• Try not to park near water sprinkler systems. The water used in the system may be reclaimed  and may cause permanent water spot damage to the paint and windows.
• Clean spills and stains immediately. The longer a spot or stain sets, the more difficult it will be to remove. Cotton terry towels are best because of their high absorbency.
• Bugs should be removed A.S.A.P. The acids in bugs can burn through the paint causing  permanent damage.
• Lottery ticket shavings may bond with leather & vinyl surfaces if left in a hot vehicle
• Some wheel cleaners are acid base and may cause permanent damage. Read directions carefully.
• Do not wash your vehicle using dish soap.  Dish soaps have chemicals that will strip away the wax leaving the surface exposed to UV rays and other harmful elements.
• Some window tints may be damaged by the smears and moisture from your pets nose.  (I have noticed that most vehicles that have tint damage also have pets that regularly ride in the vehicle.) Ammonia based cleaners may also damage window tint.
• Auto bras have the potential to cause damage by debris wedging between them and the hood. The vibration from normal operation may cause the debris to scratch the surface. Bras should be removed each time the vehicle is washed.
• Visors should be used if the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight to prevent sun fading & cracking.
• Try to avoid filling the windshield washer reservoir with regular tap water. sediments in the water may leave water spots that may become permanent. ( I use a gallon of Wal-Mart brand spring water in my Durango.)
• Deep cleaning of the interior leather & vinyl should be done periodically to prevent permanent discoloration of the surface.
• Leather needs regular application of conditioners to keep your leather supple and soft.

Be cautious of the self-serve carwash:

• Be sure to thoroughly spray-out the foaming wash brush before using it. It may contain harmful debris (rocks, dirt) that may scratch your vehicle.
• Be sure to rinse your vehicle completely with the "spot free" rinse. The water and soaps used to wash the vehicle may leave streak stains on the paint.