
Avoid driving over obstacles. Acompact spare tire diameter is
smaller than one of an original tire,
and the ground clearance is short-
er by approximately 1 inch (25
mm). This may damage you vehi-
cle.
Do drive through an automatic car wash while the compact spare tire
is installed.
Do not use tire chains on a com- pact spare tire. Because of the size
difference, a tire chain will not tight-
ly fit. This may result in loss of the
chain and damage the vehicle.
Do not use your compact spare tire on any other vehicles. This com-
pact spare tire is designed exclu-
sively for your vehicle.
The tread life of a compact spare tire is shorter than other regular
tires. Inspect your compact spare
tire on a regular basis, and, if worn
out, replace it with the one of the
same size and the same design.
A compact spare tire should not be used on any other wheels, nor
should a compact spare wheel be
used for standard tires, snow tires,
snow tire wheel covers or snow tire
trim rings. This attempt may dam-
age the above items or other com-
ponents.
Do not use more than one compact spare tire at the same time.
Do not tow a trailer while the com- pact spare tire is installed. When a tire or a wheel is repaired
or reinstalled, the wheel nut
torque must be correctly set to
prevent any wheel vibrations. The
correct wheel nut torque is 65 ~ 79
lb-ft (9 ~ 11 kg.m).NOTICE
6-18
What to do in an emergency

Maintenance
Climate control air filter .....................................7-35
Filter inspection ...............................................................7-35
Filter replacement ...........................................................7-35
Wiper blades .........................................................7-36
Blade inspection ..............................................................7-36
Blade replacement ..........................................................7-36
Battery...................................................................7-39
For best battery service................................................7-39
Battery recharging by battery charger ....................7-41
Battery recharging by vehicle .....................................7-41
Reset items .......................................................................7\
-42
Tires and wheels ..................................................7-42
Tire care ........................................................................\
....7-42
Recommended cold tire inflation pressures.............7-42
Checking tire inflation pressure ..................................7-44
Tire rotation ....................................................................7-45\
Wheel alignment and tire balance ..............................7-45
Tire replacement .............................................................7-46
Wheel replacement .........................................................7-47
Tire traction ......................................................................7-\
47
Tire maintenance ...........................................................7-48
Tire sidewall labeling ......................................................7-48
Low aspect ratio tire ......................................................7-51
Tire terminology and definitions.................................7-52
All season tires ...............................................................7-54
Summer tires ...................................................................7-54
Snow tires ........................................................................\
.7-54
Tire chains ........................................................................\
7-55
Radial-ply tires ................................................................7-55

The following lists are about the vehi-
cle inspection and maintenance that
should be performed by the owner or
an authorized EQUUS dealer, as
indicated. This will ensure your safety
and dependable driving.
Any adverse conditions should imme-
diately be checked by your EQUUS
dealer.
These Owner Maintenance Checklists
are mostly uncovered by your vehicle
warranties. Thus, you may charges
you for expenses of labor, parts or
lubricants.
Owner's maintenance sched-
ule
While refueling:
Check the engine oil level.
Check coolant level in coolantreservoir.
Check the windshield washer fluid level.
Check for any low or under-inflated tires.
While driving:
Check for any changes in theexhaust sounds or the smells.
Check for any steering wheel vibra- tion. Check whether you feel more
tightness or looseness of the steer-
ing wheel.
Check for any slight tilting, or “pulls” to one side, while driving on
a flat surface.
Check for any unusual sounds, tilt- ing, a braking distance, or “hard-to-
push” brake pedal while stopping.
Check the transmission fluid level upon experiencing a skid or a sud-
den transmission gear change.
Check the P(Park) function of the auto transmission.
Check the parking brake.
Check for any fluid leak (water dripping from the A/C while or after
the normal driving).
At least once a month:
Check the coolant level in theengine coolant reservoir.
Check the operation of all exterior lights, such as the stoplights, turn
signals and hazard warning flash-
ers.
Check the inflation pressures of all tires including the spare.
O OW
W N
NE
ER
R '
'S
S
M
M A
AI
IN
N T
TE
EN
N A
AN
N C
CE
E
7-7
Maintenance07
Carefully check your engine
coolant level, when the engine
is hot. The hot coolant or steam
may blow out under pressure.
This may cause a skin burn or
other serious injuries.
WARNING

NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The following maintenance procedures must be performed for good emission
control and performance.
Keep the records of all vehicle emission-system maintenance histories to pro-
tect your warranty. Between the driving mileage and period, follow the main-
tenance procedures in accordance with whichever occurs first.
7-9
Maintenance07
7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
❑Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months)\
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months)
15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months
❑ Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect A/C refrigerant
❑ Inspect brake hoses and lines
❑ Inspect drive shafts and boots
❑ Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑ Inspect front brake disc/pad, calipers
❑ Inspect propeller shaft
❑ Inspect rear brake disc/pad
❑ Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Inspect EHPS (Electronic Hydraulic Power Steering) motor pump and hoses
❑ Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 24 months)
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 24 months)
*1: When the TOP-TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, adding one bottle of additives is rec-
ommended. Additives are available from your authorized EQUUS dealer along with informa-
tion on how to use them. Do not mix it with other additives.
❈ Inspect : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.

NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
7-10
Maintenance
22,500 miles (36,000 km) or 18 months
❑Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (22,500 miles (36,000 km) or 36 months)\
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(22,500 miles (36,000 km) or 36 months)
*1: When the TOP-TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, adding one bottle of additives is rec-
ommended. Additives are available from your authorized EQUUS dealer along with informa-
tion on how to use them. Do not mix it with other additives.
*
2: Fuel filter & Fuel tank air filter are considered to be maintenance free\
. However, regular inspection is still recommended, because the maintenance schedule depend\
s on the fuel
quality. When there are critical safety problems, such as fuel flow blocking, overflowing, power
loss, and hard starting, immediately replace the fuel filter regardless of maintenance sche\
d-
ule, and consult an authorized EQUUS dealer for further information.
❈ Inspect : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.
30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months
❑Rotate tires
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect A/C refrigerant
❑ Inspect brake hoses and lines
❑ Inspect drive shafts and boots
❑ Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑ Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
❑ Inspect propeller shaft
❑ Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑ Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑ Inspect brake fluid
❑ Inspect fuel filter *
2
❑Inspect fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections
❑ Inspect fuel tank air filter *2
❑Inspect parking brake
❑ Inspect vapor hose and fuel filler cap, fuel tank
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Inspect EHPS (Electronic Hydraulic Power Steering) motor pump and hoses
❑ Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
❑ Replace air cleaner filter
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 48 months)
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 48 months)

NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
7-11
Maintenance07
37,500 miles (60,000 km) or 30 months
❑Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect rear differential oil *
3 (40,000 miles (64,000 km) or 48 months)
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (37,500 miles (60,000 km) or 60 months)\
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(37,500 miles (60,000 km) or 60 months)
45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 36 months
❑ Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect A/C refrigerant
❑ Inspect brake hoses and lines
❑ Inspect drive shafts and boots
❑ Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑ Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
❑ Inspect propeller shaft
❑ Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑ Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Inspect EHPS (Electronic Hydraulic Power Steering) motor pump and hoses
❑ Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 72 months)\
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 72 months)
*1: When the TOP-TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, adding one bottle of additives is rec-
ommended. Additives are available from your authorized EQUUS dealer along with informa-
tion on how to use them. Do not mix it with other additives.
*
3: Rear differential oil should be refilled, when the rear differential is submerged in water.
❈ Inspect : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.

NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
7-12
Maintenance
52,500 miles (84,000 km) or 42 months
❑Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (52,500 miles (84,000 km) or 84 months)\
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(52,500 miles (84,000 km) or 84 months)
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months
❑ Rotate tires
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect A/C refrigerant
❑ Inspect brake hoses and lines
❑ Inspect drive shafts and boots
❑ Inspect exhaust pipe and muffler
❑ Inspect front brake disc/pads, calipers
❑ Inspect propeller shaft
❑ Inspect rear brake disc/pads
❑ Inspect steering gear box, linkage & boots/lower arm ball joint, upper arm ball joint
❑ Inspect suspension mounting bolts
❑ Inspect brake fluid
❑ Inspect fuel filter *
2
❑Inspect fuel lines, fuel hoses and connections
❑ Inspect fuel tank air filter *2
❑Inspect parking brake
❑ Inspect vapor hose and fuel filler cap, fuel tank
(Continued)
*1: When the TOP-TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, adding one bottle of additives is rec-ommended. Additives are available from your authorized EQUUS dealer along with informa-
tion on how to use them. Do not mix it with other additives.
*
2: Fuel filter & Fuel tank air filter are considered to be maintenance free\
. However, regular inspection is still recommended, because the maintenance schedule depend\
s on the fuel
quality. When there are critical safety problems, such as fuel flow blocking, overflowing, power
loss, and hard starting, immediately replace the fuel filter regardless of maintenance sche\
d-
ule, and consult an authorized EQUUS dealer for further information.
❈ Inspect : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.

NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (CONT.)
7-13
Maintenance07
67,500 miles (108,000 km) or 54 months
❑Rotate tires
❑ Inspect air cleaner filter
❑ Inspect vacuum hose
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (67,500 miles (108,000 km) or 108 month\
s)
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(67,500 miles (108,000 km) or 108 months)
(Continued)
❑ Inspect drive belts (First, 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 72 months
after every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 24 months) *
4
❑ Inspect power steering fluid
❑ Inspect EHPS (Electronic Hydraulic Power Steering) motor pump and hoses
❑ Replace climate control air filter (for evaporator and blower unit)
❑ Replace air cleaner filter
❑ Replace engine oil and filter (60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 96 months)\
❑ Add fuel additives *
1(60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 96 months)
*1: When the TOP-TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, adding one bottle of additives is rec-
ommended. Additives are available from your authorized EQUUS dealer along with informa-
tion on how to use them. Do not mix it with other additives.
*
4: The drive belt should be replaced, when it has a crack. Otherwise, the tension would be excessively reduced.
❈ Inspect : Inspect and if necessary, adjust, correct, clean or replace.