Tips on vehicle care
Regular and expert care helps to preserve the value of your vehicle. Such expert care may also be one of the requirements of your New Vehicle Limited Warranty if corrosion repair or repainting is necessary.
The longer insect splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot, road salt, and other aggressive materials stay on your vehicle, the more damage they do to the paint finish. High temperatures (including strong sunlight) increase the corrosive effects. The vehicle underbody should also be washed regularly and thoroughly.
Please read and follow the special instructions for cleaning and maintaining the convertible top (Beetle Convertible models only) .
Vehicle care products are available from your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can impact the safety features of the vehicle and cause severe injuries.
- Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Only use approved or recommended cleaners.
- Never use vehicle care products containing solvents. Solvents can damage the airbag housing.
- Protect arms and hands from sharp vehicle parts, for example, while cleaning the underside of the vehicle.
WARNING
Vehicle care products can be dangerous. Improper use can cause accidents, burns, poisoning, or other serious personal injuries.
- Always store vehicle care products only in original containers that are securely closed.
- Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
- To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use empty food or beverage containers that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
- Always keep vehicle care products out of the reach of children.
- Always use such products outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, because harmful vapors may be released when these products are used.
- Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover or other volatile fluids for vehicle care. They are poisonous and highly flammable.
CAUTION
Sharp edges under the vehicle can cut exposed skin.
- Always protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings, etc.
NOTE
Vehicle care products containing solvents can cause irreparable damage to plastics and other vehicle materials.
Wash the vehicle only at specifically designated wash locations to help prevent water contaminated with oil, grease and fuel from entering the storm drain sewer system. In some areas it is against the law to wash motor vehicles anywhere than other than at specified designated car washing locations.
When buying vehicle care products, try to choose those that are not harmful to the environment.
Never throw out vehicle care products with ordinary household waste. Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.
Washing the vehicle
Car wash
Pay close attention to the information provided by the car wash operator. Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions to help prevent damage, such as closing the windows, folding back the outside mirrors, etc. If you have installed additional accessories on the vehicle, such as a spoiler, a roof rack (if applicable), or an antenna, always ask the car wash operator if this poses a problem .
The paint finish is tough enough that the vehicle can normally be washed without problems in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large extent on the type of car wash.
To remove wax residue from the windows and avoid jerky windshield wiper movement, heed the following tips .
Washing with a power washer
Always follow the instructions for the power washer. This especially applies to the pressure and spraying distance .
Make sure there is enough distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulating material as well as any sensors that can be located on the front and rear of the vehicle, for example, the Park Distance Control system sensors (if equipped) .
Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called dirt blasters .
Never use a power washer to clean the engine compartment or the convertible top (if equipped).
Washing by hand
When washing by hand, first soften the dirt with plenty of water and then rinse off as much dirt as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a washing mitt or brush using only light pressure. Start on the roof and work down. Use special shampoo only on hard-to-remove dirt or grime.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.
Clean the wheels and under the door sills last. Use a different sponge or wash mitt.
Waxing
A good coat of wax helps to protect the vehicle paint. When water no longer forms small drops and runs off when the paint is clean, apply a new coat of good hard wax to protect the vehicle again.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly at the car wash, Volkswagen recommends applying a coat of hard wax at least twice a year to protect the paint.
Polishing
Polish your vehicle if the paint has lost its shine and the gloss cannot be brought back with wax.
The vehicle must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain wax compounds to seal the paint.
WARNING
After the vehicle has been washed, the wet brakes or, in winter, brake discs or pads coated with ice, react slower and need longer stopping distances.
- Always dry the brakes and clean off any ice coatings with a few careful applications of the brake. Make sure not to endanger other motorists or cyclists or disobey legal requirements.
WARNING
Improper use of power washers can cause serious invisible, permanent damage leading to tire failure and loss of vehicle control. This can cause accidents and severe personal injury.
- Keep sufficient distance between water jet and tires. Never wash tires with a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream regardless of the distance to the tire and even for a very short time.
- Never use dirt blasters to clean tires. Even spraying from a relatively long distance for a very short time can do visible or invisible damage to tires.
NOTE
- The water temperature must not be more than +140 °F (+60 °C).
- To help prevent damage to the paint, do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
- Do not use insect sponges, abrasive kitchen sponges or similar things to clean the vehicle. These can damage the paint finish.
- Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge. Always use a wet cloth or sponge. For best results use soapy water.
- When washing or rinsing the vehicle in cold weather, do not let water get into the lock cylinders or point the hose at gaps around the doors, hood, or trunk lid. The water could freeze on the locks and seals and make it difficult to open the vehicle!
- When outside temperatures are low, wipe the rubber seals and their contact surfaces dry to help prevent freezing.
- In order for any sensors located on the outside of the vehicle to work correctly, they must be kept clean and clear of snow and ice. When using a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the sensors directly for a short period of time and always keep the nozzle at least 4 inches (10 cm) from the sensor.
- When cleaning vehicle graphics with a power washer or steam cleaner, only spray the graphics briefly and always keep the nozzle at least 16 inches (40 cm) from the vehicle. Never spray the vehicle graphics with water pressure above 1450 psi (100 bar).
- Do not clean icy or snow-covered windows with a power washer.
NOTE
To help prevent vehicle damage in a car wash:
- Compare the vehicle track width with the dimensions of the guide rails in the car wash to help prevent damage to wheel rims and tires!
- Switch off the rain sensor before driving the vehicle through a car wash .
- Make sure there is enough clearance for the height and width of the vehicle.
- To help prevent paint damage to the engine hood, place wiper blades against the windshield after they have dried. Do not let them snap back into place.
- Fold the outside mirrors toward the vehicle body.
- Lock the trunk lid to help prevent unintentional opening in the car wash.
NOTE
- To help prevent damage, do not use hard wax or polish on matte-finished parts, plastic parts, headlights or rear lights.
- Do not wax or polish your vehicle if it is dirty, or in a sandy or dusty place.
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