Washing Your Vehicle

The paint finish on the vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss retention, and durability.

The best way to preserve the vehicle’s finish is to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.

Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of the sun. Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well, removing all soap residue completely.

Approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. See Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 462. Do not use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.

High pressure car washes may cause water to enter the vehicle.

    See also:

    City Driving
    One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are w ...

    Rolling Ding Factory
    I noticed another anomaly that didn't stand out in previous tests: a flawed interior handle design. Doors usually have an unlatch handle and a separate grab handle nearby for closing the door. The ...

    Airbag Readiness Light
    This light shows if there is an electrical problem. The system check includes the airbag sensor(s), passenger sensing system, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring, and the crash ...