EMEA Dealership Compound

INTRODUCTION 

This Service News provides the main instructions to be followed for parking, storage and maintenance of new vehicles in compounds in order to prevent any damage due to improper vehicle storage/moving.

The instructions include:

1. General standards for compound arrangement
2. Management regulations concerning vehicles stocked in compounds
3. Vehicle maintenance operations whilst in the compounds

1. GENERAL STANDARDS FOR COMPOUND ARRANGEMENT 

General standards for compound setup - Network information.

1.1 COMPOUND STRUCTURAL SPECIFICATIONS 

To ensure the best possible conditions for vehicles in storage, the vehicle storage and transit areas must meet the following basic specifications.

• • The ground surface must have draining capacity, be compact and stable; ideal conditions include a compound floor made entirely of asphalt or cement. As an exception for the vehicle parking area only, a stable and compact draining gravel surface is allowed; in this case, the driving lanes must be made of asphalt or cement. A hard-packed soil surface or grass surface is strictly forbidden.
• • The compounds should not include trees/bushes or any other type of vegetation in Proximity to the vehicle parking area. Where trees are present within the compound, a space of no less than 15 meters must be provided between the trees and the storage area.
• • The structure must comply with environmental regulations in force.
• • The compound and the immediately adjacent areas must be protected from floods, falling objects and any type of chemical aggression (presence of salt deposits, vegetable flours, ferrous waste); to protect this requirement, it is necessary to guarantee a clearance of no less than 15 meters or special protections.
• • In the case of cultivations at the rear of the compound (fruit trees, poplars or similar), a clearance of no less than 15 meters must be provided (inside or outside the compound).
• • Absence, in an area less than 3 km from the compound, of industrial plants and/or warehouses that produce emissions and residues of potentially aggressive processes (e.g. oil refineries, thermal power stations supplied by fuel oil/coal, plants with emissions of steel/cast iron/cement/ceramic/etc. dust, waste dumps).
• • There must be no building sites (special protection measures may be necessary in the case of temporary works).
• • There must be no waste water on the compound surface; for this reason, it is necessary to arrange for a water drainage system or sloped surface to favor and ensure an outflow.
• • Transit routes and level differences (thresholds, ramps) must be made without excessive discontinuity that might lead to impact and damage to the underbody.

1.2 CLOTHING OF PERSONNEL IN THE COMPOUND 

Regardless and without prejudice to the safety requirements established by the law, for the purposes of this procedure it is understood that the personnel working on the compound (except administrative office personnel) must wear, regularly and throughout the year, high visibility work clothes (trousers and jacket).

In any case, anyone who has access to the compound area where the vehicles are located (drivers, administrative staff, external workers, etc.), in order to avoid damage to vehicles, must:

• • Wear clothing without accessories such as buttons, rivets, zippers and buckles (both metal and plastic), keys, pointed objects, bracelets, rings, velcro-type closures for clothing.
• • Wear high-visibility, scratch-resistant jackets.
• • Wear appropriate protection for watches and belts with buckles, if it is essential to use them.
• • Do not wear waist bags or document holders on the belt.

For the above, a sufficient availability of high visibility and anti-scratch jackets must be guaranteed, so that they can be worn by those entering in the compound (external companies, persons in charge of the compound supervision and inspections, etc.).

1.3 COMPOUND EQUIPMENT AND STRUCTURES 

Compounds must comply with the following requirements:

