Attention! It is necessary to check the level of the operating fluid on the car, located on a flat horizontal surface.
Engine oil
Engine oil is of great importance for the normal and durable operation of the engine. It must retain its properties even under extreme conditions and age as slowly as possible. Engine oil reduces friction between sliding surfaces, which reduces wear on pistons with piston rings, cylinders, bearings and valve train parts.
Engine oil is also used for micro-sealing between pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls, as there is always a gap of a few microns between these parts. Thanks to the additional sealing effect of the oil, the high gas pressure resulting from combustion is transferred without loss to the piston crown and converted into kinetic energy. In this way, optimum engine power is achieved.
The engine oil level in the engine is checked by a pointer (probe) engine oil level located on the front side of the engine near the radiator. Pointer (probe) to measure the oil level is inserted through the guide tube into the oil pan located at the bottom of the engine.
It is recommended to check the oil level before leaving the car or 15 minutes after starting the engine. If you check the oil level immediately after starting the vehicle, some oil will remain on top of the engine, resulting in incorrect readings.
Pic. 2.1. Label Location «L» And «F» on the oil level gauge
Remove the dipstick from the pipe and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. Insert a clean pointer all the way through the guide tube into the oil pan, wait a while and remove it again. The oil level must be between the marks «L» And «F» on the index (pic. 2.1).
Engine oil volume between marks «L» And «F» pointer is 1 liter. The oil level must not fall below the lower mark. A level decrease of more than 0.25 liters does not pose a danger to the engine. If more oil is not available and the vehicle is driven at high engine speeds, the oil pressure may drop dangerously low, as indicated by the oil pressure warning light in the instrument cluster.
It is not recommended to fill oil above the mark «F» on the pointer, as it enters the combustion chamber in large quantities through the crankcase ventilation system and burns out in it.
Oil is added to the engine after removing the cap from the oil filler neck. Use a funnel to reduce spilled oil.
Checking the oil level is an important element of preventive vehicle maintenance. If you find a significant decrease in oil level within a relatively short period of time, this indicates the presence of oil leaks or wear of engine parts, which must be repaired immediately. If drops of water get into the oil or it has a pale milky tint, it means that coolant has entered the lubrication system. In this case, the engine must be checked and repaired immediately. Simultaneously with checking the oil level, check the condition of the coolant in the expansion tank. After removing the oil dipstick from the engine, wipe the oil off the dipstick with your thumb and forefinger to check for any dirt or metal particles that may stick to it when measuring the level. Contamination and metal particles in the engine oil indicate the need to change it.
Coolant
All vehicles are equipped with a pressurized forced circulation cooling system. The hose from the expansion tank, mounted on the inner wing panel, is connected to the radiator cap. When the engine heats up during operation, the coolant from the radiator through the connecting hose enters the expansion tank. When the engine cools down, the coolant is automatically returned to the radiator while the fluid level is maintained.
The coolant level must be checked on a hot engine: in the expansion tank it should be near the mark «full» on the side of the tank. If the engine is cold, remove the cap and check the coolant level in the radiator.
Attention! Care must be taken when opening the expansion tank cap on a hot engine, as escaping vapors can cause severe burns. To do this, close the cap of the expansion tank with a thick layer of cloth and slowly unscrew the cap until a hiss appears. After the hissing stops, slowly unscrew and remove the cap from the expansion tank.
If only a small amount of coolant needs to be added, plain water can be used. When topping up a large amount of liquid, it is necessary to maintain the recommended concentration of ethylene glycol in water. Do not allow coolant to come into contact with clothing or body paintwork. Otherwise, rinse the surface with plenty of water.
The expansion tank should be filled with coolant up to the mark «full». If the radiator cap is removed, add coolant until the radiator is full, then install the cap.
When checking the coolant level, pay attention to its condition. The liquid should be relatively clear. If it is brown or rusty, drain it, flush the system and refill with fresh coolant.
If the cooling system needs to be replenished periodically to maintain the required level, check the radiator cap seal. Check for leaks in the system caused by damaged hoses and gaskets, loose hose connections, etc.
Washer fluid for windows and headlights
Windscreen washer fluid
Pic. 2.2. Location of the windshield washer reservoir (A) and rear (b) glasses
The liquid is in a plastic tank located next to the expansion tank (pic. 2.2). The tank should be filled no more than 2/3 of the volume, taking into account the possible expansion of the liquid during freezing. In cold weather, use special anti-freeze liquids that can be purchased at the store. It is strictly forbidden to use antifreeze as an additive, as this will damage the car's paintwork.
Before using the washer, to prevent icing in cold weather, heat the windshield with a defroster.
Rear window washer fluid
On models equipped with a rear window washer, the reservoir is located behind the panel in the luggage compartment and should also be filled to 2/3 full using the same fluid as in the windshield washer.
Headlight washer fluid
Some models are equipped with a headlight washer, the reservoir of which is located in the engine compartment. Due to the variety of reservoir configurations used, trace the piping from the washer to the reservoir to determine its location. The reservoir should also be filled to 2/3 of the volume using the same fluid as in the windshield washer.
Electrolyte in the battery
The battery is virtually maintenance-free under normal vehicle operating conditions. At high ambient temperatures, it is recommended to check the electrolyte level in the battery from time to time. The electrolyte level should also be checked when the battery is being charged. It must always be between the marks «MIN» And «MAX», printed on the longitudinal sides of the battery.
