7-72 Vehicle care and maintenance
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
!
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