FIAT Idea - Manual (Page 179)

178
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA
TIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD AND CONTROLS
SAFETY DEVICES
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
W
ARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the fol-
lowing:
❒ atmospheric pollution;
❒ salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates);
❒ seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abra-
sive action of wind-borne atmospheric
dust and sand and mud and gravel raised
by other vehicles.
On your Fiat Idea, Fiat implemented the
best manufacturing technologies to effec-
tively protect the bodywork against cor-
rosion.
These include:
❒ Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to
corrosion and abrasion;
❒ Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel
sheets, with high resistance to corro-
sion;
❒ Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.;
❒ Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your Fiat Idea is covered by warranty
against perforation due to rust of any orig-
inal element of the structure or body. For
the general terms of this warranty, refer
to “FIAT WARRANTY” booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesteth-
ic purpose, but also protects the under-
lying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touch-
ing up carried out immediately to avoid
the formation of rust. Use only original
paint products for touching up (see “Body-
work paint identification plate” in section
“Technical specification”).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For ex-
ample, in highly polluted areas, or if the
roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise to
wash the car more frequently.
To correctly wash the car:
❒ remove the aerial from the roof to
prevent damage to it if the car is
washed in an automatic system;
❒ wash the body using a low pressure jet
of water;
❒ wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy so-
lution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing with the sponge;
❒ rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or a chamois leather.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The car should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left
in the open so that residual water can
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 paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species re-
lease give the paint a dull appearance and
increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
161-180 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:30 Pagina 178