KIA Rio_Rio5 2006 - Manual (Page 211)

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Maintenance
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.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
Do not use strong soap, chemical deter-
gents or hot water, and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight or when the
body of the vehicle is warm.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
• Water washing in the engine compart-
ment may cause the failure of electri-
cal circuits located in the engine com-
partment.
• Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electrical/elec-
tronic components inside the vehicle
as this may damage them.
Waxing
Wax the vehicle when water will no
longer bead on the paint.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing. Use a good quality liquid or
paste wax, and follow the manufacturer’s
instructions. Wax all metal trim to protect
it and to maintain its luster.
Removing oil, tar, and similar materials
with a spot remover will usually strip the
wax from the finish. Be sure to re-wax
these areas even if the rest of the vehicle
does not yet need waxing.
✽ ✽ NOTICE
• Wiping dust or dirt off the body with
a dry cloth will scratch the finish.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive clean-
ers, 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 dis-
coloration or paint deterioration.
WARNING - Wet brakes
After washing the vehicle, test the
brakes while driving slowly to see if
they have been affected by water. If
braking performance is impaired,
dry the brakes by applying them
lightly while maintaining a slow for-
ward speed.
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