Body And Underbody Maintenance; Preserving The Bodywork - Jeep GLADIATOR 2023 Owner's Manual

386 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of paint
and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
 Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation
 Stone and gravel impact.
 Insects, tree sap and tar.
 Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
 Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
B A U M
ODY ND NDERBODY
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlights and fog
lights that are lighter and less susceptible to stone
breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth.
To remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution
followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool, or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
P
RESERVING
Washing
 Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your vehicle
in the shade using Mopar® Car Wash, or a mild car
wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with water.
 If insects, tar, or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use Mopar® Super Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover to remove.
 Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as Mopar®
Cleaner Wax, to remove road film and stains, and to
AINTENANCE protect your paint finish. Use precautions to not scratch
the paint.
 Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint finish.
 Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials,
such as steel wool or scouring powder, that will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
 Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8,274 kPa) can result in damage or removal of
paint and decals.
Special Care
 If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive near
the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once a
month.
 It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges of
the doors, rocker panels, and trunk be kept clear
and open.
T B
HE ODYWORK
CAUTION!
 If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately.
 If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision or similar
cause that destroys the paint and protective coating,
have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
 If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
 If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider mud
or stone shields behind each wheel.
 Use Mopar® Touch Up Paint on scratches as soon as
possible. An authorized dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
Appearance Care For Fabric Top Models
To maintain the appearance of your vehicle's interior trim
and top, follow these precautions:
 Do not run a fabric top through an automatic car wash.
Window scratches and wax build-up may result.
 Avoid leaving your vehicle unattended with the top
down, as exposure to sun or rain may damage interior
trim.
 Do not use harsh cleaners or bleaching agents on top
material, as damage may result.
 Do not allow any vinyl cleaner to run down and dry on
the paint, leaving a streak.
 After cleaning your vehicle's fabric top, always make
sure it is completely dry before lowering.
 Be especially careful when washing the windows by
following the directions for "Care of Fabric Top
Windows."