Body care

A well-maintained vehicle will last longer. It is therefore advisable to clean the outside of the vehicle regularly.

Your vehicle benefits from high-performance anti-corrosion techniques. However, it is still subject to various factors.

Corrosive atmospheric agents

• atmospheric pollution (towns and industrial areas),
• salinity of the air (coastal areas, especially in hot weather),
• seasonal and humidity-related conditions (salt spread on roads in winter, water used to clean streets, etc.).

Traffic incidents

Abrasive actions

Airborne dust, sand, mud, gravel thrown up by other vehicles, etc. Take minimum precautions to protect against these risks.

What not to do

Do not degrease or clean mechanical components (e.g. engine compartment), the underbody, parts with hinges (e.g. inside of doors) or painted exterior plastic parts (e.g. bumpers) using high-pressure cleaning equipment or sprays not approved by our technical departments. This could cause corrosion or malfunction.

Do not wash the vehicle in full sun or when it is freezing.

Scraping off mud or dirt without soaking it first.

Do not allow external dirt to 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 paintwork, leading to rapid discolouration and possibly 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 paintwork.

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

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

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

We have selected special maintenance products, which are available from 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, a soft sponge, etc.

Driving through an automatic car wash

Set the wiper/washer lever to Off (refer to “Front wiper and washer” in chapter 1). Check that exterior equipment, auxiliary lights and mirrors are secure, and fix the wiper blades in place with adhesive tape.

Remove the radio aerial if the vehicle has one.

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

Cleaning the headlamps

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

Finish by gently wiping with a dry, soft cloth.

Alcohol-based products must not be used.