Caring for your Holden

Washing your Vehicle

- Avoid automatic washes as the soap is often too harsh
- Wash once a week
- Do not wash in direct sunlight
- Begin washing by rinsing your car with cold water
- Use gentle detergent in warm water
- Soak bird droppings before washing off - 110 grams of dissolved baking soda in 1 litre of water will remove stubborn marks
- Wash a small section at a time and rinse with cold water
- Dry with a good quality chamois
- Please remember those affected by the drought and use water responsibly

Removing Stains

- Remove grease, oil and tar (if it's fresh) with kerosene and turpentine
- Wash and polish the area after removing the stain
- Wash petrol off with clean water
- Never use petrol to clean painted or plastic surfaces
- Use a rubbing or cutting compound sparingly and only when the gloss of paint has reduced

Polishing Paint Work

- The use of a polymer glaze approximately every three months will help protect your paintwork
- Always wash your car before polishing

Maintenance Tips

Brake 

- Spongy brake pedals, increased pedal travel, fluid leaks, or components seizing may mean your brake fliud needs changing
- Brake fluid deteriorates over time as it absorbs moisture from the air. Once contaminated it lowers the fluid's boiling point and corrodes internal brake system components
- Changing fluid regularly avoids these problems and helps to flush contaminates out of the hydraulic system

Tyre Management

- The front and rear tyres wear out at different rates
- Rotating your tyres will extend the life of your tyre tread and avoid the problem of poor directional stability

Changing Coolant

- Coolant is a complex formulation
- It can breakdown over time, losing optimum protection for water pumps, welch plugs, aluminium cylinder heads, heater cores and radiators
- It must be diluted to the correct dosage
- Never mix incompatiable coolants. In an emergency, use plain water until the correct coolant is available
- Have your cooling system periodically checked by a trained technician

Ethanol and your Holden Vehicle

Holden vehicles manufactured since 1986 will operate satisfactorily on E10. However, some vehicles manufactured by others and branded as Holdens will not operate satisfactorily on E10 fuel.

Vehicles that do not operate satisfactorily on E10 fuel are:
Apollo (1/87 - 7/89), Nova (2/89 - 7/94), Barina (1985 - 1994), Drover (1985 - 1987), Scurry (1985 - 1986), Astra (1984 - 1989).

Please refer to the Owners Manual  for recommended fuel usage.

When purchasing fuel, Holden's official site recommends that your vehicle be operated on fuel containing no more than 10% ethanol. Purchasing your fuel from a reputable retailer may reduce the risk of purchasing fuel containing more than 10% ethanol or other abnormal properties.

Under no circumstances should you use fuel containing more than 10% ethanol. Use of such fuels may result in engine malfunction, starting and operating difficulties, and materials degradation. These adverse effects could result in permanent damage to your vehicle and personal injury. It is also important to note that when ethanol blends are used, fuel consumption can be expected to increase due to the lower energy content of ethanol.

It is important to note the use of any fuel, other than the fuel specified in the vehicle's Owner's Manual, may seriously damage your vehicle and may void your Warranty. Only good quality, clean fuel should be used.

The use of fuel containing more than 10% ethanol may also affect your New Vehicle Warranty to the extent that Holden considers the fuel affects the specifications and quality of your vehicle.

Safety

Keep Kids Safe

- All infants under 12 should be properly restrained in the back seat 
- Ensure that the restraint system is appropriate to the child's size and age

See and Be Seen

- If sun glare or oncoming headlights are affecting your visibility, look to the left hand side of the road markings to gauge your position on the road
- When you stop for petrol, always clean your windscreen, headlights and covers
- Have your headlights adjusted to suit the heaviest load your likely to carry.

Source: www.holden.com.au