2013 Nissan Leaf Owner's Manual - Page 328

REMOVING SPOTS Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible from the paint surface to avoid lasting damage or staining. Special cleaning products are available at a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer or any automotive accessory stores. abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. They could damage the electrical conductors, radio antenna elements or rear window defroster elements. • NISSAN recommends that the road wheels be waxed to protect against road salt in areas where it is used during winter. CAUTION Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing the wheels. SOLAR CELL MODULE (IF SO EQUIPPED) The solar cell uses a plastic cover. When cleaning the cell: • Do not polish the solar cell using a dry cloth or a wax that contains a compound. Doing so may strip off the hard coating. • In order to maintain the solar cell's effectiveness, be sure to remove any leaves or dirt from the surface of the cell. UNDERBODY In areas where road salt is used in winter, the underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will prevent dirt and salt from building up and causing the acceleration of corrosion on the underbody and suspension. Before the winter period and again in the spring, the underseal must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated. Aluminum alloy wheels Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution, especially during winter months in areas where road salt is used. Salt could discolor the wheels if not removed. CAUTION Follow the directions below to avoid staining or discoloring the wheels: • Do not use a cleaner that uses strong acid or alkali contents to clean the wheels. • Do not apply wheel cleaners to the wheels when they are hot. The wheel temperature should be the same as ambient temperature. • Rinse the wheel to completely remove the cleaner within 15 minutes after the cleaner is applied. GLASS Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to become coated with a film after the vehicle is parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will easily remove this film. CAUTION When cleaning the inside of the windows, do not use sharp-edged tools, WHEELS Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle to maintain their appearance. • Clean the inner side of the wheels when the wheel is changed or the underside of the vehicle is washed. • Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead. Appearance and care 7-3