Suzuki 1999 Baleno - Manual (Page 61)

60G-74E
BODY WORK CARE
BODY WORK CARE
Corrosion Prevention 11-1
Vehicle Cleaning 11-2
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BODY WORK CARE
60G-74E
CORROSION PREVENTION
It is important to take good care of your vehicle
to protect it from corrosion.
Listed below are instructions for how to
maintain your vehicle to prevent corrosion.
Please read and follow these instructions
carefully.
Important Information About Corrosion
Common causes of corrosion
1) Accumulation of road salt, dirt, moisture,
or chemicals in hard to reach areas of the
vehicle underbody or frame.
2) Chipping, scratches and any damage to
treated or painted metal surfaces resulting
from minor accidents or abrasion by
stones and gravel.
Environmental conditions which accelerate
corrosion
1) Road salt, dust control chemicals, sea air
or industrial pollution will all accelerate the
corrosion of metal.
2) High humidity will increase the rate of
corrosion particularly when the
temperature range is just above the
freezing point.
3) Moisture in certain areas of a vehicle for
an extended period of time may promote
corrosion even though other body sections
may be completely dry.
11-1
4) High temperatures will cause an
accelerated rate of corrosion to parts of
the vehicle which are not well ventilated
to permit quick drying.
This information illustrates the necessity of
keeping your vehicle (particularly the
underbody) as clean and dry as possible. It is
equally important to repair any damage to the
paint or protective coatings as soon as
possible.
How to Help Prevent Corrosion
Wash your vehicle frequently
The best way to preserve the finish on your
vehicle and to help avoid corrosion is to keep it
clean with frequent washing.
Wash your vehicle regularly during the winter
and immediately after the winter. Keep your
vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean and
dry as possible.
If you frequently drive on salted roads, your
vehicle should be washed at least once a month
during the winter. If you live near the ocean,
your vehicle should be washed at least once a
month throughout the year.
For washing instructions, refer to the "VEHICLE
CLEANING" section.
Remove foreign material deposits
Foreign material such as salts, chemicals, road
oil or tar, tree sap, bird droppings and industrial
fall-out may damage the finish of your vehicle
if it is left on painted surfaces. Remove these
types of deposits as quickly as possible. If these
deposits are difficult to wash off, an additional
cleaner may be required. Be sure that any
cleaner you use is not harmful to painted
surfaces and is specifically intended for your
purposes. Follow the manufacturer's directions
when using these special cleaners.
Repair finish damage
Carefully examine your vehicle for damage to
the painted surfaces. Should you find any chips
or scratches in the paint, touch them up
immediately to prevent corrosion from starting.
If the chips or scratches have gone through
to the bare metal, have a qualified body shop
make the repair.
Keep Passenger and luggage
compartments clean.
Moisture, dirt or mud can accumulate under
the floor mats and may cause corrosion.
Occasionally, check under these mats to
ensure that this area is clean and dry. More
frequent checks are necessary if the vehicle
is used off road or in wet weather.
Certain cargos such as chemicals, fertilizers,
cleaners, salts, etc., are extremely corrosive
by nature. These products should be
transported in sealed containers. If a spill or
leak does occur, clean and dry the area
immediately.
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