FIAT Grande Punto Actual - Manual (Page 186)

185
SAFETY
ST
AR
TING
AND DRIVING
W
ARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA
TIONS
INDEX
CONTROLS AND DEVICES
SER
VICE
AND CARE
Standard upkeep of the paintwork consists
of washing the vehicle: the frequency de-
pends on the conditions and environment
where the vehicle is used. For example, it
is advisable to wash the car more often in
areas with high atmospheric pollution or
on gritted roads.
To wash the car properly, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒ if taking your car through an automat-
ic car wash, remove the aerial from the
roof;
❒ wash the body using a low-pressure jet
of water;
❒ use a sponge to wipe a slightly soapy so-
lution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge;
❒ rinse with plenty of water and dry with
a jet of air or a chamois leather.
Take particular care when drying the less
visible parts, such as the door, bonnet and
headlight frames, where water can stagnate
more easily. It is a good idea to leave the
car in the open for a while after washing
it to give time for the water to evaporate.
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.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substances that fall off many
species give the paint a dull appearance
and increase the possibility of triggering
rust processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings should be
washed off immediately and thoroughly
as the acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.
Detergents pollute water. The
vehicle should be washed only
in areas equipped for collect-
ing and purifying the liquids
used in the washing process.
Windows
Use specific detergents to clean the win-
dows.
Also use clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or altering the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window
gently with a cloth in the direction of the
filaments to avoid damaging the heating
device.
Engine compartment
Wash the engine compartment thor-
oughly at the end of every winter. Be care-
ful not to direct the jet of water onto elec-
tronic control units. Adequately protect
the upper air vents to prevent damage to
the windscreen wiper motor. Have this
operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT Washing should take place
with a cold engine and with the key at
STOP. After the wash, make sure that
the various protective devices (e.g. rubber
caps and guards) have not been removed
or damaged.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g. petrol) or ketenes (e.g. ace-
tone) for cleaning the plastic lenses of the
front headlights.
167-186 ACTUAL 2ed EN 30-04-2010 12:40 Pagina 185