Mitsubishi 2016 Outlander Manual page 438

Cleaning the outside of your vehicle
Washing
Chemicals contained in the dirt and dust
picked up from air, rain, snow, or road sur-
faces can damage the paint and body of your
vehicle if left on.
Frequent washing and waxing is the best way
to protect your vehicle from this damage.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
Park the vehicle in the shade and spray it with
water to remove dust. Next, using plenty of
clean water and a car washing mitt or sponge,
wash the vehicle from top to bottom.
Use a mild car washing soap if necessary.
9
Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a cham-
ois or soft cloth. After washing the vehicle,
carefully clean the joints and flanges of the
doors, hood, etc., where dirt is likely to
remain.
CAUTION
 When washing the underside of your vehicle
or the wheels, wear a pair of gloves to pro-
tect your hands.
 If your vehicle has rain sensor wipers, place
the wiper switch lever in the "OFF" position
to deactivate the rain sensor before washing
the vehicle. Otherwise, the wipers will oper-
ate in the presence of water spray on the
windshield and may get damaged as a result.
9-40 Vehicle care and maintenance
CAUTION
 Never spray or splash water on the electrical
N00945901637
parts in the engine compartment. This may
damage them. Be careful also when washing
the underbody to ensure that water does not
enter the engine compartment.
 Avoid automatic car washers that use rotat-
ing brushes. These brushes may scratch the
paint surface and make it dull.
Scratches are more noticeable on darker col-
ored vehicles.
 Some hot water washing equipment uses
high pressure and heat to clean your vehicle.
Because hot water can damage plastics parts
and seep inside your vehicle, make sure you
do the following when using such equip-
ment:
• Keep the washing nozzle at least 28 inches
(70 cm) away from the vehicle body.
• When washing around the door glass, hold
the nozzle at a distance of more than 28
inches (70 cm) and at a right angle to the
glass surface.
 Make sure to do the following when using an
automatic car wash, with help from either
this manual or the car wash operator, to
avoid damaging your vehicle:
• Fold the outside rearview mirrors.
• Remove the antenna.
• Tape or remove the rear wiper arm assem-
bly.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a roof rails,
check with the car wash operator before
using the car wash.
I n f o r ma t i o n P r o v i d e d b y :
CAUTION
• If your vehicle is equipped with the rain
sensor wipers, place the wiper switch lever
in the "OFF" position to deactivate the rain
sensor.
During cold weather
Salt and other chemicals used on winter roads
in some geographical areas can have a detri-
mental effect on the vehicle underbody. You
should flush the underbody with a high pres-
sure hose every time you wash the outside of
your vehicle.
Take special care to remove mud or other
debris which could trap and hold salt and
moisture.
After washing your vehicle, wipe off all
waterdrops from the rubber parts around the
doors to prevent the doors from freezing.
NOTE
 When the door is frozen, opening it by force
may tear off or crack the rubber gasket
installed around the door. Pour warm water
to melt the ice. Be sure to thoroughly wipe
off the water after opening the door. To pre-
vent freezing of the weatherstripping on the
doors, hood, etc., treat with silicone lubri-
cant.