Basic information

Proper exterior care is essential for preserving the finish and overall appearance of your Nissan Murano. Regular cleaning helps prevent dirt, environmental residue, and other contaminants from remaining on painted surfaces long enough to cause staining, discoloration, or premature deterioration.

To protect the paintwork, wash the vehicle as soon as reasonably possible under the following conditions:

• After rainfall, because rainwater may contain contaminants that can contribute to acid-rain damage if allowed to dry on the surface.
• After driving along coastal roads, where salt carried by the air or road spray may settle on the body and exposed exterior components.
• Whenever soot, bird droppings, tree sap, metal particles, insects, or similar contaminants are present on the painted surfaces. Remove these substances promptly, as they may become more difficult to clean after drying.
• When visible layers of dust, mud, or road grime have accumulated on the exterior of the Nissan Murano.

Whenever practical, store or park the vehicle in a garage or another covered location. Keeping the vehicle sheltered helps reduce prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, precipitation, airborne debris, and other environmental conditions that may affect the exterior finish.

When outdoor parking cannot be avoided, select a shaded area whenever possible or protect the vehicle with a suitable body cover.

Take care when installing or removing a body cover. Dirt trapped between the cover and the paint, or rough movement across the body panels, may scratch or damage the painted surface.

Washing

Begin by rinsing away loose dirt with plenty of clean water, then use a wet sponge to clean the exterior gently. Wash the Nissan Murano thoroughly with mild soap, a product intended specifically for vehicle washing, or general-purpose dishwashing liquid diluted with clean, lukewarm water. Never use hot water, as excessive heat may affect the finish and increase the likelihood of spotting.

CAUTION

• Do not direct a concentrated stream of water at the sonar sensors, if equipped, located in the bumper, because excessive water pressure may damage them. Do not wash the vehicle with a pressure washer capable of producing more than 1,200 psi (8,274 kPa). Pressure above this limit may damage or remove paint and exterior graphics. Keep the nozzle at least 12 inches (30 cm) away from the vehicle, use only a wide-angle spray pattern, keep the nozzle moving continuously, and never focus the spray on one area for an extended period.
• Do not use an automatic car wash that includes acid in its detergent. Some facilities, particularly certain brushless car washes, use acidic cleaning agents that may react with plastic exterior components. This can cause cracking, affect appearance, or interfere with proper component operation. Confirm with the car wash operator that acidic detergents are not used before allowing the vehicle to be cleaned.
• Do not clean the vehicle with strong household soap, aggressive chemical detergents, gasoline, solvents, or other unsuitable cleaning products. These substances may damage the paint, trim, seals, or other exterior materials.
• Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or while the body panels are hot. Water and cleaning solution may dry too quickly on a heated surface, leaving visible spots or streaks.
• Avoid tight-napped, coarse, or abrasive cloths and washing mitts. When removing dried mud, hardened dirt, or other stubborn material, soften the contamination with water first and clean it carefully to avoid scratching or otherwise damaging the paint surface.

Inner edges, seams, joints, and folded sections around the doors, liftgate, and hood are especially vulnerable to moisture, dirt, and road salt. Because contaminants can collect in these less visible areas, clean them regularly to help protect the Nissan Murano bodywork from staining and corrosion.

Make sure the drain holes along the lower edges of the doors remain open and free of dirt or debris. Rinse beneath the vehicle and inside the wheel wells with water to loosen accumulated mud and wash away road salt that may remain on exposed surfaces.

After washing, dry the Nissan Murano with a clean, damp chamois to remove remaining moisture and reduce the formation of water spots on the paint and exterior trim.

Waxing

Regular waxing adds a protective layer over the painted surfaces and helps maintain the clean, well-cared-for appearance of the vehicle. Wax can also reduce direct exposure of the finish to moisture, dirt, and common environmental contaminants.

Before applying a new coat of wax, polishing may be necessary to remove accumulated wax residue and restore a more even appearance to paint that has begun to look dull or weathered.

A NISSAN dealer can help you select a suitable product for the paint finish and exterior surfaces of your Nissan Murano.

