Subaru Crosstrek Manuals 2018 Crosstrek Owner's Manual | Page 381

Appearance care/Cleaning the interior vehicle remains for a long time, even though other parts of the vehicle may be dry. . High temperatures will cause corrosion to parts of the vehicle which cannot dry quickly due to lack of proper ventilation. & To help prevent corrosion Wash the vehicle regularly to prevent corrosion of the body and suspension components. Also, wash the vehicle promptly after driving on any of the following surfaces. . roads that have been salted to prevent them from freezing in winter . mud, sand, or gravel . coastal roads After the winter has ended, it is recom- mended that the underbody be given a very thorough washing. Before the beginning of winter, check the condition of underbody components, such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake lines, brake cables, suspension, steering system, floor pan, and fenders. If any of them are found to be rusted, they should be given an appropriate rust prevention treatment or should be replaced. Contact your SUBARU dealer to perform this kind of maintenance and treatment if you need assistance. Repair chips and scratches in the paint as soon as you find them. Check the interior of the vehicle for water and dirt accumulation under the floor mats because that could cause corrosion. Oc- casionally check under the mats to make sure the area is dry. Keep your garage dry. Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated gar- age. In such a garage, corrosion can be caused by dampness. If you wash the vehicle in the garage or put the vehicle into the garage when wet or covered with snow, that can cause dampness. If your vehicle is operated in cold weather and/or in areas where road salts and other corrosive materials are used, the door hinges and locks, rear gate lock, and hood latch should be inspected and lubricated periodically. 10-5 Cleaning the interior Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate control panel, audio equipment, instru- ment panel, center console, combination meter panel, and switches. (Do not use organic solvents.) CAUTION Do not use sharp instruments or window cleaner containing abra- sives to clean the inner surface of the rear window. They may damage the conductors printed on the win- dow. & Seat fabric Remove loose dirt, dust or debris with a vacuum cleaner. If the dirt is caked on the fabric or hard to remove with a vacuum cleaner, use a soft brush then vacuum it. Wipe the fabric surface with a tightly wrung cloth and dry the seat fabric thoroughly. If the fabric is still dirty, wipe using a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water then dry thoroughly. If the stain does not come out, try a commercially-available fabric cleaner. Use the cleaner on a hidden place and – CONTINUED –