
HOOD LOCK RELEASE MECHANISM AND
SAFETY CATCH
The hood lock release mechanism and hood safety catch
should be inspected, cleaned, and lubricated as required
to maintain ease of operation and to provide protection
against rust and wear. Apply Multipurpose Grease NLGI
Grade 2 sparingly to all sliding contact areas of the hood
latch and release lever. Work lubricant into the hood lock
mechanism until all frictional surfaces are covered.
Also, apply a film of the same lubricant to the pivot
contact areas of the safety catch.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide gas found in the vehicle's exhaust
is poisonous. Inhalation of exhaust fumes can cause
unconsciousness or death.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle interior is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system; when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle; or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent technician inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts.
In addition inspect the exhaust system each time the
vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.
Open seams or loose connections could permit danger-
ous exhaust fumes to seep into the trunk and passenger
compartments.
Do this service when performing underbody service.
Check for any of the following conditions:
1. Check for holes or exhaust gas leakage caused by
corrosion or damage.
2. Check the joints and connections for looseness or
exhaust gas leakage.
3. Check the rubber hangers and brackets for damage.
328 MAINTENANCE

Amount of belt deflection
in (mm)
Standard value Used belt New belt
A .27 to .33
(6.9 to 8.5).29 to .33
(7.4 to 8.5).17 to .21
(4.4 to 5.4)
B .46 to .61
(11.8 to 15.5).50 to .57
(12.6 to 14.4).34 to .44
(8.8 to 11.1)
C .43 to .56
(11.0 to 14.3).46 to .52
(11.7 to 13.3).33 to .41
(8.4 to 10.4)
D .33 to .43
(8.5 to 10.9).35 to .40
(9.0 to 10.1).24 to .30
(6.2 to 7.6)
WARNING!
Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury may result.
TIMING BELT
The timing belt should be replaced with a new one at the
mileage specified on the scheduled maintenance chart.
TIRES
WARNING!
Driving with tires that are worn or improperly inflated
can result in a collision, and serious or fatal injury.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms:
²Cold tire pressure:
(1) The measured pressure after the vehicle has
been parked for at least three hours, or
(2} The measured pressure when the vehicle is
driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after having
been parked for three hours.
²
Maximum inflation pressure: the maximum permis-
sible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire
²Recommended inflation pressure: the inflation pres-
sure for optimum tire performance
²Intended outboard sidewall:
332 MAINTENANCE

2. Maintain wheel balance and front suspension align-
ment.
3. Rotate tires regularly in accordance with the recom-
mendation in the section ªTire rotationº on page 344.
Loading information
WARNING!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms before loading your vehicle:
²Vehicle maximum load on the tire : load on an
individual tire that is determined by distributing to
each axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing by two.
²Vehicle normal load on the tire : load on an indi-
vidual tire that is determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight, accessory weight,
and normal occupant weight and dividing by two.
²Maximum loaded vehicle weight : the sum of -
(a) Curb weight;
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) Production option weight.
²Curb weight : the weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the maximum capac-
ity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional engine.
²Accessory weight : the combined weight (in excess
of those standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and
heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether installed or
not).
MAINTENANCE 339
9

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 385
11

Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperatures can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger vehicle tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat build-up and possible tire failure.
386 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Accessory boxes........................ 213
Accessory (installation)................... 248
Adding Fuel.......................... 147
Air cleaner filter........................ 312
Air conditioning........................ 236
Aluminum wheel....................... 257
Antenna.............................. 219
Anti-lock braking system warning light . . . 107,113
Assist-starting procedures if battery is low.... 278
Automatic transaxle indicator.............. 119
Automatic transaxle oil temperature
warning light.......................... 107
Automatic transaxle
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 325
Driving speed........................ 157
Gear positions....................... 156
Holding on an upgrade................ 165
Oil temperature warning light............ 107
Parking............................ 169
Reset Mode.......................158,166
Selector lever operation................. 153
Automatic transmission.................. 158
Autostick............................. 163Ball joint, steering linkage seal and drive
shaft boots............................ 327
Battery............................... 321
Charging system warning light........107,114
During cold weather................... 202
Specification......................... 372
Brake pad wear alarm................... 172
Brake System.......................... 172
Fluid.............................. 319
Hose.............................. 327
Parking brake.....................169,330
Pedal.............................. 171
Power brakes........................ 172
Warning light........................ 117
Warning sound for brake pad wear........ 172
Brake
Parking brake........................ 330
Pedal.............................. 171
Break-in recommendations................ 144
Bulb chart.........................291,292
Car preparation before driving............. 199
Cargo loads........................... 343
388 INDEX

Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 224
Cassette Tape Player..................219,221
CD Player.........................219,227
Center console......................... 215
Center console box...................... 213
Charging system warning light..........107,114
Check engine/malfunction indicator lamp . 107,115
Child restraint.......................... 76
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 145
Cleaning
Exterior of your car................... 252
Interior of your car.................... 251
Clock................................ 216
Compact spare tire...................265,373
Contract, Service....................... 380
Coolant (engine)....................... 318
Cruise control (for non-turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cruise control (for turbo)
Indicator.........................107,113
Cup holder........................... 212
Customer Arbitration Board............... 381
Customer Assistance.................... 378Dealer Service......................... 378
Defroster (rear window).................. 125
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 310
Dimmer control........................ 122
Disc brake pads........................ 327
Dome light........................... 301
Dome light/Reading light................ 129
Door hinges, rear hatch hinges, hood lock
release mechanism and safety catch......... 328
Door Opener, Garage.................... 132
Door-ajar warning light...............107,112
Doors
Lock............................... 26
Power door locks...................... 34
Drive belt............................ 331
Driving, alcohol and drugs................ 201
Driving speed
Automatic transaxle................... 157
Manual transaxle..................... 169
Electric rear window defroster switch........ 125
Emission-control system maintenance........ 309
Engine compartment.................257,307
INDEX 389

Engine coolant......................... 318
Engine coolant level warning light.......... 107
Engine coolant temperature gauge.......106,111
Engine hood release...................... 41
Engine oil and oil filter.................. 314
Engine overheating..................... 277
Engine serial number.................... 371
Engine specifications.................... 375
Exhaust system.....................328,375
Fluid
Automatic transaxle fluid............... 325
Brake fluid.......................... 319
Clutch fluid......................... 320
Fog light switch........................ 123
Front fog lamp indicator lamp............. 114
Front seat adjustment..................... 57
Fuel
Filler Cap........................... 148
Fuel economy........................ 149
Fuel filler............................ 39
Fuel gauge.......................106,109
Fuel hoses.......................... 311Fuel selection........................ 144
Low-fuel warning light..............107,113
Fuses................................ 284
Fusible links.......................... 285
Garage Door Opener.................... 132
GasCap .............................. 148
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 146
Gauges.........................106,109,111
Gear positions......................... 156
General maintenance
Maintenance service................... 314
General vehicle data..................... 373
Glove compartment..................213,214
Handling of Compact Discs............... 232
Hazard warning flasher switch............. 124
Hazard warning light.................107,112
Head restraints......................... 66
Headlights (Type 1)..................... 292
Headlights (Type 2)..................... 293
Headlights
Aiming............................. 295
390 INDEX