BYD L3. Service Instruction - page 12

L3

Owner’s Manual

Maintenance Knowledge 6-9

Notes:
Specification for “harsh service condition” only applies to a car used in a harsh service condition. Severe usage condition
includes the following items:

1. Drive in dusty area or coastal area or the car is often exposed to salty air;
2. Drive on bumpy, watery or mountainous road;
3. Drive in a cold area;
4. Drive in a cold season or the engine idles for a long time or the car often travels for a short-distance trip;
5. Frequently use brake and slam the brake;
6. Serve as towing the vehicle;
7. Serve as taxi or commercial the vehicle;
8. Driving time in crowded traffic exceeds 50% of total driving time at a temperature above 32 ℃;
9. Driving time at a speed of 120 km/h or more exceeds 50% of total driving time at a temperature above 30 ℃;
10. Overload driving.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Maintenance Knowledge 6-10

L3

Owner’s Manual

Preface 7-1

Chapter 7

Section 1

Self-Maintenance

Preface

Appearance of the Engine Compartment .................................. 7-2

Fuse Layout ............................................................................ 7-3

Precautions for Self-Maintenance ............................................. 7-3

Positioning of the Jack ............................................................ 7-5

L3

Owner’s Manual

Preface 7-2

Appearance of the Engine Compartment

1. Assembly of distribution box

2. Oil Dipstick for the engine oil level

3. Overflowing kettle of the engine

cooling fluid

4. Engine oil filler cap

5. The storage battery

6. Radiator

7. Electric the cooling fan

8. Condenser

9. Windshield glass cleaner reservoir

L3

Owner’s Manual

Preface 7-3

Fuse Layout

For electric components protected by
various fuses, please refer to Chapter 8
“fuse and relay”.

Precautions for Self-Maintenance
If you perform maintenance by
yourself, please follow the procedure
specified in this chapter.

Please note that incorrect or incomplete
maintenance

will

cause

operation

problem.
This chapter only gives a description for
simple maintenance which you can
perform by yourself. As stated in
Chapter 6, some maintenance item
must be performed by a qualified
technician with dedicated tools.
Please take extra care when performing
in order to prevent injury accident.
Please follow these precautions which
require extra attention.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Preface 7-4

FRIENDLY TIPS

●

While the engine is running,
please keep your hands, clothes
and tools away from fan and
transmission belt of the engine in
operation. (It is better to take off
your ring, watch or necktie.)

●

When a car has just completed
travelling, the temperature of its
engine compartment is very high,
including the engine, radiator,
exhaust pipe, power steering
fluid reservoir and spark plug
cover. Please take care and do
not touch it. The temperature of
the engine oil, liquid and spark
plug is also very high.

●

If the engine temperature is high,
do not remove radiator cap or
loosen discharging plug to avoid
scorching.

●

Do not leave paper, cloth or
anything inflammable in the
engine compartment.

●

Before working on electric the
cooling fan or radiator guard,
please confirm that the ignition
switch is turned off. When
turning on the ignition switch, if

the

engine

cooling

fluid

temperature rises and/or the air
conditioner is turned on, the
electric the cooling fan of the
engine

will

start

running

automatically.

●

Do not smoke a cigarette near
the fuel tank or the storage
battery in order to avoid spark or
flame, which might cause fire.

● When handling the battery, be

sure to be particularly careful
because the battery contains
sulfuric acid (electrolyte) which
is

highly

poisonous

and

corrosive.

●

When the car is jacked up only
by the body jack, no people is
permitted to stay under the car.
Be sure to support the car with a
motorcar jack or other firm strut.

●

Whether you work on or under a
car, be sure to wear a pair of
goggle to prevent yourself from
the dropping or falling objects
and splashing liquid.

●

Used the engine oil contains
potential pollutant, which might
cause skin inflammation or skin
cancer. Please take care not to

contact these types of the engine
oil for a long time or frequently.
Please use soap and clean water
to clean used the engine oil
stained on your skin.

●

Do not put away the engine oil in
a place which is within the reach
of a child.

●

Use

–

a

-

safe

-

and

environment-friendly method to
handle used the engine oil and
filter. Do not dispose used the
engine oil and filter together with
household garbage, into sewer
or onto ground. For recycle or
disposal method, please consult
BYD authorized service station.

● As braking fluid might damage

your eye and paint surface, please
take care when filling braking fluid.
If the fluid splashes into your eyes,
please wash your eyes with clean
water immediately. If your eyes still
feel uncomfortable, please go to
the hospital for examination.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Preface 7-5

NOTES

●

Please note that the storage
battery and ignition oil have
strong current or high voltage.
Please take care of short circuit
caused by an accident.

