gas type BMW 323i SEDAN 2000 E46 Owner's Manual

133n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your carExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion
priming techniques are supplemented
using special body-cavity protectants,
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied
to the undercarriage. Following this, a
comprehensive undercoating treat-
ment with a wax-based protectant is
applied. Regular maintenance makes
an important contribution to maintaining
the safety and value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have urged paint and vehi-
cle manufacturers to initiate ongoing
programs designed to further improve
the durability of their finishes. Despite
this, environmental factors that occur
locally or regionally can have negative
effects on the finish of your vehicle.
These should guide you in determining
the frequency and extent of your efforts
to maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type of
impact (perforation of paint layer), phys-
ical stresses from sand, road salt, gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.
Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali effect) and
tree excretions (resins and pollen) all
contain substances capable of causing
damage when allowed to remain on the
finish of your vehicle for any period of
time. This includes spots, etching, flak-
ing, and separations in the top coat.
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust,
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the
car's finish unless adequate care is pro-
vided Ð even though this is generally
limited to the outside horizontal sur-
faces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote cor-
rosion.
In tropical zones, temperatures of over
105 7 (40 6) in the shade prevail, in
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation
and high humidity. Under those condi-
tions, light paints can reach tempera-
tures up to 175 7 (80 6) and dark
paints up to 250 7 (120 6).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your
vehicle in areas with high levels of air
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled
during refueling, oil, grease and brake
fluid should always be cleaned away
immediately, as should bird droppings.
Any contamination remaining on the
surface of the vehicle will be especially
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar spots
with tar remover. After cleaning, the
affected areas should be waxed to
ensure continued protection.
Use cleaning and car-care
products that you can obtain at
your BMW center.<