damage.
It is particularly important to wash the car frequently in the wintertime to prevent corrosion, when salt has been used
on the roads.
When washing the car, do not expose it to direct sunlight. Use lukewarm water to soften the dirt before you wash
with a sponge, and plenty of water, to avoid scratching.
Bird droppings: Remove from paintwork and the convertible top as soon as possible. Otherwise the finish may be
permanently damaged.
A detergent can be used to facilitate the softening of dirt and oil.
A water-soluble grease solvent may be used in cases of sticky dirt. However, use a wash place equipped with a
drainage separator.
Dry the car with a clean chamois and remember to clean the drain holes in the doors and rocker panels *.
The power radio antenna must be dried after washing.
Tar spots can be removed with kerosene or tar remover after the car has been washed.
A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy water can be used to clean the wiper blades. Frequent cleaning improves
visibility considerably.
Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings, fenders, etc.).
In areas of high industrial fallout, more frequent washing is recommended.
CAUTION: During high pressure washing, the spray mouthpiece must never be closer to the painted surfaces of the
vehicle than 13" (30 cm). Do not spray directly into the locks, around the edges of the convertible top or the edges of
the top's storage cover.
When washing or steam cleaning the engine, avoid spraying water or steam directly on the electrical components or
toward the rear side of the engine.
After cleaning the engine, the spark plug wells should be inspected for water and blown dry if necessary.
Suitable detergents
Special car washing detergents should be used. A suitable mixture is about 2.5 fl. oz. (8.5 cl) of detergent to 2.6 US
gal. (10 liters) of warm water. After washing with a detergent the car should be well rinsed with clean water.
WARNING!
When the car is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakes several times in order to remove any
moisture from the brake linings.
Engine cleaning agents should not be used when the engine is warm. This constitutes a fire risk.
Volvo offers an environmentally friendly Car Care Kit, containing waxing, washing, and degreasing agents.
NOTE: When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors and sills.
Bumpers: Wash the bumpers with the same cleaning agent used on the rest of the car. Never clean the bumpers with
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gasoline or paint thinner. Difficult spots can be removed with denatured alcohol. To avoid scratches, do not dry the
bumpers with paper.
See your local Volvo retailer for a complete line of genuine Volvo environmental car care products.
* Pay special attention to the drain holes near the base of the windshield in the cowl under the rear edge of the hood.
pg. 111 Automatic car washing, Polishing and waxing
Automatic washing simple and quick
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way to clean your car, but it is worth remembering that it may not be as
thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and water. Keeping the underbody clean is most important,
especially in the winter. Some automatic washers do not have facilities for washing the underbody.
Before driving into an automatic wash, make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliary lamps, etc., are secure, otherwise
there is risk of the machine dislodging them. You should also lower the antenna by turning off the radio.
We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the first six months (because the paint
will not have hardened sufficiently).
Cleaning the convertible top - C70 Convertible
CAUTION:
Some automatic car washes can damage the convertible top. For this reason, we recommend washing the car by
hand only.
Remember that the windows are lowered slightly when the convertible top is raised. Be sure the windows are closed
and the convertible top is completely raised and properly in place at the upper edge of the windshield before washing
the car. A chime indicates when the top has been fully raised (see page 44
).
Wash the convertible top with a mild detergent, wiping from the front towards the rear. Rinse thoroughly with clean
water.
Do not wash the convertible top with a high pressure spray.
After washing, the convertible top should be completely dry before it is folded down.
Remove bird droppings from the convertible top as soon as possible. Otherwise the top may be permanently stained.
A soft brush can be used to clean the convertible top between washings.
Winter: remove any residue of road salt from the convertible top as soon as possible.
Do not use solvents, tar remover or other all-purpose stain removers to clean the convertible top. Use Volvo
approved cleaning agents only - consult your Volvo retailer.
Polishing and waxing
Normally, polishing is not required during the first year after delivery, however, waxing may be beneficial.
Before applying polish or wax the car must be washed and dried. Tar spots can be removed with kerosene or tar
remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing compound.
After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax.
Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing a dull surface.
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