Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood......................................................5-9
Hood Release................................................5-9
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-10
Engine Oil...................................................5-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-15
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-17
Engine Coolant.............................................5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-21
Engine Overheating.......................................5-22
Cooling System............................................5-24
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32
Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-41
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-43
Headlamps..................................................5-43
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-45
Taillamps and Back-Up Lamps.......................5-45
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-47
Tires..............................................................5-48
Inflation -- Tire Pressure................................5-49
Check Tire Pressure System..........................5-49
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-51
When It Is Time for New Tires
.......................5-52
Buying New Tires
.........................................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
..........................5-54
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
..................5-55
Wheel Replacement
......................................5-55
Section 5Service and Appearance Care
5-1
2003 - Rendezvous OM
Engine Compartment Overview
When you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
A. Underhood Fuse Block
B. Remote Positive (+) TerminalC. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
5-10
2003 - Rendezvous OM
9. Thenfill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
COLD mark.
10. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steeringfluid reservoir is located to the right
of the windshield washerfluid reservoir, at the back
of the engine compartment.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steeringfluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. Afluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10for reservoir location.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at thefluid level on the
dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level should
be at the H (hot) mark. When it’s cold, the level
should be at the C (cold) mark. If thefluid is at the ADD
mark, you should addfluid.
What to Use
To determine what kind offluid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
Always use the properfluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washerfluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use afluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-10for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washerfluid until the
tank is full.
Notice:
•When using concentrated washerfluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
•Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washerfluid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washerfluid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t
clean as well as washerfluid.
•Fill your washerfluid tank only three-quarters
full when it’s very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
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2003 - Rendezvous OM