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7-38 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Ball joint, steering linkage seals, drive shaft boots
N00941800093
Check the following parts for damage and grease leaks:
Ball joint boots of the suspension and steering linkage
Bellows on both ends of the drive shaftDrive belt (for generator, power steering pump,
air conditioning compressor)
N00941900270
2.4 liter models
Remove the screw (A) and take out the engine coolant reserve
tank (B). Then, check the tension of the drive belt. Make cer-
tain that the indicator (C) is between the specified lines as
shown in the illustration.
Check the drive belt for cuts and cracks, and replace it if it is
damaged. When replacing the belt, make sure that there is no
interference between the belt and other engine components.
After replacing, recheck the tension to make sure the indicator
(C) is between the specified lines.
WA R N I N G
!Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury or death may result.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-39
7
3.0 liter models
Drive belt for power steering pumpCheck the tension of the drive belt. The deflection must be
within specifications, when pressed at a point halfway between
the pulleys as shown in the illustration with a force of about 22
pounds (100N).
Check the drive belt for cuts and cracks, and replace it if it is
damaged.
When replacing the belt with a new belt, make sure that there is
no interference between the belt and other engine components.
Then, check the tension of the belt at the designated point. The
deflection must be within the specifications.
Amount of belt deflection
1- Power steering pump pulley
2- Crank shaft pulley
3- Generator pulley
4- Air conditioning pulley
5- Drive belt for power steering pump
6- Drive belt for generator and air conditioning compressor
Standard value
Used belt
New belt
.33 to .72 inch (8.5 to 18.3 mm)
WA R N I N G
!Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury or death may result.
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7-40 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Drive belt for generator and air conditioning compres-
sorCheck the tension of the drive belt. Make certain that the indi-
cator (A) is between the specified lines as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Check the drive belt for cuts and cracks, and replace it if it is
damaged. When replacing the belt, make sure that there is no
interference between the belt and other engine components.
After replacing, recheck the tension to make sure the indicator
(A) is between the specified lines.
Exhaust system
N00942200094
The best way to keep carbon monoxide gas from entering
inside your vehicle is to have the engine exhaust system prop-
erly serviced.
Have a competent mechanic inspect the complete exhaust sys-
tem and nearby body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated,
or mispositioned parts if you notice any of the following:
A change in the sound of the exhaust system
The smell of exhaust fumes inside the vehicle
The underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged
Also check the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication, oil changes, or required service. Any open
seams or loose connections could let dangerous exhaust fumes
seep into the luggage compartment and passenger compart-
ments.Check for any of the following conditions:Check for holes or exhaust gas leaks caused by corrosion
or damage.
Check the joints and connections for looseness or exhaust
gas leaks.
Check the rubber hangers and brackets for damage.
WA R N I N G
!Do not check or touch the drive belt with the engine
running, or serious injury or death may result.
WA R N I N G
!Carbon monoxide gas from your vehicle’s exhaust is
poisonous. Breathing these fumes can cause uncon-
sciousness or death.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-41
7
Timing belt
N00942300079
The timing belt should be replaced with a new one at the mile-
age listed in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE
MANUAL”.Hood lock release mechanism and safety catch
N00942500101
The hood lock release mechanism and hood safety catch should
be checked, cleaned, and oiled when needed for easy move-
ment and to stop rust and wear. Use Multipurpose Grease
NLGI Grade 2 sparingly for all sliding parts of the hood latch
and release lever. Work the grease into the hood lock mecha-
nism until all the movable surfaces are covered.
Also, put a light coat of the same grease on the safety catch
wherever moving parts touch.
For cold and snowy weather
N00942600102
Ventilation slotsThe ventilation slots in front of the windshield should be
brushed clear after a heavy snowfall so that the operation of the
heating and ventilation systems will not be impaired.WeatherstrippingTo prevent freezing of the weatherstripping on the doors,
engine hood, etc., they should be treated with silicone grease.Additional equipment (For regions where snow is
encountered)It is a good idea to carry a shovel or a short-handled spade in
the vehicle during the winter so that you can clear away snow
if you get stranded. A small hand-brush for sweeping snow off
the vehicle and a plastic scraper for the windshield, side and
rear window are also useful.
