Automatic Car Washes
The usual precautionary measures must be taken before washing the vehicle
(e.g. closing the windows and the tilt/slide roof etc.).
If your vehicle is fitted with any particular attached parts (e.g. spoiler, roof rack system, two-way radio aerial etc.), it is best to consult the operator of the car
wash system beforehand.
After an automatic wash with wax treatment, the wiper blades should be
cleaned with cleaning agents specially designed for the purpose, and then de-
greased.
Pressure Washers
When washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, the instructions for
use of the equipment must be observed. This particularly applies to instruc-
tions regarding the pressure and spraying distance from the vehicle surface.WARNING■
Washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system can
affect the braking efficiency – there is the risk of an accident.■
Take care when cleaning the underbody or the inside of the wheel wells -
there is a risk of injury from sharp metal parts!
CAUTION
■ Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight, do not exert pressure on the body
while washing. The temperature of the washing water should be no more than
60 °C max. - otherwise there is a risk of damaging the vehicle paint.■
Before driving through a car wash fold in the exterior mirrors - There is a risk
of damage.
■
For vehicles with a roof antenna, the antenna rod should be unscrewed be-
fore driving through a car wash - there is a risk of damage.
CAUTION
Washing the vehicle with high-pressure cleaners■Films should not be washed with any high-pressure cleaners - risk of dam-
age.■
Do not aim the water jet directly at the lock cylinders or the door or opening
joints when washing the vehicle in the winter – there is a risk of freezing.
■
Hold a large spraying distance to the rear camera lens, to plastic parts (e.g.
Roof racks, spoilers, protective strips and the like), as well as soft materials
such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
■
The sensors of the parking aid can be sprayed only for a short time and there
must be a minimum distance of 10 cm - there is a risk of damage.
Exterior car care
Read and observe
and on page 131 first.
Vehicle compo- nentsCircumstancesRemedy
Paint
Spilled fuelClear water, cloth, (clean as soon as
possible)No water drop-
lets form on the
paintUse hard wax preserve (at least twice a
year), apply wax to clean and dry bodyPaint has gone
mattUse polish, then wax (if the polish does
not contain any preservative ingredi-
ents)Plastic partsSoilingClear water, cloth / sponge, possibly
cleaners provided for this purposeChrome
and anodised
partsSoilingclear water, cloth, possibly cleaners
provided for this purpose, clean then
polish with a soft dry clothFilmsSoilingSoft sponge and mild soap solution a)Windows
and door mirrorsSoilingWash with clean water and dry with a
wipe specifically for that purposeHead / tail lightsSoilingSoft sponge and mild soap solution a)
Reversing cameraSoilingWash with clean water and dry with a
soft clothSnow/iceHand brush / de-icerDoor lock cylin-
dersSnow/iceDe-icing fluid specifically for that pur-
poseWipers / wiper
bladesSoilingWindscreen cleaner, sponge or clothWheelsSoilingClear water, then apply appropriate
substancea)
Mild soap solution = 2 tablespoons of natural soap to 1 litre of lukewarm water.
The jack is maintenance-free. If necessary, the moving parts of the jack should
be lubricated with a suitable lubricant.
The towing device is maintenance-free. Coat the ball head of the towing de-
vice with a suitable grease whenever necessary.
132General Maintenance
