Kia Seltos: Appearance care / Exterior care

Contents:

• Exterior general caution
• Finish maintenance
• Finish damage repair
• Bright-metal maintenance
• Underbody maintenance
• Aluminum wheel maintenance
• Corrosion protection
• Keep your vehicle clean
• Keep your garage dry
• Keep paint and trim in good condition
• Don't neglect the interior

Use the following information to maintain the exterior of your Kia Seltos. Keeping the exterior clean is not only visually pleasing, but also helps protect paint, trim, lamps, and body components from wear, contamination, and environmental damage.

NOTICE

If the Kia Seltos is parked near a stainless signboard, glass building, or other highly reflective structure, reflected sunlight may damage plastic exterior trim such as the bumper, spoiler, trim pieces, lamps, or outside mirrors. To help prevent damage, park the vehicle away from areas where strong reflected light may occur, or use a vehicle cover. The type and location of exterior trim may vary depending on the vehicle specification.

Exterior general caution

When using any chemical cleaner, wax, or polish on the Kia Seltos exterior, always follow the directions on the product label. Read all warning and caution statements carefully before use to avoid damage to paint, plastic trim, lenses, or other exterior surfaces.

Finish maintenance

Washing

To help protect the exterior finish of your Kia Seltos from rust, staining, and deterioration, wash the vehicle thoroughly and regularly, at least once a month, using lukewarm or cold water.

If the Kia Seltos is used for off-road driving, wash it after every off-road trip. Pay special attention to removing salt, dirt, mud, sand, and other foreign materials from the body and underbody. Make sure the drain holes along the lower edges of the doors and rocker panels remain open, clean, and free from debris.

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings, industrial pollution, road salt, and similar deposits can damage the vehicle's finish if they are not removed promptly.

Washing with plain water may not completely remove these deposits. A mild soap that is safe for painted automotive surfaces may be used when needed.

After washing, rinse the Kia Seltos thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow soap to dry on the paint, trim, or glass surfaces.

After washing the vehicle, test the brakes while driving slowly to make sure braking performance has not been affected by water. If braking feels reduced, dry the brakes by applying them lightly while driving forward at a slow speed.

CAUTION

• Do not use strong soap, harsh chemical detergents, or hot water. Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or when the body surface is warm.

• Be careful when washing the side windows of your Kia Seltos, especially when using high-pressure water. Water may enter through the windows and wet the interior.

• To prevent damage to plastic parts, exterior trim, and lamps, do not clean them with chemical solvents or strong detergents.

WARNING

After washing the Kia Seltos, test the brakes while driving slowly to check whether water has affected braking performance. If braking performance is reduced, dry the brakes by applying them gently while maintaining a slow forward speed.

High-pressure washing

When using a high-pressure washer, keep a safe distance between the nozzle and the vehicle surface. Holding the nozzle too close may damage paint, seals, lamps, sensors, emblems, trim, or electrical components.

Use extra care around door seals, camera lenses, parking sensors, lamp edges, and painted bumper surfaces to help preserve the appearance and reliability of your Kia Seltos.

Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure during washing can cause component damage or allow water to enter sensitive areas of the Kia Seltos.

Do not spray the camera, sensors, or the surrounding areas directly with a high-pressure washer. The force from high-pressure water may damage these devices or cause them to operate incorrectly.

Do not place the nozzle tip close to rubber boots, plastic covers, connectors, or wiring points. These parts may be damaged if they are struck directly by high-pressure water.

CAUTION

Wetting engine compartment

• Washing the engine compartment with water, especially high-pressure water, may cause failure of electrical circuits located in the engine compartment.

• Never allow water or other liquids to contact electrical or electronic components, connectors, or the air duct inside the Kia Seltos, as this may damage them.

Waxing

Wax the Kia Seltos when water no longer beads on the painted surface.

Always wash and dry the vehicle before applying wax. Use a good-quality liquid or paste wax and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wax all metal trim to help protect it and maintain its shine.

Removing oil, tar, insects, and similar materials with a spot remover will usually remove wax from the finish. Re-wax these areas afterward, even if the rest of the vehicle does not yet need waxing.

When waxing around lamps, be careful not to touch or coat the lens surface, as residue may affect clarity and appearance.

CAUTION

Drying vehicle

• Wiping dust or dirt from the body with a dry cloth may scratch the painted finish.

• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, acid detergents, or strong detergents containing highly alkaline or caustic agents on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts. These products may damage the protective coating and cause discoloration, dullness, or paint deterioration.

Finish damage repair

Deep scratches, stone chips, or exposed areas in the painted surface of your Kia Seltos should be repaired as soon as possible. If bare metal is left unprotected, rust can form quickly and may lead to more expensive body repairs later.

NOTICE

If your Kia Seltos is damaged and requires metal repair or replacement, make sure the body shop applies proper anti-corrosion materials to all repaired or replaced parts. This helps protect the vehicle body from future rust and deterioration.

Bright-metal maintenance

To remove road tar, insects, or sticky deposits from bright-metal parts, use a proper tar remover. Do not use scrapers, blades, or other sharp objects that may scratch the surface.

To help protect bright-metal surfaces from corrosion, apply a coating of wax or chrome preservative and polish the surface to a clean, high-luster finish.

During winter or when driving in coastal areas, protect bright-metal parts with a heavier layer of wax or preservative. If needed, apply non-corrosive petroleum jelly or another suitable protective compound.

