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0•10 Routine maintenance
Maintenance is essential for ensuring safety and desirable for the
purpose of getting the best in terms of performance and economy
from the car. Over the years the need for periodic lubrication has been
greatly reduced if not totally eliminated. This has unfortunately tended
to lead some owners to think that because no such action is required
the items either no longer exist or will last forever. This is certainly not
the case; it is essential to carry out regular visual examinations as
comprehensively as possible in order to spot any possible defects at
an early stage before they develop into major and expensive repairs.
For information applicable to later models, see Supplement.
Every 250 miles (400 km), weekly,
or before a long journey
ⅥⅥ Check engine oil level
ⅥⅥ Check brake reservoir fluid level
ⅥⅥ Check tyre pressures
ⅥⅥ Check operation of all lights and horn
ⅥⅥ Top up washer fluid reservoirs, adding a screen
wash, and check operation of washers and wipers
ⅥⅥ Check coolant level
ⅥⅥ Check battery electrolyte level
Every 6000 miles (10 000 km)
or six months, whichever comes first
ⅥⅥ Renew engine oil and filter (Chapter 1, Section 2)
ⅥⅥ Check drivebelt tension (Chapter 2, Section 8)
ⅥⅥ Check carburettor idle speed and mixture
adjustments (Chapter 3)
ⅥⅥ Check contact points and dwell angle (mechanical
breaker distributors) (Chapter 4, Section 3)
ⅥⅥ Check tyre tread wear (Chapter 7, Section 7)
ⅥⅥ Check disc pads for wear (Chapter 8, Section 3)
Every 36 000 miles (60 000 km)
or three years, whichever comes first
ⅥⅥ Renew the timing belt - 1116 and 1299/1301 cc
(Chapter 1, Section 28)
ⅥⅥ Check exhaust system for corrosion (Chapter 3,
Section 19)
ⅥⅥ Renew contact breaker points and adjust dwell
angle (mechanical breaker distributors) (Chapter 4,
Section 3)
ⅥⅥ Check and adjust ignition timing (Chapter 4,
Section 4)
ⅥⅥ Renew spark plugs (Chapter 4, Section 11)
ⅥⅥ Check clutch adjustment (Chapter 5, Section 2)
ⅥⅥ Check transmission oil level (Chapter 6, Section 2)
ⅥⅥ Check driveshaft and steering rack gaiters for splits
(Chapters 7 and 10)
ⅥⅥ Check rear brake shoe linings for wear (Chapter 8,
Section 4)
ⅥⅥ Check handbrake travel (Chapter 8, Section 16)
ⅥⅥ Check headlamp beam alignment (Chapter 9,
Section 17)
ⅥⅥ Check balljoints for wear (Chapter 10, Section 2)
ⅥⅥ Check front wheel alignment (Chapter 10, Section 8)
ⅥⅥ Check suspension bushes for wear (Chapter 11,
Section 2)
ⅥⅥ Check seat belts for fraying (Chapter 12, Section 23)
ⅥⅥ Lubricate controls, hinges and locks
Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km)
or two years, whichever comes first
ⅥⅥ Renew coolant anti-freeze mixture (Chapter 2,
Section 3)
ⅥⅥ Renew transmission oil (Chapter 6, Section 2)
ⅥⅥ Renew brake hydraulic fluid (Chapter 8, Section 12)
ⅥⅥ Check for underbody corrosion and clean out door
and sill drain holes (Chapter 12, Section 2)
Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or
12 months, whichever comes first
ⅥⅥ Check and adjust valve clearances (Chapter 1,
Sections 5 and 26)
ⅥⅥ Renew air cleaner element (Chapter 3, Section 2)