2005 Toyota Highlander Owners Manual - Page 359

'05 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0409) Washing and waxing your Toyota 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 covered with water or snow, your garage may be so damp as to cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor. Washing your Toyota Keep your washing. vehicle clean by regular 1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Remove any mud or road salt from the underside of the vehicle or in the wheel wells. 2. Wash with a mild car −wash soap, mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and keep it wet by dipping it frequently into the wash water. Do not rub hard-let the soap and water remove the dirt. Fuel filler door: Do not apply water (high− pressure car wash, for example) at or near the fuel tank inlet with the fuel filler door opened. If the water enters the air vent, you may experience trouble with refueling or rough engine idling. Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic wheel ornaments are damaged easily by organic substances. If any organic substances splashes an ornament, be sure to wash it off with water and check if the ornament is damaged. 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 When exposed to coal tar, tree sap, bird droppings and carcass of an insect D When driving in areas where there is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust or chemical substances 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. CAUTION Do not attach the heavily damaged plastic wheel ornament. It may fly off the wheel and cause accidents while the vehicle is moving. 359 2005 HIGHLANDER from Nov. '04 Prod. (OM48570U)