2014 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTWAGEN Owners Manual

Exterior care and cleaning

WARNING
Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can impact the safety features of the vehicle and cause severe injuries.
x Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.
x Only use approved or recommended cleaners.
NOTICE
Vehicle care products containing solvents can damage plastics and other vehicle the materials.
Wash the vehicle only at specifically designated wash locations to help prevent water contaminated with oil, grease and fuel from entering the storm drain sewer system. In some areas it is against the law to wash motor vehicles anywhere than other than at specified designated car washing locations.
When buying vehicle care products, try to choose those that are not harmful to the environment.
Never throw out vehicle care products with ordinary household waste. Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
Washing the vehicle

WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
x Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
CAUTION
Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed skin.
x Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings, etc.
NOTICE
x The water temperature must not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x Do not use insect sponges, abrasive kitchen sponges or similar things to clean the vehicle. These can damage the paint finish.
x Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. For best results use soapy water.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or rear hatch. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
NOTICE
To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:
x Compare the vehicle track width with the dimensions of the guide rails in the car wash to help prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!
x Make sure there is enough clearance for the height and width of the vehicle.
x To help prevent paint damage to the engine hood, place wiper blades against the windshield after they have dried. Do not let them snap back into place.
x Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body.
x Lock the rear hatch to help prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.
Washing with a power washer

WARNING
Improper use of power washers can cause serious invisible permanent damage leading to tire failure and loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and severe personal injury.
x Keep sufficient distance between water jet and tires. Never wash tires with a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream regardless of the distance to the tire and even for a very short time.
x Never use “dirt blasters” to clean tires. Even spraying from a relatively long distance for a very short time can do visible or invisible damage to tires.
WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
x Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
NOTICE
x Water temperature should not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
x To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
x Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power washer.
x When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or rear hatch. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
Cleaning windows and outside mirrors

Removing snow
Remove snow from all windows and outside mirrors with an appropriate brush.
Removing ice
The best way to remove ice is with a deicer spray. When using an ice scraper always scrape in one direction, never back and forth. Dirt can scratch the glass when moving the scraper backward.
WARNING
Dirty or fogged up windows reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.
x Don't drive until you have clear visibility through all windows.
x Remove ice, snow and condensation from all inside and outside window surfaces.
NOTICE
x Never mix recommended cleaning agents with other cleaning agents in the windshield washer reservoir. If you do, this could cause sediments or other by-products that can clog the windshield wiper nozzles.
x Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!
x The heating elements for the rear defroster are on the inside of the rear window. Do not put stickers over the heating elements on the inside of the rear window and never clean the inside of the windows with corrosive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals that could damage the heating elements.
x Antennas installed on the insides of windows can be damaged by abrasive objects or by corrosive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals. Do not place any stickers on the windshield-integrated antenna and never clean the antenna with corrosive or acidic cleaning agents or other chemicals.
Cleaning and changing the windshield wiper blades

Fig. 170 Changing the windshield wiper blades.

Fig. 171 Changing the rear window wiper blades.

x Pull the release on the bracket in the direction of the arrow (A). This may require moderate force.
x Pull off the wiper blade in the direction of the arrow (B).
x Install a new wiper blade of the same length and type onto the wiper arm by pushing in the opposite direction of the arrow (B) until it latches.
x Slide the release in the opposite direction of the arrow (A) to secure the wiper blade.
x Carefully fold the wiper arm back down onto the window.
WARNING
Worn or dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and severe injuries.
x Always change wiper blades if they are damaged or worn, and if they cannot clean the windows sufficiently.
NOTICE
x Damaged or dirty wiper blades can scratch the windshield.
x Solvents, abrasive sponges and sharp-edged objects will damage the graphite coating on the wiper blades.
x Do not clean the windows with gasoline, nail polish remover, paint thinner or similar fluids.
x To help prevent damage to the engine hood and the windshield wiper arms, lift the wiper arms away from the windshield only when they are in the service position.
Waxing and polishing vehicle paint

x Clean the surface using a clean, soft, lint-free cloth dampened with water.
x If the surface is especially dirty, use a special solvent-free cleaning material.
x Then polish chrome and aluminum parts with a soft, dry cloth.
NOTICE
To help prevent damage to chrome and aluminum parts:
x Do not clean or polish in direct sunlight.
x Do not clean or polish in sandy or dusty places.
x Do not use abrasive cleaners or abrasive sponges.
x Do not polish dirty surfaces.
x Do not use cleaning materials that contain solvents.
x Do not use hard wax.
NOTICE
Chrome wheel covers and hubcaps can have an extra coating. Do not treat them with chrome care or polishing products. Use regular paint care and polishing products.
Cleaning wheel rims