Engine oil & filter Oil Level	The engine and transmission unit (both manual and automatic) use a common oil supply, the transmission casing acting as the oil sump. It is essential that the engine transmission oil is maintained at the correct level. The oil level should be checked at least once a week and always before a long run. If the engine has just been run, wait a few minutes after switching off to allow the oil to drain back into the sump. The car must be on level ground when checking the oil. The oil level should be maintained at the 'MAXI' mark on the dipstick and must never be allowed to fall below the 'MIN' mark . If the level is low, add oil of the appropriate grade through the filler aperture in the rocker cover after removing the filler cap. See Service Data at the end of this Section for list of specified lubricants. The approximate quantity of oil required to raise the level from the 'MIN' to the 'MAX' mark on the dipstick is 1.0 pint (0.6 liters). Do NOT over-fill as this may result in oil leaks and increased oil consumption. NOTE: If oil is required more often than normal suspect engine wear or an oil leak. Check first around the engine for oil leaks and then the exhaust for excessive 'smoking'
Oil Change	The engine transmission oil must be changed at least every 6,000 miles or twice a year and the oil filter changed at the same time. If the vehicle is used under severe operating conditions the oil should be changed more frequently, but in this case it will suffice to change the filter every second oil change. Drain the oil when the engine is still warm by unscrewing the drain plug from the sump. Tighten the plug firmly, but do not use excessive force. If the oil filter is being changed, renew it as detailed later. Refill the engine with the appropriate quantity of oil, dependent on whether or not the oil filter has been renewed. Run the engine for a few minutes then check the oil level and top up if necessary. The oil filter should be changed at the same time as the engine oil if the oil is renewed every 6,000 miles, or at every alternate oil change if the oil is changed more frequently. Some early models are fitted with a differential pressure switch on the oil filter head which functions to indicate the need for an oil change. If the warning fight on the instrument panel illuminates and continues to stay lit with the engine at or above idling speed, then both the engine oil and filter element should be changed as soon as possible, within a maximum of the next 3 00 miles (5 00 km). The oil filter assembly is attached to a horizontal mounting flange on the front of the engine and may be either a replaceable element type or a disposable cartridge type on later models. In either case, the element should be changed at the same time as the engine oil, if the oil is renewed every 6,000 miles, or at every alternate oil change if the oil is changed more frequently. The replaceable type filter element is contained in a detachable pressed steel bowl which is secured in position by a centre-bolt . Place a drip pan directly under the filter and unscrew the centre-bolt at the base of the filter bowl. Detach the bowl from the mounting flange, keeping it upright as it will still contain oil. Empty out the oil and filter element and wash the interior of the bowl thoroughly with petrol. Examine the rubber sealing washers on the centre-bolt and replace if necessary.
Service Schedule	The maintenance operations listed below should be carried out at the mileage shown or at the equivalent monthly intervals, whichever occurs first.
Every 3,000 miles (5,000 km) or 3 months - optional intermediate inspection	Check engine/transmission oil level Check steering, suspension and drive shaft joints for security, backlash and gaiter condition Check coolant level Check windscreen washer level Check brake pedal travel and handbrake operation Check brake and clutch fluid levels Check tyres visually for wear or damage Check fan belt condition and tension Check tyre pressures, including spare Check engine/transmission unit for oil/water/fuel leaks. Check tightness of road wheel nuts Check battery electrolyte level Check condition of windscreen wiper blades Check visually all brake, clutch and fuel pipes, hoses and unions for chafing, leaks or corrosion. Check function of all lamps, horns, indicators and wipers Check headlamp beam alignment Check exhaust system for leakage and security Check condition and security of seats and seat belts Check steering unit for oil leaks and gaiter condition Check rear view mirrors for looseness, cracks or crazing
Every 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months - standard service As for Intermediate Inspection above, plus the following additional items	Change engine/transmission oil. Renew oil filter element Examine cooling and heating systems for leaks Clean spark plugs. Reset electrode gap Check battery condition. Clean and grease battery Inspect/renew distributor points. Adjust points gap or connections dwell angle Check tightness of steering column clamp bolt (from inside car) Lubricate distributor Check ignition timing Inspect brake pads for wear and discs for condition Lubricate accelerator control linkage and pedal fulcrum Lubricate handbrake mechanical linkage and cables Top up carburetor piston damper Lubricate all grease nipples Check carburetor idle settings Check front wheel alignment Lubricate dynamo rear bearing (where applicable) Lubricate all door, bonnet and boot locks and hinges Check clearance at clutch lever return stop Check all body and door drain holes Road test
Every 12,000 miles (20,000 km) or 12 months - major service As for Standard Service above, plus the following additional items:	Check valve rocker clearances Renew spark plugs Renew oil filler cap and filter element Clean brake servo filter element (where applicable) Renew air cleaner element Inspect brake linings for wear and drums for condition. Clean out dust
Other items - preventative maintenance	Every 18,000 miles (30,000 km) or 18 months, whichever is sooner, change brake fluid completely Every 36,000 miles (60,000 km) or 3 years, whichever is sooner, renew all fluid seals in hydraulic system, and examine all flexible hoses and renew if necessary. Brake servo filter element should also be renewed at this time Every 2 years, cooling system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh anti-freeze mixture NOTE: On models fitted with Emission Control Equipment, certain additional maintenance operations must be carried out. These items are listed in a separate Service Schedule at the end of the 'Emission Control' section.
Oil Filter	Extract the large rubber sealing ring from its groove in the filter head and discard it. Ensure that the groove is clean, then fit a new sealing ring (supplied with the filter element) in position. Be careful to ensure that the ring is correctly located in the groove as otherwise an oil leak will occur once the filter bowl is refitted. Fit the new filter element into the bowl. Locate the bowl assembly on the mounting flange, then rotate the bowl while tightening the centre-bolt to ensure it is correctly positioned on the sealing ring. Tighten the centre-bolt securely, but do NOT over-tighten, otherwise the sealing ring may be damaged. Where the disposable cartridge type filter element is fitted, it should be possible to unscrew the filter by hand . In extreme cases it may be necessary to use a filter strap wrench to release it, if tight. An alternative method of releasing a tight filter is to drive a screwdriver blade through the filter and use this to obtain extra leverage. This is, however, a rather messy business as oil will then spill out through the holes made. A drip tray should be placed under the filter prior to removal as a quantity of oil will be released when it is unscrewed. Discard the oil filter cartridge. Clean the mounting face on the filter head. Check that the rubber sealing ring on the new cartridge is correctly located, then wet it with clean engine oil. Screw the cartridge onto the threaded adaptor by hand until the seal just contacts the mounting face, then tighten a further half to three-quarters of a turn - BUT NO MORE. After refitting the engine with fresh oil, start the engine and check the filter for any signs of leakage - stop the engine IMMEDIATELY if any signs are present as this indicates that the filter is not sealing correctly.
Oil Filter - Automatic Models	On models with automatic transmission, the oil filter assembly is attached to a vertical mounting flange on the front of the engine . The filter is of the replaceable element type and the element should be changed in a similar manner to that described above for the manual transmission models. However, on all models except the 'Clubman', the front grille must first be removed to allow access to the filter. The grille is secured in place by 16 screws. On 'Clubman' models sufficient clearance exists for filter bowl removal.