Kia EV6: Maintenance / Exterior general caution

Contents:

• Interior care

When using any cleaning product, polish, protectant, or chemical treatment on your Kia EV6, it is extremely important to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. Always read all warning notices, safety recommendations, and precautionary statements provided on the product label before application. Using cleaning products incorrectly may damage painted surfaces, exterior trim, glass, or protective coatings.

Finish maintenance

To help preserve the appearance and long-term durability of your Kia EV6, wash the exterior thoroughly with cold or lukewarm water at least once each month. Regular cleaning helps protect painted surfaces from corrosion, environmental contamination, and premature deterioration.

If your Kia EV6 is used on unpaved roads, construction areas, gravel surfaces, or other demanding environments, the vehicle should be washed immediately after each trip. Pay particular attention to removing accumulated salt, mud, sand, dust, dirt, and other contaminants. In addition, regularly inspect and clean the drain openings located along the lower door edges and rocker panels to ensure proper water drainage.

Substances such as insect residue, road tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and airborne pollutants can gradually damage the finish of your Kia EV6 if they remain on the surface for extended periods. Prompt removal is strongly recommended to maintain the vehicle's appearance and paint protection.

Even when contaminants are removed quickly, rinsing with plain water alone may not be sufficient. Use a mild automotive shampoo specifically formulated for painted vehicle surfaces to achieve the best cleaning results without harming protective finishes.

After washing your Kia EV6, thoroughly rinse all exterior surfaces using clean cold or lukewarm water. Do not allow soap, detergent, or cleaning solutions to dry on the paintwork, as this may leave residue or spotting.

Once the vehicle has been washed, test the braking system at low speed to ensure moisture has not affected brake performance. If braking efficiency feels reduced, lightly apply the brakes while driving slowly forward until normal operation is restored.

CAUTION

When using a high-pressure washer on your Kia EV6, always maintain a safe distance between the spray nozzle and the vehicle surface.

Holding the nozzle too close or using excessive water pressure may result in paint damage, seal deterioration, component deformation, or water intrusion into sensitive areas.

Never direct high-pressure water streams at cameras, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or surrounding mounting areas. Excessive water pressure may interfere with the operation and calibration of these advanced driver assistance systems.

Avoid positioning the nozzle near rubber boots, weather strips, protective covers, electrical connectors, or other sealing components. Direct exposure to concentrated water pressure may damage these parts and reduce their effectiveness.

WARNING

CAUTION

NOTE

Apply wax to the exterior of your Kia EV6 whenever water no longer forms distinct beads on the painted surfaces. This is a sign that the existing protective layer may be wearing away.

Before waxing, thoroughly wash and completely dry the vehicle. Use a premium-quality liquid or paste wax and carefully follow the product manufacturer's instructions. Waxing helps protect painted surfaces from environmental contaminants while enhancing gloss and long-term durability.

Do not overlook metal trim components when waxing. Applying wax to these areas can help preserve their appearance, reduce oxidation, and maintain their original shine.

Products designed to remove oil, tar, adhesive residue, or similar contaminants often strip away existing wax protection. Whenever such cleaners are used on your Kia EV6, reapply wax to the affected areas even if the remainder of the vehicle does not yet require waxing. Regular paint protection helps maintain the premium appearance and value of your Kia EV6 over time.

CAUTION

NOTE

Finish damage repair

Deep scratches, paint chips caused by stones, or other damage to the painted surfaces of your Kia EV6 should be repaired as quickly as possible. When bare metal becomes exposed, corrosion can begin rapidly and may eventually require extensive body repairs if left untreated.

Prompt attention to paint damage helps preserve the appearance, structural integrity, and long-term value of your Kia EV6.

NOTE

NOTE

Bright metal maintenance

To safely remove road tar, insect residue, or similar contaminants from bright metal surfaces on your Kia EV6, use a quality tar remover specifically intended for automotive applications. Avoid using scrapers, razor blades, or other sharp tools that may scratch the finish.

To help protect bright metal trim from oxidation and corrosion, periodically apply a coat of automotive wax or a dedicated chrome-preserving product. After application, buff the surface carefully to restore and maintain its shine.

During winter months or when driving in coastal environments where salt exposure is common, additional protection is recommended. Apply a heavier protective coating of wax or preservative to vulnerable metal surfaces. Where appropriate, a non-corrosive petroleum jelly or similar protective compound may also be used to provide additional resistance against moisture and salt-related corrosion.

Underbody maintenance

Road salt, de-icing chemicals, and other corrosive substances are frequently used in cold-weather regions to improve winter driving conditions. If these materials are allowed to accumulate on the underside of the Kia EV6, they can gradually attack metal components and contribute to corrosion of suspension parts, mounting brackets, fasteners, and structural body sections.

Regular underbody cleaning is an important part of preserving the condition and durability of your Kia EV6, particularly in regions that experience harsh winters or coastal climates.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that vehicle owners follow these maintenance practices:

• Wash the underbody of your Kia EV6 regularly throughout the winter season and after exposure to road salt, de-icing chemicals, or similar corrosive substances.

• Perform a thorough undercarriage cleaning at the end of the winter season to remove any remaining salt deposits and contaminants.

• Arrange for an annual corrosion inspection by a qualified service technician or at an approved inspection facility.

• Seek immediate inspection if you observe visible corrosion, peeling metal coatings, rust flakes, unusual suspension noises, fluid leaks, reduced steering precision, soft brake pedal feel, or other changes in vehicle performance.

Aluminum wheel maintenance

The aluminum wheels fitted to the Kia EV6 feature a durable clear protective coating designed to enhance appearance and provide resistance against environmental contaminants.

• Do not use abrasive cleaning products, polishing compounds, aggressive solvents, steel brushes, or wire brushes on aluminum wheels. Such products can scratch the protective coating and damage the wheel finish.

