8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements .................................................. 8-2
General maintenance ............................................................ 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items ................ 8-2
Maintenance precautions ..................................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ............................. 8-7
Engine cooling system.......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant ............................................... 8-9
Engine oil ................................................................................. 8-9
Checking engine oil level ............................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ...................................................... 8-10
Changing engine oil filter ............................................ 8-11
CVT fluid ................................................................................ 8-12
Power steering fluid ............................................................ 8-12
Brake fluid ............................................................................. 8-13
Window washer fluid.......................................................... 8-14
Battery .................................................................................... 8-14
Jump starting .................................................................. 8-15
Drive belts ............................................................................. 8-16
Spark plugs ........................................................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs.................................................. 8-17
Air cleaner ............................................................................. 8-17
Windshield wiper blades ................................................... 8-18Cleaning ........................................................................... 8-18
Replacing ......................................................................... 8-18
Rear window wiper blade ................................................. 8-20
Parking brake and brake pedal ........................................ 8-20
Checking parking brake ............................................... 8-20
Checking brake pedal .................................................. 8-20
Brake booster ................................................................. 8-21
Fuses ...................................................................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ..................................................... 8-22
Passenger compartment .............................................. 8-23
Battery replacement............................................................ 8-24
Keyfob............................................................................. 8-24
Intelligent Key ................................................................. 8-25
Lights ..................................................................................... 8-27
Headlights ...................................................................... 8-28
Exterior and interior lights............................................ 8-29
Wheels and tires ................................................................. 8-30
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-30
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-35
Types of tires .................................................................. 8-37
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-38
Changing wheels and tires ......................................... 8-39
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*:When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation*:Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). However, the timing
for tire rotation may vary according to your
driving habits and road surface conditions.
Tires*:Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance:If the
vehicle should pull to either side while driving on
a straight and level road, or if you detect uneven
or abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “TireSafety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Windshield:Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a
damaged windshield repaired by a qualified re-
pair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*:Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal:Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal does
not catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor
mats away from the pedal.
Brake pedal and booster*:Check the pedal
for smooth operation and make sure it has the
proper distance under it when depressed fully.
Check the brake booster function. Be sure to
keep floor mats away from the pedal.
Brakes:Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanism:On a fairlysteep hill check that the vehicle is held securely
with the selector lever in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brake*:Check that the lever has the
proper travel and make sure that the vehicle is
held securely on a fairly steep hill when only the
parking brake is applied.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats:Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure
they operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks hold securely in all latched positions.
Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes:Make sure that all
warning lights and chimes are operating prop-
erly.
Windshield defroster:Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in good quantity when operating the heater or air
conditioner.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-3
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) (if so equipped)This vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). It monitors tire pres-
sure of all tires except the spare. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated. If
equipped, the system also displays pressure of
all tires (except the spare tire) on the display
screen by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). Also,
this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire
pressure (for example a flat tire while driving).
For more details, refer to “Low tire pressure
warning light” in the “2. Instruments and con-
trols” section, “Tire pressure information” in the
“4. Display screen, heater, air conditioner and
audio systems” section, “Tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS)” in the “5. Starting and
driving” section, and “Flat tire” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section.
SDI1930
Map light
SDI1499A
Ceiling light
SDI1500B
Luggage light
SDI1506B
Vanity mirror light
WHEELS AND TIRES
8-30
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
Tire inflation pressureCheck the tire pressures (including the
spare) often and always prior to long
distance trips. The recommended tire
pressure specifications are shown on the
FMVSS label and/or the Tire and Loading
Information label under the “Cold Tire
(Inflation) Pressure” heading. The Tire
and Loading Information label is affixed to
the driver side center pillar. Tire pres-
sures should be checked regularly be-
cause:
Most tires naturally lose air over time.
Tires can lose air suddenly when
driven over potholes or other objects
or if the vehicle strikes a curbwhile
parking.
The tire pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold. The tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for 3 or more hours, or
driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at mod-
erate speeds.Incorrect tire pressure, including un-
der inflation, may adversely affect
tire life and vehicle handling.
WARNING
Improperly inflated tires can fail
suddenly and cause an acci-
dent.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing is located on the FMVSS
label. The vehicle weight capac-
ity is indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Do
not load your vehicle beyond
this capacity. Overloading your
vehicle may result in reduced
tire life, unsafe operating con-
ditions due to premature tire
failure, or unfavorable handling
characteristics and could also
lead to a serious accident.
