The paintwork on your Mazda represents the latest technical developments in composition and methods of application. Environmental hazards, however, can harm the paint's protective properties, if proper care is not taken. Here are some examples of possible damage, with tips on how to prevent them. Etching Caused by Acid Rain or Industrial Fallout Occurrence Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions drift into the air and mix with rain or dew to form acids. These acids can settle on a vehicle's finish. As the water evaporates, the acid becomes concentrated and can damage the finish. And the longer the acid remains on the surface, the greater the chance is for damage. Prevention It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. These steps should be taken immediately after you suspect that acid rain has settled on your vehicle's finish. Damage Caused by Bird Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap Occurrence Bird droppings contain acids. If these are not removed they can eat away the clear and color base coat of the vehicle's paintwork. When insects stick to the paint surface and decompose, corrosive compounds form. These can erode the clear and color base coat of the vehicle's paintwork if they are not removed. Tree sap will harden and adhere permanently to the paint finish. If you scratch the sap off while it is hard, some vehicle paint could come off with it. Prevention It is necessary to have your Mazda washed and waxed to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. This should be done as soon as possible. Bird droppings can be removed with a soft sponge and water. If you are traveling and these are not available, a moistened tissue may also take care of the problem. The cleaned area should be waxed according to the instructions in this section. Insects and tree sap are best removed with a soft sponge and water or a commercially available chemical cleaner. Another method is to cover the affected area with dampened newspaper for 1 to 2 hours. After removing the newspaper, rinse off the loosened debris with water. Water Marks Occurrence Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can contain harmful minerals such as salt and lime. If moisture containing these minerals settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the minerals will concentrate and harden to form white rings. The rings can damage your vehicle's finish. Prevention It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. These steps should be taken immediately after you find water marks on your vehicle's finish. Paint Chipping Occurrence Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown in the air by another vehicle's tires hits your vehicle. How to avoid paint chipping Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead reduces the chances of having your paint chipped by flying gravel. NOTE
Follow all label and container directions when using a chemical cleaner or polish. Read all warnings and cautions. Maintaining the Finish Washing CAUTION
Keep hands and scrapers clear of the windshield when the wiper lever is in the position and the ignition is switched ON as fingers could be pinched or the wipers and wiper blades damaged when the wipers activate automatically. If you are going to clean the windshield, be sure the wipers are turned off completely (when it is most likely that the engine is left running) this is particularly important when clearing ice and snow.
To help protect the finish from rust and deterioration, wash your Mazda thoroughly and frequently, at least once a month, with lukewarm or cold water. If the vehicle is washed improperly, the paint surface could be scratched. Here are some examples of how scratching could occur. Scratches occur on the paint surface when:
NOTE
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's paint finish:
CAUTION
Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt, mud, and other foreign material from the underside of the fenders, and make sure the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels are clean. Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and similar deposits can damage the finish if not removed immediately. When prompt washing with plain water is ineffective, use a mild soap made for use on vehicles. Thoroughly rinse off all soap with lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow soap to dry on the finish. After washing the vehicle, dry it with a clean chamois to prevent water spots from forming. WARNING Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until the brake performance returns to normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. When using an automatic car wash
When using a high water pressure car wash High water temperature and high water pressure car washers are available depending on the type of car wash machine. If the car washer nozzle is put too close to the vehicle, the force of the spray could damage or deform the molding, affect the sealability of parts, and allow water to penetrate the interior. Keep a sufficient space (30 cm (12 in) or more) between the nozzle and the vehicle. In addition, do not spend too much time spraying the same area of the vehicle, and be very careful when spraying between gaps in doors and around windows. Waxing Your vehicle needs to be waxed when water no longer beads on the finish. Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body, wax the metal trim to maintain its luster. 1. Use wax which contains no abrasives. Waxes containing abrasive will remove paint and could damage bright metal parts. 2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors. 3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth. 4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth. NOTE A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar materials will usually also take off the wax. Rewax these areas even if the rest of the vehicle does not need it. Repairing Damage to the Finish Deep scratches or chips on the finish should be repaired promptly. Exposed metal quickly rusts and can lead to major repairs. CAUTION If your Mazda is damaged and needs metal parts repaired or replaced, make sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to all parts, both repaired and new. This will prevent them from rusting. Bright-Metal Maintenance
CAUTION 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. Underbody Maintenance Road chemicals and salt used for ice and snow removal and solvents used for dust control may collect on the underbody. If not removed, they will speed up rusting and deterioration of such underbody parts as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and exhaust system, even though these parts may be coated with anti-corrosive material. Thoroughly flush the underbody and wheel housings with lukewarm or cold water at the end of each winter. Try also to do this every month. Pay special attention to these areas because they easily hide 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 clogged. Water trapped there will cause rusting. WARNING Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes several times until the brake performance returns to normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. Aluminum Wheel Maintenance A protective coating is provided over the aluminum wheels. Special care is needed to protect this coating. CAUTION Do not use any detergent other than mild detergent. Before using any detergent, verify the ingredients. Otherwise, the product could discolor or stain the aluminum wheels. NOTE
Plastic Part Maintenance
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Mazda CX-9 Owners Manual > Before Driving: Towing
Trailer Towing (U.S.A. and Canada) Your Mazda was designed and built primarily to carry passengers and cargo. If you tow a trailer, follow these instructions because driver and passenger safety depends on proper equipment and safe driving habits. Towing a trailer will affect handling, braking, durab ...