2004 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 273

Washing and waxing your Toyota 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 covered with water or snow, your garage may be so damp and it will cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor. Your Toyota is a hybrid vehicle. Pay particular attention when washing your Toyota. D When driving in a coastal area D When driving on a road sprinkled with antifreeze NOTICE Before washing your Toyota, be sure to observe the following in order to avoid the risk of damage to your vehicle. z Do not splash water on the electric components in the engine compartment. This may cause the malfunction of the electric components. Washing your Toyota Keep your washing. vehicle clean by regular D When having coal tar, tree sap, bird droppings and carcass of an insect D When driving in the areas where there is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust and chemical substances 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 When cleaning under floor or chassis, be careful not to injure your hands. 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. The following cases may cause weakness to the paint or corrosion to the body and parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as possible. 261