Note. Regardless of the scheduled inspection intervals, do not allow fluids to leak under the vehicle, such leaks indicate a malfunction that should be repaired immediately.
Fluids are an integral part of the lubrication, cooling, windshield washer and brake systems. Due to the gradual consumption and contamination of fluids during normal vehicle operation, they should be replaced periodically. Top up only those that meet the requirements Specifications liquids.
Note. Whenever checking the fluid level, the vehicle must be on a level, level surface.
Engine oil
Engine oil consumption can be up to 0.5 liters per 1000 kilometers. Higher oil consumption is a sign of worn seals and/or piston rings or engine shaft seals.
Visual control of leaks
With an oily engine and high oil consumption, check the following for leaks:
- Laying of the pallet of a crankcase of the engine;
- Engine oil drain plug seal;
- Seal D/V engine oil pressure;
- Oil filter gasket;
- Gaskets front covers of the block and cylinder head;
- Gasket between block and cylinder head;
- Cylinder head cover gasket;
- Seal oil filler cap;
- Crankshaft and camshaft seals.
Since the presence of a leak spreads the oil over a large surface of the engine, it is difficult to immediately determine its location. To detect leaks, proceed as follows:
1. Clean the engine by covering the alternator and fuse box with a plastic bag, spraying the engine with normal cold cleaner and washing it out with water after a short time.
2. Sprinkle mating surfaces and seals on the engine with lime or talc outside.
3. Check the engine oil level and correct if necessary.
4. In order to warm up the oil, make a test drive on the car - the viscosity of the heated oil will decrease, and it will come out faster at the leaks.
5. Finally, examine the engine by lighting it with a lamp, localize the leaks and eliminate them.
Checking and adjusting the level
Checking the level of impellent oil is done using a dipstick (No. 10 in the illustration Engine compartment components), installed in the guide tube.
Measuring the level of impellent oil should be done on a cold engine, or not earlier than 10 minutes after turning it off.
Note. If you start measuring immediately after turning off the engine, some of the oil will remain in its upper part and the measurement results will be erroneous.
1. Remove the probe from the guide and wipe the probe blade dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the guide and pull it out again.
2. The height of the oil-wetted area on the dipstick will correspond to the oil level in the engine. This level must be in the grooved area on the dipstick, otherwise the oil level must be corrected. When going beyond the upper edge of the corrugated area of the dipstick, the oil should be pumped out, because. otherwise, engine seals and catalytic converter may be damaged.
3. To add oil, remove the filler cap (No. 2 in the illustration Components of the engine compartment). After adding oil, wait a few minutes for the level to stabilize, then remove the dipstick and check the level again. Re-adjust if necessary. If dirt is found on the filler cap, wash it with gasoline. Finally, close the oil filler cap tightly.
4. Checking the oil level is an important preventative procedure and should be done as often as possible, and always before every long trip. In addition, you should pay attention to the condition of the oil: if it has a milky color or drops of water can be seen in its composition, there may be a violation of the tightness of the cylinder head gasket or a crack in the head or cylinder block, as a result of which coolant enters the oil. In this case, the engine should be repaired immediately. Each time you check the oil level, run your thumb and forefinger over the dipstick blade before wiping. If dirt particles or metal particles are found adhering to the dipstick, the oil should be changed (see Section Changing the engine oil and oil filter).
Coolant - checking and adjusting the level and condition
Attention! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with skin or painted vehicle surfaces. If this does happen, rinse off the antifreeze immediately with plenty of water. Antifreeze is highly toxic, so do not leave it unattended in an open container or spilled on the floor: children or animals may be attracted to its sweet smell and drink it.
Attention! Do not remove the filler cap of the expansion tank or the radiator cap until the engine has completely cooled down!
The cars in question are equipped with an overpressure compensation type cooling system. The plastic expansion tank is located in the engine compartment on the left (No. 7 in the illustration Engine compartment components) and connected by a hose to the radiator. As the engine warms up during operation, the expanding coolant (coolant) fills the tank. When the engine cools down, the coolant automatically flows back into the cooling system, which ensures that the coolant level is maintained at a constant level.
The coolant level should be checked regularly, at least every month, and before any long trip.
1. The coolant level in the expansion tank fluctuates depending on the engine temperature: when the engine is cold (temperature around 20 degrees.) it should be between the marks «MIN» And «MAX» on the transparent wall of the tank, and as the engine warms up, the level should approach the upper mark or slightly exceed it. If this is not the case, allow the engine to cool, then remove the expansion tank cap and correct the coolant level.
2. To fill the cooling system, be sure to use the Specifications mixture.
Note. If it becomes necessary to fill the cooling system on the road, then in the summer you can use clean water, but not another type of antifreeze. Antifreeze of the required type can be added later, but as soon as possible.
3. If the coolant level drops rapidly, visually inspect the cooling system for leaks - they are usually detected by a white or rust-colored coating in the area surrounding the leak.
4. Check the condition of the hoses and the reliability of their attachment to the nozzles, replace damaged hoses and clamps (see also Section Checking the condition and replacing hoses and tubes in the engine compartment, localizing leaks). Cracks are easier to find if the hose is pinched.
Note. Exceeding the specified pressure can lead to radiator malfunction.
5. Check the cooling system with pressure. To do this, remove the radiator cap and install a pressurizing tool in its place. Under pressure 1.57 atm there should be no coolant leaks through the radiator.
