Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2005 Owners Manual - Manual (Page 334)

334
Operation
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
undercarriage and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
ț Air pollution
ț Road salt
ț Tar
ț Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
ț Grease and oil
ț Fuel
ț Coolant
ț Brake fluid
ț Bird droppings
ț Insects
ț Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
ț near the ocean
ț in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
ț during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the undercar-
riage of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a
thorough check is a washing of the under-
carriage followed by a thorough inspec-
tion. Damaged areas need to be
re-undercoated.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.