Get Maintenance -> Appearance care Guide for Hyundai Santa Fe SUV 2023

Maintenance

APPEARANCE CARE

High-pressure washing

NOTICE

śꢀ When using high-pressure washers,

make sure to maintain sufficient

distance from the vehicle.

If you park your vehicle near a stainless

steel sign or glass facade building, the

vehicle’s exterior plastic parts such

as a bumper, spoiler, garnish, lamp

or outside rearview mirror might be

damaged due to sunlight reflected from

the sign or building. To prevent damage

of the exterior plastic parts, you should

avoid parking in areas where light may

be reflected or use a car cover. (The

exterior plastic parts applied to your

vehicle may vary.)

Insufficient clearance or excessive

pressure can lead to component

damage or water penetration.

śꢀ Do not spray the camera, sensors or

its surrounding area directly with a

high pressure washer. Shock applied

from high pressure water may cause

the device to not operate normally.

śꢀ Do not bring the nozzle tip close to

boots (rubber or plastic covers) or

connectors as they may be damaged

if they come into contact with high

pressure water.

Exterior care

Exterior general caution

It is very important to follow the label

directions when using any chemical

cleaner or polish. Read all warning and

caution statements that appear on the

label.

WARNING

After washing the vehicle, test the

brakes while driving slowly to see

if they have been affected by water

before getting on the road. If braking

performance is impaired, dry the

brakes by applying them lightly while

maintaining a slow forward speed.

Finish maintenance

Washing

To help protect your vehicle’s finish from

rust and deterioration, wash it thoroughly

and frequently at least once a month

with lukewarm or cold water.

If you use your vehicle for off-road

driving, you should wash it after each

off-road trip. Pay special attention to the

removal of any accumulation of salt, dirt,

mud, and other foreign materials. Make

sure the drain holes in the lower edges

of the doors and rocker panels are kept

clear and clean.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,

industrial pollution and similar deposits

can damage your vehicle’s finish if not

removed immediately.

Even prompt washing with plain water

may not completely remove all these

deposits. A mild soap, safe for use on

painted surfaces, should be used.

After washing, rinse the vehicle

thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water.

Do not allow soap to dry on the finish.

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NOTICE

śꢀ Do not use strong soap, chemical

detergents or hot water, and do not

wash the vehicle in direct sunlight

or when the body of the vehicle is

warm.

Matte paint finish vehicle (if equipped)

Automatic car wash which uses rotating

brushes should not be used as this can

damage the surface of your vehicle. A

steam cleaner which washes the vehicle

surface at high temperature may result

the oil to adhere and leave stains that is

difficult to remove.

Use a soft cloth (for example, microfiber

towel or sponge) when washing your

vehicle and dry with a microfiber towel.

When you hand wash your vehicle, you

should not use a cleaner that finishes

with wax. If the vehicle surface is too

dirty (sand, dirt, dust, contaminant,

etc.), clean the surface with water

before washing the car.

śꢀ Be careful when washing the side

windows of your vehicle.

śꢀ Especially, with high-pressure water,

water may leak through the windows

and wet the interior.

śꢀ To prevent damage to the plastic

parts, do not clean with chemical

solvents or strong detergents.

NOTICE

Waxing

A good coat of wax is a barrier between

your paint and contaminate. Keeping

a good coat of wax on your vehicle will

help protect it.

Wax the vehicle when water will no

longer bead on the paint.

Always wash and dry the vehicle before

waxing. Use a good quality liquid or

paste wax, and follow the manufacturer’s

instructions. Wax all metal trim to protect

it and to maintain its luster.

Removing oil, tar, and similar materials

with a spot remover will usually strip the

wax from the finish. Be sure to re-wax

these areas even if the rest of the vehicle

does not yet need waxing.

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śꢀ Water washing in the engine

compartment including high

pressure water washing may cause

the failure of electrical circuits

located in the engine compartment.

śꢀ Never allow water or other liquids

to come in contact with electrical/

electronic components inside the

vehicle as this may damage them.

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Maintenance

NOTICE

Finish damage repair

Deep scratches or stone chips in the

painted surface must be repaired

promptly. Exposed metal will quickly

rust and may develop into a major repair

expense.

śꢀ Wiping dust or dirt off the body with

a dry cloth will scratch the finish.

śꢀ Do not use steel wool, abrasive

cleaners, or strong detergents

containing highly alkaline or

caustic agents on chrome-plated or

anodized aluminum parts. This may

result in damage to the protective

coating and cause discoloration or

paint deterioration.

NOTICE

If your vehicle is damaged and requires

any metal repair or replacement,

be sure the body shop applies anti-

corrosion materials to the parts

repaired or replaced.

NOTICE

Matte paint finish vehicle (if equipped)

NOTICE

Do not use any polish protector such as

a detergent, an abrasive and a polish.

In case wax is applied, remove the wax

immediately using a silicon remover

and if any tar or tar contaminant is on

the surface use a tar remover to clean.

However, be careful not to apply too

much pressure on the painted area.

