FIAT Punto 2012 - Manual (Page 232)

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To wash the car properly, proceed as follows:
❒ if taking your car through an automatic car wash, re-
move the aerial from the roof;
❒ wash the body using a low-pressure jet of water;
❒ use a sponge to wipe a slightly soapy solution over the
bodywork, frequently rinsing the sponge;
❒ rinse with plenty of water and dry with a jet of air or
a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts particularly carefully, such as the
door frames, bonnet and the headlight frames, where wa-
ter may stagnate more easily. It is a good idea to leave
the car in the open for a while after washing it to give time
for the water to evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine of the paint-
work.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way as
the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees; the resinous
substances that fall off many species give the paint a dull
appearance and increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings should be washed off im-
mediately and thoroughly as the acid they contain is par-
ticularly aggressive.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Detergents cause water pollution. The ve-
hicle should be washed only in areas
equipped for collecting and purifying the
liquids used in the washing process.
Windows
Use specific detergents to clean the windows.
Also use clean cloths to avoid scratching the glass or al-
tering the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window gently with a cloth
in the direction of the filaments to avoid damaging the heat-
ing device.
Engine compartment
Wash the engine compartment thoroughly at the end of
every winter. Be careful not to direct the jet of water on-
to electronic control units. Adequately protect the up-
per air vents to prevent damage to the windscreen wiper
motor. Have this operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take place with the en-
gine cold and the ignition key in the STOP position. After
the wash, make sure that the various protective devices
(e.g. rubber caps and guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic substances (e.g. petrol)
or ketenes (e.g. acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses of the
front headlights.