Exterior Care

Exterior General Precautions

It is very important to follow the instructions on the label of any chemical cleaning or polishing product. Read all warnings and cautions printed on the label.

Complete the Maintenance

Washing

To protect your vehicle's paint from rust and wear, wash it thoroughly and often, at least once a month, with warm or cold water. If you use your vehicle for off-road driving, it should be washed after every off-road trip. Pay special attention to removing any accumulation of salt, mud, dirt and other foreign materials. Keep the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels clean.

Insects, tree sap, tree resin, bird droppings, industrial fallout and similar deposits may damage your vehicle's finish if not removed immediately. Even a quick wash with plain water cannot completely remove all of these deposits.

Use a mild soap that is safe for painted surfaces.

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

CAUTION

• Do not use strong soap, chemical cleaners, or hot water, and do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or when the vehicle body is warm.
• Be careful when washing the side windows of the vehicle. Especially with high-pressure water, water may leak through the windows and wet the interior.
• To avoid damage to plastic parts and lamps, do not clean with chemical solvents or strong detergents.

WARNING

Wet Brakes

After washing the vehicle, test the brakes at low speed to check whether they have been affected by water. If braking performance has decreased, dry the brakes by applying them lightly while maintaining a slow forward speed.

High-Pressure Washing

• When using a high-pressure washer, keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle. Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure may cause damage or water intrusion.
• Do not spray a high-pressure washer directly at the camera, sensors, or the area around them. Impact from high-pressure water may cause the device to malfunction.
• Do not point the nozzle tip at boots (rubber or plastic covers) or connectors, as they may be damaged by high-pressure water.

CAUTION

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

Waxing

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

Always wash and dry the vehicle before applying wax. Use a 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, tar, and similar materials with a spot remover will usually remove wax from the finish. Be sure to re-apply wax to these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not yet need waxing.

NOTICE

Do not wax unpainted embossed trim, as this may cause the trim to dull.

CAUTION

• Wiping dust or dirt off the body with a dry cloth may scratch the finish.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents containing strongly alkaline or caustic substances on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts. This may damage the protective coating and cause discoloration or wear of the paint.

Complete the Repair of Damage

Deep scratches or chips in the painted surface must be repaired immediately. Exposed metal rusts quickly and may lead to major repair costs.

NOTICE

If your vehicle is damaged and requires repair or metal replacement, 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 remover, not a scraper or other sharp tool.
• To protect bright metal surfaces from corrosion, apply a coat of wax or chrome preservative and rub to a shine.
• In winter or in coastal areas, cover bright metal parts with a heavier coat of wax or preservative. If necessary, cover the parts with non-aggressive petroleum jelly or another protective compound.

Underbody Maintenance

Corrosive materials used for de-icing and dust control can accumulate on the underbody. If these materials are not removed, accelerated rusting may occur on underbody parts, such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust system, even though they have been treated with rust protection.

Thoroughly wash the underbody and wheel housings with warm or cold water. Rinse once a month, after driving off-road, and at the end of each winter. Pay special attention to these areas, because it is difficult to see all the dirt and mud. Merely wetting road dirt without removing it will do more harm than good. The lower edges of doors, rocker panels and frame members have drain holes that must not be allowed to become clogged with dirt; water trapped in these areas may cause rusting.

WARNING

After washing the vehicle, test the brakes at low speed to check whether they have been affected by water. If braking performance has decreased, dry the brakes by applying them lightly while maintaining a slow forward speed.

Aluminum Wheel Care

Aluminum wheels are coated with a clear protective lacquer.

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

Corrosion Protection

Protecting your vehicle from corrosion. Using the most advanced design and construction techniques for corrosion protection, we produce vehicles of the highest quality. However, this is only part of the work. For long-term corrosion resistance, your vehicle also requires cooperation and assistance from the owner.

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 floor.
• Chipping of paint or protective coatings 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. 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 retains moisture against the vehicle surface. Although dirt may appear dry, it can still hold moisture and promote corrosion. High temperatures can also accelerate corrosion. Parts that are not properly ventilated prevent moisture from dissipating. For all of these reasons, it is especially important to keep your vehicle 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

You can prevent corrosion by observing the following guidelines:

Keep your vehicle clean

The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep the vehicle clean and to avoid exposure to aggressive materials. Pay particular attention to the underside of the vehicle.

• If you live in an area with high corrosion risk, 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 of the vehicle, pay special attention to components under the fenders and other areas that are hidden from view. Perform a thorough job; merely moistening accumulated dirt rather than washing it off will accelerate corrosion rather than prevent it. High-pressure water and steam are especially effective in 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 leave the vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. This creates a favorable environment for corrosion. This is especially true if you wash the vehicle and put it in the garage while it is still wet or covered with snow, ice, or mud. Even a heated garage can promote corrosion if it is not properly ventilated so that moisture can dissipate.

Keep paint and finish in good condition

Scratches or chips in the paint finish should be covered with touch-up paint as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of corrosion. If bare metal is showing, it is recommended that you have the damage repaired by a qualified body and paint shop. 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 can collect under floor mats and carpeting, causing corrosion. Periodically check under the mats to make sure the carpeting is dry. Be especially careful if you transport fertilizers, cleaning agents, or chemicals in your vehicle. They must be transported only in proper containers, and any spills or leaks must be eliminated, flushed with clean water, and thoroughly dried.