1. Loading/unloading lanes on the compound surface must be clearly marked, with suitable numbering displayed on vertical and/or horizontal signs (white or yellow lines).
2. Car spaces must:
   • Be marked out with vertical and/or horizontal lines (white or yellow lines).
   • Have a width not less than 2.50 meters.
   • Have alphanumeric numbering on vertical and/or horizontal signs (white or yellow lines), so that the vehicle can be immediately traced.
3. For vehicle protection and safety purposes, it is preferable to install hail nets in the area where the vehicles are stored.
4. The compounds must be provided with a sheltered building to house administration/operational offices.
5. A fuel refueling/refilling area must be set up inside the compound in compliance with current legislation and product protection: the area will store approved tanks which allow the different fuels available to be immediately recognized (e.g. different colors between diesel and petrol). Protective gloves must be available near the refilling area in order to prevent contamination of the vehicle parts following refueling.
6. For batteries recharging, the compounds must have:
   • A special ventilated room equipped with adequate fire protection systems, according to current legislation (for batteries with quick release, where the charging takes place on batteries extracted from the engine compartment of the vehicle).
   • A special area suitably protected from rain and/or other atmospheric agents (for batteries without quick release, where the charging takes place directly on batteries inside the vehicle engine compartment).
   • The presence of four (4) zones separated from each other (all the zones must be equipped with a special parking area with a tank covered by a grating to collect fluids in the event of spillage):
     • A collection area for the batteries to be recharged.
     • A battery recharge area.
     • A collection area for batteries already recharged.
     • A collection area for used batteries.
   • Each battery must be identified with an adhesive label where the chassis number and date in which they are removed from the vehicle are written; when the batteries are returned to the corresponding vehicles, the adhesive label can be removed.
   • All battery rooms and related parking zones must be marked with appropriate signs.
7. A distance of at least 15 meters must always be guaranteed between the battery charging stations and the vehicle storage areas.
8. The compound must contain a zone dedicated to washing vehicles and wax/film/preformed/full body cover removal. (the area must be equipped in compliance with the accident prevention regulations in force); the area must have pressure spray lances or a pressure washing system, with the brushes disabled (except for brushes with expandable bristles composed of a mixture of polyethylene and cloth, for example, the Carlite model).
9. Washing and wax/film/preformed/full body cover removal must be carried out in an enclosed area or under a sheltered area, in order to ensure sufficient shade for the vehicle.
10. The compound must necessarily have a raised platform for washing and/or wax/film/preformed/full body cover removal of the roof of vehicles with height over 1.50 meters; the platform must have a rise of at least 40 cm from the support surface and must be provided with a railing, according to current legislation.
11. The compound must contain a whole series of equipment for maintenance activities (the compound is fully responsible to ensure that the equipment in its possession operates appropriately and therefore that the maintenance is carried out without interruption; no stops or delays are allowed during the maintenance activities due to faults or failures in the equipment required):
    • Vacuum cleaner (minimum power 1800 W).
    • Water jet cleaners with maximum working pressure of 110 bar and with the possibility of regulating the water temperature through a thermostat.
      NOTE:

      The water jet cleaner is also necessary for compounds equipped with a washing system with brushes, as it is an immediate alternative solution in the event of malfunction or failure (it can also be used in the event of partial fouling of the bodywork, which can be removed without moving the vehicle).

    • Battery charger and instrument to test battery efficiency (for the instruments to be used, follow the indications provided by the relevant Service News).
    • Digital torque wrench.
    • Digital pressure gauge.
      NOTE:

      The torque wrench and pressure gauge must be accompanied by documentation certifying the annual calibration update at a S.I.T. center. (Calibration Service in Italy) center or another center accredited by the national accreditation body recognized by EA (European co-operation for Accreditation). This documentation must always be readily available for verification.

12. If the compound is used for sending/receiving vehicles through railway transport, it must have fixed and/or mobile ramps with a slope not greater than 14%, i.e. 8°. Mobile ramps used for access to the wagons must be equipped with:
    • Perfectly operating regulation system (positioning adjacent to the flap of the first pulling wagon).
    • Straps and chains to block the ramp against the pull of wagons.

1.4 COMPOUND ANTI-INTRUSION SYSTEM 

The compound must be closed, illuminated and equipped with an anti-intrusion security system.

The following characteristics are required:

• Perimeter fence of adequate strength, with masonry base without discontinuity (insufficient concrete blocks); only those parts of the perimeter guaranteed by the presence of natural/artificial barriers, which structurally/objectively inhibit any attempt to escape with vehicles (rivers or channels), can be excluded from the presence of this fence.
• Towers-light or luminescent diffusers suitable to ensure adequate night lighting of the compound area.
• Video surveillance system managed by the company's Industrial Security that manages the compound and/or Personnel involved 24-hour to the Security and Vigilance service of the entire area of the compound.

Access to the compounds must be allowed only to authorized persons.

Vehicles authorized to circulate on the compound must necessarily be provided with an orange/yellow flashing strobe light on the roof, therefore sufficient availability of portable flashlights must be guaranteed to be applied to any other vehicles authorized for circulation (external companies, persons in charge of the compound supervision and inspections, etc.); only vehicles provided with this equipment will be authorized to circulate in the compound, with the exception of all those used to load the vehicles and those assigned to the 24H Security and Supervision service or Industrial Security service of the company that manages the compound.

The total absence of any obstacle on traffic lanes is recommended.

1.5 STORAGE AREA MAINTENANCE 

The compound areas must be cleaned and subject to regular maintenance so that its surface is clear of grass, moss, gravel, holes, nails, accumulation of anti-ice salt and all elements that might puncture tires and/or cause damage to painted parts.

