Body Care

Cleaning the vehicle

8steps
~48min
2/5difficulty
Done 0 of 8
WARNING When cleaning the vehicle, inside or outside, NEVER USE flammable solvents such as thinner, gasoline, benzene, or products such as "chloride" or strong detergents. Such materials may pose a hazard to the user or the vehicle.

Interior cleaning

Vinyl upholstery (PVC)

Prepare a solution of mild soap or detergent in warm water. Apply to the upholstery with a sponge or soft cloth and leave for a few minutes to loosen the dirt.

Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt and cleaning agent. If dirt remains on the surface, repeat the procedure.

Fabric upholstery

Remove dust with a vacuum cleaner. Using a solution of mild soap, wipe the soiled areas with a clean, damp cloth. To remove the soap, wipe again with a cloth dampened with water. Repeat until the stain is removed. For more stubborn stains, commercially available cleaning products may be used; in this case, strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Seat belts

Clean seat belt webbing with water and mild soap. Do not use bleaching or dyeing agents. They may weaken the webbing fabric.

PVC floor coverings

Ordinary dirt can be removed from the plastic surface with water and mild soap.

Use a brush to make dirt removal easier.

After scrubbing off the dirt, rinse the floor covering thoroughly with water and dry it in the shade.

Floor mats

Remove dirt and soil as thoroughly as possible with a vacuum cleaner. Wipe soiled areas with a clean, damp cloth dampened with a mild soap solution. To remove the soap, wipe again with a cloth dampened with water. Repeat until the dirt is removed. A commercially available carpet cleaner may also be used; when using such a product, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Cleaning the exterior body

NOTICE It is important to keep the vehicle clean and free of dust. Neglecting to keep the vehicle clean may cause paint discoloration or corrosion in various areas of the body.

Washing

WARNING
  • Never attempt to wash or wax the vehicle while the engine is running.
  • When cleaning the underbody and wheel housings, wear gloves and long sleeves, as sharp edges located there may cut your hands.
  • After washing the vehicle, thoroughly test the brakes before driving to make sure they have retained normal effectiveness.

When washing the vehicle, observe the following guidelines:

  1. Rinse the underbody and wheel housings with pressurized water to remove mud and contaminants.

    Use plenty of water.

NOTICE When washing the vehicle, avoid directing steam or hot water (above 80°C) at plastic parts.
  1. Remove dirt and mud from the body surface with running water. A soft sponge or brush may be used. Do not use hard materials that could scratch the paint.
  2. Wash the entire body with a mild detergent or car body shampoo, using a sponge or soft cloth. Frequently soak the sponge or cloth in the washing solution.
NOTICE When using commercially available body cleaning products, observe the precautions given by the manufacturer. Never use strong detergents or harsh soaps.
  1. Once all dirt has been removed, rinse off the detergent with running water.
  2. After rinsing, wipe the body with a damp chamois or cloth and leave it in the shade to dry.
  3. Carefully check the painted surfaces for damage.

    If any damage is found, repair it using the procedure below:

  4. clean the damaged areas and let them dry.
  5. mix the paint and apply it to the damaged spots with light touches of a small brush.
  6. Leave the "touch-up paint" to dry completely.

Waxing

After washing the vehicle, waxing and polishing are recommended to better protect and improve the appearance of the paint.

  • Use only high-quality waxes and polishes.
  • When using waxes and polishes, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Test yourself

A quick Suzuki Swift quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.