Get CorrosionPrevention -> Washing and waxing your Toyota Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Washing and waxing your

Toyota

Check the interior of your vehicle. Wa-

ter and dirt can accumulate under the

floor mats and could cause corrosion. Oc-

casionally check under the mats to make

sure the area is dry. Be particularly care-

ful when transporting chemicals, cleans-

ers, fertilizers, salt, etc; these should be

transported in proper containers. If a spill

or leak should occur, immediately clean

and dry the area.

Washing your Toyota

1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re-

move any mud or road salt from the

underside of the vehicle or in the

wheel wells.

Keep your vehicle clean by regular

washing.

The following cases may cause weakness

to the paint or corrosion to the body and

parts. Wash your vehicle as soon as pos-

sible.

2. Wash with

mild car−wash soap,

mixed according to the manufacturer’s

instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and

keep it wet by dipping it frequently into

the wash water. Do not rub hard—let

the soap and water remove the dirt.

D When driving in a coastal area

D When driving on a road sprinkled with

antifreeze

Use mud shields on your wheels. If you

drive on salted or gravel roads, mud

shields help protect your vehicle. Full−size

shields, which come as near to the ground

as possible, are the best. We recommend

that the fittings and the area where the

shields are installed be treated to resist

corrosion. Your Toyota dealer will be

happy to assist in supplying and installing

the shields if they are recommended for

your area.

Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic

wheel ornaments are damaged easily by

organic substances. If any organic sub-

stances splashes an ornament, be sure to

wash it off with water and check if the

ornament is damaged.

D When having coal tar, tree sap, bird

droppings and carcass of an insect

D When driving in the areas where there

is a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust

and chemical substance

D When the vehicle becomes remarkably

dirty with dust and mud

CAUTION

Hand−washing your Toyota

Do not attach the heavily damaged

plastic wheel ornament. It may fly off

the wheel and cause accidents while

the vehicle is moving.

Work in the shade and wait until the

vehicle body is not hot to the touch.

Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated

garage or a roofed place. Do not park

your vehicle in a damp, poorly venti-

lated garage. If you wash your vehicle in

the garage, or if you drive it in covered

with water or snow, your garage may be

so damp it will cause corrosion. Even if

your garage is heated, a wet vehicle can

corrode if the ventilation is poor.

CAUTION

Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap

or neutral detergent.

When cleaning under floor or chassis,

be careful not to injure your hands.

Road tar: Remove with turpentine or

cleaners that are marked safe for painted

surfaces.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

241

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Cleaning the interior

NOTICE

CAUTION

Do not use organic substances (gaso-

line, kerosene, benzine or strong sol-

vents), which may be toxic or cause

damage.

To prevent damage to the antenna,

make sure it is retracted before driv-

ing your Toyota through an automatic

car wash. On models with detachable

antenna, remove the antenna before

using an automatic car wash.

Do not wash the vehicle floor with

water, or allow water to get onto the

floor when cleaning the vehicle interi-

or or exterior. Water may get into

audio components or other electrical

components above or under the floor

carpet (or mat) and cause a malfunc-

tion; and it may cause body corro-

sion.

3. Rinse

thoroughly—dried

soap

can

cause streaking. In hot weather you

may need to rinse each section right

after you wash it.

Waxing your Toyota

Polishing and waxing is recommended

to maintain the original beauty of your

Toyota’s finish.

4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle

using a clean soft cotton towel. Do not

rub or press hard—you might scratch

the paint.

Vinyl interior

Once a month or if the vehicle surface

does not repel water well, apply wax.

The vinyl upholstery may be easily

cleaned with a mild soap or detergent

and water.

Automatic car wash

1. Always wash and dry the vehicle be-

fore you begin waxing, even if you are

using a combined cleaner and wax.

Your vehicle may be washed in an auto-

matic car wash, but remember that the

paint can be scratched by some type of

brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the

washing process itself. Scratching reduces

paint durability and gloss, especially on

darker colors. The manager of the car

wash should be able to advise you wheth-

er the process is safe for the paint on

your vehicle.

First vacuum over the upholstery to re-

move loose dirt. Then, using a sponge or

soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the

vinyl. After allowing it to soak in for a few

minutes to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt

and wipe off the soap with a clean damp

cloth. If all the dirt does not come off,

repeat the procedure. Commercial foam-

ing−type vinyl cleaners are also available

which work well. Follow the manufacturer’s

instructions.

2. Use a good quality polish and wax. If

the finish has become extremely weath-

ered, use

car−cleaning polish, fol-

lowed by a separate wax. Carefully fol-

low the manufacturer’s instructions and

precautions. Be sure to polish and wax

the chrome trim as well as the paint.

3. Wax the vehicle again when water

does not bead but remains on the sur-

face in large patches.

2001 4RUNNER (OM35768U)

242

CorrosionPrevention -> Washing and waxing your Toyota for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

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