Fiat Panda Owner's Handbook Manual page 175

❒ 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 Fiat Panda is covered by warranty
against perforation due to rust of any orig-
inal element 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 aesteth-
ic purpose, but also protects the under-
lying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touching
up carried out immediately to avoid the for-
mation of rust. For touching up use only
original products (see "Bodywork paint
identification plate" in section "Technical
specifications").
174
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For exam-
ple, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the
car more frequently.
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;
❒ 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.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The car should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left
in the open so that residual water can
evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
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. Therefore the engine
compartment should
washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid used
in the washing process.
Windows
Use specific window cleaner products.
Use also clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or damaging the transparency.
IMPORTANT The inside
rearscreen should be wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
be
of the