Exterior Care

Dust off the vehicle body after you drive. Regularly inspect your vehicle for scratches on painted surfaces. A scratch on a painted surface can result in body rust. If you find a scratch, promptly repair it.

Washing the Vehicle

Wash the vehicle regularly. Wash more frequently when driving in the following conditions:

  • If driving on roads with road salt.
  • If driving in coastal areas.
  • If tar, soot, bird droppings, insects, or tree sap is stuck to painted surfaces.
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Do not spray water into the air intake vents. It can cause a malfunction.

Lock the doors when washing the vehicle.
Do not spray water onto the fuel fill door directly. A high-pressure spray may cause it to open.

Do not spray water onto the capless unit when the fuel fill door is open. It can cause damage to the fuel system or engine.

If you need to lift the wiper arms away from the windshield, first set the wiper arms to the maintenance position.

Using an Automated Car Wash

  • Make sure to follow the instructions indicated on the automated car wash.
  • Fold in the door mirrors.
  • For models equipped with automatic intermittent wipers, turn the wipers off.

Using High Pressure Cleaners

  • Keep sufficient distance between the cleaning nozzle and the vehicle body.
  • Take particular care around the windows. Standing too close may cause water to enter the vehicle interior.
  • Do not spray high pressure water directly into the engine compartment. Instead, use low pressure water and a mild detergent.
  • Do not spray water directly onto the camera or the area around it. Water may enter the lens and cause the camera to malfunction.

Applying Wax

A good coat of automotive body wax helps protect your vehicle’s paint from the elements. Wax will wear off over time and expose your vehicle’s paint to the elements, so reapply as necessary.

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NOTICE
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners can damage the paint, metal, and plastic on your vehicle. Wipe away spills immediately.

Maintaining the Bumpers and Other Resin-Coated Parts

If you get gasoline, oil, engine coolant, or battery fluid on resin-coated parts, they may stain or the coating may peel. Promptly wipe it away using a soft cloth and clean water.

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Ask a dealer about the correct coating material when you want to repair the painted surface of the parts made of resin.

Cleaning the Window

Wipe using a glass cleaner.

Maintaining Aluminum Wheels

Aluminum is susceptible to deterioration caused by salt and other road contaminants. When necessary, as early as possible use a sponge and mild detergent to wipe away these contaminants. Do not use a stiff brush or harsh chemicals (including some commercial wheel cleaners). These can damage the protective finish on aluminum alloy wheels, resulting in corrosion. Depending on the type of finish, the wheels also may lose their luster or appear burnished. To avoid water stains, wipe the wheels dry with a cloth while they are still wet.

Fogged Exterior Light Lenses

The inside lenses of exterior lights (headlights, brake lights, etc.) may fog temporarily if you have driven in the rain, or after the vehicle has been run through a car wash.
Dew condensation also may build up inside the lenses when there is a significant enough difference between the ambient and inside lens temperatures (similar to vehicle windows fogging up in rainy conditions). These conditions are natural processes, not structural design problems in the exterior lights.

Lens design characteristics may result in moisture developing on the light lens frame surfaces. This also is not a malfunction.

However, if you see large amounts of water accumulation, or large water drops building up inside the lenses, have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.

Painting the Vehicle

U.S. models

Refer to the color code label and the temperature notice label affixed to the driver’s doorjamb before painting the vehicle.

Canadian models

High temperature may damage the high-voltage battery used to power the electric motor.
When painting the vehicle in a heated paint booth, make sure the temperature does not exceed 65°C (150°F).

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U.S. models

Canadian models

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