Underbody maintenance

Corrosive materials used for ice and snow removal, as well as dust-control chemicals, can collect on the underbody of the Kia Seltos. If these materials are not removed, rust may develop faster on underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame sections, floor panels, and the exhaust system, even if these parts have been treated with rust protection.

Thoroughly rinse the underbody and wheel openings of your Kia Seltos with lukewarm or cold water at least once a month, after off-road driving, and at the end of each winter. Pay close attention to these areas because mud, salt, and dirt can be difficult to see. Simply wetting road grime without washing it away may do more harm than good.

The lower edges of the doors, rocker panels, and frame members have drain holes that must remain open. If these holes become clogged with dirt, trapped water may remain inside and cause rust.

Aluminum wheel maintenance

The aluminum wheels on the Kia Seltos are coated with a clear protective finish. Proper cleaning helps preserve their appearance and prevents corrosion.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners, polishing compounds, solvents, or wire brushes on aluminum wheels. These products may scratch or damage the clear finish.

• Clean the wheels only after they have cooled.

• Use only mild soap or a neutral detergent, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Always clean the wheels after driving on salted roads to help prevent corrosion.

• Avoid washing the wheels with high-speed vehicle wash brushes, as they may damage the wheel finish.

• Do not use alkaline or acid detergents. These chemicals may damage and corrode aluminum wheels coated with a clear protective finish.

Corrosion protection

Protecting your Kia Seltos from corrosion

Kia uses advanced design, materials, and construction methods to help protect the Kia Seltos from corrosion and maintain long-term body durability. However, factory protection is only part of the process. To achieve the best corrosion resistance over the life of the vehicle, regular care and attention from the owner are also necessary.

Common causes of corrosion

The most common causes of corrosion on your Kia Seltos include:

• Road salt, dirt, mud, and moisture that are allowed to build up underneath the vehicle.

• Damage to paint or protective coatings caused by stones, gravel, abrasion, minor scrapes, or dents. These can expose bare metal and allow corrosion to begin.

High-corrosion areas

If you live in an area where the vehicle is regularly exposed to corrosive materials, corrosion protection is especially important. Common causes of accelerated corrosion include road salt, dust-control chemicals, ocean air, acid rain, and industrial pollution.

Moisture breeds corrosion

Moisture creates conditions where corrosion is most likely to develop. Corrosion can be accelerated by high humidity, especially when temperatures are just above freezing. Moisture keeps corrosive materials in contact with the vehicle surface and may evaporate slowly.

Mud is particularly corrosive because it dries slowly and holds moisture against the vehicle. Even when mud appears dry on the surface, it may still contain moisture underneath and continue to promote corrosion.

High temperatures can also accelerate corrosion on parts that are not properly ventilated, because trapped moisture may not disperse quickly. For these reasons, it is important to keep your Kia Seltos clean and free from mud, salt, and other buildup. This applies not only to visible painted surfaces, but especially to the underside of the vehicle.

To help prevent corrosion

You can help prevent corrosion from starting by following these care recommendations.

Keep your vehicle clean

The best way to help prevent corrosion is to keep your Kia Seltos clean and free from corrosive materials. Special attention should be given to the underside of the vehicle, where salt, mud, and road chemicals can collect unnoticed.

If you live in a high-corrosion area, such as a region where road salt is used, a coastal area, or a location affected by industrial pollution or acid rain, take extra care to protect the vehicle. During winter, rinse the underside of your Kia Seltos at least once a month and clean it thoroughly when winter is over.

When cleaning underneath the vehicle, pay close attention to the areas under the fenders and other hidden sections where mud and salt may collect. Clean thoroughly rather than simply wetting the accumulated dirt, because damp mud left in place may accelerate corrosion instead of preventing it. High-pressure water and steam can be especially effective for removing mud and corrosive deposits when used carefully.

When cleaning lower door panels, rocker panels, and frame members, make sure the drain holes remain open. These openings allow moisture to escape; if they become clogged, trapped water can accelerate rust and corrosion inside the body structure.

Regular washing, careful inspection, and prompt repair of paint damage help preserve the appearance, structural protection, and long-term value of the Kia Seltos.

Keep your garage dry

Do not park your Kia Seltos in a damp or poorly ventilated garage. Moisture trapped in an enclosed space creates favorable conditions for corrosion. This is especially important if you wash the vehicle inside the garage or drive it into the garage while it is still wet, covered with snow, ice, mud, or road salt.

Even a heated garage can contribute to corrosion if it does not have proper ventilation. Good airflow helps moisture evaporate and reduces the chance of rust forming on the body, underbody, and hidden metal parts.

Keep paint and trim in good condition

Scratches, stone chips, or damaged areas in the finish should be covered with touch-up paint as soon as possible to reduce the risk of corrosion. If bare metal is visible, have the area inspected and repaired by a qualified body and paint shop.

Bird droppings are highly corrosive and may damage painted surfaces within just a few hours. Always remove bird droppings from your Kia Seltos as soon as possible using a safe cleaner and a soft cloth.

Don't neglect the interior

Moisture can collect under floor mats and carpeting, which may eventually cause corrosion. Check under the mats periodically to make sure the carpet is dry, especially during winter or rainy weather.

Take extra care when carrying fertilizers, cleaning materials, chemicals, or other liquids in the Kia Seltos. These items should be transported only in proper sealed containers. Any spills or leaks should be cleaned immediately, rinsed with clean water when appropriate, and dried thoroughly.