Clean each exterior component using methods and products suited to its material, finish, and location on the Toyota Tacoma.
Cleaning instructions
- Beginning at the top and working downward, rinse the vehicle body thoroughly with plenty of water. Pay particular attention to the wheel wells and underside of the vehicle so that accumulated dirt, dust, mud, and other loose contaminants are washed away rather than rubbed across finished surfaces.
- Wash the vehicle body with a clean sponge or a soft cloth, such as a chamois. Use gentle movements to reduce the possibility of scratching or marking the exterior finish.
- For stains or deposits that cannot be removed with water alone, use an appropriate car wash soap. After cleaning the affected area, rinse thoroughly with clean water so that no soap residue remains on the surface.
- Remove remaining water from the exterior after rinsing. Drying the body helps prevent water from remaining on painted and finished surfaces.
- Apply wax when the effectiveness of the vehicle's water-repellent coating begins to deteriorate. Maintaining this protective layer helps preserve the exterior finish of the Toyota Tacoma.
If water no longer forms beads on a clean painted surface, wax the vehicle while the body panels are cool. Applying wax under these conditions provides a more suitable surface for the protective treatment.
Automatic car washes
- Fold the outside mirrors before placing the vehicle in an automatic car wash to reduce the possibility of contact or damage during the washing process.
Enter the car wash with the front of the vehicle facing forward as intended by the equipment. After washing has been completed, extend the mirrors to their normal driving position before driving the vehicle.
- Be aware that brushes and other cleaning equipment used by automatic car washes can scratch painted surfaces or exterior components, including the wheels, and may damage or dull the vehicle's paint finish over time.
High pressure car washes
Because high-pressure water can be forced into the cabin, do not position the nozzle close to gaps around the doors or along the perimeter of the windows. Avoid directing a concentrated spray continuously at these areas, where pressurized water may pass through seals or openings.
When using a car wash
If a door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within its effective operating range, the doors may repeatedly lock and unlock. If this occurs while washing the Toyota Tacoma, use the following procedures to prevent unintended Smart key system operation:
- Keep the electronic key at least 6 ft. (2 m) away from the vehicle while washing is in progress. Store the key in a secure location and take appropriate precautions to prevent it from being stolen.
- Alternatively, set the electronic key to battery-saving mode. Doing so disables Smart key system operation while the vehicle is being washed.
Wheels and wheel ornaments
- Remove dirt from the wheels and wheel ornaments promptly with a neutral detergent. Allowing contamination to remain on the surface can make subsequent cleaning more difficult.
- Rinse the detergent away thoroughly with clean water immediately after cleaning rather than allowing it to dry on the wheel surface.
- To avoid damaging painted or finished wheel surfaces, observe all of the following precautions during cleaning:
- Do not use acidic, alkaline, or abrasive detergents, as these products may attack or scratch the surface finish.
- Do not scrub the wheels with hard brushes or similarly aggressive cleaning tools.
- Do not apply detergent while the wheels are hot, such as immediately after driving or after the vehicle has been parked in hot weather. Allow the wheels to cool before cleaning them.
Brake pads and calipers
Rust can develop when the vehicle is parked while the brake pads or disc rotors are still wet, and this may cause the components to stick. After washing the vehicle, drive slowly before parking and apply the brakes several times. The resulting brake operation helps remove moisture and dry the brake components.
Bumpers and wheel arch moldings
Do not scrub the bumpers or wheel arch moldings with abrasive cleaners. Aggressive products or cleaning methods can scratch, discolor, or otherwise damage these exterior surfaces.
Plated portions
If ordinary washing does not remove dirt from plated exterior parts, clean the affected surfaces using the following procedure:
- Dampen a soft cloth with an approximately 5% mixture of neutral detergent and water, then gently wipe the plated surface until the contamination has been removed.
- After cleaning, wipe the surface with a clean, dry, soft cloth to remove residual moisture and prevent water from remaining on the finish.
