Dodge Caliber Owner's Manual page 215

The most common causes of corrosion are:
• Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
• Stone and gravel impact.
• Insects, tree sap and tar.
• Salt in the air near sea coast localities.
• Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
Washing
• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash
your vehicle in the shade using MOPAR Car
Wash or a mild car wash soap, and rinse the
panels completely with clear water.
• If insects, tar or other similar deposits have
accumulated on your vehicle, use MOPAR
Super Kleen Bug and Tar Remover or
equivalent to remove.
• Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as
MOPAR Cleaner Wax to remove road film,
stains and to protect your paint finish. Take
care never to scratch the paint.
• Avoid using abrasive compounds and power
buffing that may diminish the gloss or thin
out the paint finish.
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CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning mate-
rials such as steel wool or scouring powder,
which will scratch metal and painted surfaces.
Special Care
• If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you
drive near the ocean, hose off the undercar-
riage at least once a month.
• It is important that the drain holes in the lower
edges of the doors, rocker panels and trunk
be kept clear and open.
• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in
the paint, touch them up immediately. The
cost of such repairs is considered the re-
sponsibility of the owner.
• If your vehicle is damaged due to an acci-
dent or similar cause which destroys the
paint and protective coating, have your ve-
hicle repaired as soon as possible. The cost
of such repairs is considered the responsi-
bility of the owner.
JOB: @ibm2/chry_pdm/CLS_chrysler/GRP_owners/JOB_202748-en-cal-10PM491-126-ENG-AA/DIV_og
• If you carry special cargo such as chemi-
cals, fertilizers, de-icer salt, etc., be sure that
such materials are well packaged and
sealed.
• If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads,
consider mud or stone shields behind each
wheel.
• Use MOPAR Touch Up Paint or equivalent
on scratches as soon as possible. Your
authorized dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum
and chrome-plated wheels, should be cleaned
regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent
corrosion. To remove heavy soil, use MOPAR
Wheel Cleaner or select a nonabrasive, non-
acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel
wool, a bristle brush or metal polishes. Only
MOPAR cleaners or equivalent are recom-
mended. Do not use oven cleaner. Avoid auto-
matic car washes that use acidic solutions or
harsh brushes that may damage the wheels'
protective finish.
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