Get Appearance care Guide for Subaru XV SUV First Generation (2010-2016)

Appearance care

Exterior care .......................................................

10-2

Cleaning the interior..........................................

10-5

Washing.............................................................

10-2

Seat fabric .........................................................

10-5

Waxing and polishing .........................................

10-3

Leather seat materials........................................

10-5

Cleaning aluminum wheels .................................

10-3

Synthetic leather upholstery...............................

10-5

Corrosion protection..........................................

10-4

Climate control panel, audio panel, instrument

panel, console panel, and switches ..................

10-5

Most common causes of corrosion .....................

10-4

Monitor (if equipped)..........................................

10-6

To help prevent corrosion...................................

10-4

10-2 Appearance care/Exterior care

Exterior care

flushed from the surface and not allowed

brushes could become tangled

to dry there. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly

around it, damaging the wiper

with plenty of lukewarm water. Wipe the

& Washing

arm and other components. Ask

remaining water off with a chamois or soft

the automatic car-wash operator

cloth.

not to let the brushes touch the

CAUTION

wiper arm or to fix the wiper arm

! Washing the underbody

. When washing the vehicle, the

on the rear window glass with

Chemicals, salts and gravel used for

brakes may get wet. As a result,

adhesive tape before operating

deicing road surfaces are extremely cor-

the brake stopping distance will

the machine.

rosive, accelerating the corrosion of un-

be longer. To dry the brakes,

derbody components, such as the exhaust

drive the vehicle at a safe speed

NOTE

system, fuel and brake lines, brake

while lightly depressing the

cables, floor pan and fenders, and sus-

When having your vehicle washed in

brake pedal to heat up the

pension.

an automatic car wash, make sure

brakes.

Thoroughly flush the underbody and in-

beforehand that the car wash is of

. Do not wash the engine compart-

side of the fenders with lukewarm or cold

suitable type.

ment and area adjacent to it. If

water at frequent intervals to reduce the

The best way to preserve your vehicle’s

water enters the engine air intake

harmful effects of such agents.

beauty is frequent washing. Wash the

or electrical parts, it will cause

vehicle at least once a month to avoid

engine trouble or a malfunction

Mud and sand adhering to the underbody

contamination by road grime.

of electrical equipment.

components may accelerate their corro-

sion.

. Do not use any organic solvents

Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty

After driving off-road or on muddy or

when washing the surface of the

of lukewarm or cold water. Do not wash

sandy roads, wash the mud and sand off

bulb assembly cover. However, if

the vehicle with hot water and in direct

the underbody. Carefully flush the suspen-

a detergent with organic solvents

sunlight.

sion and axle parts, as they are particu-

is used to wash the cover sur-

Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot, tree

larly prone to mud and sand buildup. Do

face, completely rinse off the

sap, and bird droppings should be washed

not use a sharp-edged tool to remove

detergent with water. Otherwise,

off by using a light detergent, as required.

caked mud.

the cover surface may be da-

If you use a light detergent, make certain

maged.

that it is a neutral detergent. Do not use

. For 5-door models, since your

strong soap or chemical detergents. All

vehicle is equipped with a rear

cleaning agents should be promptly

w i p e r, a u t o m a t i c c a r - w a s h

10-3

Appearance care/Exterior care

Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim,

solvents on the surface of the bulb

CAUTION

as well as the painted surfaces. Loss of

assembly cover. However, if a polish

wax on a painted surface leads to loss of

or wax with organic solvents is

. Be careful not to damage brake

the original luster and also quickens the

applied to the cover surface, com-

hoses, sensor harnesses, and

deterioration of the surface. It is recom-

pletely wipe off the polish or wax.

other parts when washing sus-

mended that a coat of wax be applied at

Otherwise, the cover surface may be

pension components.

least once a month, or whenever the

damaged.

