AUSTIN-HEALEY SPRITE
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
GENERAL MAINTKNANCK
'/HE following information covers those attentions which are
should be used.
essential to the efficient operation of the vehicle, and is additional
to or more detailed than that given in 'Regular Attentions'.
ENGINE
to the engine, which may have to operate at sustained high
temperatures and speeds, and it is therefore essential that only
oils of the highest quality and correct grade are used. Inferior
oils will cause excessive wear in an unduly short time.
The colour or appearance of an oil at atmospheric tem-
peratures gives no indication as to its efficiency under operating
conditions and owners are advised to use the officially recom-
mended lubricants as listed on page 33. It is appreciated that
in some areas these oils are not available, in which case, only
good quality oils conforming with the S.A E. numbers listed
The letters S.A.E. followed by a number constitute a classifi-
cation of the lubricant in terms of viscosity or fluidity.
For instance, a low S.A.E. number indicates that the oil is of
low viscosity, which means that it flows more readily than oil
with a high viscosity rating.
lt will be appreciated, therefore, that oil with a low S.A.E.
number is essential if easy starting is to be obtained in cold
weather, whereas in hot weather a high viscosity oil is desirable
in order to keep oil consumption within normal limits.
The use of upper cylinder lubricant is recommended at all
times, but most particularly during the running-in period. See
page 33 for recommended brands.
Even the best oils in the engine become contaminated during
use, with unburnt fuel, carbon, metallic particles, and moisture,
and it is therefore most important that the oil is changed at the
recommended mileages.
Multigrade Motor Oils: In a ddition to t he recommended
lubricants listed on page 33, we approve the use of multigrade
oils, as produced by the oil companies shown on our list, for all
climatic temperatures unless the engine is old and in poor
mechanical condition. Some are more expensive than the recom-
mended motor oils because of their special properties and
greater fl
uidity at low temperatures.
Oil Level: The oil should never be allowed to fall more than
—',in. (12.7mm.) from the 'FULL' mark on the dipstick. It
is advisable to wipe the dipstick before taking the reading, which
must only be taken when the engine is stationary and the vehicle
on level ground if a true result is to be obtained.
Lubrication: Correct lubrication is of the utmost importance
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