Matte paint finish vehicle (if equipped)

In case of matte paint finish vehicles,

it is impossible to modify only the

damaged area and repair of the whole

part is necessary. If the vehicle is

damaged and painting is required, have

your vehicle maintained and repaired

by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer. Take

extreme care, as it is difficult to restore

the quality after the repair.

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09

Bright-metal maintenance

śꢀ To remove road tar and insects, use

a tar remover, not a scraper or other

sharp object.

śꢀ To protect the surfaces of bright metal

parts from corrosion, apply a coating

of wax or chrome preservative and rub

to a high luster.

WARNING

After washing the vehicle, test the

brakes while driving slowly to see if

they have been affected by water. If

braking performance is impaired, dry

the brakes by applying them lightly

while maintaining a slow forward

speed.

śꢀ During winter weather or in coastal

areas, cover the bright metal parts

with a heavier coating of wax or

preservative. If necessary, coat the

parts with non-corrosive petroleum

jelly or other protective compound.

Aluminum wheel maintenance

The aluminum wheels are coated with a

clear protective finish.

śꢀ Do not use abrasive cleaner, polishing

compound, solvent, or wire brushes

on aluminum wheels.

Underbody maintenance

Corrosive materials used for ice and

snow removal and dust control may

collect on the underbody. If these

materials are not removed, accelerated

rusting can occur on underbody parts

such as the fuel lines, frame, floor pan

and exhaust system, even though they

have been treated with rust protection.

Thoroughly flush the vehicle underbody

and wheel openings with lukewarm or

cold water once a month, after off-road

driving and at the end of each winter. Pay

special attention to these areas because

it is difficult to see all the mud and dirt.

It will do more harm than good to wet

down the road grime without removing

it. The lower edges of doors, rocker

panels, and frame members have drain

holes that should not be allowed to clog

with dirt; trapped water in these areas

can cause rusting.

śꢀ Clean the wheel when it has cooled.

śꢀ Use only a mild soap or neutral

detergent, and rinse thoroughly with

water. Also, clean the wheels after

driving on salted roads.

śꢀ Do not wash the wheels with high-

speed car wash brushes.

śꢀ Do not use any cleaners containing

acid or alkaline detergents.

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Maintenance

High-corrosion areas

Corrosion protection

If you live in an area where your vehicle 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.

Protecting your vehicle from corrosion

By using the most advanced design

and construction practices to combat

corrosion, HYUNDAI produces vehicles

of the highest quality. However, this is

only part of the job. To achieve the long-

term corrosion resistance your vehicle

can deliver, the owner’s cooperation and

assistance is also required.

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 vehicle surfaces

by moisture that is slow to evaporate.

Common causes of corrosion

The most common causes of corrosion

on your vehicle are:

śꢀ Road salt, dirt and moisture that is

allowed to accumulate underneath

the vehicle.

śꢀ Removal of paint or protective

coatings by stones, gravel, abrasion

or minor scrapes and dents which

leave unprotected metal exposed to

corrosion.

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

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

vehicle 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

vehicle.

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To help prevent corrosion

Keep your garage dry

Keep your vehicle clean

Don’t park your vehicle in a damp,

poorly ventilated garage. This creates

a favorable environment for corrosion.

This is particularly true if you wash your

vehicle in the garage or drive it into the

garage when it is still wet or covered with

snow, ice or mud. Even a heated garage

can contribute to corrosion unless it is

well ventilated so moisture is dispersed.

The best way to prevent corrosion is

to keep your vehicle clean and free of

corrosive materials. Attention to the

underside of the vehicle is particularly

important.

śꢀ 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 vehicle

at least once a month and be sure to

clean the underside thoroughly when

winter is over.

śꢀ When cleaning underneath the

vehicle, pay 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.

Keep paint and trim in good condition

Scratches or chips in the finish should

be covered with “touch-up” paint as

soon as possible to reduce the possibility

of corrosion. If bare metal is showing

through, the attention of a qualified body

and paint shop is recommended.

Bird droppings are highly corrosive and

may damage painted surfaces in just a

few hours. Always remove bird droppings

as soon as possible.

śꢀ When cleaning lower door panels,

rocker panels and frame members, be

sure that drain holes are kept open so

that moisture can escape and not be

trapped inside to accelerate corrosion.

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Maintenance

Cleaning the upholstery and interior

trim

Vehicle interior surfaces (if equipped)

Remove dust and loose dirt from interior

surfaces with a whisk broom or a vacuum

cleaner.

If necessary, clean interior surfaces with

a mixture of warm water and mild non-

detergent cleaner (test all cleaners on a

concealed area before use).

Interior care

Interior general precautions

Prevent caustic solutions such as

perfume and cosmetic oil, from

contacting the interior parts because

they may cause damage or discoloration.

If they do contact the interior parts,

wipe them off immediately. See the

instructions for the proper way to clean

vehicle interior surfaces.