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7-84 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
During cold weatherSalt and other chemicals spread on winter roads in some geo-
graphical areas can have a detrimental effect on the vehicle
underbody. You should flush the underbody with a high pres-
sure hose every time you wash the outside of your vehicle.
Take special care to remove mud or other debris which could
trap and hold salt and moisture.
After washing your vehicle, wipe off all waterdrops from the
rubber parts around the doors to prevent the doors from freez-
ing.
CAUTION
!When washing the underside of your vehicle or the
wheels, wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands.If your vehicle has rain sensor wipers, place the
wiper switch lever in the “OFF” position to deacti-
vate the rain sensor before washing the vehicle. Oth-
erwise, the wipers will operate in the presence of
water spray on the windshield and may get damaged
as a result.Never spray or splash water on the electrical parts
in the engine compartment. This may damage them.
Be careful also when washing the underbody to
ensure that water does not enter the engine com-
partment.Avoid automatic car washers that use rotating
brushes. These brushes may scratch the paint sur-
face and make it dull.
Scratches are more noticeable on darker colored
vehicles.Some hot water washing equipment uses high pres-
sure and heat to clean your vehicle. Because hot
water can damage plastics parts and seep inside
your vehicle, make sure you do the following when
using such equipment:
• Keep the washing nozzle at least 16 inches (40 cm)
away from the vehicle body.
• When washing around the door glass, hold the
nozzle at a distance of more than 20 inches (50 cm)
and at a right angle to the glass surface.
Make sure to do the following when using an auto-
matic car wash, with help from either this manual or
the car wash operator, to avoid damaging your vehi-
cle:
• Fold the outside rearview mirrors.
• Remove the antenna.
• Tape or remove the rear wiper arm assembly.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a rear spoiler or
roof rails, check with the car wash operator before
using the car wash.
• If your vehicle is equipped with the rain sensor
wipers, place the wiper switch lever in the “OFF”
position to deactivate the rain sensor.CAUTION
!
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7-86 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Polishing
N00946100046
If painted surfaces have been severely damaged and lost their
original luster and color tone, polish the surface lightly with a
fine polishing compound. Avoid limiting your polishing to the
damaged surface only; polish a somewhat wider area, moving
the polishing cloth in one direction. After polishing, flush the
compound from the surface and apply a coat of wax to regain a
beautiful luster.Damaged paint
N00946200047
Small cracks and scratches in the paint coat should be touched
up as soon as possible with touch-up paint to prevent corrosion.
Check body areas facing the road or the tires carefully for dam-
age to the paint caused by flying stones, etc. The paint code
number for your vehicle can be found on the vehicle informa-
tion code plate in the engine compartment.
Cleaning plastic parts
N00946300194
Use a sponge or chamois to clean these parts.
If a vehicle wax sticks to a gray or black rough surface of the
bumper, molding or lights, the surface may appear white in
color. In this case, wipe it off using lukewarm water and a soft
cloth or chamois.Chrome parts
N00946400052
To prevent spots and corrosion of chrome parts, wash with
water, dry thoroughly, and apply a nonabrasive automotive
wax. If the chrome is severely damaged or pitted, use a com-
mercially available chrome polish.
CAUTION
!Do not use a scrubbing brush or other rough scrub-
ber as these may damage the plastic surface.Do not use wax containing compounds (polishing
powder) which may damage the plastic surface.Do not let plastic parts get soiled with gasoline, oil,
brake fluids, engine oils, greases, paint thinner, and
sulfuric acid (battery electrolyte), as such substances
will cause stains, cracks, or discoloration.
If any of these get on a plastic part, wipe them up
with a soft cloth or chamois and a mild solution of
soap and water. Then rinse them immediately with
water.
BK0122500US.book 86 ページ 2010年5月12日 水曜日 午前11時11分