Fiat Punto: Bodywork

Fiat Punto Owners Manual

PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS

The main causes of corrosion are the following:

• atmospheric pollution;
• salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or hot humid climates);
• seasonal environment conditions.

Not to be underestimated is also the abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust and sand and mud and gravel raised by other vehicles.

On your Fiat Punto, Fiat implemented the best manufacturing technologies to effectively protect the bodywork against corrosion.

These include:

• Painting products and systems which give the car particular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
• Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel sheets, with high resistance to corrosion;
• Spraying the underbody, engine compartment, wheelhouse internal parts and other parts with highly protective wax products;
• Spraying of plastic parts, with a protective function, in the more exposed points: underdoor, inner fender parts, edges, etc.;
• Use of “open” boxed sections to prevent condensation and pockets of moisture from triggering rust inside.

BODY AND UNDERBODY WARRANTY

Your Fiat Punto is covered by warranty against perforation due to rust of any original element of the structure or body. For the general terms of this warranty, refer to Warranty Booklet booklet.

ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE BODYWORK

Paint

Paintwork does not only serve an aestethic purpose, but also protects the underlying sheet metal.

In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you are advised to have the necessary touching up carried out immediately to avoid the formation of rust. Use only original paint products for touching up (see “Bodywork paint identification plate” in “Technical specification” section).

Normal paint maintenance consists in washing at intervals depending on the conditions and environment of use. For example, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the car more frequently.

To correctly wash the car:

• remove the aerial from the roof to prevent damage to it if the car is washed in an automatic system;
• wash the body using a low pressure jet of water;
• wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy solution over the bodywork, frequently rinsing with the sponge;
• rinse well with water and dry with a jet of air or a chamois leather.

When drying, take particular care with the less visible parts like door surrounds, bonnet and around the headlights where water may stagnate. The car should not be taken to a closed area immediately, but left in the open so that residual water can evaporate.

Do not wash the car after it has been left in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine of the paintwork.

Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way as the rest of the vehicle.

Where possible, do not park under trees; the resinous substance many species release give the paint a dull appearance and increase the possibility of triggering rust processes.

IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be washed off immediately and thoroughly as the acid they contain is particularly aggressive.

Detergents cause water pollution. Therefore the engine compartment should be washed in areas equipped for collecting and purifying the liquid used in the washing process.

Front headlights

IMPORTANT Never use aromatic substances (e.g.: petrol) or ketones (e.g.: acetone) for cleaning front headlight plastic lens.

Windows

Use specific window cleaner products. Use also clean cloths to avoid scratching the glass or damaging the transparency.

IMPORTANT The inside of the rearscreen should be wiped gently with a cloth in the direction of the filaments to avoid damaging the heating device.

Engine compartment

At the end of the winter the engine compartment should be carefully washed, without directing the jet against electronic control units. Contact a specialised workshop to have this done.

IMPORTANT The car should be washed with the engine cold and the ignition key at STOP. After washing make sure that the various protections (e.g.: rubber caps and various covers) have not been damaged or removed.