Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Owner's Manual: Cleaning exterior

To preserve the exterior appearance and long-term value of your Nissan Sentra, it is essential to perform regular and proper exterior care. Consistent cleaning helps protect painted surfaces, trim, and exterior components from environmental damage.

To help protect the paint finish of your Nissan Sentra, wash the vehicle as soon as possible under the following conditions:

• After rainfall to reduce the risk of paint damage caused by acid rain.
• After driving on coastal or seaside roads where salt exposure is common.
• When contaminants such as soot, bird droppings, tree sap, metal particles, or insects adhere to the paint surface.
• When dust, dirt, or mud accumulates on exterior surfaces.

Whenever possible, store or park your Nissan Sentra inside a garage or in a covered location to reduce prolonged exposure to sunlight and environmental pollutants.

When outdoor parking is unavoidable, choose a shaded area or protect the vehicle using a properly fitted body cover.

Use caution to avoid scratching the paint surface when installing or removing a body cover.

Washing

Wash away dirt using a soft, wet sponge and plenty of clean water. Thoroughly clean the Nissan Sentra using a mild soap, dedicated automotive wash solution, or a general-purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.

CAUTION

• Do not direct concentrated water spray toward sonar sensors (if equipped) located on the bumper, as this may damage the sensors. Avoid using pressure washers exceeding 1,200 psi (8,274 kPa). High-pressure washing above this limit may damage or remove paint and exterior graphics. Keep the spray nozzle at least 12 inches (30 cm) from the vehicle, use a wide-angle nozzle, keep the nozzle moving continuously, and avoid focusing water on a single area.
• Do not use car wash facilities that utilize acidic detergents. Some brushless car washes use acidic solutions that may react with plastic vehicle components, leading to cracking, cosmetic damage, or impaired functionality. Always confirm that acid-based detergents are not used.
• Do not wash the vehicle using strong household soaps, harsh chemical detergents, gasoline, or solvents.
• Avoid washing the Nissan Sentra in direct sunlight or when the body is hot, as this may cause water spotting on painted surfaces.
• Do not use rough cloths or tight-napped materials such as abrasive washing mitts. Extra care is required when removing hardened dirt or foreign substances to prevent scratching or damaging the paint.

Rinse the vehicle thoroughly using plenty of clean water to remove all soap residue.

Interior edges, seams, and folds of doors, hatches, and the hood are especially vulnerable to road salt and moisture. These areas should be cleaned regularly.

Ensure that drain holes along the lower edges of the doors remain open. Spray water beneath the vehicle and inside the wheel wells to loosen dirt and flush away road salt buildup.

A damp chamois or microfiber cloth may be used to dry the Nissan Sentra and help prevent water spots.

Waxing

Regular waxing protects the paint finish of your Nissan Sentra and helps maintain a like-new appearance.

Before reapplying wax, light polishing is recommended to remove old wax residue and prevent a dull or weathered finish.

It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for guidance on selecting the appropriate wax or paint-care products.

• Apply wax only after thoroughly washing the vehicle and follow all product instructions carefully.
• Avoid waxes that contain abrasives, cutting compounds, or aggressive cleaners that may damage the paint finish.

Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on a base coat/clear coat paint system may dull the finish or create swirl marks.

Removing spots

Remove tar, oil spots, industrial dust, insects, and tree sap as soon as possible to prevent permanent staining or paint damage. Specialized cleaning products are available from a NISSAN dealer or automotive accessory retailer. For best results, it is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer.

Underbody

In regions where road salt is used during winter, the underbody of your Nissan Sentra should be cleaned regularly to prevent salt and dirt accumulation that may accelerate corrosion of underbody and suspension components.

Before winter and again in early spring, inspect the underseal and reapply protective treatment if necessary.

Glass

When cleaning the rear window, removal of the interior high-mounted stop light may improve access and ease of cleaning.

Use caution when removing the high-mounted stop light to avoid damaging the wiring or mounting clips.

To remove the high-mounted stop light:

1. Push the unit toward the rear of the Nissan Sentra.
2. Lift upward to remove.

The high-mounted stop light must always be properly reinstalled before driving your Nissan Sentra. Driving without the correctly installed high-mounted stop light may reduce rear visibility to other drivers and can result in unsafe driving conditions.

Use a high-quality automotive glass cleaner to remove smoke residue, dust, and interior film from all glass surfaces. It is normal for the glass in your Nissan Sentra to develop a thin film after prolonged parking in direct sunlight or high temperatures.

A dedicated glass cleaner and a soft, lint-free cloth will easily remove this film and help restore clear visibility.

Aluminum alloy wheels

Wash aluminum alloy wheels on your Nissan Sentra regularly using a sponge dampened with a mild soap solution. This is especially important during winter months or in regions where road salt is commonly used. If not promptly removed, road salt and grime can cause permanent discoloration or surface damage to the wheels.

CAUTION

Follow the instructions below to help prevent staining, corrosion, or discoloration of the aluminum alloy wheels:

• Do not use wheel cleaners that contain strong acidic or alkaline substances, as they may damage the wheel finish.
• Do not apply wheel cleaning products when the wheels are hot. Always allow the wheel temperature to cool to the ambient temperature before cleaning.
• Thoroughly rinse the wheels to completely remove any cleaner within 15 minutes after application.

Chrome parts

Clean all chrome exterior components on your Nissan Sentra regularly using a non-abrasive chrome polish. Proper care will help maintain the original shine and protect the chrome finish from corrosion.

CAUTION

Follow the instructions below to avoid staining or damaging chrome surfaces:

• Do not use cleaning products that contain strong acids or alkalis when cleaning chrome parts.

Tire dressings

NISSAN does not recommend the routine use of tire dressings on the tires of your Nissan Sentra. Tire manufacturers apply a special protective coating to help reduce rubber discoloration. Applying aftermarket tire dressings may react with this coating and form a residue.

This residue may transfer from the tire to the vehicle body while driving and could stain painted surfaces.

If you choose to use a tire dressing despite this recommendation, observe the following precautions:

• Use only a water-based tire dressing, as it is less likely to react with the factory tire coating compared to oil-based products.
• Apply a thin, even coat of tire dressing to minimize the chance of product migrating into the tire tread or grooves, where removal can be difficult.
• Carefully wipe away any excess tire dressing using a clean, dry towel. Ensure that no dressing remains on the tire tread or grooves.
• Allow the tire dressing to dry fully in accordance with the tire dressing manufacturer’s instructions before driving the vehicle.

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