●

If cooling fluid flows over, please
wash it off with water in order not
to damage parts or paint surface.

●

Do not have dirty objects or other
objects fall into spark plug
orifice.

●

Do not lift the external electrode
of spark plug on the central
electrode side.

●

You can only use spark plug of
specified type. Other types of
spark plug might damage the
engine, lose performance or
generate radio interference.

●

Do not fill too much power
steering

fluid.

The

power

steering fluid level should be
between MIN and MAX.

●

If braking fluid flows over, please
wash it off with water in order not
to damage parts or paint surface.

●

Do not drive the car while the air
filter is removed. Otherwise, the

engine

might

be

worn

excessively and backfire might
cause

fire

in

the

engine

compartment.

●

Please take care not to scrape
glass surface with the wiper.

●

When closing the engine hood,
check whether there is any tool,
cloth or other object left in the
engine compartment.

Positioning of the Jack

Front

Rear
To lift a car with jack, please place the
jack at a proper position.

FRIENDLY TIPS

While lifting it up, please observe the
following regulation to reduce injury
risk.

●

Do

not

inhale

waste

gas

exhausted

from

the

engine.

Waste

gas

contains

carbon

monoxide, which is a colorless
and odorless gas. It might cause
consciousness loss and even
death.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Preface 7-6

●

Do not place any part of your
body under the car lifted by the
jack. Otherwise, it might cause
injury.

●

While the car is lifted by a jack,
do not start or operate the
engine.

●

Please park the car on a flat
ground and confirm that the
parking control mechanism is
pulled up. If necessary, please
baffle the wheel on the opposite
side of the lifting point.

●

Be sure to place the jack at a
proper lifting point. Improper
position of

the

jack might

damage the car. If the car falls off
the jack, it might cause injury.

●

When the car is supported by
jack only, do not crawl under the
car. Please use car supporting
bracket.

●

Do not lift the car while someone
stays in the car.

●

While raising the car, do not
place anything on or under the
jack.

NOTES

Be sure to place the jack properly.
Otherwise, it might damage the car.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Engine and Chassis 7-7

Chapter 7

Section 2

Self-Maintenance

Engine and Chassis

Check the Engine Oil Level ....................................................... 7-8

Check the Fluid Level of the Transmission ............................... 7-10

Check the Engine Coolant Level ............................................... 7-11

Check Radiator and Condenser ................................................ 7-12

Check Tire Pressure ................................................................. 7-12

Check and Replace Tire ............................................................ 7-13

Replace Tire .............................................................................. 7-14

Exchange Tire ........................................................................... 7-15

Notes on Aluminum Tire ............................................................ 7-16

L3

Owner’s Manual

Check the Engine Oil Level

While the engine is in working
temperature, please turn off the engine
and check oil level with oil dip rod.
1. In order to obtain a correct reading,
please park your car on flat ground.
Please wait for a few minutes after
turning off the engine until the engine oil
collects at the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull out oil Dipstick and place a piece
of cloth at its end and clean it.
3. Insert Oil Dipstick again. Please insert
it to the end. Otherwise, the indication is
not accurate.

4. Pull out oil Dipstick and place a piece
of cloth at its end and check oil level.

NOTES

Do not dip the engine oil onto the
vehicle parts.
If oil level is lower or slightly higher
than low oil level, please fill the
engine oil of the same type into the
engine.
Remove the engine oil cap, fill small
quantity of the engine oil every time and
check oil dip rod. It is recommended that
you use funnel to fill the engine oil.
The appropriate quantity of required the
engine oil is between low level and high
level for reference.
When oil level reaches normal scope,
please install filling cap and fasten it
manually.

NOTES

●

Do not dip the engine oil onto the
vehicle parts.

●

Do not add too much fuel.
Otherwise, the engine might be
damaged.

●

After adding fuel, please check
oil level on oil Dipstick again.

Selection of the engine oil
Please use lubricant approved by BYD
authorized service station or the
equivalent in compliance with the
following class and viscosity.
Class of gasoline the engine oil:
SAE 5W

—30 above -30 ℃

SAE 15W

—40 above -15 ℃

API class, SG level or above.
Quantity: 3L
Recommended

the

engine

oil

viscosity (SAE):

L3

Owner’s Manual

Engine and Chassis 7-9

If the engine oil of SAE 10W-30 or
higher viscosity in very cold weather,
it is difficult to start the engine.
Therefore, it is recommended to use
SAE 5W-30 the engine oil.

