Body care

A well-maintained vehicle lasts longer. It is therefore recommended to clean the exterior of the vehicle regularly.

Your vehicle benefits from advanced anti-corrosion techniques. It is nevertheless subject to various factors.

Corrosive atmospheric agents

• atmospheric pollution (towns and industrial areas),
• salinity of the air (mainly coastal areas in hot weather),
• seasonal and humidity conditions (salt spread on roads in winter, street cleaning water…).

Traffic incidents

Abrasive actions

Atmospheric dust, sand, mud, gravel thrown up by other vehicles… A minimum of precautions is required to protect against these risks.

What not to do

Degreasing or cleaning mechanical parts (e.g. engine compartment), underbody, hinged parts (e.g. inside of doors) and painted exterior plastic parts (e.g. bumpers) with high-pressure cleaners or spray products not approved by our Technical Departments. This could cause oxidation or malfunction.

Washing the vehicle in full sun or when it is freezing.

Scraping off mud or dirt without soaking it first.

Letting exterior dirt build up.

Letting rust develop from accidental damage.

Removing stains with solvents not selected by our departments, which may attack the paintwork.

Driving in snow and mud without washing the vehicle, especially the wheel arches and underbody.

What to do

Wash your vehicle frequently, engine off, with shampoos selected by our departments (never abrasive products). Rinse thoroughly with a jet of water beforehand to remove:

• tree resin or industrial pollution;
• mud, which forms wet deposits in the wheel arches and underbody;
• bird droppings, which cause a chemical reaction with the paint leading to rapid discolouration that can go as far as paint peeling;
  It is essential to wash the vehicle immediately to remove these stains, as they cannot be removed by polishing;
• salt, especially in the wheel arches and underbody, after driving in areas where de-icing chemicals have been spread.

Regularly remove vegetable deposits (resin, leaves, etc.) from the vehicle.

Observe local regulations on vehicle washing (e.g. do not wash your vehicle on the public highway).

Keep a safe distance from other vehicles when driving on gravel roads to avoid damaging the paint.

Have paint damage touched up promptly to prevent corrosion from spreading.

Do not forget the periodic inspections if your vehicle is covered by an anti-corrosion warranty. Refer to the service booklet.

If mechanical components, hinges, etc. have had to be cleaned, it is essential to protect them again by spraying products approved by our Technical Services.

We have selected special products for maintenance, which you will find at brand outlets.

Special features of vehicles with matte paint

This type of paint requires certain precautions.

What not to do

• use wax-based products (polishing);
• rub vigorously;
• drive the vehicle through an automatic car wash;
• wash the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner;
• stick stickers on the paint (risk of marking).

What to do

Wash the vehicle thoroughly by hand with plenty of water, using a soft cloth or soft sponge...

Driving through an automatic car wash

Set the front wiper/washer control to OFF (see “Front windscreen wiper and washer” in chapter 1). Check that exterior equipment, auxiliary lamps and mirrors are secure, and fix the wiper blades in place with adhesive tape.

Remove the radio aerial mast if the vehicle has one.

Remember to remove the adhesive and refit the aerial once the wash is complete.

Cleaning the headlamps

As the headlamps have plastic “lenses”, use a soft cloth or cotton wool. If this is not sufficient, dampen it slightly with soapy water, then always rinse with a soft cloth or cotton wool.

Finish by gently wiping with a dry, soft cloth.

Products containing alcohol must not be used.