Special maintenance is required on components subject to rust and on all equipment close to stored vehicles (ramps, slides, structure for hail nets, etc.).

It is also required to perform maintenance of the steel cables and of the anti-hail nets metal structure (where present), because they must not show rust oxidation in the parts above the cars.

1.6 ACOUSTIC BOLLARDS AND RODENT CONTROL 

For the compounds particularly exposed to the presence and the passage of birds, prepare suitable acoustic instruments for bird deterrence.

If necessary activate rodent control cycles according to the regulations in force in the country.

Adequate documentation of verifications/investigations must be provided to confirm the activities carried out.

1.7 ANTI-HAIL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT 

The network must operate during the following period:

• from 30/04 to 15/10, for Northern Italy
• from 15/04 to 30/10, for Southern Italy

The compound must provide, before the initial date, to apply the nets on the supporting structure (steel cables and/or metal structure present), and to fix them along the entire perimeter of the aisles, connecting the appropriate plates to the edge cables and/or metal structure. The tension of the nets must be suitable to allow the hail rebound without the formation of pockets, allowing its removal and conveying in the discharge channels placed laterally to each aisle.

During the year, the Compound must ensure the permanent laying of the sheets fixed to the system layers (hail drainage channels) and to the equipment structure sides (upwind veils), and restoring them if necessary.

2. MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS CONCERNING VEHICLES STOCKED IN COMPOUNDS 

The main instructions for moving vehicles within compounds are given below.

The following is strictly prohibited for all vehicles in compounds:

• Applying marks or any other forms of identification to the bodywork.
• Resting any kind of item on the bonnet, wings and the roof.
• Dry-rubbing the vehicle exterior.
• Writing on the bodywork.

2.1 VEHICLE PARKING RULES 

Position vehicles in accordance with the safety regulations in force, and in a manner that allows them to be moved without any contact or damage.

The following main requirements must be fulfilled:

• Minimum distance of 20 cm between bumper and bumper.
• Minimum distance of 60 cm between the sides.
• Windows, sun roof and/or soft top closed.
• Side doors, boot lid/tailgate and fuel filler flap/cap closed.
• Bonnet closed (only to the first click for vehicles with a battery in the engine compartment so that it can deactivated/activated).

Vehicles must have the handbrake released and the shift lever:

• In the P position for automatic transmission
• In 1st gear for manual transmission.
• In 1st gear or R for robotised, Dual Logic, DFN or Selespeed transmission.
• In P for TCT (Dual Clutch).

The protections must be applied/restored as in "Annex 4.1 - PROTECTIONS"; If they are missing or damaged, it is possible to protect as follows

• The front/rear bumpers (where provided) and exterior of the driver-side door with protective buffers,
• The driver-side floor carpet with cardboard protection,
• The driver seat with a cover,
• The interior driver-side door and driver-side kick plate with adhesive film.

The compound must always be equipped with a supply of protections.

2.2 VEHICLE TRANSPORTATION RULES WHILST IN COMPOUNDS 

Vehicles must be moved in accordance with the safety regulations in force.

The following is also strictly prohibited:

• Improper use of vehicles.
• Push starting the vehicle while operating the starter.
• Revving the engine at high speeds.
• Using compound vehicles for towing or transporting passengers and/or materials; Booster Usage is not allowed.

If the vehicle has catalytic converters, this leads to higher temperatures in the exhaust systems; for this reason, they should not come into contact with potentially flammable materials such as dry leaves, paper or flammable oils.

3. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS WHILST IN THE COMPOUNDS 

The following maintenance operations are required:

• 3.1 Battery management (deactivation and reactivation/check).
• 3.2 Vehicle washing (Full/partial washing).
• 3.3 Periodic maintenance (checks and maintenance with periodic deadlines).
• 3.4 Post MAPO/PDI maintenance (vehicles that have undergone MAPO/PDI and returned to stock).

3.1 BATTERY MANAGEMENT 

All vehicles in stock must have their batteries disconnected from the electrical system. They must be disconnected and connected as described below.

BATTERY DISCONNECTION 

Disconnect the negative battery terminal within 3 days of the following activities:

• After positioning the vehicle in stock (including vehicles that cannot be shipped), starting form the date of reception in the compound.
• After carrying out pre-delivery inspection (MAPO/PDI).
• After parking the vehicle in line for shipment (starting for the date of preparation for loading).

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

BATTERY CONNECTION/CHECK 

When the stock period has ended, and the vehicle must be prepared for shipment or sale, reconnect the negative terminal before moving it, and check that the connector is fully inserted and that the safety catch, where provided, has latched properly.