API classification mark

ILSAC certificate mark

Engine oil identification mark
There is one or two API registration
marks on some oil containers for
reference of oil selection.

API classification mark might be
attached at any place of the container.
The upper part of the label shows the
engine oil quality specified by API
(American Petroleum Institute), such as

SL. The middle part of the label is SAE
viscosity class, such as SAE 10W-

30.”

Energy-

Conserving” shown at the lower

part indicates that the engine oil saves
oil.
Certificate mark of ILSAC (International
Lubricant Standardization and Approval
Committee) is attached in the front of
the container.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Check the Fluid Level of the
Transmission
Manual transmission

How to check BYD5T-14 transmission
oil level
When the transmission is at 80 ℃
which is a normal operation temperature,
park your car on horizontal ground and
check transmission oil level. Remove
the bolt at the filling inlet of transmission
oil

(filling

orifice

and

oil

level

examination orifice in the following
figure) and touch oil level in the bolt
orifice with your finger. At this time, oil
level should reach the edge of bolt
orifice. Otherwise, please add BYD
manufactured manual transmission fuel
(MTF) until it flows over the filling inlet.
Then, put the filling inlet bolt back and
tighten it.

Gear oil level

If BYD manufactured MTF (manual
transmission fuel) is not available, API
approved gear oil is recommended as a
substitute. For a specific type, please
refer to maintenance manual or contact
BYD authorized service station.

Please replace transmission fuel in
accordance with driving time and
distance specified in the maintenance
table. Now, discharge all fuel in the
transmission and add new transmission
fuel again.
If you are not aware how to check oil
level and add oil, please contact BYD
authorized service station.
Please note that gear oil should not
contain water. Otherwise, it might rust
transmission parts.

Check the Engine Coolant Level
While the engine is cooled, check the
transparent coolant overflow kettle. If
the coolant level in the overflow
kettle is between “MAX” and “MIN”
mark lines, it meets requirement. If
the fluid level is low, please add
coolant. (For coolant type, please
refer to the following “coolant type
selection”.)

Coolant level in the overflow kettle
varies with the engine temperature.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Engine and Chassis 7-11

However, if the fluid level is at or below
“MIN”, please add coolant. Make the
liquid fluid to reach

“MAX” line.

If the coolant level drops within a short
time after adding coolant, the system
might leak. Please check radiator, hose,
radiator cap, discharging plug and pump
visually.
If no leakage is found, please contact
BYD authorized service station to test
cap pressure and check whether there is
leakage in the cooling system.

FRIENDLY TIPS

In order to prevent scorching injury,
do not try to remove the radiator cap
while the engine is hot.


Selection of coolant type
Please use coolant specified by BYD
authorized service station only. Please
select proper coolant type to inject into
cooling system in accordance with
environment temperature.

Use of improper coolant might damage
cooling system of the engine.

NOTES

Do not use excessive quantity of
water, as excessive quantity of water
might damage cooling system of the
engine in winter.

For detailed description, please contact
BYD authorized service station.
Check Radiator and Condenser

If any of the above stated parts is dirty or
its condition is unclear, please contact
BYD authorized service station.

FRIENDLY TIPS

In order to prevent scorching injury,
do not touch radiator or condenser
while the engine is hot.

NOTES

In order to prevent damage of
radiator and condenser, do not
operate by yourself.

Check Tire Pressure
Keep proper tire pressure.
For recommended cold tire pressure
and tire size, please refer to Chapter 8.
Check tire pressure once every two
weeks

or

every

month.

Please

remember to check air pressure of spare
tire.
Improper tire pressure will consume oil,
reduce driving comfort, shorten service
life of tire and affect driving safety.
If a tire requires frequent inflation,
please contact BYD authorized service
station for examination.

L3

Owner’s Manual

FRIENDLY TIPS

Keep proper tire pressure. Otherwise,
it might cause the following cases
and severe injury.
Low

tire

pressure

(insufficient

inflation)
● Excessive wearing
● Improper wearing
● Difficult to control
● Air

leakage

caused

by

overheating tire

● Weakened sealing performance

of tire edge

● Tire deformation and/ or tire

separation

High

tire

pressure

(excessive

inflation)
● Difficult to control
● Excessive wearing of tire pattern

center

● Hard part of road is likely to

cause tire damage

When examining tire pressure, please
observe the following instruction.
● Check Tire Pressure Only When

the Tire is Cold. If the car has
remained still for three hours or has

travelled for less than 1.5 km, you
can get correct cold tire pressure the
indication.

● Please Use Tire Pressure Gauge.

