Ford Sierra maintenance schedule

The maintenance intervals in this manual are provided with the assumption that you will be carrying out the work yourself. These are the minimum maintenance intervals recommended by the manufacturer for vehicles driven daily. If you wish to keep your vehicle in peak condition at all times, you may wish to perform some of these procedures more often. We encourage frequent maintenance, because it enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your vehicle.

If the vehicle is driven in dusty areas, used to tow a trailer, or driven frequently at slow speeds (idling in traffic) or on short journeys, more frequent maintenance intervals are recommended.

When the vehicle is new, it should be serviced by a factory-authorised dealer service department, in order to preserve the factory warranty.

Every 250 miles (400 km) or weekly Check the engine oil level (Section 3) Check the engine coolant level (Section 3) Check the brake fluid level (Section 3) Check the power steering fluid level (Section 3) Check the screen washer fluid level (Section 3) Visually examine the tyres for tread depth, and wear or damage (Section 4)
Check and if necessary adjust the tyre pressures (Section 4)
Check and if necessary top-up the battery electrolyte level - where applicable (Section 6) Check the operation of the horn, all lights, and the wipers and washers (Sections 5 and 7) Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months - whichever comes sooner Renew engine oil and filter (Section 8) Check brake pads or shoes for wear (front and rear) (Section 9)
Check operation of brake fluid level warning indicator (Section 9)
Inspect engine bay and underside of vehicle for fluid leaks or other signs of damage (Section 10) Check function and condition of seat belts (Section 11)
Check condition and security of exhaust system (Section 12)
Check tightness of wheel nuts (Section 13) Clean oil filler cap (Section 14) Check idle speed (where applicable) (Section 15) Check mixture adjustment (where applicable) (Section 16)
Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months - whichever comes sooner Check automatic transmission fluid level (engine hot) (Section 17)
Check manual gearbox oil level (Section 18) Check operation of latches, check straps and locks; lubricate if necessary (Section 19) Renew spark plugs (Section 20) Check condition and tension of auxiliary drivebelt(s); adjust or renew as necessary (Section 21) Check tightness of battery terminals, clean and neutralise corrosion if necessary (Section 22) Check engine valve clearances - SOHC only (Section 23)
Check handbrake mechanism (Section 24) Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months - whichever comes sooner (continued)
Clean radiator matrix and air conditioning condenser fins (where applicable) (Section 25) Check air conditioning refrigerant charge (where applicable) (Section 26) Check final drive oil level (Section 27) Lubricate automatic transmission selector/kickdown linkage (Section 28)
Check security and condition of steering and suspension components, gaiters and boots (Section 29)
Check condition and security of driveshaft joints and gaiters (Section 30)
Inspect underbody and panels for corrosion or other damage (Section 31)
Inspect brake pipes and hoses (Section 32) Clean idle speed control linkage at throttle (where applicable) (Section 33) Road test and check operation of ABS (Section 34) Check crankcase ventilation system (Section 35) Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years - whichever comes sooner Check air cleaner inlet air temperature control operation (carburettor models) (Section 36) Renew pulse air filter element (1.6 litre CVH) (Section 37)
Renew air cleaner element (Section 38) Clean and inspect distributor cap and HT leads (Section 39)
Check automatic transmission brake band adjustment (Section 40)
Renew fuel filter (fuel-injection models only) (Section 41)
Renew crankcase ventilation vent valve (SOHC and DOHC) (Section 42)
Every 36 000 miles (60 000 km) or 3 years - whichever comes sooner Renew brake hydraulic system seals and hoses if necessary (Section 43)
Renew brake hydraulic fluid (Section 44) Renew camshaft drivebelt (optional on SOHC models - compulsory on CVH) (Section 45) Renew coolant (Section 46)

• Maintenance - component location
• Introduction
• Engine oil and filter renewal (Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months)
• Front and rear brake pad/shoe check (Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months)
• Fluid leak check (Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months)
• Engine idle speed check (Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months)
• Mixture adjustment check (Every 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months)
• Automatic transmission fluid level check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Manual gearbox oil level check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Spark plug renewal (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Auxiliary drivebelt check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Battery terminal check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Engine valve clearance check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Air conditioner refridgerant charge check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Final drive oil level check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Steering and suspension security check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Road test (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Crankcase ventilation system check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
• Air cleaner inlet air temperature control check (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)
• Air cleaner element renewal (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)
• Ignition system component check (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)
• Automatic transmission brake band adjustment (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)
• Fuel filter renewal (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)
• Brake hydraulic fluid renewal (Every 36 000 miles (60 000 km) or 3 years)
• Engine coolant renewal (Every 36 000 miles (60 000 km) or 3 years)