Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition)
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About this issue
180 available scans from Option — Shōwa Car Tuning & Buyers Guide (2000 Edition), in right-to-left reading order. Japanese OCR and English translation drafts are available throughout. Drafts have not received exhaustive image proofreading; unreadable source remains recorded in the archival data.
Page 53 — English draft translation
...but it's best to check it regularly so that doesn't happen. A battery contains dilute sulfuric acid, which plays an important role. The first thing is to make sure the fluid does not get too low. The battery case has upper- and lower-level marks for checking the fluid, so make sure the level is between them. If it is low, buy battery replenishment fluid at an auto-parts store and top it up.
Remove the caps on top of the battery and pour the fluid in through them. The battery is divided into several cells, so add the same amount to each. The battery also has positive and negative terminals. If a tool touches both terminals, or the positive terminal and the car body, it can cause a dangerous short circuit (you may actually see sparks). The positive terminal usually has a red insulating cover, but be careful. When removing the battery, disconnect the negative terminal first, then the positive. This order is important; when installing it, connect positive first and negative afterward. As an aside, when working on electrical components...
...while you're at it, have the fluid changed too. If the falling fluid level is caused by a problem with the cylinder, it will need an overhaul or replacement. Clutch fluid does not usually go down, but as with brake fluid, it can decrease if seals inside the cylinder deteriorate. New fluid is almost clear with a slight yellow tint, but it darkens as it is used. If it is very dirty, it needs to be changed. Normally, both systems use DOT 3 fluid. If you replace the pads and drive hard on mountain roads or at the circuit, using higher-boiling-point DOT 4 brake fluid can help prevent vapor bubbles. It also helps prevent the vapor lock you learn about in driving school. DOT 3 is generally fine for the clutch. This replacement job may be a bit much for a beginner, so have a shop or dealer do it.
Captions and page details
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The essentials of classic-car maintenance!
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The essentials!
Checking the battery
You may also need a wire brush and a 10 mm wrench.
Tools needed: coin, flashlight
Modern cars usually run with very few problems, which is a great thing. With a Showa-era car, though, the battery is sometimes the source of trouble. If the battery goes flat, replacing or charging it will get the car going again...
...again.
It may be hard to see, but there are two lines on the side of the battery case. The fluid level should be between them. Shine a flashlight on it like this to see the level more easily.
The battery is the car's lifeline. Check it occasionally so you don't end up stopped at the roadside.
first remove the negative terminal. The second point is poor contact at the terminals. If you can push one by hand and it feels loose, that's no good. Secure it firmly again. If white powder has formed on a terminal, that also indicates poor contact; clean it with a wire brush.
Parts...
...are installed
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...when doing so,
If the battery fluid is getting low, top it up. To do so, remove the battery...
...but...
...it comes free (it fits snugly into this opening).
Once the cap is off, you can see the fluid level. Pour in the replenishment fluid sold at auto-parts stores.
Also check that the battery terminals are not loose. A loose terminal conducts poorly, so tighten the nut and secure it properly.
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The essentials! 3
Frequent checks may seem unnecessary, but these are important parts you should know about.
Brake and clutch fluid
Brakes and clutches are important systems...
...the clutch operates hydraulically...
...and when you look in the engine compartment, you'll find the master cylinder reservoirs (tanks) for those fluids. Check the fluid level there.
If the level has gone down...
...the fluid is low, or the car has covered a lot of miles...
...there may also be a leak caused by deteriorated seals inside the cylinder.
...it may be.
If the brake pads are worn, the caliper pistons extend farther, which lowers the level in the reservoir. Have a shop replace the pads, or...
For the brakes, if the fluid level...
...that...
...of the
When you open the hood, there is a reservoir like this on the driver's side below the windshield. In a manual-transmission car, the clutch reservoir is next to it. Check the fluid level and color in these tanks.
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