Maintenanceandcare -> Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior for Your Toyota Corolla 4 Door Ninth Generation (2007-2012)

4-1. Maintenance and care  
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior  
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime  
condition.  
Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle  
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any  
dirt and dust.  
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a  
chamois.  
For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-  
oughly with water.  
Wipe away any water.  
Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.  
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle  
body is cool.  
Automatic car washes  
Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle.  
Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface  
and harm your vehicle’s paint.  
High pressure car washes  
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity  
of the windows.  
Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed  
properly.  
Aluminum wheels  
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard  
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.  
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.  
Bumpers  
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.  
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4-1. Maintenance and care  
To prevent deterioration and body corrosion  
Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:  
• After driving near the sea coast  
• After driving on salted roads  
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface  
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint  
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,  
iron powder or chemical substances  
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud  
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface  
If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.  
CAUTION  
Caution about the exhaust pipe  
Exhaust gasses 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 exhaust pipe can cause burns.  
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NOTICE  
To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces  
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.  
If the windshield washer nozzle become blocked  
Contact your Toyota dealer. Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object.  
This may damage the nozzle.  
Cleaning the exterior lights  
Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.  
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.  
Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights. Wax may cause damage to  
the lenses.  
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