2008 Hyundai Accent Owner's Manual

CORROSION PREVENTION &
APPEARANCE CARE
4
Corrosion Protection ..................................................... 4-2
To Help Prevent Corrosion .......................................... 4-3
Washing and Waxing .................................................... 4-4
Cleaning the Interior ...................................................... 4-6
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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE2
CORROSION PROTECTION
E010B01A-AATCommon Causes of CorrosionThe most common causes of corrosion
on your car are:
o Road salt, dirt and moisture that is
allowed to accumulate underneath the
car.
o Removal of paint or protective coat-
ings by stones, gravel, abrasion or
minor scrapes and dents which leave
unprotected metal exposed to corro-
sion.
E010A01A-AATProtecting Your Hyundai from Cor-
rosionBy using the most advanced design and
construction practices to combat corro-
sion, Hyundai produces cars of the high-
est quality. However, this is only part of
the job. To achieve the long term corro-
sion resistance your Hyundai can deliver,
the owner's cooperation and assistance
is also required.
E010C01A-AATHigh-Corrosion AreasIf you live in an area where your car is
regularly exposed to corrosive materials,
corrosion protection is particularly impor-
tant. Some of the common causes of
accelerated corrosion are road salts, dust
control chemicals, ocean air and indus-
trial pollution.
E010D01A-AATMoisture Breeds CorrosionMoisture creates the conditions in which
corrosion is most likely to occur. For ex-
ample, corrosion is accelerated by high
humidity, particularly when temperatures
are just above freezing. In such condi-
tions, the corrosive material is kept in
contact with the car surfaces by moisture
that is slow to evaporate.
Mud is a particular enemy of corrosion
protection because it is slow to dry and
holds moisture in contact with the ve-
hicle. Even though the mud appears to
be dry, it can still retain moisture and
promote corrosion.
High temperatures can also accelerate
corrosion of parts that are not properly
ventilated so the moisture can be dis-
persed. For all these reasons, it is par-
ticularly important to keep your car clean
and free of mud or accumulations of other
materials. This applies not only on the
visible surfaces but particularly to the
underside of the car.

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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
3
TO HELP PREVENT COR-
ROSIONE020A01A-AATYou can help prevent corrosion from
getting started by observing the follow-
ing:E020B01A-AATKeep Your Car CleanThe best way to prevent corrosion is to
keep your car clean and free of corrosive
materials. Attention to the underside of
the car is particularly important.
o If you live in a high-corrosion area —
where road salts are used, near the
ocean, areas with industrial pollution,
acid rain, etc.— you should take extra
care to prevent corrosion. In winter,
hose off the underside of your car at
least once a month and be sure to
clean the underside thoroughly when
winter is over.
o When cleaning underneath the car,
give particular attention to the compo-
nents under the fenders and other
areas that are hidden from view.
E020C01A-AATKeep Your Garage DryDon't park your car in a damp, poorly
ventilated garage. This creates a favor-
able environment for corrosion. This is
particularly true if you wash your car in
the garage or drive it into the garage
when it is still wet or covered with snow,
ice or mud. Even a heated garage can
contribute to corrosion unless it is well
ventilated so moisture is dispersed.
E020D02A-AATKeep Paint and Trim in Good Condi-
tionScratches or chips in the finish should be
covered with "touch-up" paint as soon as
possible to reduce the possibility of cor-
rosion. If bare metal is showing through,
the attention of a qualified body and paint
shop is recommended.
Bird droppings : Bird droppings are highly
corrosive and may damage painted sur-
faces in just a few hours. Always remove
bird droppings as soon as possible.E020E01A-AATDon't Neglect the InteriorMoisture can collect under the floor mats
and carpeting to cause corrosion. Check
under the mats periodically to be sure the
carpeting is dry. Use particular care if you
carry fertilizers, cleaning materials or
chemicals in the car.
These should be carried only in proper
containers and any spills or leaks should
be cleaned up, flushed with clear water
and thoroughly dried. Do a thorough job; just dampening the
accumulated mud rather than washing
it away will accelerate corrosion rather
than prevent it. Water under high pres-
sure and steam are particularly effec-
tive in removing accumulated mud and
corrosive materials.
o When cleaning lower door panels,
rocker panels and frame members, be
sure that drain holes are kept open so
that moisture can escape and not be
trapped inside to ac-celerate corro-
sion.

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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE4
Use a clean sponge or cloth, rinse it
frequently and don't damage the finish by
rubbing too hard. For stubborn spots,
dampen them frequently and remove
them a little at a time.
To clean whitewall tires, use a stiff brush
or soap-impregnated steel-wool scour-
ing pad.
To clean plastic wheel covers, use a
clean sponge or soft cloth and water.
To clean cast aluminum alloy wheels,
use a mild soap or neutral detergent. Do
not use abrasive cleaners. Protect the
bare-metal surfaces by cleaning, polish-
ing and waxing. Because aluminum is
subject to corrosion, be sure to give alu-
minum alloy wheels special attention in
winter. If you drive on salted roads, clean
the wheels thoroughly afterwards.
After washing, be sure to rinse thoroughly.
If soapy water dries on the finish, streak-
ing will result.
When the weather is warm and the hu-
midity low, you may find it necessary to
rinse each section immediately after wash-
ing to avoid streaking.After rinsing, dry the car using a damp
chamois or soft, absorbent cloth. The rea-
son for drying the car is to remove water
from the car so it will dry without water
spots. Don't rub, this can damage the
finish.
If you find any nicks or scratches in the
paint, use touch-up paint to cover them to
prevent corrosion. To protect the
paintwork of the car against corrosion,
you must clean your Hyundai (at least
once a month). Give special attention to
the removal of salt, mud and other sub-
stances on the underside of the
splashboards of the car. Make sure that
the outlets and the underside of the doors
are open. Paint damage can be caused
by small accumulation of tar, industrial
precipitation, tree resin, insects and bird
droppings, when not removed immedi-
ately.
If water alone is not strong enough to
remove the accumulated dirt, use a mild
car washing solution. Be sure to rinse the
surface after washing to remove the solu-
tion. Never allow the solution to dry on the
painted surfaces.
WASHING AND WAXINGE030A02A-AATWashing Your HyundaiNever wash your car when the surface is
hot from being in the sun. Always wash
your car in the shade.
Wash your car frequently. Dirt is abrasive
and can scratch the paint if it is not re-
moved. Air pollution or acid rain may
damage the paint and trim through chemi-
cal action if pollutants are allowed to
remain in contact with the surface. If you
live near the ocean or in an area where
road salts or dust control chemicals are
used, you should pay particular attention
to the underside of the car. Start by rins-
ing the car to remove dust and loose dirt.
In winter, or if you have driven through
mud or muddy water, be sure to thor-
oughly clean the underside as well. Use
a hard direct stream of water to remove
accumulations of mud or corrosive mate-
rials. Use a good quality car-washing
solution and follow the manufacturer's
directions on the package. These are
available at your Hyundai dealer or auto
parts outlet. Don't use strong household
detergents, gasoline, strong solvents or
abrasive cleaning powders as these may
damage the finish.

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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
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E030B01A-AATSpot CleaningDon't use gasoline, strong solvents or
corrosive cleaning agents. These can
damage the finish of the car. To remove
road tar, use turpentine on a clean, soft
cloth. Be gentle.
To remove dead insects or tree sap, use
warm water and mild soap or car-wash-
ing solution. Soak the spot and rub gen-
tly. If the paint has lost its luster, use a
commercial car-cleaning polish.E030C01A-AATPolishing and WaxingAlways wash and dry the car before pol-
ishing or waxing or using a combination
cleaner and wax. Use a good quality
commercial product and follow the
manufacturer's directions on the con-
tainer. Polish and wax the bright trim
pieces as well as the paint.
E030D01A-AATWhen to Wax AgainYou should polish and wax the car again
when water no longer beads on a clean
surface but spreads out over a larger
area.E030E01A-AATMaintaining BumpersSpecial precautions must be observed to
preserve the appearance of the bumpers
on your Hyundai. They are:
o Be careful not to spill battery electro-
lyte or hydraulic brake fluid on the
bumpers. If you do, wash it off imme-
diately with clean water.
o Be gentle when cleaning the bumper
surfaces. They are made of soft plastic
and the surface can be damaged if
mistreated. Do not use abrasive clean-
ers. Use warm water and mild soap or
carwashing solution.
o Do not expose the bumpers to high
temperatures. For example, if you have
your car repainted, do not leave the
bumpers on the car if the car is going
to be placed in a high-temperature
paint booth.
!
CAUTION:
OJB037800
o Water washing in the engine com-
partment including high pressure
water washing may cause the failure
of electrical circuits located in the
engine compartment.
o Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electrical/elec-
tronic components inside the vehicle
as this may damage them.

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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE6
E040D01A-AATCleaning the Seat BeltsTo clean the seat belts, use a cloth or
sponge with mild soap or detergent and
warm water. Do not use strong deter-
gents, dye, bleach or abrasive materials
on the seat belts as this may weaken the
fabric.
While cleaning the belts, inspect them for
excessive wear, cuts, fraying or other
signs of damage and replace them if
necessary.E040E01A-AATCleaning the WindowsYou may use any household window
cleaner on the windows. However, when
cleaning the inside of the rear window be
careful not to damage the rear window
defroster wiring.
E040A01A-AATTo Clean the Vinyl UpholsteryTo clean the vinyl upholstery, first remove
loose dirt and dust with a vacuum cleaner.
Then apply a solution of mild soap or
detergent and water using a clean sponge
or soft cloth. Allow this to stay on the
surface to loosen the dirt, then wipe with
a clean damp sponge or cloth. If all the
dirt stains are not removed, repeat this
procedure until the upholstery is clean.
Do not use gasoline, solvent, paint thin-
ner or other strong cleaners.
E040C01A-AATCleaning the CarpetsUse a foam-type carpet cleaner. Clean-
ers of this type are available in aerosol
cans in liquid form or powder. Read the
instructions and follow them exactly. Us-
ing a vacuum cleaner with the appropri-
ate attachment, remove as much dirt from
the carpets as possible. Apply the foam
following the manufacturer's directions,
then rub in overlapping circles. Do not
add water. These cleaners work best
when the carpet is kept as dry as pos-
sible.
CLEANING THE INTERIOR

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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
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CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
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ANY QUESTIONS?E050A01A-AATIf you have any questions about the care
of your car, consult your Hyundai dealer.

Maintenance Intervals ................................................... 5-2
Scheduled Maintenance ............................................... 5-4
Maintenance under Severe Usage Conditions ............ 5-6
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Items ............. 5-7
California Perchlorate Notice......................................5-10VEHICLE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
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