Get Appearance care Guide for Subaru Forester SUV 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

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

Appearance care for Your Subaru Forester SUV 2024

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