Get MaintenanceandCare -> Exterior Care Guide for Toyota Yaris 4 Door Fourth Generation (2021-2026)

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5-4. Appearance Care

Exterior Care

The paintwork on your Toyota represents the latest technical

developments in composition and methods of application.

Environmental hazards, however, can harm the paint’s protec-

tive properties, if proper care is not taken.

Here are some examples of possible damage, with tips on how

to prevent them.

■ Etching Caused by Acid Rain or Industrial Fallout

● Occurrence

Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions drift into the air and

mix with rain or dew to form acids. These acids can settle on a

vehicle’s finish. As the water evaporates, the acid becomes con-

centrated and can damage the finish.

And the longer the acid remains on the surface, the greater the

chance is for damage.

● Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish

according to the instructions in this section. These steps should

be taken immediately after you suspect that acid rain has settled

on your vehicle’s finish.

■ Damage Caused by Bird Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap

● Occurrence

Bird droppings contain acids. If these are not removed they can

eat away the clear and color base coat of the vehicle’s paintwork.

When insects stick to the paint surface and decompose, corro-

sive compounds form.

These can erode the clear and color base coat of the vehicle’s

paintwork if they are not removed.

Tree sap will harden and adhere permanently to the paint finish.

If you scratch the sap off while it is hard, some vehicle paint could

come off with it.

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5-4. Appearance Care

● Prevention

It is necessary to have your Toyota washed and waxed to pre-

serve its finish according to the instructions in this section. This

should be done as soon as possible.

Bird droppings can be removed with a soft sponge and water. If

you are traveling and these are not available, a moistened tissue

may also take care of the problem. The cleaned area should be

waxed according to the instructions in this section.

Insects and tree sap are best removed with a soft sponge and

water or a commercially available chemical cleaner.

Another method is to cover the affected area with dampened

newspaper for 1 to 2 hours. After removing the newspaper, rinse

off the loosened debris with water.

■ Water Marks

● Occurrence

Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can contain harmful minerals

such as salt and lime. If moisture containing these minerals set-

tles on the vehicle and evaporates, the minerals will concentrate

and harden to form white rings. The rings can damage your vehi-

cle’s finish.

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● Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish

according to the instructions in this section. These steps should

be taken immediately after you find water marks on your vehi-

cle’s finish.

■ Paint Chipping

● Occurrence

Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown in the air by another

vehicle’s tires hits your vehicle.

● How to avoid paint chipping

Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead

reduces the chances of having your paint chipped by flying

gravel.

Follow all label and container directions when using a chemical

cleaner or polish. Read all warnings and cautions.

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5-4. Appearance Care

■Paint Chipping

●The paint chipping zone varies with the speed of the vehicle. For example,

when traveling at 56 mph (90 km/h), the paint chipping zone is 164 ft.

(50 m).

●In low temperatures a vehicle’s finish hardens. This increases the chance of

paint chipping.

●Chipped paint can lead to rust forming on your Toyota. Before this happens,

repair the damage by using Toyota touch-up paint according to the instruc-

tions in this section. Failure to repair the affected area could lead to serious

rusting and expensive repairs.

Maintaining the Finish

■ Washing

To help protect the finish from rust and deterioration, wash your

Toyota thoroughly and frequently, at least once a month, with luke-

warm or cold water.

If the vehicle is washed improperly, the paint surface could be

scratched. Here are some examples of how scratching could occur.

Scratches occur on the paint surface when:

• The vehicle is washed without first rinsing off dirt and other for-

eign matter.

• The vehicle is washed with a rough, dry, or dirty cloth.

• The vehicle is washed at a car wash that uses brushes that are

dirty or too stiff.

• Cleansers or wax containing abrasives are used.

To minimize scratches on the vehicle’s paint finish:

• Rinse off any dirt or other foreign matter using lukewarm or cold

water before washing.

• Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water and a soft cloth when

washing the vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.

• Rub gently when washing or drying the vehicle.

• Take your vehicle only to a car wash that keeps its brushes well

maintained.

• Do not use abrasive cleansers or wax that contain abrasives.

Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt, mud, and other foreign

material from the underside of the fenders, and make sure the drain

holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels are clean.

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5-4. Appearance Care

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar

deposits can damage the finish if not removed immediately. When

prompt washing with plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap

made for use on vehicles.

Thoroughly rinse off all soap with lukewarm or cold water. Do not

allow soap to dry on the finish.

After washing the vehicle, dry it with a clean chamois to prevent

water spots from forming.

● When using an automatic car wash

• Retract the door mirrors.

• The automatic car wash brushes could reduce the paint luster

or hasten paint deterioration.

● When using a high water pressure car wash

High water temperature and high water pressure car washers are

available depending on the type of car wash machine. If the car

washer nozzle is put too close to the vehicle, the force of the

spray could damage or deform the molding, affect the sealability

of parts, and allow water to penetrate the interior. Keep a suffi-

cient space (12 in. (300 mm) or more) between the nozzle and

the vehicle. In addition, do not spend too much time spraying the

same area of the vehicle, and be very careful when spraying

between gaps in doors and around windows.

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■ Waxing

Your vehicle needs to be waxed when water no longer beads on the

finish. Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing it. In addition

to the vehicle body, wax the metal trim to maintain its luster.

1

Use wax which contains no abrasives. Waxes containing abra-

sive will remove paint and could damage bright metal parts.

2

Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid col-

ors.

3

When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft

cloth.

4

Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

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5-4. Appearance Care

■Washing

●Toyota is not responsible for scratches caused by automatic car washes or

improper washing.

●Scratches are more noticeable on vehicles with darker paint finishes.

■Waxing

A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar materials will usually also take

off the wax. Rewax these areas even if the rest of the vehicle does not need

it.

WARNING

■Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the

accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until

the brake performance returns to normal

Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the

vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident.

Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected.

NOTICE

●When the wiper lever is in the AUTO position and the ignition is switched

ON, the wipers may move automatically in the following cases:

• If the windshield above the rain sensor is touched or wiped with a cloth.

• If the windshield is struck with a hand or other object from either outside

or inside the vehicle.

Keep hands and scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is

in the AUTO position and the ignition is switched ON as fingers could be

pinched or the wipers and wiper blades damaged when the wipers acti-

vate automatically.

If you are going to clean the windshield, be sure the wipers are turned off

completely (when it is most likely that the engine is left running) this is par-

ticularly important when clearing ice and snow.

●Do not spray water in the engine compartment. Otherwise, it could result in

engine-starting problems or damage to electrical parts.

●When washing and waxing the vehicle, be careful not to apply excessive

force to any single area of the vehicle roof or the antenna. Otherwise, you

could dent the vehicle or damage the antenna.

●Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents containing

highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum

parts. This may damage the protective coating; also, cleaners and deter-

gents may discolor or deteriorate the paint.

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5-4. Appearance Care

Repairing Damage to the Finish

Deep scratches or chips on the finish should be repaired promptly.

Exposed metal quickly rusts and can lead to major repairs.

NOTICE

If your Toyota is damaged and needs metal parts repaired or replaced,

make sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to all parts, both

repaired and new. This will prevent them from rusting.

Bright-Metal Maintenance

• Use tar remover to remove road tar and insects. Never do this with

a knife or similar tool.

• To prevent corrosion on bright-metal surfaces, apply wax or chrome

preservative and rub it to a high luster.

• During cold weather or in coastal areas, cover bright-metal parts

with a coating of wax or preservative heavier than usual. It would

also help to coat them with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or some

other protective compound.

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NOTICE

Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents containing

highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum

parts. This may result in damage to the protective coating and cause discol-

oration or paint deterioration.

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5-4. Appearance Care

Underbody Maintenance

Road chemicals and salt used for ice and snow removal and solvents

used for dust control may collect on the underbody. If not removed,

they will speed up rusting and deterioration of such underbody parts

as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system, even though these

parts may be coated with anti-corrosive material.

Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel housings with lukewarm or

cold water at the end of each winter. Try also to do this every month.

Pay special attention to these areas because they easily hide mud

and dirt. It will do more harm than good to wet down the road grime

without removing it.

The lower edges of doors, rocker panels, and frame members have

drain holes that should not be clogged. Water trapped there will cause

rusting.

WARNING

■Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the

accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until

the brake performance returns to normal

Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the

vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident.

Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected.

Aluminum Wheel Maintenance (if equipped)

A protective coating is provided over the aluminum wheels. Special

care is needed to protect this coating.

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5-4. Appearance Care

NOTICE

●Do not use any detergent other than mild detergent. Before using any

detergent, verify the ingredients.

Otherwise, the product could discolor or stain the aluminum wheels.

●Do not use a wire brush or any abrasive cleaner, polishing compound, or

solvent on aluminum wheels. They may damage the coating.

●Always use a sponge or soft cloth to clean the wheels.

Rinse the wheels thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water. Also, be sure to

clean the wheels after driving on dusty or salted roads to help prevent cor-

rosion.

●Avoid washing your vehicle in an automatic car wash that uses high-speed

or hard brushes.

Plastic Part Maintenance

• When cleaning the plastic lenses of the lights, do not use gasoline,

kerosene, rectified spirit, paint, thinner, highly acidic detergents, or

strongly alkaline detergents. Otherwise, these chemical agents can

discolor or damage the surfaces resulting in a significant loss in

functionality. If plastic parts become inadvertently exposed to any of

these chemical agents, flush with water immediately.

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• If plastic parts such as the bumpers become inadvertently exposed

to chemical agents or fluids such as gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or

battery fluid, it could cause discoloration, staining, or paint peeling.

Wipe off any such chemical agents or fluids using a soft cloth imme-

diately.

• High water temperature and high water pressure car washers are

available depending on the type of high pressure car washer

device. If the car washer nozzle is put too close to the vehicle or

aimed at one area for an extended period of time, it could deform

plastic parts or damage the paint.

• Do not use wax containing compounds (polish). Otherwise, it could

result in paint damage.

• In addition, do not use an electrical or air tool to apply wax. Other-

wise, the frictional heat generated could result in deformation of

plastic parts or paint damage.

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MaintenanceandCare -> Exterior Care for Your Toyota Yaris 4 Door Fourth Generation (2021-2026)

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