Exterior Care

Exterior Care

Exterior General Precautions

It is very important to follow the instructions on the label when using any chemical cleaner or polish. Read all warnings and cautions that appear on the label.

Complete the Maintenance

Washing

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

If you use your vehicle for off-road driving, you must wash it after every off-road trip. Pay special attention to removing any accumulation of salt, mud, dirt and other foreign materials. Make sure the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels are kept clean.

Insects, resin, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar deposits may damage your vehicle's paint finish if not removed promptly.

Even a quick wash with plain water cannot completely remove all of these deposits. Mild soap that is safe for use on painted surfaces may be used.

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

After washing the vehicle, check the brakes at low speed to make sure they have not been affected by water. If braking effectiveness is reduced, dry the brakes by lightly applying them while maintaining a slow forward speed.

High-Pressure Washing

• When using a high-pressure washer, maintain a sufficient distance from the vehicle. Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure may cause component damage or water intrusion.
• Do not spray the camera, sensors, or their surrounding areas directly with a high-pressure washer. The impact of high-pressure water may cause the device to malfunction.
• Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or plastic covers) or connectors, as they may be damaged if they come into contact with high-pressure water.

CAUTION - Wet Engine

• Rinsing the engine compartment with water, including high-pressure water washing, may cause electrical circuits located in the engine compartment to malfunction.
• Never allow water or other liquids to contact electrical/electronic components inside the vehicle, as this may damage them.

Waxing

Wax the vehicle when water no longer beads on the paint.

Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing. Use a good quality liquid or paste wax and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wax all metal trim to protect it and maintain its shine.

Removing oil, resin and similar materials with a spot remover usually removes the wax from the paint. Be sure to reapply wax to these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not yet need waxing. Do not apply wax to embossed unpainted parts, as this may dull the part.

CAUTION - Drying the Vehicle

• Removing dust or dirt from the body with a dry cloth will scratch the finish.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, acidic cleaners or strong cleaners containing highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome or anodized aluminum parts. This may damage the protective coating and cause discoloration or deterioration of the finish.

Complete the Repair of Damage

Deep scratches or stone chips on painted surfaces must be repaired promptly. Exposed metal will quickly rust and may develop into a major repair expense.

If your vehicle is damaged and requires any repair or replacement of metal parts, make sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to the repaired or replaced parts.

Bright Metal Care

• To remove road tar and insects, use a tar and insect remover, not a scraper or other sharp object.
• To protect bright metal parts from corrosion, apply a coating of wax or chrome protectant and rub to a shine.
• In winter or in coastal areas, cover bright metal parts with a thicker coat of wax or preservative. If necessary, coat parts with non-aggressive petroleum jelly or another protective compound.

Underbody Maintenance

Road salt and other aggressive chemicals are used in cold weather to melt snow and prevent ice buildup. If these chemicals are not removed regularly, they corrode the underbody and over time damage fuel lines, fuel tank mounting system, vehicle suspension, exhaust system, and even the body frame. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises all vehicle owners of all makes to take the following steps:

• Wash the underbody of your vehicle regularly during winter and whenever your vehicle has been exposed to such salts or chemicals.
• Thoroughly wash the underbody at the end of winter.
• Use professional service technicians or a state inspection station for an annual inspection for corrosion.
• Have your vehicle inspected immediately if you visually notice corrosion flaking or scaling, or if you notice a change in vehicle characteristics such as soft or spongy brakes, fluid leaks, loss of steering control, suspension noises, or rattling metal straps.

Aluminum Wheel Care

Aluminum wheels are covered with a clear protective coating.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners, polishing compounds, solvents, or wire brushes on aluminum wheels. They may scratch the finish.
• Clean the wheel when it is cool.
• Use only mild soap or a neutral cleaner, and rinse thoroughly with water. Always clean the wheels after driving on salted roads. This helps prevent corrosion.
• Avoid washing the wheels with a brush in a high-speed car wash.
• Do not use alkaline or acidic cleaners. They may damage and corrode clear-coated aluminum wheels.

Corrosion Protection

Protecting Your Vehicle from Corrosion

By using the most advanced design and construction methods to combat corrosion, we produce vehicles of the highest quality. However, this is only part of the job. To achieve long-term corrosion resistance of your vehicle, owner cooperation and assistance are also necessary.

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 bare metal exposed will result in 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 of the common causes of accelerated corrosion are road salt, dust-control chemicals, sea air, and industrial pollution.

Moisture Causes Corrosion

Moisture creates conditions in which corrosion is most likely to occur. For example, corrosion is accelerated by high humidity, especially when the temperature is just above freezing. Under these conditions, corrosive material remains in contact with the vehicle surface with moisture that evaporates slowly.

