Illustrated Guides
Illustrated guides and maintenance tips for 13 key automotive systems for your convenience. These large, labelled diagrams are perfect for understanding exactly what is going on, and how it effects other internal parts of your vehicles motor. Simply click on the images to see a larger version.
Guide Topics
Conventional Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Ignition System
Fuel System
Cooling System
Engine
Drive Train
Drive Belts
Steering and Suspension
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Charging and Starting Systems
Exhaust System
Emissions
Maintenance Tips
Check brake fluid level every 12,000miles/12 months.
Check pad and shoes friction material 12,000miles/12 months.
Check drums and rotors every 12,000miles/12 months.
Inspect lines, hoses and other mechanical parts every 12,000miles/12 months.
Inspect and lubricate parking brake cables every 12,000miles/12 months.
Change brake fluid ever 30,000 to 45,000 miles.
When doing a complete brake job, refinish rotors and drums, replace brake pads and shoes, inspect, clean and repack wheel bearings and replace grease seals.
With a second brake job, also replace calipers, wheel cylinders and brake hardware.
Always replace pads with the same type of friction material (organic or semi metallic).
Replace brake drums or rotors if they are under minimum specifications.
Maintenance Tips
Antilock brake systems (ABS) are an important safety feature
that has become standard on most of today's automobiles.
ABS consists of two subsystems
The ABS controller (computer), its associated sensors (inputs) actuators (outputs), wiring and connectors.
The computer receives input signals from the individual wheel sensors indicating the speed of each wheel. It then compares the speed of each wheel with that of the others. If the comparison indicates wheel lockup is occurring, the computer sends an output command to various valves and other actuator to raise or lower hydraulic pressure to the individual wheels to prevent a skid.
Maintenance Tips
Change spark plugs every 30,000 miles
Change wires every 30,000 miles
Change cap and rotor every 30,000 miles
Diagnostic scope every 30,000 Miles
Maintenance Tips
Clean port fuel injections throttle body and throttle valve every 20,000 miles (unless coated with a sludge-resistant coating).
Clean the back of the fuel-distributor plate on Bosch CIS or K-Jetronic systems) every 20,000 miles.
Check throttle body and intake manifold mounting bolt torque every 30,000 miles.
Test 02 sensor every 30,000 miles; replace every 90,000 miles.
Check air temperature, manifold pressure, airflow and throttle position sensors every 30,000 miles.
Inspect fuel lines, hoses and fittings for damage, deterioration and leakage every 30,000 miles.
Change fuel filter every 50,000 or 100,000 miles.
Maintenance Tips
Inspect belts ( if used) and hoses every 15,000 miles; replace every 30,000 miles or as needed. Adjust belts if required.
Inspect radiator, water pump, core plugs, and hoses for leakage every 15,000 miles or 12 months.
Check pressure cap every 15,000 miles or 12 months; replace every 30,000 miles.
Drain, flush, and refill cooling system every 30,000 or 60,000 miles
Maintenance Tips
Change oil and filter at least 7,500 miles.
For long-term ownership, stop-and-go driving, and other severe driving conditions, change oil and filter at least every 3,000 miles.
Change air filter every 15,000 miles (7,500 miles in dusty or dirty operating conditions).
Change spark plugs every 30,000 miles.
Change spark plug wires every 30,000 miles.
Adjust valves (if required) every 30,000 miles.
Check and adjust idle speed and ignition timing (if required) every 30,000 miles.
Change PCV valve and crankcase ventilation filter (if equipped) every 30,000 miles.
Replace timing belt every 60,000 miles and check 20,000 miles.
Check onboard diagnostic system (check for trouble codes) every 30,000 miles.
Maintenance Tips
Lubricate chassis at every oil change (at least every 7,500 miles).
Check transmission fluids (manual and automatic), differential or final-drive fluid, and transfer case fluid at every oil change (at least every 7,500 miles).
Check front-wheel-drive drive-axle boots every 20,000 miles. Replace if damaged, deteriorated, or leaking.
Replace front-wheel-drive drive-axle boots every 60,000 miles.
Drain and refill manual transmission (transaxle) and differential (final-drive) fluid every 30,000 miles.
Drain and refill automatic transmission (transaxle) and and change filter (or clean strainer) every 50,000 miles.
Inspect universal joints and driveaxle CV joints every 50,000 miles.
Maintenance Tips
Inspect all drivebelts 15,000 miles or 12 months. Replace if damaged or deteriorated.
Adjust V-belt tension every 30,000 miles.
Replace drivebelts (V-belts and serpentine V-ribbed belts)
Replace timing belts every 60,000 miles.
Maintenance Tips
Lubricate chassis at every oil change (at least every 7,500 miles).
Check power steering fluid at every oil change (at least every 7,500 miles).
Inspect rubber boots on rack-and-pinion steering at every oil change (at least every 7,500 miles). Replace if damaged, deteriorated, or leaking.
Check air pressure and tire wear at every oil change (at least every 7,500 miles). Rotate tires and check wheel alignment if there is any sign of wear.
Check wheel alignment every 12 months (12,000 miles). Align whenever experiencing abnormal tire wear.
Inspect ball joints every 20,000 miles.
Check steering linkage and freeplay every 20,000 miles.
Inspect rear suspension every 20,000 miles.
Rotate tires every 20,000 miles.
Check front wheel bearings every 30,000 miles. Clean and repack serviceable bearings and replace seals.
Inspect shock absorbers every 30,000 miles. Replace original-equipment shocks as required.
Maintenance Tips
Check belts, hoses and lines every 20,000 miles. Replace and component that shows signs of damage, deterioration or leakage.
Check all vacuum controls and hoses every 20,000 miles.
Replace belts and hoses every 30,000 miles or 4 years.
Check system refrigerant charge every 60,000 miles or 5 years (more often in hot climates). Recharge and service as required.
Maintenance Tips
Check battery cables, case and holddowns, clean terminals, load test and check voltage every 20,000 miles.
Check belts every 20,000 miles.
Check battery fluid level every 10,000 miles (except maintenance-free batteries).
Replace belts every 30,000 miles.
Maintenance Tips
Check for leaks in exhaust every 20,000 miles.
Check hangers and exhaust system supports every 20,000 miles.
WHEN A CATALYTIC CONVERT FAILS, IT IS ILLEGAL TO INSTALL A JUNKYARD REPLACEMENT.
Maintenance Tips
Change air filters every 15,000 miles (7,500 miles industy or dirty operating conditions).
Replace PCV valve and crankcase ventilation filter (if equipped) every 30,000 miles. Inspect PCV hoses.
Scope check engines operation and check and adjust idle speed and ignition timing (if required) every 30,000 miles.
Check carburetor choke and linkage every 30,000 miles. Adjust as necessary.
Inspect gas cap every 30,000 miles. Replace as necessary.
Test 02 sensor every 30,000 miles; replace every 90,000 miles.
Perform an emission analyzer test every 30,000 miles.
Check onboard diagnostic system (check for trouble codes) every 30,000 miles.
Replace vapor canister filter (if equipped) every 50,000 miles. Inspect hoses.
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