Suitable accessories are available from your Volkswagen dealership. Follow the usage
instructions on the packaging.
Washing the vehicle
Also wash the underside of the vehicle on a regular basis to remove road salt or seawater residue.
Automatic car washes
Always observe all the car wash operator's specifications, in particular if your vehicle features add-
on parts ⇒.
•Preferably use car washes without brushes.
•Preclean the vehicle by rinsing with water.
•The steering column must not lock when driving through automatic car washes ⇒ Steering.
•Always switch off the Auto Hold function ⇒ Electronic parking brake, the wipers ⇒ Wipers and
the rain/light sensor before entering the car wash.
•Fold in the exterior mirrors.
•If your vehicle has decorative and protective films, do not select a wash program with hot wax.
High-pressure cleaners
Observe the manufacturer's information for the high-pressure cleaner. Never use rotating nozzles
⇒.
•Only use water with a maximum temperature of +60°C (+140°F).
•Do not clean windows that are iced over or covered in snow with a high-pressure cleaner.
•Move the jet of water uniformly so that the nozzle is at least 50 cm away from the side windows
and other vehicle components.
•Do not point the water jet at the same location for too long. Instead, leave stubborn dirt to soak.
•If possible, do not direct the water jet at seals, e.g. side windows, decorative trim, tyres, rubber
hoses, insulation materials or any other sensitive components, e.g. door locks.
•Sensors, camera lenses, and decorative and protective films should be sprayed directly only for
brief periods of time.
Washing the car by hand
Washing the car by hand is always the more gentle way to clean it. However, there are also some
things to note for this ⇒.
•Before washing the vehicle, soak the dirt with plenty of water and then rinse it off thoroughly.
•Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a wash mitt or a brush applying only light pressure. Start
with the roof and work from the top to the bottom.
•Rinse the sponge, wash mitt or brush thoroughly at regular short intervals.
•Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last. Use a second sponge for this.
Use a shampoo for very stubborn dirt only.
Car care products can be toxic and hazardous. Unsuitable care products and incorrect use
of care products can cause accidents, serious injuries, burns or poisoning.
•Care products must be kept in the original, sealed container only.
•Read the manufacturer's instructions.
•Never use empty food cans, bottles or other containers for storing care products.
•Keep children away from care products.
•The products can give off harmful fumes during use. They should therefore only be
used outside or in well-ventilated spaces.
•Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids to
wash, clean or care for your vehicle. These substances are toxic and highly
inflammable.
WARNING
Stains, dirt and other deposits containing aggressive and solvent-based ingredients attack
the material and may cause irreparable damage, even if only left for a short time.
•Stains, dirt and other deposits should always be removed as quickly as possible and
not allowed to dry in.
•Have stubborn stains removed by a qualified workshop.
NOTICE
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Use the Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (- 000 096 322 -) to remove ice.
Wiper blades:⇒ Wiper blades.
Paintwork: always treat surfaces carefully in order to prevent damage to the paint coat. Use a
clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution or cleaning clay to remove any light dirt immediately, e.g.
deposits, insect residue, or cosmetics.
Repair minor paint damage with a touch-up pen. Refer to the vehicle data sticker for the paint code
⇒ Technical data. Consult a qualified workshop in the event of damage to surfaces with matt paint.
•Overflowing fuel or service fluids: clean immediately.
•Flash rust deposits: moisten deposits with a soap solution. Then remove any deposits with
cleaning clay.
•Corrosion: have removed by a qualified workshop.
•Water no longer forms beads on clean paint: preserve paintwork at least twice a year using
Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (- 000 096 317 -).
•No gloss in spite of preservation/paint unattractive: treat the vehicle with suitable polish after
cleaning to remove dirt and dust.
Plenum chamber, engine compartment: remove leaves and other loose objects with a vacuum
cleaner or by hand ⇒ Fig. 251⇒. Cleaning of the engine compartment should always be
performed by a qualified workshop ⇒.
Water that has entered the plenum chamber via a manual process (e.g. from a high-pressure
cleaner) can cause considerable damage to the vehicle.
Sensors, camera lenses: clean the area in front of the sensors or camera with a soft cloth and
solvent-free cleaning agent. Observe the installation locations ⇒ Vehicle overviews.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Move the selector lever to position R.
•Clean the camera lens.
Clean sensitive surfaces on the rain/light sensor and the camera window on the windscreen in the
same way as windows and glass surfaces (depending on vehicle equipment).
Remove snow with a brush. Do not use warm or hot water.
Use the Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (- 000 096 322 -) to remove ice.
Decorative films, protective films: remove soiling in the same way as for paint. Always use
Volkswagen Genuine plastic cleaner (- 000 096 314 -) for matt decorative films.
Treat the vehicle with liquid hard wax every three months after washing and removing dust. Only
use clean, soft microfibre clothes to apply it. Do not use hot wax, also not in car washes!
•Stubborn dirt: remove carefully using white spirits, and then rinse using warm water.
Trim parts, trim strips, exhaust pipes made of chrome, aluminium or stainless steel: clean
only in a dust-free environment using a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution.
Chrome parts can be protected using Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (- 000 096 317 -).
Anodised surfaces: do not use chrome cleaning products.
Headlights, tail light clusters: use a soft sponge soaked with a mild soap solution. Do not use
any cleaning agents that contain alcohol or solvents.
•Stubborn dirt: remove with Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminium care product (-
000 096 319 D -).
Wheels: remove dirt and gritting salt deposits with plenty of water.
Alloy wheels: treat dirty aluminium wheels with Volkswagen Genuine wheel cleaner (- 000 096 304
-). Volkswagen recommends treating the wheel rims with Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (-
000 096 317 -) every three months.
•Damage protective paint coating: repair immediately with a touch-up pen. Go to a qualified
workshop if necessary.
•Brake dust: use Volkswagen Genuine wheel rim cleaner (- 000 096 304 -).
Door lock cylinders: Volkswagen recommends using Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (-
000 096 322 -) for de-icing. Do not use door lock de-icers containing substances that dissolve
grease.
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