2001 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 232

232 Car care and technical information Apply the leather conditioner using a soft cloth and the same circular movements as described above. After it has dried, polish the leather with a soft, dry cloth. Follow the directions given above. Do not use hot water, unknown abrasive polishes, solvents, sprays or soaps that might scratch the leather. Washing the car The bodywork must be washed frequently. When the car is new, the body should be washed by hand using plain cold water and a clean, soft brush, or in a brushless carwash that uses mild detergent. Automatic car washes with brushes should be avoided when the car is new. Do not use automatic car washes for the first five or six months, before the paintwork has hardened properly. Thereafter, use a high quality car wash soap added to lukewarm water. Do not use a pressure washer at close range on stone chip damage, scratches or other damage to the paintwork. The paint can otherwise start to flake. Remove any bird droppings without delay, as these can discolor the paintwork and prove difficult to polish out. Use a soft cloth moistened with methyl alcohol to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do not use strong cleaners, as these can dry out the paintwork. Textile carpeting Vacuum clean the carpeting regularly. Carpets can also be cleaned using a brush, or carpet shampoo applied with a sponge. Do not use vacuum cleaners outdoors unless they are properly grounded. The underside of the car also needs washing regularly, and this should be done extra thoroughly at the end of winter. Clean the underside of the car by hand if the car is usually washed in an automatic car wash without special facilities for underbody cleaning. Never wash or leave the car to dry in the sun, but wipe it dry with a chamois leather immediately after washing to avoid smears and streaks. Clean the window glass inside and out using a high quality window cleaner. This is particularly important when the car is new, as upholstery and trim have a tendency to sweat a little at first. Keep the glass well cleaned, as this helps to prevent misting. NOTE • The door mirrors must be fully retracted before the car enters an automatic car wash. • Remove fixed antennas, e.g. for mobile phone, before putting car through an automatic car wash. • Try your brakes on leaving a car wash. Wet brake discs reduce the braking effect. NOTE Avoid using any alcohol-based cleaners on the front and rear light clusters, as these can cause cracking of the lenses.