Make sure there is enough distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulating material
⇒ .
Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called dirt blasters ⇒ .
Never use a power washer to clean the engine compartment ⇒ Cleaning the engine compartment.
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 When cleaning vehicle graphics with a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the graphics briefly and always keep the nozzle at least 16 inches (40 cm) from the vehicle. Never spray the vehicle graphics with water pressure above 1450 psi (100 bar).
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
Insect splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot, road salt, and other aggressive materials can damage vehicle graphics.
The longer these aggressive deposits stay on the vehicle graphics, the more damage they do. High temperatures (including strong sunlight) increase their corrosive effects. Wash the vehicle immediately
and thoroughly with warm water or with a mild soap solution ⇒ .
Remove stubborn deposits carefully with mild alcohol-based cleaners and then rinse with warm water. Do not clean vehicle graphics with aggressive cleaning agents such as gasoline, paint thinner, or solvents.
Caring for vehicle graphics
In general, follow the same care instructions for vehicle graphics as you do for the vehicle’s paint finish
⇒ Waxing and polishing vehicle paint.
Apply a coat of liquid hard wax to vehicle graphics regularly, at least once every three months. Hard wax smoothes out the surface and repels dirt.
To apply hard wax, use a microfiber cloth only.
Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for information on suitable care products.
NOTICE
x Always keep the spray nozzle perpendicular to the edges and surface of vehicle graphics.
x When cleaning vehicle graphics with a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the graphics briefly and always keep the nozzle at least 16 inches (40 cm) from the vehicle. Never spray the vehicle graphics with water pressure above 1450 psi (100 bar).
x Depending on the type of brush used in the car wash, brushes can cause fine scratches on vehicle graphics.
x To help prevent lasting damage to vehicle graphics, remove contaminants as soon as possible using suitable cleaning agents.
Damage to vehicle graphics caused by stone impact, for example, can only be corrected by replacing the entire damaged vehicle graphics element. Volkswagen recommends having the work performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or another qualified workshop.
Cleaning wheel rims