2003 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 171

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. 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. Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic wheel ornaments are damaged easily by organic substances. If any organic substance splashes an ornament, be sure to wash it off with water and check if the ornament is damaged. Road tar: Remove with turpentine or cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces. NOTICE Do not use organic substances (gasoline, kerosene, benzine or strong solvents), which may be toxic or cause damage. 3. Rinse thoroughly-dried soap can cause streaking. In hot weather you may need to rinse each section right after you wash it. 4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard-you might scratch the paint. Automatic car wash Your vehicle may be washed in an automatic car wash, but remember that the paint can be scratched by some type of brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the washing process itself. Scratching reduces paint durability and gloss, especially on darker colors. The manager of the car wash should be able to advise you whether the process is safe for the paint on your vehicle. D When driving in a coastal area D When driving on a road sprinkled with antifreeze D When having coal tar, tree sap, bird droppings and carcass of an insect. D When driving in the areas where there are a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust and chemical substance 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 Do not attach the heavily damaged plastic wheel ornament. It may fly off the wheel and cause accidents while the vehicle is moving. Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent. Plastic bumpers: Wash carefully. Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper faces are soft. CAUTION When cleaning under floor or chassis, be careful not to injure your hands. 162