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

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.

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

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