2005 Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual - Page 254

252 Car care very warm, dry climates the leather may need more regular reconditioning. Use conventional leather care products. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Do not use unknown harsh polishing agents, cleaning agents, sprays, coarse soap or hot water. Engine bay The engine bay should be cleaned with an engine decreasing and rinsed with hot water. The headlights must be covered over. Do not use a pressure washer. Avoid spraying electrical components and connectors. Do not use petrol as a cleaning agent or solvent when carrying out repairs or maintenance. Saab recommends the use of environmentally-friendly decrescendos. NOTICE Do not use alcohol-based cleaners on the plastic lenses of the front or rear lights, as these can cause a crackling effect on the lenses. The door mirrors should be folded in before the car enters an automatic car wash. 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 inside of window glass using a proprietary 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 polished, as this helps to prevent misting. Clean the outside of the windows with Saab washer fluid. This is especially important if the car has been washed in an automatic car wash, as sometimes a wax treatment is used that can contaminate the windshield and impair the performance of the wipers. Textile carpeting Textile carpeting should be vacuum cleaned regularly. Carpeting can also be cleaned using a brush or sponge and carpet shampoo. For safety reasons, vacuum cleaners that are not earthed (grounded) must not be used out of doors. Washing 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 through which the water flows. Automatic caresses should be avoided when the car is new. After 5-6 months the paintwork will have hardened. To facilitate cleaning, a suitable detergent can be added to the water, which should be lukewarm. