Contents: Washing ⬇ Elimination of minor damage to…⬇
For operations that are essential to the reliability and performance of the vehicle, adhere to service intervals and perform regular checks (see Chapter 1).
Before working in the engine compartment, be sure to turn off the ignition. Under certain conditions, the cooling fan may continue to run for several minutes after the engine has stopped, so be careful to keep fingers, hair, or clothing away from the fan blades.
The electronic ignition system operates under high voltage. Do not touch any part of this system while the engine is running or the ignition is on.
Washing
The most important cleaning agent needed to care for your car's paintwork is clean water. Wash your car with cold or warm water only.
The optimal procedure is washing without using brushes at a good car wash. If high pressure water is used to wash the vehicle, water may penetrate into the interior. Before visiting an automatic car wash, unscrew and remove the external antenna, and turn off the air conditioning fan to eliminate the possibility of contamination of the cabin filter.
If a polish cycle is selected, ensure that the polish is removed from the windshield after washing.
High pressure washing is permitted at a pressure of no more than 80 bar and a distance of at least 30 cm from the spray nozzle to the body. Failure to follow the instructions may cause damage to fragile elements of the vehicle's exterior trim. It is recommended to use flat spray nozzles; round nozzles should not be used. Do not direct the water jet at the radiator, generator or suspension ball joints.
During the winter, remember to regularly wash the underside of your car to remove road salt.
When washing your car by hand using car shampoo, rinse the body with plenty of water. Wipe the car dry with a piece of chamois leather.
After washing, lightly press the brake pedal several times to remove moisture from the brake mechanisms.
To avoid damage to the clear plastic headlight lenses, do not use strong abrasives or chemical solvents to clean them. Do not wipe dry headlights or use sharp objects for this purpose.
Depending on the distance traveled, the wheels should be washed approximately once a week to prevent the possibility of clogging with brake dust. Use a wheel cleaner or warm water and a soft sponge. Do not use abrasive materials to avoid damaging the specially treated surface.
To avoid damage to the rear window heating elements, use a soft cloth or damp chamois leather to clean its inner surface. Do not use solvents or sharp objects.
To ensure the effectiveness of your windshield wipers is not compromised, wipe the outer surface of your windshield and rear window with a silicone-free cleaner. Do not apply any special coatings as this may cause noise when the windshield wipers operate.
It is recommended to clean the instrument panel with a soft brush or warm water and a lint-free cloth.
To clean seat belts, use interior cleaning solution or clean warm water. Do not use chemical cleaners, boiling water, bleach or dyes. Prevent moisture from entering the seat belt retractor mechanisms. Dry the belts in the air without forced heat.
For cleaning displays (in the instrument cluster, on the audio unit, on the climate control unit) do not use abrasive materials, alcohol solutions or chemically active solvents.
To care for leather trim, use only special detergents and cleaning agents intended for leather treatment. Wipe leather surfaces with a damp cotton or woolen cloth and dry with a soft, clean cloth. Heavily soiled surfaces can be cleaned with a mild detergent, such as a mild soap solution. Under normal conditions, it is recommended to treat the leather with a special protective compound every six months. Avoid over-wetting the leather upholstery. Take all necessary precautions to prevent water from penetrating into the seams.
Elimination of minor damage to paintwork and its protection
Paint damage caused by gravel and minor scratches can be repaired using spray paint or a masking pen. Follow the directions for use for each of these products. The paintwork warranty will remain valid only if the car is cleaned of aggressive substances in a timely manner (bird droppings, tree resin, insect remains, tar stains, road salt, industrial emissions).
Once or twice a year, the paintwork of the car body should be treated with mastic. This helps maintain the shine of the coating and speeds up the flow of raindrops from the body. When polishing your car, be careful not to let the polish come into contact with plastic surfaces as it will be difficult to remove from these areas. Do not polish your car in bright sunlight. Do not apply polish to the windshield or rear window as this may reduce the effectiveness of the wipers or cause noise during operation.