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EnglishAppearance care for your Subaru Forester 2019-2024
Appearance care
10-3. Cleaning the interior .....................................450
Seat fabric ......................................................... 450
Leather seat materials........................................ 450
Synthetic leather upholstery............................... 450
Water repellent seat material (if equipped).......... 451
Seatbelt ............................................................. 451
10-1. Exterior care.................................................. 446
Washing .............................................................446
Waxing and polishing .........................................447
Cleaning alloy wheels.........................................448
Cleaning tire (vehicle with white letter tires)........448
10-2. Corrosion protection .................................... 449
Most common causes of corrosion .....................449
To help prevent corrosion...................................449
Climate control panel, audio panel, instrument
panel, console panel, and switches .................. 451
Monitor .............................................................. 451
10
Exterior care
446
careful not to scratch the camera
lens. Do not use a washing brush
directly on the camera lens. The
image quality of the rear view cam-
era may deteriorate.
the cover surface may be da-
maged.
10-1. Exterior care
& Washing
.
Since your vehicle is equipped
with a rear wiper, automatic car-
wash brushes could become
tangled around it, damaging the
wiper arm and other compo-
nents. Ask the automatic car-
wash operator not to let the
brushes touch the wiper arm or
to fix the wiper arm on the rear
window glass with adhesive tape
before operating the machine.
CAUTION
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s
beauty is frequent washing. Wash the
vehicle at least once a month to avoid
contamination by road grime.
.
When washing the vehicle, the
brakes may get wet. As a result,
the brake stopping distance will
be longer. To dry the brakes, drive
the vehicle at a safe speed while
lightly depressing the brake ped-
al to heat up the brakes.
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty
of lukewarm or cold water. Do not wash the
vehicle with hot water and in direct sun-
light.
.
.
.
Do not wash the engine compart-
ment and area adjacent to it. If
water enters the engine air intake
or electrical parts, it will cause
engine trouble or a malfunction
of electrical equipment.
.
If the climate control system is
operating when you wash the
vehicle, do not set the air inlet
selection of the climate control to
outside air circulation mode.
There is a risk that water may
enter the vehicle through the air
inlets.
Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot, tree sap,
and bird droppings should be washed off
using a light detergent, as required. If you
use a light detergent, make certain that it is
a neutral detergent. Do not use strong
soap or chemical detergents. All cleaning
agents should be promptly flushed from
the surface and not allowed to dry there.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of
lukewarm water. Wipe the remaining water
off with a chamois or soft cloth. Wear
rubber gloves and use a hand brush when
washing down underbody, inner fenders
and suspension to effectively remove mud
and dirt off.
When washing inner fenders, un-
derbody, bumpers and protrud-
ing objects such as exhaust
pipes and exhaust finishers, be
careful to prevent injuries from
contacting sharp ends.
NOTE
.
When having your vehicle washed in
an automatic car wash, make sure
beforehand that the car wash is of
suitable type.
The rear view camera lens has a hard
coating to help prevent scratches.
However, when washing the vehicle
or cleaning the camera lens, be
Do not use any organic solvents
when washing the surface of the
bulb assembly cover. However, if
a detergent with organic solvents
is used to wash the cover sur-
face, completely rinse off the
detergent with water. Otherwise,
.
Exterior care 447
deterioration of the surface. It is recom-
mended that a coat of wax be applied at
least once a month, or whenever the
surface no longer repels water.
.
Be careful not to flush the engine
bottom for a long time. It may
cause damage of some electrical
parts.
! Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used for
deicing road surfaces are extremely cor-
rosive, accelerating the corrosion of un-
derbody components, such as the exhaust
system, fuel and brake lines, brake cables,
floor pan and fenders, and suspension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and inside
of the fenders with lukewarm or cold water
at frequent intervals to reduce the harmful
effects of such agents.
If the appearance of the paint has dimin-
ished to the point where the luster or tone
cannot be restored, lightly polish the sur-
face with a fine-grained compound. Never
polish just the affected area, but include
the surrounding area as well. Always
polish in only one direction. A No. 2000
grain compound is recommended. Never
use a coarse-grained compound. Coarse-
grained compounds have a smaller grain-
size number and could damage the paint.
