Weekly

Check and, if need be, adjust:

• Oil and coolant level (read the gauges: is the car still running at proper temps and pressures?)
• Battery (read the gauge & multi-meter: is the charging system working as it should?)
• Tires, tire pressure
• Lights
• ATF (automatic trans.)
• Belts (loose? too tight? cracked?)

Wash/clean car, inside and out, including wheels.

Monthly

Weekly maintenance plus:

• Check brake fluid level
• Hoses (leaks? cracks? soft?)
• Windshield wiper blades, washer fluid level
• Spare tire air pressure
• Clean the engine compartment and car's underbody

Every 7,500 Miles or 6 Months

• Oil & oil filter change*
• Check freeplay of clutch & adjust if necessary (excluding models w/ self-adjusting clutch)
• Check operation of automatic shiftlock ('90+ with auto trans.)
• Check for fluid leaks

*Notes:

1. If changing oil types (ex: mineral oil to synthetic oil), perform an engine oil flush before filling with new oil.
2. Always put a thin film of new oil on the filter's seal before installing the new filter! Always!
3. Changing the oil every 5,000 miles is a better mileage interval for these cars.

Every 15,000 miles or 12 months

Preceding, plus:

• Replace/clean air filter
• Check valve clearance and adjust if necessary; replace cylinder head cover gaskets
• Check brake fluid level and add if necessary
• Check coolant level and add if necessary
• OBD I: check fault code memory, purge if necessary
• Check power steering fluid level and add if necessary
• Check power top pump (if equipped) fluid level and add if necessary
• Check ATF fluid and add if necessary (auto trans. only)
• Auto transaxle final drive: check for leaks and oil level
• Inspect brake hoses, brake pads, brake shoes, rotors for wear
• Lubricate door check rods
• Check CV joint boots for damage
• Check exhaust system for leaks and damage
• Inspect ball joint dust seals, drive axles, and CV joint boots
• Check aiming of headlights and adjust if necessary
• Check manual trans. for leaks and oil level
• Inspect steering rack, tie rod ends and tie rods
• Inspect wheels and tires
• Check idle speed and adjust if necessary

Every 30,000 miles or 2 years

Preceding, plus:

• Check engine compression
• Replace fuel filter
• Inspect distributor cap, rotor, spark plug wires and replace if necessary*
• Replace spark plugs*
• Replace oxygen sensor (up to '87)
• Drain and flush cooling system; replace with new coolant
• Check condition and tension of V-belts; adjust or replace as needed
• Drain and replace ATF and replace filter (auto trans. only)
• Replace brake fluid
• Check dust seals on ball joints, steering tie rod ends, and tie rods for wear and damage
• Check all vacuum hoses and connections for wear and leaks

*It is advised that you use Bosch ignition components and NGK spark plugs. See the ignition page for more details.

Every 60,000 miles or 4 years

Preceding, plus:

• Replace cooling system hoses
• Replace camshaft timing belt
• Replace oxygen sensor ('88-'93)
• Replace V-belts

Basic Tools

• Jack & jack stands (do not use the jack in your trunk & never, ever use just a jack to hold up the car when doing maintenance/repairs!)
• Lug wrench
• Flashlight & work light
• Screwdrivers (Phillips & flat-head)
• Ratchet handles
• 3/8" drive metric socket set (6mm-19mm) + a couple extensions
• Spark plug socket (13/16")
• Box/Open end combo wrenches (6mm - 22mm)
• Pocket knife
• Oil filter wrench & oil drain pan
• Allen wrenches
• Chisel & punch set
• Torque wrench
• Hacksaw and blades
• Silicone lubricant
• Electrical wire (12" piece of 14 gauge wire with a small spade connector on each end & a replaceable 8 amp fuse in the middle -- testing jumper wire)
• Wire crimper/cutter/stripper
• Magnet with an extendable handle
• Files
• Pliers & Vice grip pliers
• Adjustable crescent wrench
• Feeler gauges & plug gapper
• Filler hose (automatics)
• Fire extinguisher
• Rubber mallet, deadblow hammer
• Tire gauge
• Masking tape & duct tape
• Safety goggles
• Electrical tape
• Baggies
• Pen & notepad
• Carb, brake cleaners
• Lithium grease
• BENTLEY SERVICE MANUAL

Intermediate Tools

Basic tools, plus:

• Test light
• Timing light
• Dwell/duty cycle meter
• Tachometer
• Multi-meter or volt-ohm meter
• Compression tester
• Injector puller
• Vacuum pump/brake bleeder
• Fuel pressure gauge
• CV joint tool
• 1/2" drive metric sockets
• Socket adapter (1/2" to 3/8")
• Plastic hose (1.20mm piece of 4mm plastic hose)
• Bar (18" iron bar with a point on one end and a chisel on the other)
• Ball peen hammer
• Small plastic containers w/ lids
• Breaker bar (1/2" drive, 24" long)
• Cheater bar (3 foot piece of 2" pipe to slip over the end of the breaker bar)

Advanced Tools

Basic & Intermediate Tools plus:

• Electric drill & high-speed bits
• Impact wrench
• Deep socket set (8mm-19mm)
• 1/4" drive socket set
• Set of easy outs (for removing broken studs and bolts)
• Metric tap and die set (to restore bad threads or make new ones)
• Bar (24" wrecking bar)
• Butane torch set
• Circlip pliers
• Ring compressor
• Ridge reamer
• Spring compressor
• Hammers
• Big tool box with drawers
• Triple-square set ("serrated bits" at NAPA)
• 6mm (NAPA part #nbs-206m)
• 8mm (NAPA part #nbs-208m)
• 10mm (NAPA part #nts-210m)
• 12mm (NAPA part #nts-212m)

In-car Spare Parts

• Distributor cap and rotor
• Clutch cable (manual trans.)
• Spark plugs
• Fuses, bulbs & fuel pump relay
• V-Belts
• Oil
• Fuel injector O-rings
• Pre-mixed coolant
• Misc. metric tools, pliers, etc.
• Jumper cables
• Upper & lower radiator hoses
• Wiper blades
• Nylon tow strap

In-Your-Garage Spare Parts

• Heavy-duty brake fluid
• CV joint grease
• Clamps (13mm-50mm)
• Electrical wire (various lengths & gauges)
• Various push-on electrical connectors
• Injector and brake cleaners