Toyota Tacoma (2005–2015) Owners Manual: Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior

Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condition.

● Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.

Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a chamois.

● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly with water.

● Wipe away any water.

● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.

If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.

■Automatic car washes

●Fold the mirrors and remove the detachable pole antenna before washing the vehicle. Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to re-install the detachable pole antenna and extend the mirrors before driving.

●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and harm your vehicle’s paint.

●In certain automatic car washes, the roof antenna (if equipped) may interfere with machine operation. This may prevent the vehicle from being cleaned properly or result in damage to the roof antenna.

■High pressure car washes

Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the windows. Before entering an automatic car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed properly.

■Aluminum or chrome cladded wheels (if equipped)

●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners. Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.

●Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after driving for long distance in the hot weather.

●Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.

■Bumpers and side moldings

Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.

CAUTION

■Caution about the exhaust pipe

Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.

When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

NOTICE

■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (aluminum or chrome cladded wheels etc.)

●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases: • After driving near the sea coast

• After driving on salted roads

• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface

• If you see dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings on the paint

• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances

• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud

• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface

●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.

●To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place with low humidity when storing the wheels.

NOTICE

●Clean the drainage hole of the deck regularly.

If the drainage hole is stopped up, the water will not be able to flow, and it will cause rust.

■Cleaning the exterior lights

●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.

This may damage the surfaces of the lights.

●Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.

Wax may cause damage to the lenses.

■Detachable pole antenna installation and removal precautions

●Before driving, ensure that the antenna is installed.

●When the antenna is removed, such as before entering an automatic car wash, make sure to store it in a suitable place so as not to lose it. Also, before driving, make sure to reinstall the antenna in its original position.