Hyundai 2009 Sonata - Manual (Page 201)

4 CORROSION PREVENTION AND APPEARANCE CARE
2
CORROSION PROTECTION
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Keep Your Car Clean
The best way to prevent corrosion is to
keep your car clean and free of corrosive
materials. Attention to the underside of the
car is particularly important.
o If you live in a high-corrosion area —
where road salts are used, near the
ocean, areas with industrial pollution,
acid rain, etc.—, you should take extra
care to prevent corrosion. In winter,
hose off the underside of your car at
least once a month and be sure to clean
the underside thoroughly when winter
is over.
o When cleaning underneath the car, give
particular attention to the components
under the fenders and other areas that
are hidden from view. Do a thorough
job; just dampening the accumulated
mud rather than washing it away will
accelerate corrosion rather than prevent
it. Water under high pressure and steam
are particularly effective in removing
accumulated mud and corrosive
materials.
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You can help prevent corrosion from getting
started by observing the following:
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Moisture Breeds Corrosion
Moisture creates the conditions in which
corrosion is most likely to occur. For
example, corrosion is accelerated by high
humidity, particularly when temperatures
are just above freezing. In such conditions,
the corrosive material is kept in contact
with the car surfaces by moisture that is
slow to evaporate.
Mud is particularly corrosive because it is
slow to dry and holds moisture in contact
with the vehicle. Although the mud appears
to be dry, it can still retain the moisture and
promote corrosion.
High temperatures can also accelerate
corrosion of parts that are not properly
ventilated so the moisture can be dispersed.
For all these reasons, it is particularly
important to keep your car clean and free
of mud or accumulations of other materials.
This applies not only to the visible surfaces
but particularly to the underside of the car.
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High-Corrosion Areas
If you live in an area where your car is
regularly exposed to corrosive materials,
corrosion protection is particularly
important. Some of the common causes of
accelerated corrosion are road salts, dust
control chemicals, ocean air and industrial
pollution.
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Common Causes of Corrosion
The most common causes of corrosion on
your car are:
o Road salt, dirt and moisture that is
allowed to accumulate underneath the
car.
o Removal of paint or protective coatings
by stones, gravel, abrasion or minor
scrapes and dents which leave
unprotected metal exposed to corrosion.
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Protecting Your Hyundai from Cor-
rosion
By using the most advanced design and
construction practices to combat corrosion,
Hyundai produces cars of the highest
quality. However, this is only part of the job.
To achieve the long-term corrosion
resistance your Hyundai can deliver, the
owner's cooperation and assistance is also
required.
TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION