2007 Infiniti M35 Owner's Manual - Page 308

CLEANING EXTERIOR In order to maintain the appearance of your vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it. To protect the paint surface, wash your vehicle as soon as you can: after a rainfall to prevent possible damage from acid rain after driving on coastal roads when contaminants such as soot, bird droppings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on the paint surface when dust or mud builds up on the surface Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle inside a garage or in a covered area. When it is necessary to park outside, park in a shady area or protect the vehicle with a body cover. Be careful not to scratch the paint surface when putting on or removing the body cover. Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors, hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the drain holes in the lower edge of the door are open. Spray water under the body and in the wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away road salt. Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle. Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or while the vehicle body is hot, as the surface may become water-spotted. Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts. Care must be taken when removing caked-on dirt or other foreign substances so the paint surface is not scratched or damaged. WAXING If you wish to wax your vehicle, only use a wax specified for use over clear coats, such as Nissan Liquid or Spray Wax, because your INFINITI has been finished with the finest paint and hard clear coats. Your INFINITI dealer can assist you in choosing the proper product. Wax your vehicle only after a thorough washing. Follow the instructions supplied with the wax. Do not use a wax containing any abrasives, cutting compounds or cleaners that may damage the vehicle finish. If the surface does not polish easily, use a road tar remover and wax again. CAUTION Do not use car washes that use acid in the detergent. Some car washes, especially brushless ones, use some acid for cleaning. The acid may react with some plastic vehicle components, causing them to crack. This could affect their appearance, and also could cause them not to function properly. Always check with your car wash to confirm that acid is not used. Do not wash the vehicle with strong household soap, strong chemical detergents, gasoline or solvents. WASHING Thoroughly rinse surface dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge and plenty of clean water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild soap, special vehicle soap or general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot) water. Rinse the vehicle again with plenty of clean water. 7-2 Appearance and care