07 12.25
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
D Exhaust gases cause the exhaust
pipe to become quite hot. When
washing the vehicle, be careful not
to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot ex-
haust pipe can cause burns.
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.
D When driving in a coastal area
1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Re-
move any mud or road salt from the
underside of the vehicle or the wheel
wells.
D When driving on a road sprinkled with
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.
antifreeze
D When exposed to coal tar, tree sap,
2. Wash with
a
mild car−wash soap,
bird droppings and carcass of an insect
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 areas where there is
a lot of smoke, soot, dust, iron dust or
chemical substances
D When the vehicle becomes remarkably
dirty with dust and mud
Fuel filler door: Do not apply water (high−
pressure car wash, for example) at or
near the fuel tank inlet with the fuel filler
door opened. If the water enters the air
vent, you may experience trouble with re-
fueling or rough engine idling.
Hand−washing your Toyota
Work in the shade and wait until the
vehicle body is not warm 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 covered with
water or snow, your garage may be so
damp as to cause corrosion. Even if your
garage is heated, a wet vehicle can cor-
rode if the ventilation is poor.
CAUTION
Rear height control air suspension: Do not
spray a jet of high−pressure water at the
air suspension unit, especially the air
spring, at an extremely close range. This
may damage the air suspension.
D When cleaning under floor or chas-
sis, be careful not to injure your
hands.
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