Corrosion Protection

Protecting Your Vehicle from Corrosion

Using state-of-the-art corrosion-resistant design and construction methods, HYUNDAI manufactures vehicles of the highest quality. However, this is only part of the effort. To achieve the long-term corrosion resistance your vehicle is capable of providing, the owner is also required to cooperate and assist.

Common Causes of Corrosion

The most common causes of corrosion on your vehicle are:

• Road salt, dirt and moisture that can accumulate under the vehicle.
• Removal of paint or protective coatings by stones, gravel, abrasion, or minor scratches and dents, leaving 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. Common causes of accelerated corrosion are road salts, dust control chemicals, ocean air and industrial pollution.

Moisture Causes Corrosion

Moisture creates the conditions under which corrosion is most likely to occur. For example, corrosion is accelerated by high humidity, especially at temperatures just above freezing. Under these conditions, corrosive material remains in contact with the vehicle surfaces, and the moisture evaporates slowly.

Dirt is especially aggressive because it dries slowly and holds moisture in contact with the vehicle. Although dirt 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 that moisture cannot evaporate. For all these reasons, it is especially important that your vehicle be kept clean and free of dirt or accumulations of other materials.

This applies not only to visible surfaces, but especially to the underbody of the vehicle.

To help prevent corrosion

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

• If you live in an area with high corrosion risk, such as where road salt is used, near the ocean, in areas with industrial pollution, acid rain, etc., take additional care to prevent corrosion. In winter, rinse the underside of the vehicle with a hose at least once a month and be sure to thoroughly clean the underbody at the end of winter.
• When cleaning the underbody, pay special attention to components under the fenders and other areas hidden from view. Perform the work thoroughly; merely wetting accumulated dirt rather than washing it away will accelerate corrosion instead of preventing 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 remain open so that moisture can escape and does not remain trapped inside, which would accelerate corrosion.

Keep your garage dry

Do not store the vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. This creates a favorable environment for corrosion.

This is especially true if you wash your vehicle in a garage or drive it into a garage while it is still wet or covered with snow, ice, or mud. Even a heated garage can promote corrosion if it is not well ventilated and moisture cannot dissipate.

Keep paint and finish in good condition

Scratches or chips in the paint should be touch-up painted as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of corrosion. If bare metal is showing, it is recommended that you have the vehicle repaired by a qualified body and paint shop.

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