MARUTI SUZUKI Alto Owner's Manual page 129

BODY WORK CARE
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
accelerate corrosion
1) Road salt, dust control chemicals, sea
air or industrial pollution will all
accelerate the corrosion of metal.
2) High humidity will increase the rate of
corrosion particularly when
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
11-1
the vehicle which are not well ventilated
to permit quick drying.
This information illustrates the necessity of
keeping your vehicle (particularly 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 regularly during the
winter and immediately after the winter.
which Keep your vehicle,
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
the 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.
particularly the
Keep Passenger
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.
Certain 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.
76G-74E
and luggage
130