Fiat 500 Owner's Handbook Manual page 170

BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC
AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the following:
❒ atmospheric pollution
❒ salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or hot humid
climates);
❒ seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust
and sand, as well as mud and gravel raised by other
vehicles is also not to be underestimated.
On your car, Fiat has adopted the best manufacturing
technologies to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.
These include:
❒ Painting products and systems which give the car
particular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
❒ Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel sheets, with
high resistance to corrosion;
❒ Spraying the underbody, engine compartment,
wheel arch interiors and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
❒ spraying of plastic parts, with a protective function
in the more exposed points: underdoor, inner
wing, edges, etc;
❒ Use of "open" boxed sections to prevent
condensation and pockets of moisture from
triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against perforation
due to rust of any original element of the structure
or body.
For the general terms of this warranty, refer to the
Warranty Booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesthetic purpose,
but also protects the underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches immediately to
prevent rust formation. Use only original paint
products for touch-ups (see "Bodywork paint
identification plate" in the "Technical specifications"
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, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are spread with salt, it is advisable to wash the car
more frequently.
To correctly wash the vehicle, proceed as follows:
❒ remove the aerial from the roof to prevent damage
to it if the car is washed in an automatic system;
❒ if high pressure jets or cleaners are used to wash
the vehicle, hold at least 40 cm away from the
bodywork to avoid damage or alteration. It should
be remembered that the build up of water can
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR
CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
169