2019 Volkswagen Beetle Owners Manual - Interior care and cleaning

Interior care and cleaning

 Introduction to the subject

In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:

Modern clothing fabrics such as dark denim may not be completely colorfast. Even with normal use, dye from these and other fabrics can rub off on seat upholstery and leave visible discolorations (especially on light-colored seat upholstery). This is caused by a lack of colorfastness in the clothing fabric, not by any fault in the seat upholstery fabric. To help prevent damage to the seat upholstery, always make sure your clothing is colorfast. Volkswagen recommends having a qualified specialist remove any discolorations from the seat upholstery.

The longer stains, dirt and other deposits remain on the surfaces of vehicle components and upholstery, the more difficult it may be to clean them. If stains, dirt and deposits are left untreated for a long time, they may become impossible to remove.

NOTE

• Vehicle care products containing solvents can cause irreparable damage to plastics and other vehicle materials.

• Stains, dirt and other deposits that contain aggressive substances or solvents can corrode vehicle materials and cause permanent damage, even after brief contact with the surface.

• Remove stains, dirt, and other deposits as quickly as possible and do not allow them to dry.

• To help prevent damage, have stubborn stains removed by a professional who has the necessary expertise and experience.

Caring for upholstery

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Checklist

Please note the following when it comes to the care and preservation of the upholstery  :

• 

  Open Velcro® fasteners can damage upholstery, fabric, and trim. Before you get into the vehicle, close all Velcro® fasteners that could come into contact with upholstery fabrics and cloth trim.

• 

  Sharp-edged objects and items on clothing and belts (such as belt clips, mobile phone cases, zippers, rivets, and rhinestones) can damage upholstery material and fabric trim. To help prevent damage, do not let such items come into direct contact with the upholstery and fabric trim.

• 

  Dust and dirt particles in pores, folds, and seams can have a scouring effect on material and damage the surface. Remove dust and dirt regularly to help prevent permanent surface damage.

• 

  Check clothing for color-fastness to help prevent upholstery discoloration, especially to light-colored upholstery.

NOTE

Disregarding the upholstery-related checklist may lead to damage or discoloration of upholstery and fabric trim.

• Please note and follow the points listed in the checklist.

Volkswagen recommends having any discoloration removed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Cleaning upholstery, fabric trim, and microfiber fabric

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Cleaning upholstery on heated seats and power seats or seats with airbag components

Airbag components and electrical connectors may be installed in the driver seat, the front passenger seat, and in the outer rear seats. Damaging, cleaning and handling incorrectly, or wetting or soaking these seat surfaces and backrests can damage the vehicle electrical system and prevent the airbag system from working properly  .

Electrical components and connectors that could be damaged by incorrect cleaning or handling are installed in power seats and heated seats  . This can also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle electrical system.

For this reason, read and follow these cleaning instructions:

• Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or cooling spray.

• Do not use detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions.

• Do not wet the surface completely.

• Only use cleaning products approved by Volkswagen.

• If you have questions or concerns, consult a professional cleaner.

• Before using any cleaning agent, familiarize yourself with instructions and warnings on the packaging.

• Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, microfiber fabric, and carpeting regularly with a suitable brush attachment.

• A soft sponge or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth may be used for general cleaning  .

• Clean microfiber fabric surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth  .

Upholstery and fabric trim with light generalized soiling can be cleaned with a commercially available dry-foam cleaner.

If the upholstery and fabric trim pieces are heavily soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you begin cleaning to learn about suitable cleaning options. If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professional.

Cleaning upholstery on non-heated seats, manual seats, or seats without airbag components

• Before using any cleaning agent, familiarize yourself with instructions and warnings on the packaging.

• Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, microfiber fabric, and carpeting regularly with a suitable brush attachment.

• Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or cooling spray.

• A soft sponge or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth may be used for general cleaning  .

• Clean microfiber fabric surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth  .

Upholstery and fabric trim with light generalized soiling can be cleaned with a commercially available dry-foam cleaner.

If the upholstery and fabric trim pieces are heavily soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you begin cleaning to learn about suitable cleaning options. If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professional.

Treating stains

When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean the entire surface and not just the stain itself. This is especially true if the entire surface has become dirty from normal use. Otherwise, the area that is treated may become lighter than the untreated area. If you have questions or concerns, consult a professional cleaner.

WARNING

If there is a malfunction in the airbag system, the airbag may not deploy correctly or at all, or it may deploy unexpectedly. This could cause fatal injuries.

• Have the airbag system inspected immediately by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

NOTE

If the upholstery on power seats, heated seats, or seats with airbag components is wet, electrical components and the vehicle electrical system could be damaged.

• If the seating surface becomes soaked, have it dried and the system components checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Do not use steam cleaners because the steam could cause the dirt to penetrate deeper into the fabric and make it impossible to remove.

• Power washers and cooling sprays can damage the upholstery.

NOTE

• Clean only the carpet and floor mats with brushes. Other textile surfaces can be damaged by brushes.

• If detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, the surfactants in the detergent may cause visible lines to form at the edges of the area where the detergent was applied. These lines are generally difficult or impossible to remove.

NOTE

• Do not soak microfiber fabric.

• Do not treat microfiber fabric with leather care products, solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or similar products.

• Do not use brushes for damp cleaning, because they can damage upholstery surfaces.