. Be careful not to flush the engine

surface no longer repels water.

bottom for a long time. It may

cause damage of some electrical

If the appearance of the paint has dimin-

NOTE

parts.

ished to the point where the luster or tone

Be careful not to block the windshield

cannot be restored, lightly polish the

washer nozzles with wax when waxing

surface with a fine-grained compound.

! Using a warm water washer

the vehicle.

Never polish just the affected area, but

. Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm)

include the surrounding area as well.

or more between the washer nozzle and

& Cleaning aluminum wheels

Always polish in only one direction. A

the vehicle.

No. 2000 grain compound is recom-

. Promptly wipe the aluminum wheels

. Do not wash the same area continu-

mended. Never use a coarse-grained

clean of any kind of grime or agent. If dirt

ously.

compound. Coarse-grained compounds

is left on too long, it may be difficult to

. If a stain will not come out easily, wash

have a smaller grain-size number and

clean off.

by hand. Some warm water washers are

could damage the paint. After polishing

. Do not use soap containing grit to

of the high temperature, high pressure

with a compound, coat with wax to restore

clean the wheels. Be sure to use a neutral

type, and they can damage or deform the

the original luster. Frequent polishing with

cleaning agent, and later rinse thoroughly

resin parts such as moldings, or cause

a compound or an incorrect polishing

with water. Do not clean the wheels with a

water to leak into the vehicle.

technique will result in removing the paint

stiff brush or expose them to a high-speed

layer and exposing the undercoat. When

& Waxing and polishing

washing device.

in doubt, it is always best to contact your

. Clean the vehicle (including the alumi-

Always wash and dry the vehicle before

SUBARU dealer or an auto paint specia-

num wheels) with water as soon as

waxing and polishing.

list.

possible when it has been splashed with

Use a good quality polish and wax and

sea water, exposed to sea breezes, or

apply them according to the manufac-

CAUTION

driven on roads treated with salt or other

turer’s instructions. Wax or polish when

agents.

Do not use any agents with organic

the painted surface is cool.

10-4 Appearance care/Corrosion protection

Corrosion protection

vehicle remains for a long time, even

of maintenance and treatment if you need

though other parts of the vehicle may be

assistance.

dry.

Your SUBARU has been designed and

Repair chips and scratches in the paint as

4. High temperatures will cause corro-

built to resist corrosion. Special materials

soon as you find them.

sion to parts of the vehicle which cannot

and protective finishes have been used on

dry quickly due to lack of proper ventila-

Check the interior of the vehicle for water

most parts of the vehicle to help maintain

tion.

and dirt accumulation under the floor mats

fine appearance, strength, and reliable

because that could cause corrosion.

operation.

& To help prevent corrosion

Occasionally check under the mats to

make sure the area is dry.

& Most common causes of

Wash the vehicle regularly to prevent

Keep your garage dry. Do not park your

corrosion

corrosion of the body and suspension

vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated

components. Also, wash the vehicle

The most common causes of corrosion

garage. In such a garage, corrosion can

promptly after driving on any of the

are:

be caused by dampness. If you wash the

following surfaces.

1. The accumulation of moisture retain-

vehicle in the garage or put the vehicle

. roads that have been salted to prevent

ing dirt and debris in body panel sections,

into the garage when wet or covered with

them from freezing in winter

cavities, and other areas.

snow, that can cause dampness.

. mud, sand, or gravel

2. Damage to paint and other protective

If your vehicle is operated in cold weather

. coastal roads

coatings caused by gravel and stone

and/or in areas where road salts and other

chips or minor accidents.

After the winter has ended, it is recom-

corrosive materials are used, the door

mended that the underbody be given a

hinges and locks, trunk lid lock, and hood

Corrosion is accelerated on the vehicle

very thorough washing.

latch should be inspected and lubricated

when:

periodically.