In addition, carry out the following operations:

• Check that the battery clamps are fitted correctly.
• Check that the terminal cover or fuse box (where provided) has been fitted over the positive terminals.
• On Start & Stop vehicles, check that the two connectors with sensor are coupled correctly.
• Tighten any loose fasteners.

If the vehicle has been in stock for longer than 30 days, it is also necessary to check the battery charge state.

Depending on the outcome provided by the battery efficiency verification tool, the battery must be:

• Replaced
• Recharged
• Reconnected to the terminals

STEERING INITIALIZATION 

On some vehicles the steering wheel must be initialized after the battery has been disconnected. This will be indicated by the power steering failure warning light on the instrument panel.

To carry out this procedure, just start the engine, turn the steering wheel completely from one lock to the other and put it back into the center position.

If, after having carried out the steering wheel initialization cycle, the red warning lights on the instrument panel do not turn off, stop the engine, wait at least 5 seconds and repeat the initialization procedure.

If the red warning lights on the instrument panel remain on even after repeating the cycle, refer to the technical service information.

3.2. VEHICLE WASHING 

It is necessary to wash stocked vehicles each time they undergo:

• Aggressions from oils or other corrosive substances (e.g. surface rust from rail transportation)
• Fouling from excrements (e.g. bird guano)
• Atmospheric or chemical aggressions (e.g. mud, dust due to road surface, etc.)

It is also necessary to wash waxed vehicles or those with preformed covers if the unprotected parts have been fouled (make sure that all openings such as doors, bonnets, lids, windows, etc. have been closed before washing). Where the body is partially fouled, i.e. with well-defined and localized dirt spots, it is possible to wash directly a near the vehicle (without moving it) using a portable water jet cleaner, taking the greatest care and attention to avoid any kind of damage to the vehicle.

3.3 PERIODIC VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 

Table 1 below gives the periodic maintenance operations required. The scheduled times for the maintenance operations specified in Table 1 start from the vehicle reception date (PIC).

Operations	Months
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
Battery charge check/restore		X		X			X			X			X ((5))
Tire pressure check/restore							X						X						X
Wax removal ((1))							X
Film / preforms removal ((1))							X
Full body cover removal ((2))													X
HVAC hatches activation							X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Oil, oil filter, air filter, distribution belt, services belts check/replacement ((3))													X
Urea replacement ((4))													X
(1) Wax / Film:  For vehicles with matte paint or in case of hard climate conditions, the marked operations are carried out at the end of the 2nd month. (2) Full Body Cover:  • The Full Body Cover MUST be removed at the end of the 12th month, if the vehicle is parked in the compound; • The Full Body Cover must be removed COMPULSORILY if the vehicle is shipped between the 8th and 12th month from the date of assignment. (3) Service:  Vehicles in stock have to follow periodical maintenance schedule (4) Urea:  In case of hard climate conditions this operations has to be performed every 6 months (5) Battery:  After 12 months the battery must be replaced

Always consider to protect water drainage below windscreen from dirty/sand/leafs 

The paragraphs below describe the operating methods for performing the periodic maintenance operations:

3.3.1 BATTERY CHARGE STATUS CHECK 

• To check the battery charge status, it is necessary to follow the indications provided by the relative Service News.
• After 12 months battery must be replaced.
• At each battery check operation, the instrument used to detect the voltage must issue a receipt (or ticket) that shows the vehicle chassis, the day of the check and the voltage measured.
• • The receipt (or ticket) issued must be kept in the vehicle's storage compartment (if present) or, alternatively, in the sunshade, up to the time of shipment. After the vehicle has been shipped or sold, the receipt(s) (of the individual vehicle) must be collected and stored together in a file (physical or IT) for a period of 24 months (2 years).

To avoid serious damage to the battery or possible explosion, the following precautions must be adopted:

• Keep naked flames, lit cigarettes, unprotected lights, etc. away; batteries under charge produce an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
• Keep the charging area ventilated.
• If the charging must be done with the battery installed in the car, switch off all the lights and disable all accessories.
• Avoid rapid recharging with either series or parallel connections.

3.3.2 CHECKING/RESTORING TIRE PRESSURES 

To check the tire pressure status:

• Ensure that the tire inflation pressure is 3.3 bar.
• If the measured value is lower than the minimum expected value or if the measured value is higher than the maximum expected value, restore the tire pressure accordingly, by inflating or deflating them.
• If the tire is punctured, replace the tire immediately.
• Vehicle has to be periodically moved in order to change the side of vehicle exposed to the sun and avoid tires wearing.

