Corrosion Protection

Protecting Your Vehicle from Corrosion

Using the most advanced design and construction methods to fight corrosion, HYUNDAI produces vehicles of the highest quality. However, this is only part of the job. To achieve long-term corrosion resistance, your vehicle requires cooperation and assistance from the owner.

Common Causes of Corrosion

The most common causes of corrosion on your vehicle are:

• Road salt, mud, and moisture are allowed to accumulate under the vehicle.
• Removal of paint or protective coating by stones, gravel, abrasion, or minor scratches and dents that leave unprotected metal exposed to corrosion.

High-Corrosion Areas

If you live in an area where your vehicle is regularly exposed to aggressive materials, corrosion protection is especially important. Some common causes of accelerated corrosion are road salts, dust-control chemicals, ocean air, and industrial pollution.

Moisture Causes Corrosion

Moisture creates conditions in which corrosion is most likely. For example, corrosion is accelerated at high humidity, especially at temperatures slightly above freezing. Under such conditions, corrosive materials come into contact with vehicle surfaces, and moisture evaporates slowly.

Mud is especially aggressive because it dries slowly and keeps moisture in contact with the vehicle. Although mud may appear dry, it can still retain moisture and promote corrosion.

High temperatures can also accelerate corrosion of parts that are not properly ventilated, so moisture may be trapped. For all these reasons, it is especially important to keep the vehicle clean and free of dirt or accumulated materials. This applies not only to visible surfaces but especially to the underbody of the vehicle.

To help prevent corrosion

Keep your vehicle clean

The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep your vehicle clean and free of corrosive materials. Attention to the underbody of the vehicle is especially important.

• If you live in a high-corrosion area, where road salt is used, near the ocean, in areas with industrial pollution, acid rain, etc., you should take extra care to prevent corrosion. In winter, spray the underside of your vehicle at least once a month and be sure to thoroughly clean the underbody when winter is over.
• When cleaning the underbody of the vehicle, pay special attention to components behind the fenders and other areas that are hidden from view. Perform a thorough job; simply loosening accumulated dirt rather than washing it away will accelerate corrosion rather than prevent it. High-pressure water and steam are especially effective at removing accumulated dirt and corrosive materials.
• When cleaning the lower door panels, rocker panels and frame members, make sure the drain holes are open so that moisture can escape and not remain inside, where it can accelerate corrosion.

Keep your garage dry

Do not park the vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. This creates a favorable environment for corrosion. This is especially true if you wash the vehicle in the garage or drive it into the garage while it is still wet or covered with snow, ice or dirt. Even a warm garage can promote corrosion unless it is well ventilated so that moisture is dispersed.

Keep paint and finish in good condition

Scratches or chips in the finish should be touched up with touch-up paint as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of corrosion. If bare metal is visible, consultation with a qualified service department or body shop is recommended.

Bird droppings are very acidic and can damage painted surfaces in just a few hours. Always remove bird droppings as soon as possible.