6. Check the expansion tank cap seal.
7. If no leaks are found, perform a leak test on the radiator cap. To do this, first pull on the cover vacuum valve and release it - it should return to its original position. Check that the valve seat is free of dirt and damage. Then lubricate the radiator cap seal with coolant and connect a pressurizer to the cap. If the opening pressure of the valve does not meet the requirements Specifications, replace the radiator cap.
8. You should also check the condition of the coolant - it should be relatively clean. If the liquid has a brown or rusty color, it should be drained, the cooling system flushed and filled with a new mixture (see Section Coolant replacement). Even if the coolant looks normal, the corrosion inhibitors included in its composition lose their effectiveness over time, so the coolant should be replaced periodically.
9. To check the frost resistance of the coolant, use a hydrometer.
Brake fluid
Attention! Brake fluid in contact with eyes and painted surfaces of the vehicle can damage them. Do not use brake fluid that has been exposed for a long time or is more than one year old. Brake fluid tends to absorb moisture from the air, which can degrade its properties and lead to a dangerous loss of braking system performance. Use only the one specified in Specifications type of brake fluid. Mixing different types of liquids is not allowed.
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left side of the engine compartment, near its bulkhead (No. 4 in the illustration Engine compartment components), and is divided into two parts, each for its own braking circuit. The transparent walls of the reservoir allow you to observe the level of the brake fluid from the outside. To warn of a low level of brake fluid, there is a corresponding K / L in the instrument cluster (see chapter Controls and methods of operation). However, it is recommended to check the fluid level regularly.
1. The liquid level with the lid closed must be between the marks «MIN» And «MAX» on the walls of the tank. Make sure that the level does not fall below the mark «MIN».
2. If the level is low, first wipe the top of the reservoir and the cap with a clean rag to prevent dirt from entering the brake system after removing the cap. Add liquid to the correct level, but do not overfill.
3. While the reservoir cap is removed, check the brake fluid and reservoir for contamination. If there are rust particles, dirt or water droplets, the fluid should be replaced. After bringing the brake fluid level to the correct level, make sure that the cap is installed evenly to avoid fluid leakage and / or dirt ingress.
4. Liquid level in the main brake cylinder (GTZ) will drop slightly as a result of wear of the friction linings of the brake pads. There is no need to add it as long as the level remains near the mark «MIN», - it will rise after replacing the pads. A very low level may indicate worn brake pads - check them (see Section Checking the brake system and clutch).
5. If the brake fluid level keeps dropping, check the entire brake system for leaks immediately. As a rule, worn caps in the wheel cylinders are the cause. Inspect brake lines, hoses and fittings along with calipers, wheel cylinders and GTZ (see Section Checking the brake system and clutch). Brake fluid is also used in the clutch actuator, so the clutch lines and slave cylinder should be checked for damage or loose connections.
6. If the reservoir is empty or nearly empty when checking the fluid level, the brake system must be checked for leaks and bled (see Sections Checking the brake system and clutch and Changing the brake fluid and bleeding the brake system).
Checking the level and leakage of manual transmission oil
1. Unscrew the control hole plug and check the manual transmission oil level with your finger - the level should reach the lower cut of the hole.
2. Add oil if necessary.
Note. Do not start the engine with the control hole open.
3. Tighten the control hole plug with the required force.
Note. Use a new plug o-ring.
4. Low gear oil level indicates the presence of leaks in the following places:
- Between cylinder block and gearbox (gearbox input shaft seal);
- Between the drive shaft and manual transmission;
- Control hole plug;
- Drain plug.
5. The localization of transmission oil leaks is carried out in the same way as the localization of engine oil leaks.
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
Attention! When working with AT, observe special cleanliness, because even minor contamination can lead to malfunctions in the operation of the AT.
Note. The correct level of ATF is critical to the health of the AT. Both too low and too high ATF levels have a negative effect on the performance of the AT.
The ATF level depends on its temperature, for the convenience of checking which it is recommended to use a special diagnostic tool.
1. Warm up the engine and check for ATF leaks.
2. Park the car on a flat horizontal surface and set the AT mode selector to the position «R».
3. With the engine running at idle, at an ATF temperature of 30 to 50 degrees, check the ATF level according to the marks on «cold» side of the dipstick.
Engine oil dipstick location
Marks on the ATF level dipstick
4. If necessary, correct the ATF level. Liquid can be added through the filler tube. After adjustment, check the ATF level again.
5. Drive the car for 5 minutes in urban conditions and check the level of the already warmed up to a temperature of 50 ÷ 80 degrees. ATF - now «hot» side of the dipstick.
6. Simultaneously with the level, the condition of the ATF should also be checked: if it has a dark red-brown tint or smells of burning, the ATF should be replaced. If you are not sure about the correct assessment of the condition of the ATF, compare it by color and smell with fresh fluid.
7. If there are particles in the ATF that indicate AT wear, also replace the ATF and, if equipped, the oil cooler.
Washer fluid for windows and headlight lenses
Windshield washer fluid must be added to the reservoir (No. 11 in the illustration Engine compartment components) through the filler neck.
In temperate climates, plain water can be used to wash the windows, but it is recommended to add glass cleaner to the water. The tank should be no more than two-thirds full to leave room for expansion when the water freezes. In areas with cold climates, use a special windshield washer antifreeze to lower the fluid's freezing point. It is usually sold in concentrated or prepared form.
Attention! Do not use antifreeze for the cooling system as an additive to increase the frost resistance of the washer fluid. Mix concentrated antifreeze with water according to the manufacturer's instructions on the package.