2007 Toyota RAV4 Owner's Manual - Page 376

'07 Rav4_U (L/O 0701) Protecting your Toyota from corrosion Toyota, through the diligent research, design and use of the most advanced technology available, helps prevent corrosion and provides you with the finest quality vehicle construction. Now, it is up to you. Proper care of your Toyota can help ensure long−term corrosion prevention. The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle are: D Wetness or dampness to certain parts of your vehicle for an extended period of time, may cause corrosion even though other parts of the vehicle may be dry. corrosion to those components of the vehicle which do not dry quickly due to lack of proper ventilation. D High pressure water or steam is effec- D High ambient temperatures can cause D The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard−to−reach areas under the vehicle. D Chipping of paint, or undercoating caused by minor accidents or by stones and gravel. The above signifies the necessity to keep your vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as possible and to repair any damage to paint or protective coatings as soon as possible. To help prevent corrosion on Toyota, follow these guidelines: your tive for cleaning the vehicle's underside and wheel housings. Pay particular attention to these areas 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. 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. oughly when winter is over. D Wash the underside of the vehicle thorSee "Washing and waxing your Toyota" on page 377 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. Care is especially important if you live in particular areas or operate your vehicle under certain environmental conditions: D Road salt or dust control chemicals will accelerate corrosion, as will the presence of salt in the air near the sea− coast or in areas of industrial pollution. pecially when temperatures range just above the freezing point. Wash your vehicle frequently. It is, of course, necessary to keep your vehicle clean by regular washing, but to prevent corrosion, the following points should be observed: D If you drive on salted roads in the winter or if you live near the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least once a month to minimize corrosion. D High humidity accelerates corrosion es- 376 2007 RAV4 from Dec. '06 Prod. (OM42662U)