Washing And Waxing Your Toyota - Toyota RAV4 1997 Owner's Manual

D High pressure water or steam is effec-
tive for cleaning the vehicle's under-
side and wheel housings. Pay particu-
lar attention to these areas as it is
difficult to see all the mud and dirt. It
will do more harm than good to simply
wet the mud and debris without remov-
ing them. The lower edge of doors,
rocker panels and frame members
have drain holes which should not be
allowed to clog with dirt as trapped wa-
ter in these areas can cause corrosion.
D Wash the underside of the vehicle
thoroughly when winter is over.
See "Washing and waxing your Toyota"
for more tips.
Check the condition of your vehicle's
paint and trim. If you find any chips or
scratches in the paint, touch them up im-
mediately to prevent corrosion from start-
ing. If the chips or scratches have gone
through the bare metal, have a qualified
bodyshop make the repair.
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Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa-
ter and dirt can accumulate under the floor
mats and could cause corrosion. Occa-
sionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry. Be particularly careful
when transporting chemicals, cleansers,
fertilizers, salt, etc; these should be trans-
ported in proper containers. If a spill or
leak should occur, immediately clean and
dry the area.
Use mud shields on your wheels. If you
drive on salted or gravel roads, mud
shields help protect your vehicle. Full-
size shields, which come as near to the
ground as possible, are the best. We rec-
ommend that the fittings and the area
where the shields are installed be treated
to resist corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will
be happy to assist in supplying and instal-
ling the shields if they are recommended
for your area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated
garage or a roofed place. Do not park
your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti-
lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in
the garage, or if you drive it in covered with
water or snow, your garage may be so
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damp it will cause corrosion. Even if your
garage is heated, a wet vehicle can cor-
rode if the ventilation is poor.
Washing and waxing your
Toyota
Washing your Toyota
Keep your vehicle clean by regular
washing.
The following cases may cause weak-
ness to the paint or corrosion to the body
and parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as
possible.
D When driving in a coastal area
D When driving on a road sprinkled with
antifreeze
D When having stuck of coal tar, tree
sap, bird droppings and carcasses of
an insect
D When driving in the areas where there
are a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust
and chemical substance
D When the vehicle becomes remark-
ably dirty with dust and mud
Hand-washing your Toyota
Work in the shade and wait until the ve-
hicle body is not hot to the touch.
!
CAUTION
When cleaning under floor or chas-
sis, be careful not to injure your
hands.