2018 VOLVO XC90 TWIN ENGINE Owners Manual

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
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639
Polishing and waxing
Polish and wax the vehicle when the paint is
matte or to provide extra protection. The vehicle
does not need to be polished until it is at least a
year old. However, it can be waxed during the
first year. Do not polish or wax the vehicle in
direct sunlight. The surface of the vehicle should
not be warmer than approximately 45 °C
(113 °F).
• Wash and dry the vehicle very carefully
before polishing or waxing. Remove asphalt
and tar stains with asphalt remover or paint
thinner. More stubborn stains can be
removed with a grinding paste designed for
vehicle paint.
• Use polish first and then liquid or paste wax.
Follow the instructions on the package care-
fully. Many products contain both polish and
wax.
• A wide range of polymer-based waxes can
be purchased today. These waxes are easy to
use and produce a long-lasting, high-gloss
finish that protects the bodywork against oxi-
dation, road dirt and fading.
CAUTION Avoid waxing and polishing plastic and rubber.
If using degreaser on plastic and rubber, only
rub (if necessary) with slight pressure. Use a
soft sponge.
Polishing glossy trim moldings can wear away
or damage the glossy surface layer.
Polish containing abrasives must not be used.
CAUTION
Only use paintwork treatments recommended
by Volvo. Other treatments, such as preserva-
tion, sealing, protection, luster sealing or simi-
lar, could damage the paintwork. Paintwork
damage caused by such treatments are not
covered by Volvo's warranty.
Related information
•
Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642)
• Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 642)
• Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644) Hand washing
The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new. Wash the vehicle in a car
wash or garage with an oil separator. Use a car
washing detergent.
Hand washingKeep the following points in mind when washing
the vehicle:
• Avoid washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
This could cause the detergent or wax to dry
out and become abrasive.
• Remove bird droppings from paintwork as
soon as possible. They contain chemicals
that affect and discolor paint very quickly.
Use e.g. soft paper or a sponge soaked in
lots of water. Consult an authorized Volvo
workshop for assistance removing discolora-
tion.
• Hose down the underbody, including the
wheel housings and bumper.
• Hose down the entire vehicle and remove
any loose dirt, droppings etc. to reduce the
risk of scratches from washing. Do not spray
directly onto locks.
• If necessary, use cold degreaser on heavily
soiled surfaces. Note that in such cases the
surfaces must not be hot from the sun.

||MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
640
•
Wash using a sponge, car washing detergent
and plenty of lukewarm water.
• Clean the wiper blades with lukewarm soap
solution or car washing detergent.
• Dry the vehicle using a clean, soft chamois or
a squeegee. Try not to let drops of water dry
in strong sunlight. This could cause water
drying stains that may need to be polished
out.
• In areas with heavy industrial emissions,
more frequent washing of the vehicle's exte-
rior is recommended.
• Tar spots from asphalt may remain even after
washing. Use a tar remover to remove these
spots after washing the vehicle.
WARNING Always entrust engine washing to a workshop.
If the engine is hot, there is a risk of fire.
CAUTION
Dirty headlights do not work as well. Clean
them regularly, e.g. when refueling.
Do not use corrosive cleaners. Use water and
a non-abrasive sponge.
NOTE Exterior lighting such as headlights and tail-
lights may develop temporary condensation
on the inside of the lens. This is normal. All
exterior lighting is designed to resist this.
Condensation is normally vented out of the
lamp housing once the light has been lit for
some period of time.
CAUTION
•
Make sure that the panoramic roof and
sun shade are closed before washing the
vehicle.
• Never use abrasive polishing agents on
the panoramic roof.
• Never use wax on the rubber seals
around the panoramic roof.
CAUTION Remember to remove dirt from the drain
holes in the doors and sills after washing the
vehicle.
Related information
•
Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642) •
Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 642)
• Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644)

