Cleaning Exterior; Washing; Removing Spots; Waxing - Renault ALASKAN 2017 Driver's Handbook Manual

CLEANING EXTERIOR

In order to maintain the appearance of your vehicle,
it is important to take proper care of it.
Whenever possible, park your vehicle inside a ga-
rage or in a covered area to minimise the chances
of damaging the paint surface of your vehicle.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a shady
area or protect the vehicle with a body cover. Be
careful not to scratch the paint surface when put-
ting on or removing the body cover.

WASHING

In the following instances, wash your vehicle as soon
as possible to protect the paint surface:
•
After a rainfall, which may cause the paint sur-
face damage from acid rain.
•
After driving on coastal roads, which may cause
rusting from the sea breeze.
•
When contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on
the paint surface.
•
When dust or mud builds up on the paint sur-
face.
1. Wash the vehicle surface with a wet sponge and
plenty of water.
2. Clean the vehicle surface gently and thoroughly
using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or a
general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.
7-2
Appearance and care
CAUTION
•
Do not wash the vehicle with strong house-
hold soap, strong chemical detergents,
petrol or solvents.
•
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight
or while the vehicle body is hot, as the
paint surface may become water-spotted.
•
Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths,
such as washing mitts. Care must be taken
when removing caked-on dirt or other for-
eign substances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
•
Lock all doors before going through auto-
matic car wash. Locking doors helps pre-
vent fuel filler lid from opening and be-
coming damaged.
3. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
4. Use a dampened chamois to dry the paint sur-
face and avoid leaving water spots.
When washing the vehicle, take care of the follow-
ing:
•
Inside flanges, joints and folds on the doors,
hatches and bonnet are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be cleaned regularly.
•
Be sure that the drain holes in the lower edge of
the doors are not clogged.
•
Spray water on the underbody and in the wheel
wells to loosen the dirt and/or wash away road
salt.

REMOVING SPOTS

Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the paint
surface to avoid lasting damage or staining. Special
cleaning products are available at an approved
dealer or any automotive accessory store.

WAXING

Regular waxing protects the paint surface and helps
maintain a new vehicle appearance.
After waxing, polishing is recommended to remove
built-up residue and to avoid a weathered appear-
ance.
An approved dealer can assist you in choosing the
appropriate waxing products.
CAUTION
•
Wash your vehicle thoroughly and completely
before applying wax to the paint surface.
•
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions
supplied with the wax.
•
Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may dam-
age the vehicle finish.
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a
base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the finish
or leave swirl marks.