Exterior care
Exterior general caution
Read all warning and caution statements that appear on the label and follow the label directions when using any chemical cleaner or polish.
If you park the vehicle around a stainless signboard or reflective building etc., the plastic exterior trim (bumper, spoiler, lamp, outside mirror etc.) may be damaged by reflected sunlight. To avoid damaging the plastic exterior trim, park away from areas where reflected light may occur or use a vehicle cover.
Finish maintenance
To help protect your vehicle's finish from rust and deterioration, wash it thoroughly and frequently at least once a month with lukewarm or cold water.
If you use your vehicle for off-road driving, you should wash it after each off-road trip. Pay special attention to the removal of any accumulation of salt, dirt, mud, and other foreign materials. Make sure the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels are kept clear and clean. Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial pollution and similar deposits can damage your vehicle's finish if not removed immediately.
Even prompt washing with plain water may not completely remove all these deposits. A mild soap, safe for use on painted surfaces, may be used. After washing, rinse the vehicle thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow soap to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, test the brakes while driving slowly to see if they have been affected by water. If braking performance is impaired, dry the brakes by applying them lightly while maintaining a slow forward speed.
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Do not use strong soap, chemical detergents or hot water, and do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or when the vehicle is warm.
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Be careful when washing the side windows and other gaps (between door and body structure, side windows and exterior) of your vehicle. High-pressure, water may leak through the windows and wet the interior.
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To prevent damage to the plastic parts and lamps, do not clean with chemical solvents or strong detergents.
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When using high-pressure washers, make sure to maintain sufficient distance from the vehicle.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure can lead to component damage or water penetration.
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Do not spray the camera, sensors or its surrounding area directly with a high-pressure washer. Shock from high pressure water may cause the device not to operate normally.
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Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber including weather strips or plastic covers) or connectors as they may be damaged if they contact high pressure water.
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Washing in the motor compartment including high-pressure water may cause the failure of electrical circuits located in the engine compartment.
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Never allow water or other liquids to contact electrical/electronic components as this may damage them.
Wax the vehicle when water will no longer bead on the paint.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing. Use a good quality liquid or paste wax and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wax all metal trim to protect it and maintain its luster.
Removing oil, tar, and similar materials with a spot remover will usually strip the wax from the finish. Be sure to re-wax these areas even if the rest of the vehicle does not need waxing. Do not apply wax on embossed unpainted components, as it may tarnish the unit.
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Wiping off dust or dirt with a dry cloth will scratch the finish.
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Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, acid or strong detergents containing high alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts. This may result in damage to the protective coating and cause discoloration or paint deterioration.
Finish damage repair
Deep scratches or stone chips in the painted surface must be repaired promptly. Exposed metal will quickly rust and may cause a major repair expense.
If your vehicle is damaged and requires any metal repair or replacement, be sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to the parts repaired or replaced.
Bright-metal maintenance
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To remove road tar and insects, use a tar remover, not a scraper or other sharp object.
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To protect the surfaces of bright metal parts from corrosion, apply a coating of wax or chrome preservative and rub to a high luster.
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During winter weather or in coastal areas, cover the bright metal parts with a heavier coating of wax or preservative. If necessary, coat the parts with non-corrosive petroleum jelly or other protective compounds.
Underbody maintenance
Corrosive materials used for ice and snow removal and dust control may collect on the underbody. If these materials are not removed, accelerated rusting can occur on underbody parts such as the frame and, floor pan, even though they have been treated with rust protection.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel openings with lukewarm or cold water once a month, after off-road driving and at the end of winter. Pay special attention to these areas because it is difficult to see all the mud and dirt. The lower edges of the doors, rocker panels, and frame members have drain holes that should not clog with dirt. Keep them open to so as not to trap water.
After washing the vehicle, test the brakes while driving slowly to see if they have been affected by water. If braking performance is impaired, dry the brakes by applying them lightly while maintaining a slow forward speed.
Aluminum wheel maintenance
The aluminum wheels are coated with a clear protective finish.
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Do not use any abrasive cleaner, polishing compound, solvent, or wire brushes on aluminum wheels. They may scratch or damage the finish.
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Clean the wheel when it has cooled.
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Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent, and rinse thoroughly with water. Be sure to clean the wheels after driving on salted roads to helps prevent corrosion.
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Avoid washing the wheels with high-speed car wash brushes.
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Do not use any alkaline or acid detergent. It may damage and corrode the aluminum wheels coated with a clear protective finish.
Corrosion protection
By using the most advanced design and construction practices to combat corrosion, we produce vehicles of the highest quality. To achieve long term corrosion resistance, the owner must also follow the instructions above.
The most common causes of corrosion are:
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Road salt, dirt and moisture that is allowed to accumulate underneath the vehicle.
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Paint chips or protective coatings by stones, gravel, abrasion or minor scrapes and dents leave unprotected metal exposed to corrosion.
If you live in an area regularly exposed to corrosive materials, corrosion protection is particularly important. Some of the common causes of accelerated corrosion are road salts, dust control chemicals, ocean air and industrial pollution.
Moisture creates conditions in which corrosion is most likely to occur. Corrosion is accelerated by high humidity, particularly when temperatures are just above freezing. The corrosive material is kept in contact with the vehicle's surface by moisture that evaporates slowly. Mud is particularly corrosive because it dries slowly and holds moisture. High temperatures can also accelerate corrosion of parts that are not properly ventilated.
Keep your vehicle clean and free of mud or accumulations of other materials. This applies not only to the visible surfaces but particularly to the underside of the vehicle.
You can help prevent corrosion by observing the following:
Keep your vehicle clean
The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep your vehicle clean and free of corrosive materials. Attention to the underside of the vehicle is particularly important.
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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 vehicle at least once a month and be sure to clean the underside thoroughly when winter is over.
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When cleaning underneath the vehicle, give particular attention to the components under the fenders and other areas that are hidden from view. Do a thorough job; just dampening the accumulated mud rather than washing it away will accelerate corrosion rather than prevent it. Water under high pressure and steam are particularly effective in removing accumulated mud and corrosive materials.
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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 accelerate corrosion.
Keep your garage dry
Don't park your vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. This creates a favorable environment for corrosion. This is particularly true if you wash your vehicle 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.
Keep paint and trim in good condition
Scratches or chips in the finish should be covered with "touch-up" paint as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of corrosion. If bare metal is exposed, have the vehicle serviced by a qualified body and paint shop.
Bird droppings are highly corrosive and may damage painted surfaces in just a few hours. Always remove bird droppings as soon as possible.
Don't neglect the interior
Moisture can collect under the floor mats and carpeting and cause corrosion. Check under the mats periodically to be sure the carpet is dry. Use particular care if you carry fertilizers, cleaning materials or chemicals in the vehicle.
These should be carried only in proper containers and any spills or leaks should be cleaned up, flushed with clean water and thoroughly dried.