KIA Optima Hybrid 2013 - Manual (Page 354)

7 61
Maintenance
APPEARANCE CARE
Exterior care
Exterior general caution
It is very important to follow the label
directions when using any chemical
cleaner or polish. Read all warning and
caution statements that appear on the
label.
Finish maintenance
Washing
To help protect your vehicle’s finish from
rust and deterioration, wash it thoroughly
and frequently at least once a month with
lukewarm or cold water.
If you use your vehicle for off-road driv-
ing, you should wash it after each off-
road trip. Pay special attention to the
removal of any accumulation of salt, dirt,
mud, and other foreign materials. Make
sure the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors and rocker panels are kept
clear and clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial pollution and similar deposits
can damage your vehicle’s finish if not
removed immediately.
Even prompt washing with plain water
may not completely remove all these
deposits. A mild soap, safe for use on
painted surfaces, may be used.
After washing, rinse the vehicle thor-
oughly with lukewarm or cold water. Do
not allow soap to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, test the brakes
while driving slowly to see if they have
been affected by water. If braking per-
formance is impaired, dry the brakes by
applying them lightly while maintaining a
slow forward speed.
WARNING
Do not wash the engine compart-
ment and trunk with water. The
hybrid system is located in the
engine compartment and trunk. If
water enters the engine or hybrid
battery in the trunk, electric shocks
or burns may result in serious
injury or death.