1998 Toyota Land Cruiser Owners Manual - Page 202

Washing Toyota 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. Check the interior of your vehicle. Water and dirt can accumulate under the floor mats and could cause corrosion. Occasionally check under the mats to make sure the area is dry. Be particularly careful when transporting chemicals, cleansers, fertilizers, salt, etc.; these should be transported in proper containers. If a spill or leak should occur, immediately clean and dry the area. Use mud shields on your wheels. If you drive on salted or gravel roads, mud shields help protect your vehicle. Full- size shields, which come as near to the ground as possible, are the best. We recommend that the fittings and the area where the shields are installed be treated to resist corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be happy to assist in supplying and installing the shields if they are recommended for your area. Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated garage or a roofed place. Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. If you wash your vehicle in the garage, or if you drive it in covered with water or snow, your garage may be so damp it will cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor. Keep your washing. and waxing your Washing your Toyota vehicle clean by regular The following cases may cause weakness to the paint or corrosion to the body and parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as possible. D When driving in a coastal area D When driving on a road sprinkled with antifreeze D Wash the underside of the vehicle thoroughly when winter is over. See "Washing and waxing your Toyota" 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 D When having stuck of coal tar, tree sap, bird droppings and carcass of an insect D When driving in the areas where there are a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust and chemical substance D When the vehicle becomes remarkably dirty with dust and mud Hand- washing your Toyota Work in the shade and wait until the vehicle body is not hot to the touch. CAUTION When cleaning under floor or chassis, be careful not to injure your hands. 202