Loading beyond the specified
capacity may also result in fail-ure of other vehicle compo-
nents.
Before taking a long trip, or
whenever you heavily load your
vehicle, use a tire pressure
gauge to ensure that the tire
pressures are at the specified
level.
Do not drive your vehicle over
85 MPH (137 km/h) unless it is
equipped with high speed rated
tires. Driving faster than 85
MPH (137 km/h) may result in
tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury.
For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-31
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
3
Original (tire) size: The size of the
tires originally installed on the vehicle
at the factory.
4
Cold tire (inflation) pressure: Inflate
the tires to this pressure when thetires are cold. Tires are considered
COLD after the vehicle has been
parked for 3 or more hours, or driven
less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at moderate
speeds. The recommended cold tireinflation is set by the manufacturer to
provide the best balance of tire wear,
vehicle handling, driveability, tire
noise, etc., up to the vehicle’s
GVWR.
5
Tire size — refer to “Tire labeling”
later in this section.
6
Spare tire size or compact spare tire
size (if so equipped)
SDI1948
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-33
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
Checking the tire pressure1. Remove the valve stem cap from the
tire.
2. Press the pressure gauge squarely
onto the valve stem. Do not press too
hard or force the valve stem sideways,
or air will escape. If the hissing sound
of air escaping from the tire is heard
while checking the pressure, reposi-
tion the gauge to eliminate this leak-
age.3. Remove the gauge.
4. Read the tire pressure on the gauge
stem and compare it to the specifica-
tion shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
5. Add air to the tire as needed. If too
much air is added, press the core of
the valve stem briefly with the tip of the
gauge stem to release pressure. Re-
check the pressure and add or release
air as needed.
6. Install the valve stem cap.
7. Check the pressure of all other tires,
including the spare.
SizeCold Tire
Inflation
Pressure
Front
Original
TireP235/65R18
104T230 kPa
33 psi
Rear
Original
TireP235/65R18
104T230 kPa
33 psi
Spare
TireT165/90D18
107M420 kPa
60 psi
SDI1949
8-34
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
TIRE LABELINGFederal law requires tire manufacturers
to place standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This information iden-
tifies and describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also pro-
vides the tire identification number (TIN)
for safety standard certification. The TIN
can be used to identify the tire in case of
a recall.
1
Tire size (example: P215/60R16
94H)
1. P: The “P” indicates the tire is de-
signed for passenger vehicles. (Not all
tires have this information.)
2. Three-digit number (215): This num-
ber gives the width in millimeters of the
tire from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge.
3. Two-digit number (60): This number,
known as the aspect ratio, gives thetire’s ratio of height to width.
4. R: The “R” stands for radial.
5. Two-digit number (16): This number is
the wheel or rim diameter in inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (94): This
number is the tire’s load index. It is a
measurement of how much weight
each tire can support. You may not
find this information on all tires be-
cause it is not required by law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not
drive the vehicle faster than the tire
speed rating.
SDI1575
EXAMPLE
SDI1606
EXAMPLE
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-35
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0
2
TIN (Tire Identification Number) for
new tire (example: DOT XX XX XXX
XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “Depart-
ment Of Transportation”. The
symbol can be placed above,
below or to the left or right of the
Tire Identification Number.
2. Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identi-
fication mark
3. Two-digit code: Tire size4. Three-digit code: Tire type code (Op-
tional)
5. Three-digit code: Date of Manufacture
6. Four numbers represent the week and
year the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 3103 means the 31st week
of 2003. If these numbers are missing,
then look on the other sidewall of the
tire.
3
Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tire, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
4
Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure
This number is the greatest amount
of air pressure that should be put in
the tire. Do not exceed the maximum
permissible inflation pressure.
5
Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximumload in kilograms and pounds that
can be carried by the tire. When
replacing the tires on the vehicle,
always use a tire that has the same
load rating as the factory installed
tire.
6
Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an
inner tube (“tube type”) or not
(“tubeless”).
7
The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown if the tire
has radial structure.
8
Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is
shown.
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are
defined throughout this section, Intended
Outboard Sidewall is (1) the sidewall that
contains a whitewall, bears white letter-
ing or bears manufacturer, brand and/or
model name molding that is higher or
SDI1607
EXAMPLE
8-36
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
05.8.26/Z50-D/V5.0