Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condition:

l Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.

Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a chamois.

For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly with water.

Wipe away any water.

Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.

If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.

Automatic car washes

Before washing the vehicle: • Fold the mirrors.

• Turn off the power back door system (if equipped).

Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and harm your vehicle’s paint.

High pressure car washes

l Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows and the air suspension unit (if equipped).

Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed
properly.

Aluminum wheels

Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard brushes
or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners. Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.

Bumpers

Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.

To prevent deterioration and body corrosion

Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases: • After driving near the sea coast.

• After driving on salted roads.

• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface.

• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the paint surface.

• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances.

• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled by dust or mud.

• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface.

If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.

CAUTION:
Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.

When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled sufficiently,
as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

NOTICE:
To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.

Cleaning the exterior lights Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.

This may damage the surfaces of the lights.

Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.

Wax may cause damage to the lenses.

To prevent damage to the windshield wiper arms When lifting the wiper arms away from the windshield, pull the driver side wiper arm upward first, and repeat for the passenger side. When returning the wipers to
their original position, do so from the passenger side first.

When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)

Set the wiper switch to the off position.

If the wiper switch is in , the
wipers
may operate and the wiper blades may be damaged.