Attention! The electrolyte is very aggressive. It is necessary to work with the rechargeable battery in gloves and goggles. Do not allow droplets of acid and particles containing lead compounds to come into contact with eyes, skin or clothing.
Attention! Do not tilt the battery as electrolyte may spill out of the vents. If electrolyte gets into your eyes, immediately flush them with clean water for several minutes. After that, see a doctor. If electrolyte comes into contact with skin or clothing, immediately neutralize the acid with alkaline soap and wash the affected area with plenty of clean water.
When the electrolyte level drops, add distilled water to the appropriate jars up to the mark «MAX». This should be done before the electrolyte level drops below the mark «MIN».
Do not fill the electrolyte above the required level, as it will flow out through the vents, which may damage the paintwork and corrode the body.
After topping up the electrolyte, tightly close the corresponding battery banks with stoppers.
Brake fluid
Pic. 2.3. Location of the brake fluid reservoir on the brake master cylinder
The master brake cylinder is installed in the engine compartment. The brake fluid level must be maintained near the mark «MAX» tank (pic. 2.3).
If the brake fluid level is low, wipe the top of the reservoir and cap with a clean cloth before removing the cap to prevent contamination of the brake system.
When adding brake fluid, care must be taken to carefully fill the reservoir and not to spill brake fluid on the surrounding painted surfaces. Be sure to use the recommended fluid, as mixing different types of brake fluid can damage the brake system.
The manufacturer recommends replacing the brake fluid by bleeding the hydraulic brake drive. The brake fluid must be replaced if dirt particles or water droplets are found in it.
After filling the tank to the appropriate level, it is necessary to make sure that the cap is installed correctly to prevent leakage of brake fluid and / or a decrease in pressure in the system.
The brake fluid level in the master cylinder will drop slightly as the brake pads or discs wear during normal use. If you need to constantly add fluid to maintain the required level, then there are leaks in the brake system that must be repaired immediately.
If, when checking the brake fluid level, you find that one or both sections of the reservoir are almost empty, after topping up the brake fluid, it is necessary to bleed the brake system.
Transmission oil for manual transmission
To determine the oil level in manual transmissions, the use of a level indicator is not provided. The fluid level is checked by removing the speedometer drive gear.
Pic. 2.4. Label Location «F» And «L» on the speedometer drive gear for checking the oil level in a manual gearbox
Loosen the bolt, remove the speedometer drive gear, wipe, clean and reinstall it. Remove the gear again and check the oil level, which should be between the marks «F» And «L», as shown in fig. 2.4.
Add oil to the manual transmission with a syringe through the hole for the speedometer drive gear. Install the speedometer drive gear and secure it with the bolt. After a short drive, check for oil leaks from the gearbox.
Automatic transmission fluid
The automatic transmission is filled with a working fluid that serves to lubricate and regulate the hydraulic pressure in the transmission.
The level of the working fluid in an automatic transmission must be maintained within strictly defined limits. A low fluid level will cause clutch slippage or reduced traction, while a high fluid level will cause foaming and damage to the transmission hydraulic system. If the fluid level is low, do not immediately fill in the fluid, first check the gearbox for leaks. Sealing work on the box should be carried out at a service station.
Apply the parking brake, start the engine, move the selector lever alternately to all positions and leave it in position «parking». The fluid level must be checked with the vehicle raised, with the engine idling.
Pic. 2.5. The location of the transmission fluid level indicator in an automatic transmission
At normal operating temperature, to measure the transmission fluid level, remove the dipstick from the filler tube located at the rear of the transmission case (pic. 2.5).
Attention! The fluid level in an automatic transmission will be incorrect immediately after a long drive at high speed, with a trailer, in warm weather and in city driving. In these cases, it is necessary to wait until the working fluid has cooled down for 30 minutes.
Wipe the level gauge with a clean rag and insert it back into the filler tube until the cap is firmly seated.
Remove the pointer and determine the level of the working fluid, which should be between the marks «L» And «F» (see fig. 2.5).
Add the recommended type of fluid to fill the transmission to the correct level.
The volume of the working fluid between the marks «L» And «F» indicator on a hot gearbox is 1 liter, so you should add fluid little by little, constantly checking the level. Be very careful not to get dirt or foreign objects into the gearbox.
Simultaneously with determining the liquid level, check its condition. If the liquid on the level indicator is dark red-brown or has a burnt smell, then this liquid must be replaced. If you are in doubt about the condition of the fluid, purchase a new sample fluid and compare both fluids for color and odor.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering pump uses a power steering pump to pressurize fluid into the corresponding steering gear cavity, significantly reducing the effort applied to the steering wheel to turn the front wheels of the car.
Pic. 2.6. Location of the power steering fluid reservoir
The power steering fluid reservoir is located behind the radiator at the front of the vehicle (pic. 2.6).
When checking the fluid level, the front wheels must be set to drive straight ahead with the engine stopped.
Wipe the reservoir lid and the area around it with a clean rag. This will prevent any objects from entering the tank when checking the fluid level.
Start and warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
Remove the level indicator and wipe it with a clean cloth. Re-insert the pointer into the tank, then remove and determine the fluid level, which should be between the marks «L» And «F».
If topping up is required, add the required amount of the recommended fluid through a funnel directly into the reservoir.
The dipstick must be re-installed with the arrow on the cap pointing forward towards the radiator.
If frequent topping up is required, check all power steering hoses, hose connections, power steering pump and gears for leaks.