Paint Care

Washing

To protect the vehicle paint from rust and corrosion, wash the vehicle thoroughly with warm or cold water at least once a month.

If you drive off-road, wash the vehicle after every trip. Pay special attention to accumulations of salt, mud, dirt, or other foreign matter. Make sure the drain holes located on the bottom of the doors and at the sill level remain free and clean.

If not removed promptly, insects, resin, sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar deposits may damage the vehicle paint.

Even a quick wash in clean water will not necessarily remove all of these deposits.

You may use a mild soap suitable for painted surfaces.

After washing, rinse the vehicle thoroughly with warm or cold water. Do not allow soap to dry on the paint.

WARNING

• Do not use harsh soap, chemical cleaners, or hot water, and do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or when the body is hot.
• Be careful when washing the side windows of the vehicle. When using a high-pressure water jet, water may leak into the vehicle through the windows.
• To avoid damaging plastic parts and headlights, do not use chemical solvents or strong cleaning agents.

WARNING

Wet Brakes

After washing the vehicle, check the brakes by driving slowly and checking that they operate normally. If braking performance has decreased, lightly depress the brake pedal while driving forward at low speed to dry the brakes.

WARNING

• Any wet cleaning of the engine compartment, including high-pressure washing, may cause electrical circuits in this compartment to fail.
• Never allow water or other liquids to contact electrical/electronic components of the vehicle, as they may be damaged.

Wax Treatment

You may apply wax to your vehicle when water no longer beads on the paint.

Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing. Use good quality liquid or paste wax and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Apply wax to all metal trim to protect it and maintain its shine. Removing oil and tar stains and similar substances with a stain remover will generally remove the applied wax from the paint. Be sure to reapply wax to affected areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not need waxing.

WARNING

• If you wipe dust or dirt from the body with a dry cloth, you risk scratching the paint.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong cleaners with a high content of alkaline or caustic substances on anodized aluminum or chrome parts. This may damage the protective coating and cause discoloration or damage to the paint.