Dirt is especially aggressive because it dries slowly and retains moisture on the vehicle. Although dirt may appear dry, it can still hold moisture and promote corrosion.

High temperatures can also accelerate corrosion of parts that are not well ventilated, so moisture cannot evaporate. For all these reasons, it is especially important to keep your vehicle clean and to prevent accumulation of mud or other materials. This applies not only to visible surfaces but especially to the underbody of the vehicle.

To help prevent corrosion

You can help prevent corrosion by observing the following:

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 must take special care to prevent corrosion. In winter, flush the underbody of your vehicle with a hose at least once a month, and be sure to thoroughly clean the underside when winter is over.
• When cleaning under the vehicle, pay special attention to components behind the wheel housings and other areas that are hidden from view. Perform a thorough job; 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 substances.
• 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 become trapped inside, where it would 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 mud. Even a heated garage can contribute to corrosion if it is not well ventilated so that moisture can dissipate.

Keep paint and finish in good condition

Scratches or chips in the paint finish should be touched up as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of corrosion. If bare metal is showing, a qualified body and paint shop is recommended.

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

Do Not Neglect the Interior

Moisture may collect under the floor mats and carpeting and cause corrosion. Check under the mats periodically to make sure the carpet is dry. Be especially careful if you carry fertilizers, cleaners, or chemicals in the vehicle.

They should be carried only in proper containers. Any spills or leaks should be cleaned up, rinsed with clean water, and dried thoroughly.

Interior Care

General Interior Precautions

Avoid contact of interior parts with chemicals such as perfume, cosmetic oil, sunscreen, hand cream, and air freshener, as they may cause damage or discoloration. If they contact interior parts, wipe them off immediately. If necessary, use a vinyl cleaner. Refer to the product instructions for proper use.

WARNING - Electrical Components

Never allow water or other liquids to contact electrical/electronic components inside the vehicle, as this may damage them.

CAUTION - Leather

When cleaning leather items (steering wheel, seats, etc.), use neutral cleaners or low-alcohol content solutions. If you use solutions with a high alcohol content or acid-alkaline cleaners, the leather color may fade or the surface may peel.

Leather Seat Care

• Vacuum the seat regularly to remove dust and sand from the seat. This prevents abrasion or damage to the leather and maintains its quality.
• Wipe the natural leather seat upholstery often with a dry or soft cloth.
• Applying a leather protectant regularly can prevent abrasion of the finish and helps preserve the color. Be sure to read the instructions and consult a specialist when using leather coatings or protective agents.
• Light-colored leather (beige, cream-beige) soils easily and shows stains clearly. Clean the seats often.
• Avoid wiping with a wet cloth. This may cause the surface to crack.

Cleaning Leather Seats

• Remove all contaminants immediately. See the instructions below for removing each type of contaminant.
• Cosmetic products (sunscreen, foundation, etc.)
  - Apply cleaning cream to a cloth and wipe the soiled spot. Wipe off the cream with a damp cloth and remove the water with a dry cloth.
• Beverages (coffee, soft drinks, etc.)
  - Apply a small amount of neutral cleaner and wipe the soiled area. Do not spread the stain.
• Oil
  - Remove oil immediately with an absorbent cloth and wipe with a leather stain remover only.
• Chewing gum
  - Harden the chewing gum with ice and remove it gradually.

Cloth Seat Covers – Precautions

Clean cloth seats regularly with a vacuum cleaner, taking into account the characteristics of the fabric material. If heavily soiled with beverage stains, etc., use a suitable interior cleaner. To avoid damage to the seat covers, wipe the seat covers along the seams with a firm wiping motion and moderate pressure using a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.

Hook-and-loop fasteners on clothing or sharp objects can cause snagging or scratches on the seat surface. Make sure not to rub such objects against the surface.

Cleaning Upholstery and Interior Trim

Vinyl

Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Clean vinyl surfaces with a vinyl cleaner.

Cloth

Remove dust and loose dirt from cloth with a brush or vacuum cleaner. A mild soap solution is recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Remove fresh stains immediately with a fabric stain remover. If fresh stains are not treated immediately, the fabric may become permanently stained and its color may be affected. In addition, its flame-resistant properties may be reduced if the material is not properly maintained.

Using anything other than the recommended cleaners and procedures may affect the appearance of the fabric and its flame-resistance characteristics.

Cleaning the seat belt webbing

Clean the seat belt webbing with any mild soap solution recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpet. Follow the instructions supplied with the soap. Do not bleach or dye the webbing, as this may weaken it.

Cleaning the Interior Glass

If the interior glass surfaces of the vehicle fog up (that is, become covered with an oily, greasy, or waxy film), they should be cleaned with a glass cleaner. Follow the instructions on the glass cleaner container.

CAUTION - Rear Window

Do not scratch or scrape the inside of the rear window. This may damage the rear window defroster grid.