic if ingested. Never leave it unattended in an open container or spilled on the floor; children or animals may be attracted to its sweet smell and drink it.
All vehicles covered in this manual are equipped with an overpressure compensation type cooling system. The white plastic expansion tank is located in the engine compartment and is connected by a hose to the radiator. As the engine warms up during operation, the expanding fluid fills the reservoir. When the engine cools down, the liquid automatically flows back into the cooling system, which ensures that a constant level is maintained.
Checking the fluid level in the tank should be carried out regularly, with the vehicle in a strictly horizontal position and the engine turned off.
Coolant level when engine is cold (temperature around + 20°С) must be between the MAX and MIN·marks on the expansion tank. For a warm engine, the fluid level may be slightly above the MAX mark.
Warning: Do not remove the filler cap of the expansion tank or the radiator cap to check the fluid level before the engine has completely cooled down!
Run the car and check the fluid level again. If only a small amount is required to reach the desired level, clean water can be used. However, frequent additions of water will dilute the antifreeze. In order to ensure the correct ratio (40%/60%) antifreeze and water, always top up to the correct level with the required mixture of antifreeze specified in the Specifications, based on ethylene glycol and water.
Top up large volumes of cold coolant only when the engine is cold to avoid engine damage.
If the fluid level drops regularly, then there may be a leak in the system. Inspect the radiator, hoses, filler cap, drain plugs and water pump (refer to Section Checking the condition and replacing the engine compartment hoses, localizing leaks). If no leaks are found, have the expansion tank cap and radiator leak tested in a workshop.
If you need to remove the cover, wait until the engine is completely cool, then wrap a piece of thick rag around the cover and unscrew it to the first stop. If steam or liquid starts to escape from under the cover, let the engine cool down a little more, and only then remove the cover.
The condition of the fluid must also be checked. It should be relatively clean. If the fluid is brown or rusty in color, it must be drained, the system flushed and filled with a new mixture. Even if the fluid looks normal, the corrosion inhibitors included in its composition lose their effectiveness over time, so it should be replaced at regular intervals.
To check the frost resistance of the coolant, you must use a hydrometer (refer to illustration and Specifications).
Brake fluid
Warning: Brake fluid can harm your eyes and damage the painted surfaces of your vehicle, so be very careful when handling it. Do not use brake fluid that has been exposed for a long time or is more than one year old. Brake fluid tends to absorb moisture from the air, which can lead to a dangerous loss of brake system performance. Use only the recommended type of brake fluid. Mixing different types of fluid can cause brake system failure.
The brake fluid reservoir is located at the rear left in the engine compartment. It has two chambers, each for its own braking circuit.
The brake fluid level is checked visually, according to the marks on the plastic reservoir mounted on the master cylinder. With the cap closed, the brake fluid level should be between the MAX and MIN·marks. If the level is low, first wipe the top of the reservoir and cap with a clean rag to prevent dirt from entering the system after removing the cap. Top up to the correct level with the recommended fluid, but do not overfill.
While the reservoir cap is off, check the fluid and master cylinder reservoir for contamination. If it contains particles of rust, dirt or drops of water, the fluid from the system should be drained and filled with new.
After filling the reservoir to the correct level, make sure that the lid is installed evenly to avoid fluid leakage and / or dirt ingress.
The fluid level in the master cylinder will drop slightly as a result of worn brake pads. There is no need to add it as long as the level remains near the mark «MIN»; it will rise after changing the pads. A very low level may indicate worn brake pads. Check them for wear (refer to Section Brake system checks. Parking brake adjustment).
If the brake fluid level keeps dropping, check the entire system for leaks immediately. Inspect brake lines, hoses and fittings, along with calipers, wheel cylinders and master cylinder (refer to Sections Brake system checks. Parking brake adjustment, Checking the condition and replacing the engine compartment hoses, localizing leaks).
If the reservoir is empty or nearly empty when checking the fluid level, the brake system must be checked for leaks and bled (contact the head Brake system).
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering hydraulic system reservoir is located at the rear of the engine compartment. Refer to Section Checking the fluid level of the power steering system.
Windshield washer fluid
Detergent concentrate is highly flammable.
Do not use fire, open flames or smoking when handling glass cleaner concentrate.
Open the lid and visually check the fluid level.
If necessary, add a mixture of glass cleaner concentrate and potable water.
Tank capacity is given in Specifications.
In temperate climates, the system can be filled with normal water, but it is recommended to add glass cleaner to the water. The tank should be no more than two-thirds full, so that there is free space in case the water expands when it freezes. In cold climates, use a windshield washer antifreeze that lowers the fluid's freezing point, available from any auto supply store. It is usually sold in concentrated or finished form. If you purchased concentrated antifreeze, mix it with water according to the manufacturer's instructions on the package.
Warning: For models with heated jets, as a rule, the frost resistance of the mixture to -10°C is sufficient.
Warning: Do not use antifreeze in the cooling system - it will damage the painted surfaces of the car.
Check the adjustment of the jets, refer to Section Removal and installation of a windshield washer jet.
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