1998 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 150

Washing and waxing your Toyota D Pay particular attention to the vehicle's underside and wheel housings 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. 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. 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 Do not apply high- pressurized water to the underside when washing the vehicle. D Do not splash water on the electric components in the motor compartment, which may cause the malfunction of the electric components. Washing your Toyota Keep your washing. 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. 142