Appearance Care; Underbody Maintenance; Aluminum Wheel Maintenance- Page 220

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Maintenance and Care

Appearance Care

Form No. 8Q50-EA-01G

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Underbody Maintenance

Road chemicals and salt used for ice and 
snow removal and solvents used for dust 
control may collect on the underbody. If 
not removed, they will speed up rusting 
and deterioration of such underbody parts 
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust 
system, even though these parts may be 
coated with anti-corrosive material.

Thoroughly flush the underbody and 
wheel housings with lukewarm or cold 
water at the end of each winter. Try also to 
do this every month.

Pay special attention to these areas 
because they easily hide mud and dirt. 

It 

will do more harm than good to wet 
down the road grime without removing 
it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels, 
and frame members have drain holes that 
should not be clogged. Water trapped 
there will cause rusting.

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Aluminum Wheel Maintenance

A protective coating is provided over the 
aluminum wheels. Special care is needed 
to protect this coating.

Don’t use steel wool, abrasive 
cleaners, or strong detergents 
containing highly alkaline or caustic 
agents on chrome-plated or anodized 
aluminum parts. This may result in 
damage to the protective coating and 
cause discoloration or paint 
deterioration.

CAUTION

Driving with Wet Brakes:
Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. 
Increased stopping distance or the 
vehicle pulling to one side when 
braking could result in a serious 
accident. Light braking will indicate 
whether the brakes have been 
affected. Dry the brakes by driving 
very slowly and applying the brakes 
lightly until brake performance is 
normal.

NOTE

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Don’t use a wire brush or any 
abrasive cleaner, polishing 
compound, or solvent on aluminum 
wheels. They may damage the 
coating.

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Only use a mild soap or neutral 
detergent and always use a sponge 
or soft cloth to clean the wheels.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm or 
cold water. Also, be sure to clean 
the wheels after driving on dusty or 
salted roads. This helps prevent 
corrosion.

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Avoid washing your vehicle in an 
automatic car wash that uses high-
speed or hard brushes.

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If your aluminum wheels lose 
luster, wax the wheels.

WARNING

J94S.book  Page 44  Saturday, June 23, 2001  1:04 PM