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
641
Automatic car washes
The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new.
Automatic car washesAn automatic car wash is a fast and easy way to
keep your vehicle clean, but it does not reach all
areas of the vehicle. For best results, Volvo rec-
ommends hand washing your vehicle or supple-
menting automatic car washes with a hand wash.
NOTE
Volvo recommends not washing the vehicle in
an automatic car wash during the first few
months; the paintwork on new vehicles takes
some time to fully harden.
CAUTION
Before driving the vehicle into a car wash,
deactivate the Automatic Braking when Sta-
tionary and Automatic Parking Brake Applica-
tion functions. If the functions are not deacti-
vated, the brake system will seize when the
vehicle is stationary and the vehicle will not be
able to roll.
CAUTION For automatic car washes in which the vehicle
is pulled forward on rolling wheels:
1.

Before washing the vehicle, make sure
that the automatic rain sensor is deacti-
vated. If it is not deactivated and inadver-
tently starts, the wiper arms could be
damaged.
2. To help prevent damage from the auto- matic car wash machinery, make sure
that the door mirrors are folded in, anten-
nas retracted or removed, and any auxili-
ary lights secured.
3. Drive into the automatic car wash.
4. Turn off the "Automatic Braking when Stationary" function using the switch in
the tunnel console.
5. Turn off the "Automatic Parking Brake Application" function in the center dis-
play's Top view.
6. Turn off the engine by turning the start knob in the tunnel console clockwise.
Hold the knob in position for at least
2 seconds.
The vehicle is now ready for the automatic car
wash.
CAUTION The system will automatically change to P
mode if the above steps are not followed. In P
mode, the wheels are locked, which they
should not be when the vehicle is being
washed in a car wash.
Related information
•
Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642)
• Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 642)
• Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644)

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
642High-pressure washing
The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new. Wash the vehicle in a car
wash or garage with an oil separator. Use a car
washing detergent.
High-pressure washingIf washing the vehicle with a high-pressure wash,
use sweeping movements and keep the nozzle at
least 30 cm (13 in.) from the vehicle. Do not
spray directly onto locks.
Related information
• Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 642)
• Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644) Cleaning the wiper blades
The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new. Wash the vehicle in a car
wash or garage with an oil separator. Use a car
washing detergent.
Wiper bladesAsphalt, dust and salt residue on wiper blades, as
well as insects, ice etc. on the windshield, shorten
the service life of wiper blades.
When cleaning, put the wiper blades in the serv-
ice position.
NOTE
Wash the wiper blades and windshield regu-
larly with a lukewarm soap solution or vehicle
shampoo. Do not use strong solvents.
Related information
•
Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642)
• Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643) •
Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644)

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
* Option/accessory.643
Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and
trim components
The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new. Wash the vehicle in a car
wash or garage with an oil separator. Use a car
washing detergent.
Exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components
A special cleaning agent available from Volvo
retailers is recommended for the cleaning and
care of colored plastic parts, rubber and trim
components, e.g. glossy trim. Follow the usage
instructions for the cleaning agent carefully.
Avoid using car washing detergents with a pH
value lower than 3.5 or higher than 11.5. Doing
so could result in the discoloring of anodized alu-
minum surfaces* (as shown in the illustrations
below). Abrasive polishing agents are not recom-
mended for these areas (as shown in the illustra-
tions below). Components that should be washed with a cleaning
product with a pH value between 3.5 and 11.5.
CAUTION
Avoid waxing and polishing plastic and rubber.
If using degreaser on plastic and rubber, only
rub (if necessary) with slight pressure. Use a
soft sponge.
Polishing glossy trim moldings can wear away
or damage the glossy surface layer.
Polish containing abrasives must not be used.
CAUTION Avoid washing the vehicle with cleaner with a
pH value below 3.5 or above 11.5. This could
cause discoloration of anodized aluminum
components like the roof rail and around the
side windows.
Never use metal polishing agent on anodized
aluminum components. This could cause dis-
coloration and destroy the surface treatment.
Related information
•
Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642)
• Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 642)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644)