• Apply wax only after the vehicle has been washed thoroughly and the surface is clean. Follow all application, drying, and removal instructions supplied with the selected product.
• Do not use wax that contains abrasives, cutting compounds, harsh cleaners, or other ingredients that could scratch, dull, or otherwise damage the exterior finish.

Machine compounding or overly aggressive polishing of a base coat and clear coat paint finish may reduce the gloss, create visible swirl marks, or leave an uneven appearance. Use gentle techniques and suitable products whenever the painted surfaces are polished.

Removing spots

Remove tar, oil residue, industrial fallout, insects, tree sap, and similar contaminants from the exterior surfaces as soon as possible. Allowing these materials to remain on the paint may lead to permanent staining, discoloration, or surface damage.

During the life of the vehicle, orange or brown rust-colored spots may occasionally appear on the exterior finish. These marks can be caused by small particles of iron-containing debris that settle on the body while the Nissan Murano is being driven.

Specialized products for removing these contaminants are available from NISSAN dealers and automotive accessory stores. It is recommended that you consult a NISSAN dealer when selecting an appropriate cleaner for the affected surface.

Underbody

In regions where road salt is applied during winter, clean the underbody regularly to prevent mud, moisture, and salt from accumulating. Continued buildup may accelerate corrosion on underbody components and parts of the suspension.

Inspect the protective underbody coating before the winter season and check it again in spring. If the coating is damaged, worn, or incomplete, have the affected areas treated as necessary to maintain protection.

Glass

Use an appropriate automotive glass cleaner to remove dust, smoke residue, and surface film from the windows. A light film may naturally develop on the glass after the vehicle has remained parked in strong sunlight or high temperatures.

Apply the glass cleaner with a clean, soft cloth and wipe the surface carefully until the film, streaks, and remaining residue have been removed.

CAUTION When cleaning the interior surfaces of the windows, do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaning products, or chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. These materials may scratch the glass or damage the electrical conductors, radio antenna elements, and rear window defroster elements incorporated into the window.

Aluminum alloy wheels

Clean the aluminum alloy wheels regularly with a soft sponge dampened in a mild soap solution. Frequent washing is especially important during winter in regions where road salt is applied, because salt left on the wheel surfaces may cause staining, discoloration, or deterioration of their appearance.

CAUTION Follow the precautions below when cleaning the Nissan Murano wheels to help prevent staining, discoloration, or damage to the finish:

• Do not use wheel cleaners containing strong acids or alkalis. Aggressive chemicals may react with the wheel finish and leave permanent marks or discoloration.
• Do not apply cleaning products while the wheels are hot. Allow the wheels to cool until their temperature is approximately the same as the surrounding air before beginning the cleaning process.
• Rinse each wheel thoroughly within 15 minutes after applying the cleaner. Make sure all remaining product is removed from the visible surfaces, openings, and recessed areas.

Chrome parts

Clean all chrome-finished parts regularly with a suitable non-abrasive chrome polish. Gentle and consistent care helps remove surface residue while maintaining the clean, reflective appearance of the Nissan Murano exterior trim.

CAUTION Follow the instruction below to avoid staining, discoloration, or deterioration of chrome-finished components:

• Do not use cleaners containing strong acids or alkalis on chrome parts. These chemicals may damage the finish or leave visible marks that cannot be removed through normal cleaning.

Tire dressings

NISSAN does not recommend applying tire dressing products. Tire manufacturers place a coating on the rubber to help reduce discoloration, and some dressings may react with this coating to form a residue. During driving, the resulting compound may separate from the tire and be thrown onto the Nissan Murano bodywork, where it can stain the painted surfaces.

If you decide to apply a tire dressing, follow the precautions below carefully:

• Choose a water-based tire dressing. It is less likely than an oil-based product to react strongly with or dissolve the protective coating applied to the tire.
• Apply only a thin, even layer. Prevent the product from entering the tire tread or grooves, where it may be difficult to remove and may remain after application.
• Use a clean, dry towel to wipe away all excess dressing. Confirm that no product remains on the tread surface or inside the grooves before driving the Nissan Murano.
• Allow the tire dressing to dry for the period specified by the product manufacturer before operating the vehicle.