2007 Mazda MAZDA3 Owner's Manual - Page 338

Mazda3_8V66-EA-06F_Edition2 Page337 Friday, May 26 2006 10:56 AM Black plate (337,1) Maintenance and Care Appearance Care qRepairing Damage to the Finish Deep scratches or chips on the finish should be repaired promptly. Exposed metal quickly rusts and can lead to major repairs. qUnderbody Maintenance Road chemicals and salt used for ice and snow removal and solvents used for dust control may collect on the underbody. If not removed, they will speed up rusting and deterioration of such underbody parts as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system, even though these parts may be coated with anti-corrosive material. Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel housings with lukewarm or cold water at the end of each winter. Try also to do this every month. Pay special attention to these areas because they easily hide mud and dirt. It will do more harm than good to wet down the road grime without removing it. The lower edges of doors, rocker panels, and frame members have drain holes that should not be clogged. Water trapped there will cause rusting. CAUTION If your Mazda is damaged and needs metal parts repaired or replaced, make sure the body shop applies anticorrosion materials to all parts, both repaired and new. This will prevent them from rusting. qBright-Metal Maintenance l Use tar remover to remove road tar and insects. Never do this with a knife or similar tool. To prevent corrosion on bright-metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome preservative and rub it to a high luster. During cold weather or in coastal areas, cover bright-metal parts with a coating of wax or preservative heavier than usual. It would also help to coat them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or some other protective compound. l l WARNING Driving with Wet Brakes: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. Dry the brakes by driving very slowly and applying the brakes lightly until brake performance is normal. CAUTION Don't use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents containing highly alkaline or caustic agents on chromeplated or anodized aluminum parts. This may result in damage to the protective coating and cause discoloration or paint deterioration. 8-63 Form No.8V66-EA-06F