BODY
217
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.
The following conditions will cause or accelerate
corrosion of your vehicle, so it is important 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.
The presence of road salt or dust control chemicals, salt in
the air near the sea coast, industrial air pollution.
High humidity, especially at temperatures just above
freezing point.Certain parts of your vehicle are wet or damp for an
extended period of time, even though other parts of the
vehicle are dry.
Components of the vehicle which are prevented from
quick-drying due to lack of proper ventilation are exposed
to high temperature.
To help prevent corrosion on your Lexus, follow these
guidelines:
Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing. In addition,
observe the following points.
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
218Check 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.
Automatic car washes use a wide variety of equipment for both
cleaning your car and applying waxes and sealants. Certain
types of brushes used, as well as the overall washing
procedure itself, can scratch the paint’s surface. Damage will
be more apparent on darker colors. Before using an automatic
car wash, be sure to review with the car wash management the
type of equipment and washing process used to ensure that
they will not adversely affect your vehicle’s paint finish.
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.
