Exterior Care

Locks

The locks are lubricated at the factory with high-quality lock grease. Use de-icing products only when absolutely necessary, as their degreasing effect impairs lock operation. After using de-icing products, have the locks re-greased by a workshop.

Washing

The vehicle paintwork is exposed to external influences. The vehicle should therefore be washed and waxed regularly. When using an automatic car wash, choose a programme that applies a protective wax coat.

Remove bird droppings, dead insects, resin, pollen, etc. immediately, as they contain corrosive components that can damage the paint.

When using a car wash, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Stop the front and rear wipers. Remove the antenna and external accessories such as the roof rack, etc.

When washing by hand, rinse the inside of the wheel arches thoroughly.

Thoroughly clean the edges and inner folds of the doors, the bonnet, and the body parts they cover.

Notice

Always use a cleaning product with a pH between 4 and 9.

Do not use cleaning products on hot surfaces.

Have the hinges of all doors lubricated by a workshop.

Do not clean the engine compartment with a steam or high-pressure jet.

Rinse the vehicle thoroughly and dry it with a chamois. Rinse the chamois. Use separate chamois for painted and glazed surfaces: wax residue on the windows impairs visibility.

Do not remove tar stains with hard objects. Use a tar remover spray on painted surfaces.

Exterior lighting

The lenses of the headlights and other lamps are made of plastic. Do not use abrasive or corrosive products, scrapers, or dry cleaning.

Polishing and waxing

Wax the vehicle regularly (at the latest when water no longer beads on the paint).

Otherwise the paint will dry out.

Polishing is only necessary when the paint is contaminated by solid substances or has become dull and lost its shine.

The silicone-based autopolish product forms a protective film immediately, so polishing is not required.

Plastic body parts must not be treated with polishing or buffing products.

Front windows and windshield wiper blades

Clean using a soft, lint-free cloth or a chamois with glass cleaner and insect remover.

When cleaning the rear window, do not damage the heating elements on its inside surface.

Use a sharp-edged scraper to mechanically remove frost (ice). Press the scraper firmly against the glass so that dirt cannot get underneath and scratch the glass.

Clean greasy wiper blades with a soft cloth and glass cleaner.

Sunroof

Never clean it with solvents, abrasive products, fuels, aggressive products (for example paint cleaners, acetone solutions, etc.), acids, strongly alkaline products or abrasive sponges. Do not apply wax or polish to the sunroof.

Wheels and Tires

Do not use high-pressure cleaners.

Clean wheel rims with a pH-neutral wheel cleaner.

The wheel rims are painted and can be cleaned with the same products as the body.

Paint damage

Repair small paint damage with a touch-up pen before rust forms. Large paint damage or rust must be repaired by a workshop.

Underbody

The underbody is partially coated with PVC or a permanent protective wax layer in the most critical areas.

Check the underbody after washing and have it waxed if necessary.

Rubber-bitumen materials can damage the PVC layer.

Have underbody work carried out by a workshop.

Preferably wash the underbody at the beginning and at the end of winter and have the protective wax layer checked.

Liquefied petroleum gas system

Danger

Liquefied petroleum gas is heavier than air and can collect in low points.

Take care when working under the vehicle in a pit.

For painting work when a drying booth above 60 °C is used, the liquefied petroleum gas tank must be removed.

Do not make any modifications to the liquefied gas system.

Towing device

Do not clean the towing hitch with a steam jet or high-pressure cleaner.