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Dolly Towing (All-Wheel Drive Vehicles)
Vehicles with All-Wheel Drive cannot be dolly towed.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0 408.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic, or abrasive cleaning agents as they can damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Approved
cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and appropriate disposal of any vehicle care
product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure washes closer than 30 cm (12 in) to the
surface of the vehicle. Use of power washers exceeding 8,274 kPa
(1,200 psi) can result in damage or removal of paint and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any component under the hood that has this e symbol.
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
VEHICLE CARE 389
If using an automatic car wash, follow the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may be damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before washing and after, 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.
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. Foreign 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's 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.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber, decals, simulated wood, or flat paint as
damage can occur.
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.
390 VEHICLE CARE
. 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.
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 them when dry.
Do not use any of the following 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 increase fuel economy. Keep the shutter system
clean for proper operation.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean rubber 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.
VEHICLE CARE 391
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 extreme dusty conditions, sand, salt, heat, sun, snow, and ice.
Weatherstrips
Apply Dielectric silicone grease 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 Lubricants 0 408.
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. When applying a tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray from all painted surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim — Aluminum or Chrome
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 other chrome
trim may be damaged if the vehicle is not washed after driving on roads that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium, or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are used on roads for conditions such as ice and dust. Always wash the chrome
with soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain acid on
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. Use only approved cleaners. Also,
never drive a vehicle with
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels through an automatic car wash that uses silicone carbide tire 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.