1. It is exposed to road salt or dust

Before the beginning of winter, check the

control chemicals, or used in coastal

condition of underbody components, such

areas where there is more salt in the air,

as the exhaust system, fuel and brake

or in areas where there is considerable

lines, brake cables, suspension, steering

industrial pollution.

system, floor pan, and fenders. If any of

2. It is driven in areas of high humidity,

them are found to be rusted, they should

especially when temperatures range just

be given an appropriate rust prevention

above freezing.

treatment or should be replaced. Contact

your SUBARU dealer to perform this kind

3. Dampness in certain parts of the

10-5

Appearance care/Cleaning the interior

& Leather seat materials

& Synthetic leather upholstery

Cleaning the interior

The leather used by SUBARU is a high

The synthetic leather material used on the

quality natural product which will retain its

SUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap

Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate

distinctive appearance and feel for many

or detergent and water, after first vacuum-

control panel, audio equipment, instru-

years with proper care.

ing or brushing away loose dirt. Allow the

ment panel, center console, combination

soap to soak in for a few minutes and wipe

meter panel, and switches. (Do not use

Allowing dust or road dirt to build up on the

off with a clean, damp cloth. Commercial

organic solvents.)

surface can cause the material to become

foam-type cleaners suitable for synthetic

brittle and to wear prematurely. Regular

& Seat fabric

leather materials may be used when

cleaning with a soft, moist, natural fiber

necessary.

cloth should be performed monthly, taking

Remove loose dirt, dust or debris with a

care not to soak the leather or allow water

vacuum cleaner. If the dirt is caked on the

CAUTION

to penetrate the stitched seams.

fabric or hard to remove with a vacuum

A mild detergent suitable for cleaning

cleaner, use a soft brush then vacuum it.

Strong cleaning agents such as

woolen fabrics may be used to remove

Wipe the fabric surface with a tightly

solvents, paint thinners, window

difficult dirt spots, rubbing with a soft, dry

wrung cloth and dry the seat fabric

cleaner or fuel must never be used

cloth afterwards to restore the luster. If

thoroughly. If the fabric is still dirty, wipe

on leather or synthetic interior ma-

your SUBARU is to be parked for a long

using a solution of mild soap and luke-

terials. Doing so could damage the

time in bright sunlight, it is recommended

warm water then dry thoroughly.

surface and cause the color to

that the seats and head restraints be

deteriorate.

If the stain does not come out, try a

covered, or the windows shaded, to

commercially-available fabric cleaner. Use

prevent fading or shrinkage.

the cleaner on a hidden place and make

Minor surface blemishes or bald patches

& Climate control panel, audio

sure it does not affect the fabric adversely.

may be treated with a commercial leather

panel, instrument panel,

Use the cleaner according to its instruc-

spray lacquer. You will discover that each

console panel, and switches

tions.

leather seat section will develop soft folds

Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate

or wrinkles, which is characteristic of

CAUTION

control panel, audio equipment, instru-

genuine leather.

ment panel, center console, combination

When cleaning the seat, do not use

meter panel, and switches.

benzine, paint thinner, or any similar

materials.

– CONTINUED –

10-6 Appearance care/Cleaning the interior

& Monitor (if equipped)

CAUTION

To clean the audio/navigation/multi func-

. Do not use organic solvents such

tion display monitor, wipe it with a silicone

as paint thinners or fuel, or

cloth or with a soft cloth. If the monitor is

strong cleaning agents that con-

extremely dirty, clean it with a soft cloth

tain those solvents.

moistened with neutral detergent then

. Do not use chemical solvents

carefully wipe off any remaining detergent.

that contain silicone on the vehi-

CAUTION

cle audio system, electrical com-

ponents of the air-conditioner or

. Do not spray neutral detergent

any switches. If silicone adheres

directly onto the monitor. Doing

to these parts, it may cause

so could damage the monitor’s

damage to electrical compo-

components.

nents.

. Do not wipe the monitor with a

hard cloth. Doing so could

scratch the monitor.

. Do not use cleaning fluid that

contains thinner, fuel, or any

other volatile substance. Such

cleaning fluid could erase the

lettering on the switches at the

bottom of the monitor.

Appearance care for Your Subaru XV SUV First Generation (2010-2016)

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