Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat sealant/wax materials is not recommended. If painted surfaces are damaged, see your dealer to have the damage assessed and repaired. 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 the 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.
Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing should be done to remove residue from the paint finish. See your dealer for approved cleaning products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber, decals, simulated wood, or flat paint as damage can occur.
Caution
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.
To keep the paint finish looking new, keep the vehicle garaged or covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect the bright metal moldings can result in a hazy white finish or pitting.
This damage would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
The bright metal moldings on the vehicle are aluminum or stainless steel. To prevent damage always follow these cleaning instructions:
- Be sure the molding is cool to the touch before applying any cleaning solution.
- Use a cleaning solution approved for aluminum or stainless steel. Some cleaners are highly acidic or contain alkaline substances and can damage the moldings.
- Always dilute a concentrated cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not use chrome cleaners.
- Do not use cleaners that are not intended for automotive use.
- Use a nonabrasive wax on the vehicle after washing to protect and extend the molding finish.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash it often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic, or abrasive cleaning agents
as they can damage the vehicle's paint, ...
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/ Lenses, Emblems, Decals and Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth, and a car washing soap to clean
exterior lamps, lenses, emblems, decals and stripes. Follow instructions under "Washing
the Vehicle" previo ...
Other materials:
When It Is Time for New Tires
Factors such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and
road conditions affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when the tires have only 1.6mm (1/16 in) or less
of tread r ...
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control is in the automatic
position, the headlamps come on automatically. See Exterior Lamp Controls on page
6-1.
The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument panel. Make sure it is
not covered, or the headlamps will be on w ...
Starter Switch Check
Warning
When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly.
If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured.
Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room around the vehicle.
Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.Do not use the accelerator
pe ...
