6-1. Maintenance and care; Cleaning and protecting the - Page 270

270

6-1. Maintenance and care

6-1.Maintenance and care



Working from top to bottom, liber-
ally 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 water-
proof coating deteriorates.

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

■

Black stainless steel window moldings 

(IS500)

The stainless steel window moldings are 

made of black oxide coated stainless steel.
When cleaning the vehicle, do not scrub the 

moldings with an abrasive cleaner as their 

finish may be damaged or the color may 

change.

■

Self-restoring coat

The vehicle body has a self-restoring coat-

ing that is resistant to small surface 

scratches caused in a car wash etc.

●

The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years from 

when the vehicle is delivered from the 

plant.

●

The restoration time differs depending on 

the depth of the scratch and outside tem-

perature.

The restoration time may become 

shorter when the coating is warmed by 

applying warm water.

●

Deep scratches caused by keys, coins, 

etc. cannot be restored.

●

Do not use wax that contains abrasives.

■

Automatic car washes

●

Fold the mirrors before washing the vehi-

cle. 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, parts 

(wheel, etc.) and damage the paint.

■

High pressure car washes

As water may enter the cabin, do not bring 

the nozzle tip near the gaps around the 

doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray 

these areas continuously.

■

When using a car wash

If the door handle becomes wet while the 

electronic key is within the effective range, 

the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In 

that case, follow the following correction 

procedures to wash the vehicle:

●

Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or 

more separate from the vehicle while the 

vehicle is being washed. (Take care to 

ensure that the key is not stolen.)

●

Set the electronic key to battery-saving 

mode to disable the smart access system 

with push-button start. (



P.98)

■

Wheels and wheel ornaments (vehicles 

without matte black painted wheels)

●

Remove any dirt immediately by using a 

neutral detergent.

●

Wash detergent off with water immedi-

Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle exterior

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

Cleaning instructions