2008 Mercedes CLK-Class Owner's Manual - Page 368

Operation Vehicle care Vehicle care Cleaning and care of vehicle Regular and proper care will help to maintain the value of your vehicle. The best way to protect your vehicle from harmful environmental influences is to wash it and use protective treatments regularly. Warning! While in operation, even while parked, your vehicle is subjected to varying external influences which, if gone unchecked, can attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle underbody and cause lasting damage. Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying climatic conditions, but also by: Air pollution Road salt Tar Gravel and stone chipping To avoid paint damage, you should immediately remove: Grease and oil Fuel Coolant Brake fluid Bird droppings Insects Tree resins, etc. Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse influences. More frequent washings are necessary to deal with unfavorable conditions: near the ocean in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions) during winter operation You should check your vehicle from time to time for stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent corrosion. In doing so, do not neglect the underbody of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged areas need to be re-undercoated. Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last for the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment G Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow the instructions on the particular container. Always open your vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the inside. Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed for cleaning your vehicle. Always lock away cleaning products and keep them out of reach of children. 367