Car wash
Attention.
- If the windshield wiper lever is set to «AUTO» («Auto mode») the ignition is turned on, the wipers may automatically turn on in the following cases:
- If you touch the windshield in the rain sensor area or wipe the windshield over the rain sensor with a rag.
- If the windshield is struck with a hand or other object from outside or inside the vehicle.
- Be careful not to put your hands, brush or scraper near the windshield if the wiper is set to automatic and the ignition is on. When the wiper is automatically activated, you may injure your fingers, and the wiper blades and arms may be mechanically damaged. If you are going to clean the windshield, make sure the wiper is off completely. This is especially important in winter when it is necessary to clear the windshield of snow or ice - in these cases, as a rule, the engine is started and continues to run. Do not splash water in the engine compartment. This can cause difficult starting of the engine and failure of electrical components.
- In order to protect the body from corrosion and preserve the protective and decorative properties of the paintwork, wash the car thoroughly and regularly (at least once a month).
When driving on polluted roads, wash the vehicle weekly or more frequently if necessary to keep it clean. Use room temperature water or cold water for washing.
If you wash the car incorrectly, you can scratch the paintwork of the body and the lenses of the headlights and lanterns. Below are a few examples where scratches can appear on the car body and headlight and lamp lenses.
Scratches on the paintwork of the body and clouding of the lenses appear if:
- start washing the car without first washing off dirt and other foreign substances;
- wash the car with a rough, dry or dirtier rag;
- wash the car in a mechanized car wash with dirty or too hard brushes;
- use a cleaning compound or polish that contains abrasive particles.
Note:
Mazda is not responsible for paint scratches or clouding of headlight and lamp lenses caused by the brushes of a mechanized car wash or the use of improper car washing techniques.
The scratches are more noticeable on the darker paintwork of the body.
To reduce the likelihood of scratches on the car body and clouding of headlights and lamps, follow these recommendations.
- Wash off all dirt and other foreign matter before washing the vehicle. Use room temperature water or cold water.
- When washing the vehicle, pour plenty of room temperature water or cold water on the body and use a soft cloth. Do not use nylon cloth.
- When washing the body and wiping the surface of the body dry, do not press the rag too hard.
- Use only those motorized car washes where the condition of the brushes is properly monitored.
- Do not use cleaners or polishes that contain abrasive particles.
Attention. Do not use steel wire brushes, abrasive cleaners, or harsh detergents containing significant amounts of acids, alkalis, or caustic ingredients on chrome or anodized aluminum parts or on bodywork. This can damage the protective and decorative metal coating of body trim parts, as well as the body paintwork.
Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt and other foreign matter from under the wings of the body. Check that the drainage holes in the doors, sills and other body parts are not clogged with dirt.
Insect debris, bitumen, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial emissions and other deposits can cause damage to the paintwork if not removed from the body immediately. If a quick wash with plain water doesn't work, use a mild car wash soap.
Rinse all soap residue thoroughly with room temperature water or cold water. Do not let the soap solution dry on the paintwork.
After washing, wipe the body dry with clean suede to avoid stains from water drops.
Attention. If moisture gets into the brake mechanisms, dry them. While driving the vehicle at a reduced speed, without depressing the accelerator pedal, depress the brake pedal lightly several times until normal braking performance is restored. It is dangerous to drive a car with wet brakes. Extended stopping distance or pulling the vehicle to the side when braking can cause a serious traffic accident. To check the condition of the brakes, slow down the vehicle by lightly depressing the brake pedal.
High pressure car wash
Depending on the type of washer, washing can be done with high temperature and high pressure water jets. If the washer nozzle is too close to the surface of the body, the high-pressure jet of water can damage or deform moldings, seals, and make them leaky, allowing water to flow into the vehicle interior. Position the spray tip at least 30 cm from the vehicle. In addition, do not direct the jet to the same area for a long time. Be especially careful when directing the jet of water into the gaps between the doors and the seals around the perimeter of the windows.
Body polishing
If the water no longer collects on the body in drops, then it is necessary to apply a wax polish to the paintwork. Before polishing, wash and dry the car body. In addition to the bodywork, also polish the metal trim parts in order to keep their shine.
1. Use only non-abrasive polish. Polish containing abrasive particles will remove the top layer of paint and may damage the shiny finish of metal parts.
