Washing Your VehicleThe paint finish on the vehicle provides beauty, depth ofcolor, gloss retention, and durability.The best way to preserve the vehicle’s finish is to keep itclean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong soapsor chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,removing all soap residue completely. GM-approvedcleaning products can be obtained from your dealer. SeeVehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-102.Do not use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agentsshould be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on thesurface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft,clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surfacescratches and water spotting.High pressure car washes may cause water to enterthe vehicle.Cleaning Exterior Lamps/LensesUse only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a carwashing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.Follow instructions under Washing Your Vehicle onpage 5-98.Finish CareOccasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle byhand may be necessary to remove residue fromthe paint finish. GM-approved cleaning products can beobtained from your dealer. See VehicleCare/Appearance Materials on page 5-102.Notice: Machine compounding or aggressivepolishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish maydamage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes andpolishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoatpaint finish on your vehicle.The vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish. Theclearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the coloredbasecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that arenon-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoatpaint finish.Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and othersalts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, birddroppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc.,can damage the vehicle’s finish if they remain on paintedsurfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. Ifnecessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are markedsafe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather,and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a periodof years. To help keep the paint finish looking new, keepthe vehicle in a garage or covered whenever possible.5-98
