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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
At least twice a year, spring and fall, 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.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle's interior. Immediately remove any soils.
Newspapers or dark garments can
transfer color to the vehicle’s interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on the
instrument cluster. Using a mild soap solution, immediately remove hand
lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellent from all interior surfaces or permanent damage may result.
Use cleaners specifically designed for the surfaces being cleaned to prevent
permanent damage. Apply all cleaners directly to the cleaning cloth. Do not
spray cleaners on any switches or controls. Remove cleaners quickly.
VEHICLE CARE 393
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.
To prevent damage, do not clean the interior using the following cleaners or techniques:
. 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 use laundry detergents or dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. For liquid cleaners, use approximately 20 drops per 3.8 L
(1 gal) of water. A concentrated soap solution will create streaks and attract dirt. 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.
Interior Glass
To clean, use a terry 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.
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:
. 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.
394 VEHICLE CARE
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 in to 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.
Instrument Panel, Leather, Vinyl, Other Plastic Surfaces, Low Gloss Paint Surfaces, and Natural Open Pore Wood Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber cloth dampened with water to remove dust and loose dirt. For a more thorough cleaning,
use a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a mild soap solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather,
especially perforated leather, as well as other interior surfaces, may
cause permanent damage. Wipe
excess moisture from these surfaces after cleaning and allow them to
dry naturally. Never use heat,
steam, or spot removers. Do not use cleaners that contain silicone or
wax-based products. Cleaners containing these solvents can
permanently change the appearance and feel of leather or soft trim, and are not recommended.