After polishing with a compound, coat with
wax to restore the original luster. Frequent
polishing with a compound or an incorrect
polishing technique will result in removing
the paint layer and exposing the under-
coat. When in doubt, it is always best to
contact your SUBARU dealer or an auto
paint specialist.
! Using a warm water washer
.
Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm)
or more between the washer nozzle
and the vehicle.
Do not wash the same area continu-
ously.
If a stain will not come out easily, wash
by hand. Some warm water washers
are of the high temperature, high
pressure type, and they can damage
or deform the resin parts such as
moldings, or cause water to leak into
the vehicle.
.
.
Mud and sand adhering to the underbody
components may accelerate their corro-
sion.
After driving off-road or on muddy or sandy
roads, wash the mud and sand off the
underbody. Carefully flush the suspension
and axle parts, as they are particularly
prone to mud and sand buildup. Do not use
a sharp-edged tool to remove caked mud.
& Waxing and polishing
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing and polishing.
CAUTION
Use a good quality polish and wax and
apply them according to the manufac-
turer’s instructions. Wax or polish when
the painted surface is cool.
.
Be careful not to damage brake
hoses, sensor harnesses, and
other parts when washing sus-
pension components.
CAUTION
Do not use any agents with organic
solvents on the surface of the bulb
assembly cover. However, if a polish
or wax with organic solvents is
applied to the cover surface, com-
pletely wipe off the polish or wax.
Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim,
as well as the painted surfaces. Loss of
wax on a painted surface leads to loss of
the original luster and also quickens the
– CONTINUED –
Exterior care
448
As matte painted wheels require different
cleaning methods than conventional alloy
wheels, be sure to observe the following.
For details, consult your SUBARU dealer.
Otherwise, the cover surface may be
damaged.
& Cleaning alloy wheels
! Vehicles without matte painted
wheels
NOTE
.
.
Promptly wipe the alloy wheels clean of
any kind of grime or agent. If dirt is left
on too long, it may be difficult to clean
off.
Do not use soap containing grit to clean
the wheels. Be sure to use a neutral
cleaning agent, and later rinse thor-
oughly with water. Do not clean the
wheels with a stiff brush or expose them
to a high-speed washing device.
.
Remove dirt using water. If the wheels
are excessively dirty, use a sponge or
soft cloth dampened with a diluted
neutral detergent to remove the dirt.
.
Be careful not to block the wind-
shield washer nozzles with wax
when waxing the vehicle.
.
Do not wipe the rear view camera
with alcohol, benzine or paint thin-
ner. Otherwise, discoloration may
occur. To remove contamination,
wipe the camera with a cloth mois-
tened with diluted neutral detergent
and then wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.
When waxing the vehicle, be careful
not to apply the wax to the rear view
camera. If it comes in contact with
the camera, moisten a clean cloth
with diluted neutral detergent to
remove the wax.
For Subaru Forester Wilderness
models, if wax gets onto the hood
decal when you are waxing your
vehicle, this could enhance the re-
flective appearance of the hood
decal and impair the antireflective
function.
& Cleaning tire (vehicle with
white letter tires)
It is recommended to clean the white letter
part on the side of the tire frequently
because it easily gets dirty. When clean-
ing, use a neutral detergent and wash with
a sponge.
.
Clean the vehicle (including the alloy
wheels) with water as soon as possible
when it has been splashed with sea
water, exposed to sea breezes, or
driven on roads treated with salt or
other agents.
.
.
! Vehicles with matte painted wheels
CAUTION
Be sure to observe the following
precautions as matte painted
wheels can be damaged.
.
Do not scrub or polish the wheels
using a brush or dry cloth.
.
Do not use any wheel coatings or
abrasive detergents.
Corrosion protection 449
.
.
Dampness in certain parts of the
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.
of maintenance and treatment if you need
assistance.
10-2. Corrosion protection
Your SUBARU has been designed and
built to resist corrosion. Special materials
and protective finishes have been used on
most parts of the vehicle to help maintain
fine appearance, strength, and reliable
operation.
