2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner's Manual - Page 313

Corrosion Prevention: 5 APPEARANCE CARE Repair finish damage Carefully examine your vehicle for damage to the painted surfaces, especially if it is used off-road. Should 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 to the bare metal, have a qualified body shop make the repair. Keep passenger and cargo compartments clean Moisture, dirt or mud can accumulate under the floor mats and may cause corrosion. Occasionally, check under these mats to ensure that this area is clean and dry. More frequent checks are necessary if the vehicle is used off road or in wet weather. Certain cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers, cleaners, salts, etc. are extremely corrosive by nature. These products should be transported in sealed containers. If a spill or leak does occur, clean and dry the area immediately. Use mud and gravel shields The use of mud and gravel shields will help protect your vehicle, especially if you frequently drive on gravel or salted roads. Full-size shields, which extend as close to the road as is practical, are the best. The fittings for such shields should also be corrosion resistant. Please check with your authorized SUZUKI dealer for information on these shields. Store your vehicle in a dry, well-ventilated area Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated area. If you often wash your vehicle in the garage or if you frequently drive it in when wet, your garage may be damp. The high humidity in the garage may cause or accelerate corrosion. A wet vehicle may corrode even in a heated garage if the ventilation is poor. Cover your vehicle WARNING Do not apply additional undercoating or rust preventive coating on or around exhaust system components such as the catalytic converter, exhaust pipes, etc. A fire could be started if the undercoating substance becomes overheated. 50G203 If you cannot regularly park your vehicle in a garage, we recommend you use a vehicle cover. Years of exposure to midday sun can cause the colors in paint, plastic parts and fabrics to fade. Covering your vehicle with a high-quality, "breathable" vehicle cover can help protect the finish from the harmful UV rays in sunlight, and can reduce the amount of dust and air pollution reaching the surface. Your SUZUKI dealer can help you select the right cover for your vehicle. 9-2 79K21-03E