MARUTI SUZUKI Automobile, User Manual

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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 industr ial pollution will all
accelerate the corrosion of metal.
2) High humidity will increase the rate of
corrosion par ticular ly 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.
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 (par ticularly 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 at least once during the
winter and once 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 luggag e
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.
Cer tain 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.
BODY WORK CARE
10-1