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456 Vehicle Care
Remove any accessories that
may be damaged or interfere
with the car wash equipment.
Hand Wash
Rinse the vehicle well, before
and after washing, to remove
all cleaning agents completely.
If they are allowed to dry on
the surface, they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel
to avoid surface scratches
and water spotting.
Cleaning Underhood
Components
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood
that has this
esymbol.
This could cause damage to
the vehicle that would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Avoid using solvents or
abrasive cleaners that may
harm underhood components.
GM recommends using only
water to clean underhood
components.
If using a pressure washer,
ensure the following criteria
is met:
.Water pressure must be
kept below 14 000 KPa
(2,000 PSI).
.Water temperature must be
below 80 °C (180 °F).
.A spray nozzle with a
40 degree wide angle spray
pattern or wider must be
used, and must be kept at
least 30 cm (1 ft) away from
all surfaces.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket
clearcoat sealant/wax
materials is not recommended.
If painted surfaces are
damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed
and repaired. Materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road
oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle finish if
they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible. If necessary,
use non-abrasive cleaners that
are marked safe for painted
surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or
mild polishing should be done
to remove residue from the
paint finish. See your dealer
for approved cleaning
products.
Caution
Do not apply waxes or
polishes to uncoated plastic,
vinyl, rubber, decals,
simulated wood, or matte
paint as damage can occur.
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Caution
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish may damage it. Use
only non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint
finish on the vehicle.
To keep the paint finish
looking new, keep the vehicle
garaged or covered whenever
possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright
Metal Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect
the bright metal moldings
can result in a hazy white
finish or pitting. This damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. The bright metal moldings on
the vehicle are aluminum,
chrome, or stainless steel. To
prevent damage, always follow
these cleaning instructions:
.Be sure the molding is cool
to the touch before applying
any cleaning solution.
.Use only approved cleaning
solutions for aluminum,
chrome, or stainless steel.
Some cleaners are highly
acidic or contain alkaline
substances and can damage
the moldings.
.Always dilute a concentrated
cleaner according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
.Do not use cleaners that are
not intended for
automotive use.
.Use a nonabrasive wax on
the vehicle after washing to
protect and extend the
molding finish.
Carbon Fiber Care
Carbon fiber composite parts
can be washed and waxed like
any other parts. Use a clear or
black pigmented wax. See
Composite Materials
0260.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses, Emblems, Decals,
and Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold
water, a soft cloth, and a car
washing soap to clean exterior
lamps, lenses, emblems,
decals, and stripes. Follow
instructions under "Washing
the Vehicle" previously in this
section.
Lamp covers are made of
plastic, and some have a UV
protective coating. Do not
clean or wipe lamp covers
when dry. This can cause
scratches to the surface of
the lamp cover.
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Cadillac CT4 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-16500442) -
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458 Vehicle Care
Do not use any of the
following items on lamp
covers:
.Abrasive or caustic agents.
.Washer fluids and other
cleaning agents in higher
concentrations than
suggested by the
manufacturer.
.Solvents, alcohols, fuels,
or other harsh cleaners.
.Ice scrapers or other hard
items.
.Aftermarket appearance
caps or covers while the
lamps are illuminated, due to
excessive heat generated.
Caution
Failure to clean lamps
properly can cause damage
to the lamp cover that would
not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Using wax on low gloss black
finish stripes can increase
the gloss level and create a
non-uniform finish. Clean low
gloss stripes with soap and
water only.
Air Intakes
Clear debris from the air
intakes between the hood and
windshield when washing the
vehicle.
Shutter System
The vehicle may have a
shutter system designed to
help improve fuel economy.
Always keep the shutter
system clear of debris, snow
and ice. If the check engine
light is activated, please check
to see if the shutter system is
clear of debris, snow or ice.
Windshield and Wiper
Blades
Clean the outside of the
windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber wiper blades
using a lint-free cloth or paper
towel soaked with windshield
washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the
windshield thoroughly when
cleaning the blades. Bugs,
road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax
treatments may cause wiper
streaking.
Replace the wiper blades if
they are worn or damaged.
Damage can be caused by
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Vehicle Care 459
extreme dusty conditions,
sand, salt, heat, sun, snow,
and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply weatherstrip lubricant
on weatherstrips to make
them last longer, seal better,
and not stick or squeak.
Lubricate weatherstrips at
least once a year. Hot, dry
climates may require more
frequent application. Black
marks from rubber material on
painted surfaces can be
removed by rubbing with a
clean cloth. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0474.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire
cleaner to clean the tires.
Caution
Using petroleum-based tire
dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the
paint finish and/or tires.
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all
painted surfaces on the
vehicle.
Wheels and Wheel Trim
Use a soft, clean cloth with
mild soap and water to clean
the wheels. After rinsing
thoroughly with clean water,
dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and chrome
wheel trim may be damaged
if the vehicle is not washed
after driving on roads that
have been sprayed with
magnesium chloride or
calcium chloride. These are
used on roads for conditions
such as dust control. Always
wash the chrome with soap
and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage on
wheels and wheel trim, do
not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, or brushes. Use
only GM approved cleaners.
Do not drive the vehicle
through an automatic car
wash that uses silicon
carbide tire/wheel cleaning
brushes. Damage could
occur and the repairs would
not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines
and hoses for proper hook-up,
binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads
for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Inspect
brake linings/shoes for wear
or cracks. Inspect all other
brake parts.
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460 Vehicle Care
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged,
loose, or missing parts or signs
of wear at least once a year.