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.
& 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.
& Most common causes of cor-
rosion
The most common causes of corrosion
are:
.
The accumulation of moisture retaining
dirt and debris in body panel sections,
cavities, and other areas.
.
Roads that have been salted to prevent
them from freezing in winter
Mud, sand, or gravel
Coastal roads
.
.
.
Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor accidents.
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.
After the winter has ended, it is recom-
mended that the underbody be given a
very thorough washing.
Corrosion is accelerated on the vehicle
when:
.
It is exposed to road salt or dust control
chemicals, or used in coastal areas
where there is more salt in the air, or in
areas where there is considerable
industrial pollution.
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
.
It is driven in areas of high humidity,
especially when temperatures range
just above freezing.
Cleaning the interior
450
make sure it does not affect the fabric
adversely. Use the cleaner according to its
instructions.
covered, or the windows shaded, to pre-
vent fading or shrinkage.
10-3. Cleaning the interior
Minor surface blemishes or bald patches
may be treated with a commercial leather
spray lacquer. You will discover that each
leather seat section will develop soft folds
or wrinkles, which is characteristic of
genuine leather.
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
When cleaning the seat, do not use
benzine, paint thinner, or any similar
materials. Doing so could damage
the surface and cause the color to
deteriorate.
CAUTION
& Synthetic leather upholstery
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.
The synthetic leather material used on the
SUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap
or detergent and water, after first vacuum-
ing or brushing away loose dirt. Allow the
soap to soak in for a few minutes and wipe
off with a clean, damp cloth. Commercial
foam-type cleaners suitable for synthetic
leather materials may be used when
necessary.
& Leather seat materials
The leather used by SUBARU is a high
quality natural product which will retain its
distinctive appearance and feel for many
years with proper care.
Allowing dust or road dirt to build up on the
surface can cause the material to become
brittle and to wear prematurely. Regular
cleaning with a soft, moist, natural fiber
cloth should be performed monthly, taking
care not to soak the leather or allow water
to penetrate the stitched seams.
A mild detergent suitable for cleaning
woolen fabrics may be used to remove
difficult dirt spots, rubbing with a soft, dry
cloth afterwards to restore the luster. If
your SUBARU is to be parked for a long
time in bright sunlight, it is recommended
that the seats and head restraints be
& 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.
CAUTION
Strong cleaning agents such as
solvents, paint thinners, window
cleaner or fuel must never be used
on leather or synthetic interior ma-
terials. Doing so could damage the
surface and cause the color to
deteriorate.
If the stain does not come out, try a
commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Use the cleaner on a hidden place and
Cleaning the interior 451
to these parts, it may cause
damage to electrical compo-
nents.
& Water repellent seat material
(if equipped)
The water repellency of the seat fabric will
decrease over time. Do not apply addi-
tional water repellent coating.
& Monitor
To clean the audio/navigation/multi-func-
tion display monitor, wipe it with a silicone
cloth or with a soft cloth. If the monitor is
extremely dirty, clean it with a soft cloth
moistened with neutral detergent then
carefully wipe off any remaining detergent.
& Seatbelt
For details about how to clean the seatbelt,
refer to “Seatbelt maintenance” �P56.
& Climate control panel, audio
panel, instrument panel, con-
sole panel, and switches
CAUTION
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 spray neutral detergent
directly onto the monitor. Doing
so could damage the monitor’s
components.
.
.
Do not wipe the monitor with a
hard cloth. Doing so could
scratch the monitor.
CAUTION
.
.
Do not use organic solvents such
as paint thinners or fuel, or
strong cleaning agents that con-
tain those solvents. Doing so
could damage the surface and
cause the color to deteriorate.
Do not use cleaning fluid that
contains thinner, fuel, or any
other volatile substance. Such
cleaning fluid could erase the
lettering on the switches at the
bottom of the monitor.
Do not use chemical solvents that
contain silicone on the vehicle
audio system, electrical compo-
nents of the air-conditioner or
any switches. If silicone adheres
