Corrosion prevention and periodic maintenance (Hyundai Accent LC)

Protecting your car from corrosion

Using the most advanced technologies and methods of protection against corrosion, the Hyundai company produces high-quality cars. However, in order to ensure long-term protection against corrosion of the Hyundai car, your help and cooperation are also required.

Common Causes of Corrosion

The most common reasons for corrosion on your car are:

• road salt, dirt and moisture that accumulates under the vehicle;
• chipping of paint or protective coatings by stones, gravel, minor chips and dents leaving unprotected metal exposed to corrosion.

Moisture causes corrosion

Moisture creates the conditions for the most intense occurrence of corrosion. For example, corrosion is significantly accelerated by high humidity, especially at freezing temperatures. In such conditions, corrosive materials come into contact with the surfaces of the car through poorly evaporating moisture. Dirt is a typical cause of corrosion because it dries slowly and promotes moisture contact with the car. Even if the dirt appears dry, it can still contain moisture and promote corrosion. High temperatures can also promote corrosion of poorly ventilated parts of the car, where moisture can settle. For these reasons, it is very important to keep the car free of dirt and other material accumulation. This applies not only to visible areas, but also to the underbody of the car.



During winter, spray the underside of your vehicle with water at least once a month and rinse it thoroughly after the winter period.

When washing the underside of your car, pay special attention to under-fenders and other hidden parts. Do the job thoroughly. Simply washing rather than thoroughly cleaning away accumulated dirt can actually accelerate corrosion rather than prevent it. Pressurized water and steam are quite effective in removing accumulated dirt and corrosive materials.

When cleaning lower door panels, reinforcements and frame parts, make sure the drainage holes are open so that moisture can evaporate and does not accumulate inside, accelerating corrosion.

Scratches or chips in the paintwork should be touched up with repair paint as soon as possible to reduce the risk of possible corrosion.

Moisture can collect under floor mats and carpeting and cause corrosion. Check periodically for moisture under floor mats and carpeting.

Washing and applying wax paste

Washing your car when its surface is heated by the sun's rays is unacceptable. Always wash your car in the shade.

Wash your car as often as possible. Dirt is abrasive and can scratch your car if not washed off. Air pollution or acid rain can damage the paintwork by chemical reaction if left in contact with the car surface. In winter or after driving on dirty wet roads, thoroughly wash the underside of the car. Use a strong stream of water to remove deposits of dirt and corrosive materials. Use a high-quality car wash solution and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the package. Do not use strong household cleaners, gasoline, solvents and abrasive cleaners, as this may damage the car's paintwork.



Use a clean sponge or cloth, moisten it frequently, and do not damage the paintwork by rubbing too hard. If the dirt has dried, moisten it thoroughly and gently remove it.

To wash the wheels, use a soft brush or a coarse wool cloth soaked in a neutral cleaning solution.

To clean plastic wheel covers, use a clean sponge or soft cloth and water.

Wash aluminum wheels with a mild neutral detergent or neutral detergent. Do not use abrasive cleaners. Protect unprotected metal surfaces by washing, polishing, and waxing. Since aluminum is susceptible to corrosion, pay special attention to aluminum wheels in winter. Wash such wheels thoroughly after driving on salted roads.

After washing your car, dry it thoroughly. After drying, soapy water leaves streaks on the paint.

In warm weather and low humidity, you may need to dry each part of your car immediately after washing to avoid leaving streaks on the paint.

If you find any dents or scratches in the paintwork, cover them with touch-up paint to prevent corrosion.

Spot cleaning

Do not use gasoline, strong solvents or corrosive cleaning agents. This may damage the paintwork. To remove road tar, use a clean soft cloth dampened with turpentine.

To remove insect residue or tree sap, use warm water and a mild neutral detergent or car wash solution. Dampen a sponge and rub gently. If the finish has lost its shine, use a commercially available car polish.

Polishing and waxing

Before using polish and wax paste, be sure to wash and dry your car.

Use only high-quality products available on the market and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. Polish and wax both the paintwork and the gloss trim.

Re-application of wax paste

Re-polishing and re-waxing should be done when the water no longer forms beads and rolls off the clean surface, but spreads over a large area.

Caring for bumpers

To care for the bumpers of your Hyundai vehicle, you must take some precautions:

Be careful not to let battery acid or brake fluid get on the bumpers. If this happens, wash the car immediately with clean water.

Be careful when cleaning the bumper surfaces. They are made of soft plastic and their surface can be damaged if handled incorrectly. Do not use abrasive cleaners.

Use warm water and a mild neutral detergent or car wash solution.

Do not expose bumpers to high temperatures. For example, when painting a car in a high-temperature drying chamber, be sure to remove the bumpers from the car.

Cleaning Vinyl Upholstery

To clean vinyl upholstery, first remove crumbs and dust with a vacuum cleaner. Then use a solution of neutral detergent in warm water using a clean sponge or soft cloth. If there are still stains on the upholstery, repeat the steps until they are clean. Do not use gasoline, paint thinner or other strong cleaners.

Cleaning genuine leather upholstery

During normal use, genuine leather upholstery, like other materials, will collect dust and dirt. These need to be cleaned as they can become embedded in the leather and cause damage.

Fine leather needs to be cared for and cleaned if necessary. Washing the leather thoroughly with soap and water will make the leather shiny and last a long time. Treat the leather with a chamois cloth using a neutral detergent and warm water. Wash the leather thoroughly, wipe it dry with a damp cloth, and then dry it with a dry cloth. Do this as often as possible to prevent the leather from becoming greasy.



When tanning leather, sufficient oils are added to the leather, and there is no need to add oil to the leather during its use. Adding oil to the surface of the leather will not bring any benefit and may even cause harm. The use of carpet cleaners and furniture polish is not allowed.

Carpet cleaning

Use foaming carpet cleaners. These types of cleaners may come in aerosol cans, liquids, or powders. Read and follow the instructions on the package.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove as much dirt as possible. Apply a foaming cleaner according to the manufacturer's directions, then wipe in a circular motion. Do not add water. These cleaners are most effective when applied to dry carpet.

Cleaning seat belts

To clean the seat belts, use a cloth or sponge soaked in a neutral detergent and warm water. Do not use strong cleaners, bleach or abrasive cleaners as this may weaken the seat belt webbing material.

When cleaning belts, inspect them for excessive wear, fraying or other signs of damage and replace them if necessary.

Glass washing

You can use any household glass cleaner to clean the glass. However, when cleaning the inside of the rear window, be careful not to damage the heating wires of the rear window heater.