NOTICE

Fabric (if equipped)

Remove dust and loose dirt from

śꢀ Never allow water or other liquids

to come in contact with electrical/

electronic components inside the

vehicle as this may damage them.

śꢀ When cleaning leather products

(steering wheel, seats etc.), use

neutral detergents or low alcohol

content solutions. If you use high

alcohol content solutions or acid/

alkaline detergents, the color of the

leather may fade or the surface may

get stripped off.

fabric with a whisk broom or vacuum

cleaner. Clean with a mild soap solution

recommended for upholstery or carpets.

Remove fresh spots immediately with

a fabric spot cleaner. If fresh spots do

not receive immediate attention, the

fabric can be stained and its color can be

affected. Also, its fire-resistant properties

can be reduced if the material is not

properly maintained.

NOTICE

Using anything but recommended

cleaners and procedures may affect the

fabric’s appearance and fire-resistant

properties.

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09

Leather (if equipped)

śꢀ Features of seat leather

śꢀ Caring for the leather seats

- Vacuum the seat periodically to

remove dust and sand on the seat. It

will prevent abrasion or damage of

the leather and maintain its quality.

- Wipe the natural leather seat cover

often with dry or soft cloth.

- Use of proper leather protector may

prevent abrasion of the cover and

helps maintain the color. Be sure to

read the instructions and consult

a specialist when using leather

coating or protective agent.

- Light colored (beige, cream beige)

leather is easily contaminated and

the stain is noticeable. Clean the

seats frequently.

- Leather is made from the outer skin

of an animal, which goes through a

special process to be available for

use. Since it is a natural product,

each part differs in thickness or

density.

Wrinkles may appear as a natural

result of stretching and shrinking

depending on the temperature and

humidity.

- The seat is made of stretchable

fabric to improve comfort.

- The parts contacting the body are

curved and the side supporting

area is high which provides driving

comfort and stability.

- Avoid wiping with wet cloth. It may

cause the surface to crack.

- Wrinkles may appear naturally

from usage. It is not a fault of the

products.

śꢀ Cleaning the leather seats

- Remove all contaminations

instantly. Refer to instructions below

for removal of each contaminant.

- Cosmetic products (sunscreen,

foundation, etc.)

Apply cleansing cream on a cloth

and wipe the contaminated spot.

Wipe off the cream with a wet cloth

and remove water with a dry cloth.

NOTICE

śꢀ Wrinkles or abrasions which appear

naturally from usage are not covered

by warranty.

śꢀ Belts with metallic accessories,

zippers or keys inside the back

pocket may damage the seat fabric.

- Beverages (coffee, soft drink, etc.)

śꢀ Make sure not to wet the seat. It may

change the nature of natural leather.

Apply a small amount of neutral

detergent and wipe until

contaminations do not smear.

śꢀ Jeans or clothes which could bleach

may contaminate the surface of the

seat covering fabric.

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Maintenance

- Oil

śꢀ Sharp objects (for example, driver,

knife), adhesive materials, or tapes

may damage the interior wooden trim.

Remove oil instantly with

absorbable cloth and wipe with

stain remover used only for natural

leather.

śꢀ Any strong impacts may damage the

interior wooden trim.

- Chewing gum

Harden the gum with ice and

remove gradually.

śꢀ If the coating finish over the interior

wooden trim is removed, moisture

may damage or change wood traits.

śꢀ If the interior wooden trim is

damaged, you may get a splinter

from the wood surface. Therefore,

you should immediately have the

damaged interior wooden trim

replaced by an authorized HYUNDAI

dealer.

śꢀ Handling prime napa leather (if

equipped)

Try to avoid excessive sunlight and

heat exposure. Excessive sunlight

and heat exposure naturally fades

and dries out napa leather, causing

wrinkles and discoloration. If the napa

leather is wet with liquid, immediately

clean it with lint-free cloth to minimize

damage. Do not scratch the napa

leather surface with a sharp object.

If your napa leather seat is bright

colored, it may be contaminated or

stained from dyed materials such as

jeans.

Cleaning the seat belt webbing

Clean the belt webbing with any

mild soap solution recommended for

cleaning upholstery or carpet. Follow

the instructions provided with the soap.

Do not bleach or re-dye the webbing

because this may weaken the seat belt.

Cleaning the interior window glass

Interior wooden trim

If the interior glass surfaces of the

vehicle become fogged (that is, covered

with an oily, greasy or waxy film), they

should be cleaned with glass cleaner.

Follow the directions on the glass cleaner

container.

śꢀ Use a wooden furniture protector (for

example, wax, coating compound) to

clean the interior wooden trim.

śꢀ Often wipe the interior wooden

trim with a lint-free, clean cloth to

maintain the unique wooden textures

for a longer period of time.

śꢀ If you spill beverage (for example,

water, coffee) over the interior

wooden trim, immediately wipe it with

clean, dry cloth.

NOTICE

Do not scrape or scratch the inside of

the rear window. This may result in

damage to the rear window defroster

grid.

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Maintenance -> Appearance care for Your Hyundai Santa Fe SUV 2023

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