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, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout and similar deposits can damage the vehicle finish if not removed promptly. Even a quick wash with plain water may not remove all of these deposits. A mild soap that is safe for 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.

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

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

WARNING

After washing the vehicle, check the brakes by driving slowly to see if they have been affected by water. If braking efficiency is impaired, dry the brakes by applying them lightly while maintaining a slow forward speed.

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.

To remove oil, tar and similar materials, use a spot remover. This usually removes wax from the finish. 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 textured or unpainted parts, as this may cause them to discolor.

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 corrosive chemicals are used in cold weather to melt snow and prevent ice buildup. If these chemicals are not removed regularly, they will corrode the underbody and damage the fuel lines, fuel tank mounting system, suspension, exhaust system, and even the body frame over time.

• 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, as they may damage or 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.