Tires subject to checks and subsequent restoration after 18 months (see TABLE 1 - PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS  ) will no longer be subject to further maintenance operations (checking/restoring tire pressure) provided that the vehicle is not undergoing shipment or sale; for vehicles at this stage, visual inspection and inflation of the tires must be carried out where required.

Periodically check expiring tires data, if tires are expired you must replace them

3.3.3 WAX REMOVAL 

Wax must be removed in an enclosed area or under a sheltered area, in order to ensure sufficient shade for the vehicle (the surface temperature of the vehicle must be from 15°C to 25°C). While preparing and applying the solution, the operator must wear PVC gloves and goggles and must not add other products to the wax removal solution (shampoo, polish, etc.). Make sure that all openings (doors, bonnets, lids, windows, etc.) are closed, and then proceed with removing the wax using the Tunwash Nowax Smog wax removal solution (code IW 6501K25) or equivalent product, referring to the instructions in the product technical data sheet.

3.3.4 FILM /PREFORMS/FULL BODY COVER (ADHESIVE PART ON THE GLASS) REMOVAL 

To protect the vehicle paint work, an alternative to the waxing process is the application of self-adhesive plastic films, preformed covers or Full Body Covers to selected parts of the vehicle. Films must be removed in an enclosed area or under a sheltered area, in order to ensure sufficient shade for the vehicle (the surface temperature of the vehicle must be from 15°C to 30°C - if required, wet with water so that the vehicle surface temperature is close to this temperature range).

1. Peel up the outer edges of the film and remove it.
2. Make sure that all openings (doors, bonnets, lids, windows, etc.) are closed.
3. Wash the vehicle to remove any deposits left on the bodywork while removing the film, using pressure washers or pressure washing systems with deactivated brushes or compliant/certified brushes.
4. Inspect the protected surfaces and remove any adhesive residues with a soft cloth (any marks at the edges or in areas where the film was unevenly applied, such as folds or bubbles, usually disappear 24/48 hours after removal).

3.4 - POST MAPO/PDI VEHICLES 

Vehicles subjected to MAPO/PDI (Ordinary Tuning) and repositioned in stock must comply with all the requirements and also, since the positioning phase, they must be provided with:

• Protective buffer on the exterior of the driver-side door.
• Seat protection.
• Floor carpet protection.

These vehicles must also be washed whenever they are fouled by excrement (e.g. bird guano), atmospheric or chemical attack (e.g. cement powder), oils or other corrosive substances (e.g. surface rust from rail transportation).

Table 2 below gives the periodic maintenance operations for this type of vehicle. The scheduled times for the maintenance operations specified in Table 2 start from the MAPO/PDI execution date.

Operations	Months
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Battery charge check/restore				X			X			X			X
Protection check/restore							X						X

Once the vehicle has been prepared for shipment or sale, after a stock time exceeding 30 days from the reception date (PIC) following the MAPO/PDI, it is necessary to check the battery charge state as described in paragraph 3.3.1.

4. ANNEXES 

The following annexes are indicated below:

• 4.1 - Protections
• 4.2 - Damaged vehicles protection

ANNEX 4.1 - PROTECTIONS 

The protections are assigned to the car according to the logistics information (rail, sea, road transport methods) and the type of vehicle. The minimum level of protection, requires that the following are always present:

EXTERIOR PROTECTIONS:

• Front/rear bumper protection (buffer) with the exception of embossed bumpers.
• Driver's door exterior protection (buffer).
• Buffers have to be removed after 3 months of stock.

INTERNAL PROTECTIONS:

• Driver's side mat protection.
• Internal panel protection on driver's side door (lower part).
• Driver's seat protection.
• Driver's side kick-plate protection.

On the models with embossed and unpainted bumpers it is not possible to apply adhesive buffers, therefore no restoration is required if they are lacking.

If the door external protection must be restored, for the models for which plastic protection is provided, it can be made with buffers, where there are no plastic protections similar to those provided on the models.

ANNEX 4.2 - DAMAGED VEHICLES PROTECTION 

Whenever damage occurs to one or more parts of the vehicle listed below:

• Window glass.
• Sun roofs.
• Serious damage, such as to compromise the entry of water into the vehicle (example: failure to close doors, tailgate, other).

It is necessary to operate as follows:

• Clean the inside of the vehicle, sucking up any residues of glass or any other material.
• Protect the damaged part immediately using films (such as Nitto F42Q, Tesa 50538 or equivalent product), ensuring that there is no subsequent infiltration of water.

  Position the vehicle in a covered area protected against weather.