Kia Optima 2004 Owner's Manual page 226

Bright-Metal Maintenance
• To remove road tar and insects, use a
tar remover, not a scraper or other
sharp object.
• To protect the surfaces of bright-
metal parts from corrosion, apply a
coating of wax or chrome
preservative and rub to a high luster.
• During winter weather or in coastal
areas, cover the bright metal parts
with a heavier coating of wax or
preservative. If necessary, coat the
parts with non-corrosive petroleum
jelly or other protective compound.
Underbody Maintenance
Corrosive materials used for ice and
snow removal or dust control may
collect on the underbody. If these
materials are not removed, accelerated
rusting can occur on underbody parts,
such as the fuel lines, frame, floor pan
and exhaust system, even though they
have been treated with rust protection.
Thoroughly flush the vehicle underbody
and wheel openings with lukewarm or
cold water once a month and especially
at the end of each winter. Pay special
attention to these areas because it is
difficult to see all the mud and dirt. The
lower edges of doors, rocker panels, and
frame members have drain holes that
should not be allowed to clog with dirt;
trapped water in these areas can cause
rusting. It will do more harm than good
to wet down the road grime without
removing it.
CAUTION:
After washing the vehicle, test the
brakes while driving slowly to see if
they have been affected by water.
Aluminum Wheel Mainte-
nance
The aluminum wheels are coated with a
clear protective finish.
• Do not use any abrasive cleaner,
polishing compound, solvent, or wire
brushes on aluminum wheels. They
may scratch or damage the finish.
• Use only a mild soap or neutral
detergent, and rinse thoroughly with
water. Also, be sure to clean the
wheels after driving on salted roads.
This helps prevent corrosion.
• Avoid washing the wheels with high-
speed car wash brushes.
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