Cleaning the Exterior
Cleaning the Exterior
WARNING: Never charge your vehicle while washing it. Unplug the charging cable and close the charge port cover. Liquids entering the charge port while the cable is plugged in could result in serious personal injury, as well as damage to the vehicle, charging equipment, or property.
WARNING: After washing the vehicle, wet brakes can result in longer stopping distances. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle slowly while gently pressing the brake pedal a few times to warm up the brakes.
Your vehicle should be washed regularly to preserve the finish and maintain its overall appearance.
To protect the paint surfaces, wash your vehicle as soon as possible:
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When mud, dust, soot, or dirt builds up on the surface
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After driving on coastal roads or winter roads treated with salt
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When corrosive contaminants such as tree sap, bird droppings, or bugs collect on the surface
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After a rainfall to prevent possible damage from acid rain
Note: Any paint damage attributed to environmental influence or the use of a unauthorized cleaning product, abrasive cleaner, car wash, buffing, or polishing is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
ENVIRONMENTAL: It is illegal to pollute drains, rivers, and waterways. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that are hazardous to the environment. Used toxic chemicals must be disposed of at authorized waste disposal sites only. Always take precautions to prevent fluids from spilling.
Hand washing
CAUTION: Avoid using rough or tightly-napped cloths (such as washing mitts) on the vehicle, as these can be abrasive enough to damage the finish.
CAUTION: Avoid washing your vehicle in direct sunlight. Water and cleansers dry faster on a hot surface and can leave water spots or stains.
When washing your vehicle by hand, follow these steps:
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Rinse the entire vehicle first to remove as much excess dirt and dust as possible and reduce the risk of scratches from washing.
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Wash using a clean, soft cloth or sponge and cold or lukewarm water mixed with a mild car soap.
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Rinse your cleaning tools often to avoid rubbing debris into the finish, especially if your vehicle is exceptionally dirty.
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Do not aim water hoses directly at window, door, or hood seals, or through wheel apertures onto brake components.
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After washing, rinse the vehicle thoroughly with clean, cool water until all the soap has been removed.
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To avoid leaving water spots on the finish, dry the vehicle thoroughly with a chamois or cotton cloth.
Removing tar spots
CAUTION: Do not use acidic, abrasive, or petroleum-based cleansers, as these can damage the vehicle’s paint and the plastic or metal parts.
You can use denatured alcohol to remove tar spots and stubborn grease stains from paint.
After cleaning, immediately wash the area with soapy water to remove the alcohol.
Automatic car washes
CAUTION: Fisker strongly recommends against using automatic car washes on vehicles with matte finish paint.
CAUTION: Do not use a car wash that applies cleansers containing acid. Acid can react with the plastic in some vehicle components and damage them. Always check with your car wash to confirm that acid is not used.
CAUTION: Leave the windshield wipers in the off position while in a car wash to avoid damaging them.
Fisker recommends using touch-free automatic car washes that do not bring brushes or other cleaning tools in direct contact with the vehicle body.
Note: Vehicle or paint damage caused by using an automatic car wash is not covered under the vehicle warranty.
Pressure washers
WARNING: Do not use a pressure washer on orange high-voltage cables or connectors, or high-voltage components marked with a high-voltage warning label (lightning bolt on yellow background). Failure to do so could result in death, serious personal injury, and damage to the vehicle.
CAUTION: Do not use a pressure washer with a circular jet or bristle attachment, as it could damage the surface finish of components.
CAUTION: Pressure washers which have a pressure exceeding 1,200 PSI (82 bar) can damage or even remove vehicle paint if used improperly.
CAUTION: Do not use a hot or steam pressure washer with a temperature exceeding 120°F (48°C), as this could remove paint and surface protection from exterior parts.
Keep the nozzle at least 12 inches (30 cm) from the surface of the vehicle. Always keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the spray on a single area.
Do not aim the pressure washer at any of the following:
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Door and window seals
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Roof seals
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Ventilation intakes
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Plastic trim components
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Electrical components
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Exterior cameras or sensors
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Wheels, tires, or brake system components
Note: Vehicle or paint damage caused by using a pressure washer is not covered under the vehicle warranty.
Cameras and sensors
CAUTION: Do not use chemical-based or abrasive cleaners on cameras or sensors. Doing so can damage these components.
Flush away accumulations of dirt or debris from exterior cameras and sensors with a garden hose. Use a clean microfiber cloth and a mild car soap to carefully wipe these components clean. Avoid rubbing in dirt or other abrasive substances, as they can scratch the camera lenses.
Underbody maintenance
If salt has been used on the roadways (such as during winter months), thoroughly remove all traces of road salt. Use a hose to rinse salt from the underside of the vehicle.
Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where debris easily collects (such as wheel arches and panel seams).
Wheels
CAUTION: Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, as these will damage coated wheels.
Wash the wheels with warm, fresh water containing a good quality wash and wax shampoo. Thoroughly rinse the wheels to remove any soap residue.
Windshield, windows, and mirrors
CAUTION: Mirror glass is particularly susceptible to damage. Do not use abrasive cleaning compounds.
You should regularly clean all windows inside and out using a window cleaning solution. An automotive glass cleaner is recommended.
After washing your vehicle with washing or waxing products, clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Wiper blades
You should clean wiper blades using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or windshield washer fluid. Do not use petroleum-based cleaners.