The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth of color, gloss retention and durability.

The best way to preserve your vehicle's finish is to keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.

Do not wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun. If washing with water alone is not sufficient, use liquid hand, dish, or car washing (mild detergent) soaps. Saturn car was soap (Part No. 21070076) can be used in the concentration stated on the label. You can get Saturn-approved cleaning products from any Saturn retailer. Don't use strong soaps or chemical detergents, and don't use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or that contain acid or abrasive.

First soften the dirt deposits on the paint with a fine water spray, and then rinse them off. Do not spray water directly into the air inlets or outlets of the heating/ventilation system.

After spraying down, wash the upper part of the body starting at the roof. Wash the vehicle from top to the middle of the outer door panels and from front to rear. Then wash the lower portion of the car from front to rear. Most dirt and debris are found in greater quantities toward the rear of the vehicle. Use a 100% cotton cloth and plenty of cold lukewarm water. Be sure to rinse out the cloth frequently to remove dirt from it.

Wash the lower part of the body and the wheels last, if possible, keeping a separate 100% cotton cloth just for these areas.

After washing, be sure to rinse vehicle well, removing all soap residue completely. All cleaning agents should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting.

High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your vehicle.

Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under "Washing Your Vehicle."

Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint finish. It is quite easy to decide when the car's paint needs polishing: water no longer forms large round droplets and tends not to roll off from the surface. Depending on use of the car, this may arise after some three to four months. If the paint tends to lose it's high gloss as a result of insufficient care, a suitable polish must be applied.

Remember that some cleaners or paint restores act by removing a layer of paint and exposing paint which is still in good condition. You can get Saturn-approved cleaning products from your retailer.

Your vehicle has a "basecoat/clearcoat" paint finish. The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish. (Saturn Part No. 21095243).

Notice: Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish may damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish on the vehicle.

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can damage your vehicle's finish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.

Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered whenever possible.

If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax, sap or other material may be on the blade or windshield. Clean the windshield with Saturn Glass Cleaner. The windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water.

Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper blades and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full strength windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water.

Check the wiper blades on a regular basis and clean them as necessary; replace blade inserts that look worn with replacement inserts These procedures apply to the rear glass as well.

Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then be applied.

The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could damage the surface. Do not use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.

Do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.

To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.

Notice: Using petroleum-based tire dressing products on the vehicle may damage the paint finish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray from all painted surfaces on the vehicle.