Inspect power steering for
proper attachment,
connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Visually check constant
velocity joint boots and axle
seals for leaks.
Body Component
Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges,
and the steel fuel door hinges,
unless the components are
plastic. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with
a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Every six months, use plain
water to flush any corrosive
materials from the underbody.
Take care to thoroughly clean
any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash
the transfer case and/or
front/rear axle output seals.
High pressure water can
overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid.
Contaminated fluid will
decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the
body repair shop applies
anti-corrosion material to
parts repaired or replaced to
restore corrosion protection.Original manufacturer
replacement parts will provide
the corrosion protection while
maintaining the vehicle
warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up
materials available from your
dealer to avoid corrosion.
Larger areas of finish damage
can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall
upon and attack painted
vehicle surfaces causing
blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small,
irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface. See
“Finish Care”
previously in this
section.
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Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle
abrasions, regularly clean the
vehicle's interior. Before using
cleaners, read and follow all
safety instructions on the
label. While cleaning the
interior, open the doors and
windows to get proper
ventilation. Newspapers or
dark garments can transfer
color to the vehicle’s interior.
Caution
Immediately remove
cleaners, hand lotions,
sunscreen, and insect
repellent from all interior
surfaces or permanent
damage may result.
Caution
Use cleaners specifically
designed for the surfaces
being cleaned to prevent
permanent damage to the(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
vehicle. Apply all cleaners
directly to a cleaning cloth.
Do not spray cleaners on
any switches or controls.
When using liquid soap
cleaners, follow the directions
on the specific cleaner or soap
solution for dilution
instructions.
Caution
To prevent damage:
.Never use a razor or any
other sharp object to
remove soil from any
interior surface
.Never use a brush with
stiff bristles.
.Never rub any surface
aggressively or with too
much pressure.
.Do not get any exposed
electrical components wet. (Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not use laundry
detergents or dishwashing
soaps with degreasers. Do
not use solutions that
contain strong or
caustic soap.
.Do not heavily saturate
the upholstery when
cleaning.
.Do not use solvents or
cleaners containing
solvents.
.Do not use disinfecting
wipes that are scented or
contain bleach. Do not use
wipes or cleaners that
show a color transfer to
the wipe or change the
appearance of the interior
surface when used.
.Do not use scented or
gel-type hand sanitizers.
If hand sanitizer comes in
contact with interior
surfaces of the vehicle,
blot immediately and clean(Continued)
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Caution (Continued)
with a soft cloth
dampened with a mild
soap and water solution.
Interior Glass
To clean, use a microfiber
cloth fabric dampened with
water. Wipe droplets left
behind with a clean dry cloth.
If necessary, use a commercial
glass cleaner after cleaning
with plain water.
Caution
To prevent scratching, never
use abrasive cleaners on
automotive glass. Abrasive
cleaners or aggressive
cleaning may damage the
rear window defogger.
Cleaning the windshield with
water during the first three to
six months of ownership will
reduce tendency to fog.
Speaker Covers
Vacuum around a speaker
cover gently, so that the
speaker will not be damaged.
Clean spots with water and
mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be
cleaned.
.When lightly soiled, wipe
with a sponge or soft,
lint-free cloth dampened
with water.
.When heavily soiled, use
warm soapy water.
Vinyl/Rubber
If equipped with vinyl floor and
rubber floor mats, use a soft
cloth and/or brush dampened
with water to remove dust and
loose dirt. For more thorough
cleaning, use a mild soap and
water solution.
{Warning
Do not use cleaners that
contain silicone, wax-based
products, or cleaners that
increase gloss on vinyl/
rubber floor and mats.
These cleaners can
permanently change the
appearance and feel of the
vinyl/rubber and can make
the floor slippery. Your foot
could slip while operating
the vehicle, and you could
lose control, resulting in a
crash. You or others could
be injured.
Fabric/Carpet/Suede
Start by vacuuming the
surface using a soft brush
attachment. If a rotating
vacuum brush attachment is
being used, only use it on the
floor carpet. Before cleaning,
gently remove as much of the
soil as possible:
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.Gently blot liquids with a
paper towel. Continue
blotting until no more soil
can be removed.
.For solid soils, remove as
much as possible prior to
vacuuming.
To clean: 1. Saturate a clean, lint-free colorfast cloth with water.
Microfiber cloth is
recommended to prevent
lint transfer to the fabric
or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture by gently wringing until
water does not drip from
the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub
toward the center. Fold
the cleaning cloth to a
clean area frequently to
prevent forcing the soil
into the fabric. 4. Continue gently rubbing
the soiled area until there
is no longer any color
transfer from the soil to
the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap
solution followed only by
plain water.
If the soil is not completely
removed, it may be necessary
to use a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot
lifter. Test a small hidden area
for colorfastness before using
a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If ring
formation occurs, clean the
entire fabric or carpet.
After cleaning, use a paper
towel to blot excess moisture.
Cleaning High Gloss
Surfaces and Vehicle
Information and Radio
Displays
Use a microfiber cloth on high
gloss surfaces or vehicle
displays. First, use a soft
bristle brush to remove dirt
that can scratch the surface.
Then gently clean by rubbing
with a microfiber cloth. Never
use window cleaners or
solvents. Periodically hand
wash the microfiber cloth
separately, using mild soap. Do
not use bleach or fabric
softener. Rinse thoroughly and
air dry before next use.
Caution
Do not attach a device with
a suction cup to the display.
This may cause damage and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.