• Always clean the wheels after they have cooled. Cleaning hot wheels may reduce cleaning effectiveness and potentially affect the finish.

• Use only mild automotive soap or a neutral pH wheel cleaner. Rinse thoroughly with clean water after washing. Cleaning the wheels after driving on salted roads is particularly important for minimizing corrosion risks.

• Avoid automatic vehicle washes that use aggressive high-speed brushes, as these may scratch or dull the wheel surface.

• Do not use highly acidic or alkaline cleaning products. These chemicals may attack the protective clear coating and contribute to premature deterioration of the aluminum wheel finish.

Corrosion protection

The Kia EV6 is manufactured using advanced engineering methods, corrosion-resistant materials, and modern protective coatings designed to provide excellent long-term durability. However, maintaining maximum corrosion resistance requires both factory protection and proper owner care.

Routine cleaning, prompt repair of paint damage, proper storage practices, and regular inspections all contribute to preserving the appearance and structural integrity of your Kia EV6 over many years of ownership.

The most common causes of corrosion on your Kia EV6 are:

• Road salt, dirt, moisture, and other corrosive materials that are allowed to build up beneath the vehicle, especially around hidden seams, suspension mounting points, and lower body areas.

• Damage to paint or protective coatings caused by stones, gravel, road debris, abrasions, light impacts, scratches, or minor dents, which can expose bare metal and allow corrosion to begin.

If your Kia EV6 is regularly operated in an environment where corrosive materials are present, corrosion protection becomes especially important. Areas where road salt is used during winter, regions near the ocean, locations affected by industrial pollution, and roads treated with dust-control chemicals can all accelerate corrosion.

In these conditions, the exterior panels, underbody, suspension components, fasteners, and lower structural areas of the Kia EV6 should be cleaned and inspected more frequently. Preventive maintenance is far easier and less expensive than repairing corrosion after it has already developed.

Moisture is one of the main factors that creates the conditions for corrosion. Corrosion can progress more quickly in areas with high humidity, particularly when temperatures remain just above freezing. In these conditions, moisture evaporates slowly and keeps corrosive substances in contact with the vehicle surface for a longer period.

Mud is especially harmful because it dries slowly and can trap moisture against the body and underbody of the Kia EV6. Even when mud appears dry on the outside, it may still hold moisture underneath and continue promoting corrosion.

High temperatures may also increase the rate of corrosion on components that are not properly ventilated, especially where moisture cannot evaporate freely. For this reason, it is important to keep the Kia EV6 clean and free of mud, salt, dirt, and other accumulated materials. This applies not only to visible painted surfaces, but also to the underside of the vehicle and concealed lower-body areas.

You can help reduce the risk of corrosion on your Kia EV6 by following the care recommendations below and by treating cleaning as regular preventive maintenance rather than only an appearance-related task.

Keep your vehicle clean

The most effective way to prevent corrosion is to keep your Kia EV6 clean and free from salt, dirt, mud, chemicals, and other corrosive deposits. The underside of the vehicle requires particular attention because contaminants can remain hidden and continue damaging metal surfaces over time.

If you live in a high-corrosion area — such as a region where road salt is used, a coastal area, an industrial zone, or a location affected by acid rain — additional care is required. During winter, rinse the underside of your Kia EV6 at least once a month, and perform a thorough underbody cleaning after the winter season ends.

When cleaning underneath the vehicle, pay close attention to areas below the fenders, around suspension components, inside lower body sections, and in spaces that are not easily visible. Cleaning must be thorough. Simply wetting accumulated mud without removing it may actually worsen corrosion by keeping moisture trapped against the surface. High-pressure water and steam cleaning can be very effective for removing packed mud and corrosive deposits when used carefully and at a safe distance.

When washing the lower door panels, rocker panels, and frame members of the Kia EV6, make sure the drain holes remain open and clear. These openings allow trapped moisture to escape instead of collecting inside enclosed sections where corrosion can develop more quickly.

Keep your garage dry

Do not park your Kia EV6 for long periods in a damp or poorly ventilated garage. Moisture trapped in an enclosed space creates favorable conditions for corrosion, especially if the vehicle is brought inside while wet, covered with snow, ice, road salt, or mud.

This concern also applies to heated garages. Warm air can speed up chemical reactions related to corrosion if ventilation is poor and moisture remains around the vehicle. A dry, well-ventilated storage area is much better for long-term protection of the Kia EV6 body and underbody components.

Keep paint and trim in good condition

Scratches, stone chips, and small areas of paint damage on your Kia EV6 should be repaired with suitable touch-up paint as soon as possible. Covering exposed areas helps reduce the chance of corrosion starting beneath the finish. If bare metal is visible, have the damaged area inspected and repaired by a qualified body and paint shop.

Bird droppings are highly corrosive and may damage painted surfaces within only a few hours. Remove them from the Kia EV6 as soon as possible using safe cleaning methods and plenty of water to avoid scratching the finish.

Don't neglect the interior

Moisture can collect under floor mats and carpeting, creating hidden conditions where corrosion may begin. Periodically check beneath the mats in your Kia EV6 to make sure the carpeting is completely dry, especially during winter or after driving in rain, snow, or muddy conditions.

Use extra care when transporting fertilizers, cleaning products, chemicals, or similar materials inside the vehicle. These substances should only be carried in sealed, suitable containers. If a spill or leak occurs, clean it immediately, rinse the affected carpeting with clean water, and dry the area thoroughly to prevent odor, staining, and possible corrosion beneath the interior trim.

Interior care

Use the following recommendations to help preserve the appearance, comfort, and long-term durability of your Kia EV6 interior. Proper maintenance of interior materials not only enhances the driving experience but also helps maintain the value of the vehicle over time.