2. Polishing type paintwork «metallic» or «mica» use a high quality polish containing natural wax.
3. Apply the polish to the body in an even layer using the sponge provided with the polish or using a soft cloth.
4. Rub the polish with a soft cloth.
Note: Stain removers used to remove oil, bitumen and similar substances will usually remove polish from the body surface as well. After treatment of contaminated areas, polish should be reapplied to them, even if polishing is not required for the entire body.
Repair touch-up of small chips
Touch up minor damage and chipped paint from flying rocks, light contact with parking obstacles, etc. without waiting for corrosion. For local touch-up of chips and minor defects, use a Mazda brand repair agent. First remove dirt and grease with a clean, soft cloth.
If corrosion has already begun, do the following:
- 1. Completely remove corrosion products with sandpaper.
- 2. Wipe the treated area with a clean soft cloth.
- 3. Apply an anti-corrosion primer to the treated area.
- 4. After the primer has completely dried, touch up the damaged area with enamel of the appropriate color.
To fully restore the protective and decorative properties of the body paintwork, have the damaged body part repaired at a service station of an authorized Mazda dealer.
Body cavity protection
Body cavities are treated at the factory to protect against corrosion. However, additional protective treatment of the cavities, performed at the stage of operation of the car, will extend the life of the body. We recommend contacting an Authorized Mazda Dealer for additional body corrosion protection measures.
Caring for decorative metal
Use a tar stain remover to remove bitumen, tar and insect remains from body parts. Never use a knife, scraper or similar tools for this purpose.
To protect shiny metal finishes from corrosion damage, apply polish or chrome protector to the finish and buff to a high shine.
In autumn and winter, or when operating the vehicle in coastal areas, treat shiny parts with polish or protective agents more often than usual, and apply a thicker layer. This will also contribute to a more reliable retention of additional anti-corrosion protective compounds on the surface of the parts.
Attention. Do not use steel wire brushes, abrasive cleaners, or harsh detergents containing significant amounts of acids, alkalis, or caustics on chrome or anodized aluminum parts or on bodywork. This can cause damage to the protective coating, discoloration and loss of decorative properties of the paintwork.
Underbody protective coating
This type of special protective coating is used for underbody elements that are most susceptible to corrosion. The coating protects the vehicle from damage from harsh chemicals and flying rocks. Over time, the coating is damaged. Periodically check the condition of the protective coating.
Specialists of service stations of official Mazda dealers have all the information on the restoration of the protective coating. In such cases, it is necessary to contact the service station of an authorized Mazda dealer.
Caring for alloy wheels (some performances)
Protective coating applied to aluminum alloy wheels. Special care is required to maintain this coating.
Attention. It is forbidden to use any means to wash the wheels, with the exception of neutral detergent solutions. Before using any detergent, check the composition of the ingredients. Otherwise, the wheels may become discolored or stained.
Note:
- Wire brushes, any abrasive cleaners or polishes, or solvents should not be used on alloy wheels. This may damage the protective coating of the wheels.
- Be sure to use a sponge or cloth when cleaning the wheels. Rinse wheels thoroughly with room temperature water or cold water. Also, clean the wheels after driving on muddy and salt-treated roads. This will help prevent corrosion.
- Do not use motorized car washes with fast rotating or hard brushes.
- If the coating of the wheels has lost its luster, treat the wheels with a wax polish.
Care of plastic parts
When cleaning plastic diffusers of lighting devices, do not use gasoline, kerosene, alcohol, paints and tinting agents, aggressive solutions, etc. These chemicals may discolour or damage the lens surfaces, impairing their performance. If plastic parts are exposed to aggressive substances for any reason, rinse immediately with water.
If plastic parts, such as bumpers, are exposed to chemicals such as gasoline, engine oil, engine coolant, or battery electrolyte, the body paint may be stained or peeled off. If splashed with any chemicals on the paintwork of the body, immediately wipe them off with a clean rag.
Depending on the type of washer, washing can be done with high temperature and high pressure water jets. If the jet of the washer is too close to the surface of the vehicle or directed at the same area for a long time, it may damage the plastic parts or the paintwork of the body.
Do not use body polish containing wax. Otherwise, damage to the vehicle's paintwork may result.
Also, do not apply wax with an electric or other device. Otherwise, the heat generated during operation may deform plastic parts or damage their color.