Vehicle care and maintenance
7-73
7
During cold weatherSalt and other chemicals spread on winter roads in some geo-
graphical areas can have a detrimental effect on the vehicle
underbody. You should flush the underbody with a high pres-
sure hose every time you wash the outside of your vehicle.
Take special care to remove mud or other debris which could
trap and hold salt and moisture.
After washing your vehicle, wipe off all waterdrops from the
rubber parts around the doors to prevent the doors from freez-
ing.
CAUTION
!When washing the underside of your vehicle or the
wheels, wear a pair of gloves to protect your hands.If your vehicle has rain sensor wipers, place the
wiper switch lever in the “OFF” position to deacti-
vate the rain sensor before washing the vehicle. Oth-
erwise, the wipers will operate in the presence of
water spray on the windshield and may get damaged
as a result.Never spray or splash water on the electrical parts
in the engine compartment. This may damage them.
Be careful also when washing the underbody to
ensure that water does not enter the engine com-
partment.Avoid automatic car washers that use rotating
brushes. These brushes may scratch the paint sur-
face and make it dull.
Scratches are more noticeable on darker colored
vehicles.Some hot water washing equipment uses high pres-
sure and heat to clean your vehicle. Because hot
water can damage plastics parts and seep inside
your vehicle, make sure you do the following when
using such equipment:
• Keep the washing nozzle at least 28 inches (70 cm)
away from the vehicle body.
• When washing around the door glass, hold the
nozzle at a distance of more than 28 inches (70 cm)
and at a right angle to the glass surface.
Make sure to do the following when using an auto-
matic car wash, with help from either this manual or
the car wash operator, to avoid damaging your vehi-
cle:
• Fold the outside rearview mirrors.
• Remove the antenna.
• Tape the wiper arm assembly.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a rear spoiler or
roof rails, check with the car wash operator before
using the car wash.
• If your vehicle is equipped with the rain sensor
wipers, place the wiper switch lever in the “OFF”
position to deactivate the rain sensor.CAUTION
!
BK0120400US.book 73 ページ ２０１０年５月１２日 水曜日 午前１０時５０分
Vehicle care and maintenance
7-75
7
Polishing
N00946100046
If painted surfaces have been severely damaged and lost their
original luster and color tone, polish the surface lightly with a
fine polishing compound. Avoid limiting your polishing to the
damaged surface only; polish a somewhat wider area, moving
the polishing cloth in one direction. After polishing, flush the
compound from the surface and apply a coat of wax to regain a
beautiful luster.Damaged paint
N00946200047
Small cracks and scratches in the paint coat should be touched
up as soon as possible with touch-up paint to prevent corrosion.
Check body areas facing the road or the tires carefully for dam-
age to the paint caused by flying stones, etc. The paint code
number for your vehicle can be found on the vehicle informa-
tion code plate in the engine compartment.
Cleaning plastic parts
N00946300194
Use a sponge or chamois to clean these parts.
If a vehicle wax sticks to a gray or black rough surface of the
bumper, molding or lights, the surface may appear white in
color. In this case, wipe it off using lukewarm water and a soft
cloth or chamois.Chrome parts
N00946400052
To prevent spots and corrosion of chrome parts, wash with
water, dry thoroughly, and apply a nonabrasive automotive
wax. If the chrome is severely damaged or pitted, use a com-
mercially available chrome polish.
CAUTION
!Do not use a scrubbing brush or other rough scrub-
ber as these may damage the plastic surface.Do not use wax containing compounds (polishing
powder) which may damage the plastic surface.Do not let plastic parts get soiled with gasoline, oil,
brake fluids, engine oils, greases, paint thinner, and
sulfuric acid (battery electrolyte), as such substances
will cause stains, cracks, or discoloration.
If any of these get on a plastic part, wipe them up
with a soft cloth or chamois and a mild solution of
soap and water. Then rinse them immediately with
water.
BK0120400US.book 75 ページ ２０１０年５月１２日 水曜日 午前１０時５０分