Judgment

of

tire

pressure

in

accordance with experience might
be incorrect. Additionally, even
difference of a few pounds might
affect comfort and control.

● Do Not Discharge the Tire or

Reduce

Tire

Pressure

after

Driving. It is normal that tire
pressure is high after driving.

● Confirm that the Tire Air Valve

Cap is Installed. If air valve cap is
not installed, dust or dampness
might enter the air valve core and
cause leakage. If the air valve cap is
lost, please use a new one.

Check and Replace Tire

Check Tire
Check tire tread with tire wearing the
indication mark. If the indicator mark
is visible, please replace the tire.

BYD L3 tire is has a tire tread wearing
the indication mark inside to show when
it is necessary to replace tire. When tire
tread depth is worn to 1.6 mm or less,
the wearing the indication mark will
appear. When wearing the indication
mark

appears

on

two

or

more

neighboring pattern grooves, please
replace the tire. The thinner a tire tread
is, the higher the skid risk is.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Engine and Chassis 7-13

If the tire tread is worn to less than 4
mm, the snow tire function will be
lost.

In the case of tire damage such as
cutting, rupture, deep crackle or
expansion which exposes cord fabric,
it indicates inside damage of the tire.
Please replace the tire.

If a tire often leaks air or cannot be
repaired due to size and position of
cutting or other damage, please replace
the tire. If it cannot be determined,
please contact BYD authorized service
station.
If air leakage occurs, do not continue
driving. Even a short distance of travel
might cause un-repairable damage to
the tire.

Any tire of six years old or above
should be checked by a qualified
technician, even if there is no
obvious damage.

Even if a tire is not used or not
frequently used, ageing might cause
degradation.

It is also suitable for spare tire and
stored tire.
Replace Tire
To replace a tire, please use another
one with same size and structure,
which has bearing capability equal to
or more than old one.

Any tire of different size or type might
severely affect setting of driving, riding,
speedometer/odometer, distance from
ground and distance between car body
and tire or tire chain.

FRIENDLY TIPS

Please

observe

the

following

instructions. Otherwise, it might
cause severe injury.
● Do not use radial tire, belt

oblique line tire or oblique
pattern cord fabric tire together.
Otherwise, it might cause typical
operation risk and cause the car
out of control.

● Do not use tire other than that is

recommended

by

the

manufacturer. Otherwise, it might

cause typical operation risk and
cause the car out of control.

Never Use an Old Tire on a BYD L3
Car.
It is dangerous to use a tire with unclear
history.
It is recommended to replace four
wheels at the same time or at least
the two the front wheels or the two
rear wheels.
For tire replacement procedure, please
refer to Chapter 4 “if tire leaks”.
After replacing a tire, please keep the
tire balanced.
Unbalanced

tire might

affect

car

operation and service life of a tire.
Wheel in the normal operation might
also lose balance. Please conduct
irregular examination to keep the wheel
balanced.

L3

Owner’s Manual

Exchange Tire

In order to keep tire wearing to the
same extent and lengthen service life
of a tire, it is recommended to replace
tire every 10,000 km. However, the
most

appropriate

time

for

tire

replacement depends on a driver’s
daily

driving

habit

and

road

condition.

When replacing a tire, please check
whether there is unbalanced wearing or
damage.

Incorrect

tire

pressure,

improper tire alignment, unbalanced
wheel or frequent braking might cause
abnormal wearing of a tire.

Selection of Tire Chain
Use tire chain with correct size.
Application rule of tire chain varies
with driving place or road type.
Therefore, please confirm local rules
before installing wheel chain.
Installation of tire chain
Install tire chain on the front wheel
very tightly. Do not use the tire chain
on rear wheel. Please tighten tire
chain again after driving for 0.5-1.0
km.
When installing tire chain on wheel,
please follow instruction provided by the
tire chain the manufacturer.
If wheel cover is in use, it might be
scraped by tire chain. Therefore, please
remove wheel cover before installing tire
chain.

FRIENDLY TIPS

● Travel speed should not exceed

50 km/h or the lower speed in
limit speed scope specified by
the tire chain the manufacturer.

● Please drive carefully and look

out for protruding object, cavity
and sharp turn, which might
cause the car to jump.

● When using tire chain, please

avoid sharp turn or wheel skid
braking. Otherwise, it might
inflict unfavorable effect on the
car.

● While driving a car equipped with

tire chain, please take care.
Before turning, please decelerate
to avoid losing control of the car.
Otherwise, it might cause an
accident.

Exchange Tire
When replacing a tire
If a tire bends, cracks or is damaged
by severe corrosion, it must be
replaced.