FIAT Croma - Manual (Page 215)

214
W
ARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA
TIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD AND CONTROLS
SAFETY DEVICES
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesteth-
ic purpose, but also protects the under-
lying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touch-
ing up carried out immediately to avoid
the formation of rust. Use only original
paint products for touching up (see “Body-
work paint identification plate” in section
“Technical specification”). Normal paint
maintenance consists in washing at inter-
vals depending on the conditions and en-
vironment of use. For example, in highly
polluted areas, or if the roads are sprayed
with salt, it is wise to wash the car more
frequently.
For a correct wash of the vehicle proceed
as follows:
❒ soak the body with a low pressure wa-
ter jet;
❒ pass on the body a sponge with a li-
ght cleansing solution, frequently rin-
sing the sponge;
❒ rinse accurately with water and dry
with air jet or suede.
If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car
wash, follow these recommendations:
– remove the antenna from the roof to
avoid damages;
– water with a cleansing solution must be
used for washing;
– rinse accurately to avoid cleansing so-
lution residues which may remain on the
body or hidden parts.
❒ Spraying the underbody, engine com-
partment, wheelhouse internal parts
and other parts with highly protective
wax products;
❒ Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.;
❒ Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original el-
ement of the structure or body. For the
general terms of this warranty, refer to
the Fiat Warranty booklet.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The car should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left
in the open so that residual water can eva-
porate. Do not wash the car after it has
been left in the sun or with the bonnet
hot: this may alter the shine of the
paintwork.
Some automatic systems pro-
vided with old generation
and/or not correctly maintai-
ned brushes may damage the
varnish, easing the creation of micro-
scratches, especially on dark colours.
To remove those scratches, slightly po-
lish with a specific product.
193-216 Croma TRW GB 28-09-2007 11:23 Pagina 214