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
644Cleaning rims
The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new. Wash the vehicle in a car
wash or garage with an oil separator. Use a car
washing detergent.
RimsOnly use rim cleaning products recommended by
Volvo.
Strong rim cleaning agents could damage the
surface and stain the chromed aluminum rims.
Related information
•
Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642)
• Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)
• Corrosion protection (p. 644) Corrosion protection
Your vehicle is constructed with effective protec-
tion against corrosion.
Corrosion protection for the body consists of
modern metallic protective coatings on the sheet
metal, a high-quality painting process, corrosion-
protected and minimized metal overlap, and
shielding plastic components, abrasion protection
and supplemental rust inhibitor in exposed areas.
In the chassis, exposed components of the wheel
suspension are made of corrosion-resistant cast
aluminum.
Inspection and maintenanceThe corrosion protection does not normally
require maintenance, but keeping the vehicle
clean is always a good way to further reduce the
risk of corrosion. The use of strong alkaline or
acidic cleaning fluids should always be avoided
on shiny body components. Any stone chips in
the paint should be touched up as soon as they
are discovered.
Related information
• Cleaning the exterior (p. 638)
• Polishing and waxing (p. 639)
• Hand washing (p. 639)
• Automatic car washes (p. 641)
• High-pressure washing (p. 642)
• Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 642) •
Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 643)
• Cleaning rims (p. 644)

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
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645
Paintwork
The paintwork consists of multiple layers. It is an
important part of the vehicle's corrosion protec-
tion and therefore needs to be checked regu-
larly.
The most common types of paint damage are
minor stone chips, scratches and damage to e.g.
the edges of fenders, doors and bumpers. To
help prevent corrosion, paint damage should be
rectified immediately.
Related information
• Touching up minor paint damage (p. 645)
• Color codes (p. 646) Touching up minor paint damage
The paintwork is an important part of the vehi-
cle's corrosion protection and therefore needs
to be checked regularly. The most common
types of paint damage are minor stone chips,
scratches and damage to e.g. the edges of
fenders, doors and bumpers.
When repairing paint damage, the vehicle must
be clean, dry and have a temperature above
15 °C (60 °F).
Touching up minor paint damageTo help prevent corrosion, paint damage should
be rectified immediately.
NOTE When repairing paintwork, it must be clean,
dry and at a temperature of at least 15°C.
Materials that might be needed
•
Primer 20
‒
special adhesive primer is availa-
ble in a spray can for e.g. plastic-covered
bumpers.
• Base coat and clear coat ‒ available in spray
cans or as a touch-up pen/stick 21
.
• Masking tape.
• Fine-grain sandpaper 20
. If the damage has not reached all the way down
to the metal, then touch-up paint can be applied
immediately after the surface has been cleaned.
NOTE Make sure the surface is clean and dry before
performing any touch-ups to the paint. The
surface temperature should be at least 15 °C
(60 °F).
20
If required.
21 Follow the instructions on the packaging for the touch-up pen/stick care\
fully.

||MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
646
1. Place a strip of masking tape over the dam-
aged surface. Pull the tape off so that any
loose flakes of paint adhere to it.
If the damage goes down to the bare metal,
you may need to use primer first. If the paint
damage is on a plastic surface, an adhesive
primer should be used for better results.
Spray the primer into the lid of the spray can
and brush on thinly.
2. Light sanding with a very fine-grained sand- paper or similar may be required before
painting (e.g. if there are uneven edges).
Clean the area carefully and let it dry.
3. Thoroughly mix the primer and apply it with a small brush, toothpick or similar. When the
primer is dry, apply one or more coats of
paint and then a clear coat, letting the paint
dry between each application.
If there is a longer scratch, follow the same pro-
cedure as above, but first mask off the surround-
ing area to protect the undamaged paint.
Touch-up pens and spray paints are available at
Volvo retailers.
NOTE If the stone chip has not gone down to the
bare metal and an undamaged coat of paint
remains, apply base coat and clear coat
immediately after cleaning the surface.
Related information
•
Paintwork (p. 645)
• Color codes (p. 646) Color codesColor codeThe color code label is located on the left door
pillar and is visible when the left front door is
opened. Sample color code (1): US models.
Sample color code (1): Canadian models.