- For oily deposits that are difficult to remove with the detergent solution, use alcohol wet wipes or a similar suitable product and clean the affected area carefully.
WARNING
When washing the vehicle
Do not direct or apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Water entering this area can affect electrical components and other equipment and may create a risk of fire.
Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gases heat the exhaust pipe to a very high temperature during vehicle operation. When washing the vehicle, do not touch the exhaust pipe until it has cooled sufficiently. Contact with a hot exhaust pipe can result in burns.
Precaution regarding the front and rear bumpers
Damage to the painted surfaces of the front or rear bumper, including chips and scratches, may interfere with the correct operation of certain driver assistance and safety systems. If bumper paint is damaged, have the Toyota Tacoma inspected by your Toyota dealer.
- BSM (if equipped)
- RCTA (if equipped)
- PKSB (if equipped)
- Intuitive parking assist (if equipped)
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
NOTICE
To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (aluminum wheels, etc.)
- Wash the vehicle as soon as practical in any of the following situations, as prolonged exposure to these contaminants can accelerate deterioration of paint, finishes, and exterior components:
- After driving near the sea coast, where airborne salt and moisture may settle on the vehicle.
- After traveling on roads treated with salt or other deicing materials.
- When coal tar or tree sap has adhered to a painted surface.
- When dead insects, insect residue, or bird droppings are present on the paint. Remove these contaminants before they remain on the finish for an extended period.
- After driving through an area contaminated by soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder, or chemical substances.
- Whenever the exterior becomes heavily covered with dust or mud.
- If liquids such as benzene or gasoline are spilled onto a painted surface. Clean the affected area without unnecessary delay.
- If paint is chipped or scratched, arrange for the damaged area to be repaired promptly to reduce the possibility of corrosion developing at the exposed location.
- When wheels are removed for storage, clean off dirt and other deposits first. Store the wheels in a location with low humidity to help protect them against corrosion.
Cleaning the exterior lights
- Clean the exterior lights carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub the lenses with a hard brush.
Such products or cleaning tools can scratch, cloud, or otherwise damage the light surfaces.
- Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the exterior lights.
Wax can adversely affect the lenses and may damage their surface finish.
When using a high pressure car wash
- When washing the vehicle with high-pressure equipment, do not direct the spray at a camera or the area immediately surrounding it. The impact of concentrated high-pressure water may affect the camera and prevent the device from operating normally.
- Do not spray high-pressure water directly at the radar installed behind the emblem. A concentrated jet striking this area may damage the device.
- Keep the nozzle away from boots, including rubber or resin covers, electrical connectors, and the components listed below. Direct exposure to high-pressure water can damage these parts or their protective coverings.
- Traction related parts
- Steering parts
- Suspension parts
- Brake parts
- Maintain a distance of at least 11.9 in. (30 cm) between the cleaning nozzle and the vehicle body. Holding the nozzle closer can deform or damage resin components, including moldings and bumpers.
Do not keep the high-pressure nozzle aimed continuously at a single location, even when the recommended distance from the body is maintained.
- Do not continuously direct high-pressure water toward the lower portion of the windshield.
Water entering the air conditioning system intake located near the bottom of the windshield may interfere with normal operation of the air conditioning system.
- Do not clean the underside of the vehicle with a high-pressure car washer, as the concentrated water stream may affect components located beneath the vehicle.
When raising the windshield wiper arms
When lifting the windshield wiper arms, grasp and raise them by the hook portions of the wiper arms.
Do not lift the wiper assemblies by holding only the wiper blades. Doing so can bend or deform the blades and may affect their contact with the windshield.
- Hook parts
Cleaning the high mounted stoplight and cargo lamps
When using a high-pressure car washer around the high mounted stoplight and cargo lamps, keep the nozzle tip at least 20 in. (50 cm) away from the vehicle body. Bringing the nozzle closer can force water into the lamp housing or vehicle cabin, so maintain the specified distance while cleaning these areas.