• Do not use a steam cleaner, because dirt will penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Care and cleaning of leather upholstery

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

If you have questions regarding the care and cleaning of the leather upholstery in the vehicle, please contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Care and treatment

Natural leather requires special attention and care. Napa leather has a smooth surface. The intensity of the color application determines the leather's appearance and texture. If you can see the leather grain and other natural characteristics, this is an untreated napa leather that will provide very comfortable seating. Delicate veins, closed scars, insect bites, folds, and a slightly clouded color remain visible and represent authentic characteristics of the natural material. Untreated napa leather has no protective coating. It is therefore more susceptible to damage. You should keep this in mind if the leather is going to be exposed to severe wear from children, animals, or other factors. By contrast, leather that has a protective coating is more robust. This has a positive effect on the leather's durability in daily use. The typical natural characteristics are hardly visible or no longer visible at all, but that has no impact on the quality of the leather itself. The typical characteristics of untreated leather are much more distinctive than those of a surface-treated leather.

• After each cleaning, apply cream that waterproofs the leather and protects it against the sun. Such creams also nourish the leather, let it breathe, keep it flexible and moisturized. At the same time it protects the surface.

• Clean leather every 2 to 3 months and remove any new stains.

• Treat leather with a suitable leather-care product twice a year  .

• Apply cleaning and conditioning materials sparingly and always with a dry, lint-free cotton or wool cloth. Do not apply cleaning and conditioning materials directly to the leather.

• Remove fresh stains such as ballpoint pen, lipstick, ink, shoe polish, etc. as soon as possible.

• Preserve the leather's color. If necessary, refresh fading spots with a specially-colored leather cream.

• Wipe the leather with a soft cloth.

Cleaning

Volkswagen recommends using a slightly moistened cotton or wool cloth for general cleaning.

It is important not to let water soak through the leather or penetrate into seams.

Before cleaning leather surfaces, read and heed the information  .

NOTE

• Stains that have been left in place too long will penetrate the surface of the leather and cannot be removed.

• Never treat leather with solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or similar products.

• Wipe up spilled liquids immediately with an absorbent cloth. Liquid can penetrate leather surfaces and seams within a few seconds.

• If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time, cover the upholstery to protect the leather from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading and discoloration.

Slight discoloration caused by wear and tear is normal.

^a) Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in 1 quart (liter) of water.

Cleaning leatherette

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Clean leatherette upholstery only with water and a mild soap solution.

Before cleaning leatherette surfaces, read and heed the information  .

NOTE

• Do not clean leatherette with solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover, or similar products. These can cause the material to become brittle and break.

• Sharp-edged objects and items on clothing and belts (such as belt clips, mobile phone cases, zippers, rivets, and rhinestones) can damage upholstery material and fabric trim.

• If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time, cover the upholstery to protect the leatherette from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading or discoloration.

Cleaning storage compartments and cup holders

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

Some storage compartments and cup holders may have a rubber or felt insert at the bottom.

• Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean plastic or rubber parts.

• If this is not sufficient, then use a special solvent-free care and cleaning product designed for plastics.

• Clean felt inserts with a vacuum cleaner.

Care and cleaning of plastic components, wood trim, and instrument panel

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

• Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.

• Clean plastic components (inside and outside of the vehicle) and the instrument panel only with a solvent-free care and cleaning product that is specifically designed for plastics and approved by Volkswagen  .

• Clean wood trim with a mild soap solution.

WARNING

Using solvents or other improper cleaning products on surfaces where airbags are located can change the way airbags deploy in a crash.

• Products containing solvents will change the properties of the plastics and may cause plastic parts to break and fly around when the airbag deploys in a crash, causing injury.

• Never use solvents or cleaners on the steering wheel horn pad or on the instrument panel because they can damage the airbag cover or change the stiffness or strength of the material so that the airbag cannot deploy and protect properly.

• When cleaning the horn pad and instrument panel, use only a soft, dry cloth or a cloth moistened with plain water.

Cleaning the safety belts

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first 

If a safety belt is dirty, this can prevent the belt from working properly. Keep safety belts clean and regularly check all safety belts for damage.

Safety belts must never be taken apart for cleaning.

• Remove coarse dirt with a soft brush  .

• Carefully pull the dirty safety belt out of the retractor and keep it out.

• Clean the safety belt with a mild soap solution.

• After cleaning, always give the safety belts time to dry thoroughly before letting them retract. This helps prevent damage to the retractor.

• Do not let the safety belts retract until they are completely dry.

WARNING

Damage to safety belts reduces their overall effectiveness and increases the risk of serious personal injury and death whenever the vehicle is being used.

• Check the condition of all safety belts regularly. If you notice that the safety belt webbing, hardware, retractor, buckle, or any other part of the safety belts is damaged, immediately have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility replace the safety belt with the correct replacement belt for your vehicle model and model year.

• Never use chemical cleaning agents, solvents, or any substance that may damage or weaken the safety belt webbing or any other parts of the safety belt. Never let the belts come into contact with corrosive fluids or sharp objects. Otherwise, the safety belt webbing will be significantly weakened.

• After cleaning, always give the safety belts time to dry completely before letting them retract. The moisture can damage the retractor and keep it from working properly.

• Never let foreign objects or liquids get into the safety belt latch. This could prevent the belt buckles and safety belts from working properly.

• Damaged safety belts must be replaced; they cannot be repaired.

• Never try to repair a damaged safety belt yourself. Never remove or modify the safety belts in any way.

• Safety belts that were subject to stress in an accident and stretched must be replaced with a correct, new safety belt, preferably by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• Replacement after a crash may be necessary even if a safety belt shows no visible damage. Anchorages that have been loaded must also be inspected.