2009 Suzuki SX4 Owner's Manual - Page 253

Vehicle Cleaning: APPEARANCE CARE Washing WARNING • Never attempt to wash and wax your vehicle with the engine running. • When cleaning the underside of the body and fender, where there may be sharp-edged parts, you should wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your hands and arms from being cut. • After washing your vehicle, carefully test the brakes before driving to make sure they have maintained their normal effectiveness. When washing the vehicle, follow the instructions below: 1) Flush the underside of body and wheel housings with pressurized water to remove mud and debris. Use plenty of water. 2) Rinse the body to loosen the dirt. Remove dirt and mud from the body exterior with running water. You may use a soft sponge or brush. Do not use hard materials which can scratch the paint or plastic. Remember that the headlight covers or lenses are made of plastic in many cases. 6) Check carefully for damage to painted surfaces. If there is any damage, "touch-up" the damage following the procedure below: 1. Clean all damaged spots and allow them to dry. 2. Stir the paint and "touch-up" the damaged spots lightly using a small brush. 3. Allow the paint to dry completely. CAUTION To avoid damage to the paint or plastic surface, do not wipe the dirt off without ample water. Be sure to follow above procedure. 3) Wash the entire exterior with a mild detergent or car wash soap using a sponge or soft cloth. The sponge or cloth should be frequently soaked in the soap solution. CAUTION If you use an automatic car wash, make sure that your vehicle's body parts, such as spoilers, can not be damaged. If you are in doubt, consult the car wash operator for advice. CAUTION When using a commercial car wash product, observe the cautions specified by the manufacturer. Never use strong household detergents or soaps. 4) Once the dirt has been completely removed, rinse off the detergent with running water. 5) After rinsing, wipe off the vehicle body with a wet chamois or cloth and allow it to dry in the shade. CAUTION • When washing the vehicle, avoid directing steam or hot water of more than 80°C (176°F) on plastic parts. • To avoid damaging engine components, do not use pressurized water in the engine compartment. 11-4 80J22-03E