Get Servicing And Maintenance -> Bodywork Guide for Fiat 500 L 4 Door First Generation (2012-2022)

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 285

VEHICLE STORAGE

•

Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service

(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-

tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh air

and high blower setting. This will ensure adequate system

lubrication to minimize the possibility of compressor dam-

age when the system is started again.

If you will not be using your vehicle for more than 21 days,

you may want to take steps to preserve your battery.

NOTE: When the vehicle has not been started or driven

for at least 30 days, an Extended Park Start Procedure is

required to start the vehicle. Refer to “Starting The Engine”

in “Starting And Operating” for further information.

BODYWORK

Protection From Atmospheric Agents

Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geographic

locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads passable in

snow and ice and those that are sprayed on trees and road

surfaces during other seasons are highly corrosive to the metal

in your vehicle. Outside parking, which exposes your vehicle

to airborne contaminants, road surfaces on which the vehicle

is operated, extreme hot or cold weather and other extreme

conditions will have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim,

and underbody protection.

Negative (-) Battery Cable

1 — Release Button

2 — Negative (-) Cable Connector

3 — Negative (-) Post

• Disconnect the negative (-) connector from the battery

post and be sure that the battery is fully charged , press

button to detach connector from negative (-) post.

286 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

The following maintenance recommendations will enable

you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion resis-

tance built into your vehicle.

To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and

reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To

remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution followed

by rinsing.

What Causes Corrosion?

Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel

wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.

Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of paint

and protective coatings from your vehicle.

Preserving The Bodywork

The most common causes are:

Washing

• Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.

• Stone and gravel impact.

• Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your vehicle

in the shade using Mopar Car Wash, or a mild car wash

soap, and rinse the panels completely with clear water.

• Insects, tree sap and tar.

• Salt in the air near seacoast localities.

• Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.

• If insects, tar, or other similar deposits have accumulated

on your vehicle, use Mopar Super Kleen Bug and Tar

Remover to remove.

Body And Underbody Maintenance

• Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as Mopar Cleaner

Wax to remove road film, stains and to protect your

paint finish. Take care never to scratch the paint.

Cleaning Headlights

Your vehicle is equipped with plastic headlights and fog

lights that are lighter and less susceptible to stone breakage

than glass headlights.

• Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing

that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint finish.

Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore

different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 287

• If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,

de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well

packaged and sealed.

CAUTION!

• Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials such

as steel wool or scouring powder that will scratch

metal and painted surfaces.

Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi (8,274 kPa)

can result in damage or removal of paint and decals.

• If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider mud

or stone shields behind each wheel.

•

• Use Mopar Touch Up Paint on scratches as soon as

possible. An authorized dealer has touch up paint to

match the color of your vehicle.

Special Care

• If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive near

the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once a

month.

INTERIORS

Seats And Fabric Parts

Use Mopar Total Clean to clean fabric upholstery and

carpeting.

• It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges of

the doors, rocker panels, and trunk be kept clear and

open.

WARNING!

• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,

touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is

considered the responsibility of the owner.

Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.

Many are potentially flammable, and if used in closed

areas they may cause respiratory harm.

• If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision or similar

cause that destroys the paint and protective coating,

have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible. The cost

of such repairs is considered the responsibility of the

owner.

Servicing And Maintenance -> Bodywork for Your Fiat 500 L 4 Door First Generation (2012-2022)

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