1992 Lexus ES300 air condition

BODY
209
PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLE
FROM CORROSION
Proper care of your Lexus can help ensure long-term corrosion
prevention.
The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle
are:

The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in
hard-to-reach areas under the vehicle.

Chipping of paint, or undercoating caused by minor
accidents or by stones and gravel.
Care is especially important if you live in particular areas
or operate your vehicle under certain environmental
conditions:

Road salt or dust control chemicals will accelerate
corrosion, as will the presence of salt in the air near the
sea-coast or in areas of industrial pollution.

High humidity accelerates corrosion especially when
temperatures range just above the freezing point.

Wetness or dampness to certain parts of your vehicle for an
extended period of time may cause corrosion even though
other parts of the vehicle may be dry.

High temperatures will cause corrosion to those
components of the vehicle which are prevented from
quick-drying due to lack of proper ventilation.The above signifies the necessity to keep your vehicle,
particularly the underside, as clean as possible and to repair
any damage to paint or protective coatings as soon as
possible.
To help prevent corrosion on your Lexus, follow these
guidelines:
Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of course, necessary to
keep your vehicle clean by regular washing, but to prevent
corrosion, the following points should be observed:

If you drive on salted roads in the winter or if you live near
the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least
once a month to minimize corrosion.

High pressure water or steam is effective for cleaning the
vehicle’s underside and wheel housings. Pay particular
attention to these areas as it is difficult to see all the mud and
dirt. It will do more harm than good to simply wet the mud
and debris without removing them. The lower edge of doors,
rocker panels and frame members have drain holes which
should not be allowed to clog with dirt as trapped water in
these areas can cause corrosion.

Wash the underside of the vehicle thoroughly when winter
is over.
See “Washing and waxing” for more tips.

BODY
210Check the condition of your vehicle’s paint and trim. If you
find any chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up
immediately to prevent corrosion from starting. If the chips or
scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a qualified
body shop make the repair.
Check the interior of your vehicle. Water and dirt can
accumulate under the floor mats and could cause corrosion.
Occasionally check under the mats to make sure the area is
dry. Be particularly careful when transporting chemicals,
cleansers, fertilizers, salt, etc. These should be transported in
proper containers. If a spill or leak should occur, immediately
clean and dry the area.
Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated
garage. If you wash your vehicle in the garage, or if you drive
it in covered with water or snow, your garage may be so damp
it will cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet
vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor.
WASHING AND WAXING
Wash your vehicle in the shade when the body is not hot
to the touch. Use a mild car-wash soap and rinse it well.
Dirt can cause small scratches in the paint and the chemicals
in some dirt and air pollutants can cause deterioration of the
paint and trim. Therefore, frequent washing is recommended.
If you park or drive your Lexus near the ocean or on salted
roads, it is especially important to prevent corrosion.
If your vehicle is washed in an automatic car wash, the paint
surface may be scratched by the brushes, reducing the paint’s
gloss retention and durability. They can become easily
apparent, especially on the darker paints. Automatic car
washes should therefore be avoided as much as possible.
The following is the proper procedure for car washing by hand.
1. Begin by rinsing all loose dirt off the vehicle with a hose. If
the underside has picked up mud or road salt, use a hard,
direct stream from a hose to remove it.
2. Wash with a commercial car-wash product available at your
Lexus dealer or auto parts store. Follow the manufacturer’s
mixing instructions carefully. Dip your sponge or cloth into the
wash bucket frequently and do not rub too hard let the soap
and water remove the dirt.
To clean aluminum wheels, use only a mild soap or neutral
detergent.

BODY
211 On urethane bumpers and side moldings, remove dirt carefully
and do not scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper and
molding faces are soft.
Road tar may be removed with turpentine. Use warm water
and car-wash soap for insects and tree sap. Commercial
products are also available.
NOTICE:
Do not use gasoline or strong solvents. They may be
toxic or cause damage.
3. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly. If any soap dries on the
vehicle, it may cause streaking. In hot weather, you may have
to rinse each section of the vehicle right after you wash it.
4. Dry the vehicle with a moist chamois or soft towel. The main
purpose of drying is to remove excess water so that the vehicle
will air dry without water spots. So do not rub or press hard,
which might scratch the paint.
If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint, touch
them up immediately to protect the bare metal from corrosion.
After washing your vehicle, make sure the brakes are fully dry
before driving.
Polishing and waxing is recommended to maintain the
original beauty of your Lexus’ finish.
1. Always wash and dry the vehicle before you begin waxing,
even if you are using a combined cleaner and wax.2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If the finish has become
extremely weathered, use a car-cleaning polish, followed by a
separate wax. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions
and precautions. Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim as
well as the paint.
3. Wax the vehicle again when water does not bead but
remains on the surface in large patches.
CLEANING THE INTERIOR
Leather Interior
Apply a small amount of saddle or leather soap with a soft
cloth. Allow the soap solution to loosen the soil for a few
minutes. Then thoroughly wipe off all the soap solution with a
damp clean cloth.
Use of a nylon brush or synthetic fiber cloth, etc. may scratch
the fine-grained surface of the leather.
Never use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol, or
gasoline, alkaline or acid solutions for cleaning the leather as
these could cause discoloring.
After cleaning, or whenever any part of the leather gets wet, dry
with a soft clean cloth. Allow it to air-dry in the shade with a
breeze. Avoid direct sunlight.
Leather upholstery precautions

Mildew may develop on soiled leather upholstery. Be
especially careful to avoid oil spots. Try to maintain your
upholstery in a constant clean condition.