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PROTECTION AGAINST CORROSION AND CARE OF APPEARANCE
346
Protecting your Toyota from corrosion
Toyota, through its constant research, design and use of
the most advanced technologies available, manufactures
its parts to help prevent corrosion and provide you with
the best quality vehicle construction. Now it's up to you.
Taking proper care of your Toyota can help ensure long-
term corrosion resistance.
Observe the following guidelines for corrosion
prevention:
Wash the vehicle often. It is naturally necessary to keep
your vehicle clean by washing it regularly, but to protect
against corrosion you should follow these guidelines:
• If you drive on salted roads in winter or if you live in
coastal areas, you should wash the chassis at least
once a month to minimize corrosion.
The most common causes of corrosion in your
vehicle are:
• Accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard-to-
reach places under the vehicle.
• High water or steam pressure is effective for washing
the chassis and inner parts of fenders or cavities.
Pay special attention to these areas, as mud and dirt
• Peeling of paint or base paint, caused by a small
accident or pebbles or gravel.
are not visible in these areas. Wet, unremoved mud
can cause vehicle corrosion.
Care is especially important if you live in specific
areas or drive in certain climates:
The lower edges of the doors, sills and skirtings have
cavities in which dirt and moisture can settle, causing
corrosion.
• Always wash the entire vehicle chassis at the end of
• Road salt or dust saturated with chemicals will
accelerate corrosion, as will salt-saturated air in
coastal areas or areas with industrial pollution.
winter.
For more information - see "Washing and waxing your
Toyota" on page 347.
Check the condition of your vehicle's paintwork and moldings.
If you find any paint chips or scratches, repair them
immediately to prevent corrosion. If the sheet metal is
affected by corrosion from scratches or otherwise
damaged paintwork, have the vehicle repaired at a
professional paint shop.
• High humidity accelerates corrosion, especially at
temperatures slightly above freezing.
• Some parts of the car are exposed to wet or damp for
a long time. Corrosion can then occur even though
other parts of the vehicle are dry.
Check the interior of your vehicle. Water and dirt can
collect in areas under the floor mats and cause corrosion.
Check these areas occasionally to make sure they are
dry. Be careful when transporting chemicals, cleaning
agents, fertilizers, salts, etc. Such materials must only be
transported in suitable packaging. Clean and dry the
affected areas immediately if chemicals get on the
surface of any part of the interior.
• High ambient temperatures cause corrosion of those
parts of the vehicle that cannot be dried quickly due
to insufficient ventilation.
The above information indicates the need to keep the
vehicle, and especially its chassis, clean. Even repairs to
damaged paint or protective layer must be carried out as
soon as possible.
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