Get Appearance and care Guide for Nissan X Trail SUV First Generation (2000-2006)

7 Appearance and care

Cleaning exterior ................................................................... 7-2

Washing ............................................................................ 7-2

Removing spots .............................................................. 7-2

Waxing ............................................................................... 7-2

Glass .................................................................................. 7-3

Underbody ........................................................................ 7-3

Aluminum alloy wheels .................................................. 7-3

Chrome parts ................................................................... 7-3

Plastic parts ..................................................................... 7-3

Cleaning interior .................................................................... 7-3

Floor mats ......................................................................... 7-4

Glass ................................................................................... 7-4

Seat belts ......................................................................... 7-4

Corrosion protection ............................................................ 7-5

Most common factors contributing to vehicle

corrosion ........................................................................... 7-5

Environmental factors influence the rate of

corrosion ........................................................................... 7-5

To protect your vehicle from corrosion ..................... 7-5

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In order to maintain the appearance of your

vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.

In the following cases, please wash your vehicle

as soon as possible to protect the paint surface.

쐌 After a rainfall to prevent possible damage

from acid rain

쐌 After driving on coastal roads

쐌 When contaminants such as soot, bird drop-

pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on

the paint surface

쐌 When dust or mud builds up on the surface

Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle

inside a garage or in a covered area.

When it is necessary to park outside, park in a

shady area or protect the vehicle with a body

cover.

Be careful not to scratch the paint surface

when putting on or removing the body

cover.

WASHING

Thoroughly rinse surface dirt off the vehicle with

a wet sponge and plenty of clean water. Clean

the vehicle thoroughly using a mild soap such as

NISSAN Car Wash, or a general purpose dish-

washing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm

(never hot) water.

CAUTION

쐌 Do not use strong household soap,

strong chemical detergents, gasoline

or solvents.

쐌 Do not wash the vehicle in direct

sunlight or while the vehicle body is

hot, as the surface may become

water-spotted.

쐌 Avoid using tight-napped or rough

cloths, such as washing mitts. Care

must be taken when removing

caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-

stances so that the paint surface is

not scratched or damaged.

Rinse the vehicle again with plenty of clean

water.

Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,

hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to

the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas

must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the

drain holes in the lower edge of the door are

open. Spray water under the body and in the

wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away

road salt.

Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface

by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.

REMOVING SPOTS

Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,

and tree sap as quickly as possible from the

surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or

staining. Special cleaning products are available

at your NISSAN dealer or any automotive acces-

sory store.

WAXING

Regular waxing protects the paint surface and

helps retain new vehicle appearance. After wax-

ing, polishing is recommended to remove

built-up residue and to avoid a weathered ap-

pearance.

If you wish to wax your vehicle, only use a wax

specified for use over clear coats, such as

NISSAN Liquid or Spray Wax. Your NISSAN

dealer can assist you in choosing the proper

product.

쐌 Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-

ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the

wax.

쐌 Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,

cutting compounds or cleaners that may

damage the vehicle finish.

CLEANING EXTERIOR

7-2 Appearance and care

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쐌 If the surface does not polish easily, use a

road tar remover and wax again.

Machine compounding or aggressive pol-

ishing on a base coat/clear coat paint

finish may dull the finish or leave swirl

marks.

GLASS

Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film

from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to

become coated with a film after the vehicle is

parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft

cloth will easily remove this film.

UNDERBODY

In areas where road salt is used in winter, the

underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will

prevent dirt and salt from building up and caus-

ing underbody and suspension corrosion. Be-

fore the winter period and again in the spring, the

underseal must be checked and, if necessary,

re-treated.

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS

Wash regularly, especially during winter months

in areas where road salt is used. Salt could

discolor the wheel if not removed.

CHROME PARTS

Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-

abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.

PLASTIC PARTS

Plastic parts can be cleaned with a mild soap

solution. If the dirt cannot be easily removed, use

a plastic cleaner. Do not use any solvents.

Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior

trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum

cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather

surfaces with a clean, soft cloth dampened in

mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a dry

soft cloth. Before using any fabric protector,

read the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Some fabric protectors contain chemicals that

may stain or bleach the seat material.

Use a cloth dampened only with water, to clean

the meter and gauge lens.

CAUTION

쐌 Never use gasoline, thinner, or any

similar material.

쐌 The leather seats should be regularly

coated with a leather wax like saddle

soap. Never use car wax.

쐌 Never use fabric protectors unless

recommended by the manufacturer.

쐌 Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on

meter or gauge lens covers. It may

damage the lens cover.

CLEANING INTERIOR

Appearance and care 7-3

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FLOOR MATS

The use of Genuine NISSAN floor mats can

extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it

easier to clean the interior. No matter what

mats are used, be sure they are fitted for

your vehicle and are properly positioned in

the footwell to prevent interference with

pedal operation. Mats should be maintained

with regular cleaning and replaced if they be-

come excessively worn.

Floor mat positioning aid

This model includes a front floor mat bracket to

act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor

mats have been specially designed for your

vehicle model. The driver’s side floor mat has a

grommet hole incorporated in it. Simply position

the mat by placing the floor mat bracket through

the floor mat grommet hole while centering the

mat in the floorpan contour.

Periodically check to make certain that the mats

are properly positioned.

GLASS

Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film

from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to

become coated with a film after the vehicle is

parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft

cloth will easily remove this film.

CAUTION

When cleaning the inside of the win-

dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,

abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based dis-

infectant cleaners. They could damage

the electrical conductors, such as radio

antenna elements or rear window de-

froster elements.

SEAT BELTS

The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them

with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.

Allow the belts to dry completely before using

them.

SAI0028

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WARNING

Do not allow wet belts to roll up in the

retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or

chemical solvents since these may se-

verely weaken the seat belt webbing.

MOST COMMON FACTORS

CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE

CORROSION

쐌 The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt

and debris in body panel sections, cavities,

and other areas.

쐌 Damage to paint and other protective coat-

ings caused by gravel and stone chips or

minor traffic accidents.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

INFLUENCE THE RATE OF

CORROSION

Moisture

Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the

vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-

sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely

inside the vehicle, and should be removed for

drying to avoid floor panel corrosion.

Relative humidity

Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high

relative humidity, especially those areas where

the temperatures stay above freezing and where

atmospheric pollution exists and road salt is

used.

Temperature

A temperature increase will accelerate the rate

of corrosion to those parts which are not well

ventilated.

Air pollution

Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air

in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will

accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt will

also accelerate the disintegration of paint sur-

faces.

TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE

FROM CORROSION

쐌 Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the

vehicle clean.

쐌 Always check for minor damage to the paint

and repair it as soon as possible.

쐌 Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors

open to avoid water accumulation.

쐌 Check the underbody for accumulation of

sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water

as soon as possible.

CORROSION PROTECTION

Appearance and care 7-5

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CAUTION

쐌 NEVER remove dirt, sand or other

debris from the passenger compart-

ment by washing it out with a hose.

Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner or

broom.

쐌 Never allow water or other liquids to

come in contact with electronic com-

ponents inside the vehicle as this

may damage them.

Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are

extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion

and deterioration of underbody components

such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake lines,

brake cables, floor pan and fenders.

In winter, the underbody must be cleaned

periodically.

For additional protection against rust and corro-

sion, which may be required in some areas,

consult your local NISSAN dealer.

7-6 Appearance and care

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Appearance and care for Your Nissan X Trail SUV First Generation (2000-2006)

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