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, you should wash it after each 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 the rocker panels are kept clean.

Insects, tree sap, tree resin, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar deposits may damage your vehicle's paint 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.

WARNING

After washing the vehicle, check the brakes at low speed to make sure they are not affected by water before driving on the road. If braking performance is affected, dry the brakes by lightly applying them while maintaining a slow forward speed.

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, do not clean them with chemical solvents or strong detergents.

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 or electronic components inside the vehicle, as this may cause damage.

Waxing

A good layer of wax forms a barrier between your paint and contaminants. Maintaining a good layer of wax on your vehicle will help protect it.

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, resin and similar materials with a spot remover will usually remove wax from the finish. Be sure to re-wax these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not yet need waxing.

CAUTION

• Wiping dust or dirt from 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.