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

• 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 thor- oughly 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

• Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle. Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.

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

 - High pressure car washes

• Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the windows and the air suspension unit.

• 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.

• Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after driving for long distance in the hot weather.

• Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.

 - Bumpers and side moldings

Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.

CAUTION

 - When washing the vehicl

Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.

 - When cleaning the windshield (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wiper)

• When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is located is touched by hand

• When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor

• If something bumps against the windshield

• If you directly touch the raindrop sensor body or if something bumps into the raindrop sensor

 - 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 suffi- ciently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

NOTICE

 - To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (aluminum wheels etc.)

• Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:

• After driving near the sea coast

• After driving on salted roads

• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface

• If you see dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings on the paint

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

• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in 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.

• To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place with low humidity when storing wheels.

 - 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.

NOTICE

 - 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

Set the wiper switch to the off position.

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