2003 Lexus GS 300 Owners Manual - Page 336

BODY PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLE FROM CORROSION Proper care of your Lexus can help ensure long-term corrosion prevention. The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle are: D The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard-to-reach areas under the vehicle. D Chipping of paint or undercoating caused by minor accidents or by stones and gravel. The following conditions will cause or accelerate corrosion of your vehicle, so it is important to keep your vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as possible and to repair any damage to paint or protective coatings as soon as possible. D The presence of road salt or dust control chemicals, salt in the air near the sea coast, industrial air pollution. D High humidity, especially at temperatures just above freezing point. D Certain parts of your vehicle are wet or damp for an extended period of time, even though other parts of the vehicle are dry. D Components of the vehicle which do not dry quickly due to lack of proper ventilation are exposed to high ambient temperature. To help prevent corrosion on your Lexus, follow these guidelines: Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing. In addition, observe the following points. D If you drive on salted roads in the winter or if you live near the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least once a month to minimize corrosion. D High pressure water or steam is effective for cleaning the vehicle's underside and wheel housings. Pay particular 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 removing 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 water in these areas can cause corrosion. D Wash the underside of the vehicle thoroughly when winter is over. See "Washing and waxing" on page 316 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 immediately to prevent corrosion from starting. If the chips or scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a qualified body shop make the repair. 315