729
Maintenance
WASHER FLUID
Checking the washer fluid level
The reservoir is translucent so that you
can check the level with a quick visual
inspection.
Check the fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir and add fluid if necessary. Plain
water may be used if washer fluid is not
available. However, use washer solvent
with antifreeze characteristics in cold cli-
mates to prevent freezing.
Checking the parking brake
Check the stroke of the parking brake by
counting the number of “clicks’’ heard
while fully applying it from the released
position. Also, the parking brake alone
should securely hold the vehicle on a fair-
ly steep grade.
WARNING - Coolant
• Do not use radiator coolant or
antifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir.
• Radiator coolant can severely
obscure visibility when sprayed
on the windshield and may cause
loss of vehicle control or damage
to paint and body trim.
• Windshield Washer fluid agents
contain some amounts of alcohol
and can be flammable under cer-
tain circumstances. Do not allow
sparks or flame to contact the
washer fluid or the washer fluid
reservoir. Damage to the vehicle
or occupants could occur.
• Windshield washer fluid is poi-
sonous to humans and animals.
Do not drink and avoid contact-
ing windshield washer fluid.
Serious injury or death could
occur.
OBA073008
OBA053006
OBA053006R
PARKING BRAKE
■Left-hand drive
■Right-hand drive
Maintenance
38 7
BATTERY
For best battery service
• Keep the battery securely mounted.
• Keep the battery top clean and dry.
• Keep the terminals and connections
clean, tight, and coated with petroleum
jelly or terminal grease.
• Rinse any spilled electrolyte from the
battery immediately with a solution of
water and baking soda.
• If the vehicle is not going to be used for
an extended time, disconnect the bat-
tery cables.
OBA073009
WARNING
To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH to you or bystanders,
always follow these precautions
when working near or handling the
battery:
Always read and follow
instructions carefully when
handling a battery.
Wear eye protection
designed to protect the
eyes from acid splashes.
Keep all flames, sparks, or
smoking materials away
from the battery.
Hydrogen is always present
in battery cells, is highly
combustible, and may
explode if ignited.
Keep batteries out of reach
of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which is highly corro-
sive. Do not allow acid to
contact your eyes, skin or
clothing.
(Continued)
(Continued)
If acid gets into your eyes, flush
your eyes with clean water for at
least 15 minutes and get immediate
medical attention. If acid gets on
your skin, thoroughly wash the
area. If you feel pain or a burning
sensation, get medical attention
immediately.
• When lifting a plastic-cased bat-
tery, excessive pressure on the
case may cause battery acid to
leak. Lift with a battery carrier or
with your hands on opposite cor-
ners.
• Do not attempt to jump start your
vehicle if your battery is frozen.
• NEVER attempt to recharge the
battery when the vehicle’s battery
cables are connected to the bat-
tery.
• The electrical ignition system
works with high voltage. NEVER
touch these components with the
engine running or when the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
Maintenance
40 7
Reset items
Items should be reset after the battery
has been discharged or the battery has
been disconnected.
• Auto up/down window (See chapter 4)
• Climate control system
(See chapter 4)
• Audio (See chapter 4)(Continued)
• Before performing maintenance
or recharging the battery, turn off
all accessories and stop the
engine.
• The negative battery cable must
be removed first and installed
last when the battery is discon-
nected.WARNING- Recharging
battery
When recharging the battery,
observe the following precautions:
• The battery must be removed
from the vehicle and placed in an
area with good ventilation.
• Do not allow cigarettes, sparks,
or flame near the battery.
• Watch the battery during charging,
and stop or reduce the charging
rate if the battery cells begin
gassing (boiling) violently or if the
temperature of the electrolyte of
any cell exceeds 49°C (120°F).
• Wear eye protection when check-
ing the battery during charging.
• Disconnect the battery charger in
the following order.
1. Turn off the battery charger main
switch.
2. Unhook the negative clamp from
the negative battery terminal.
3. Unhook the positive clamp from
the positive battery terminal.
(Continued)
