Fiat 500 Owner's Handbook Manual page 146

❒ spraying of plastic parts, with a protec-
tive function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.
❒ use of "open" boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of mois-
ture from triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original el-
ement of the structure or body.
For the general terms of this warranty, re-
fer to Fiat Warranty Booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aes-
thetic purpose, but also protects the un-
derlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches immedi-
ately to prevent the formation of rust. On-
ly use genuine spare paint products for
touch-ups (see "Bodywork paint identifi-
cation plate" in the "Technical Specifica-
tions" section).
Normal maintenance of paintwork consists
in washing the car: the frequency depends
on the conditions and environment where
the car is used. For example, it is advisable
to wash the car more often in areas with
a high environmental pollution or on roads
sprinkled with salt.
To correctly wash the car:
❒ remove the aerial from the roof to pre-
vent damage to it if the car is washed in
an automatic system;
❒ if high pressure water jets are used to
wash the car, make sure they are at
least 40 cm away from the bodywork
to avoid causing damage. It should be
remembered that a build up of water
could cause damage, in the long term,
to the car;
❒ wash the body using a low pressure jet
of water;
❒ wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy so-
lution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing with the sponge;
❒ rinse well with water and dry with a jet
of air or a chamois leather.
Dry the parts less in sight particularly care-
fully, such as the door frames and the
headlight frames, where water may stag-
nate more easily. It is a good idea to leave
the car in the open for a while after wash-
ing it to give time for the water to evap-
orate.
Do not wash the car after it has been
parked in the sun or when the engine is
bonnet is hot: this could take the shine off
the paint.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species re-
lease give the paint a dull appearance and
increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly ag-
gressive.
Detergents cause water pollu-
tion. The car should be washed
in areas equipped for collect-
ing and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
145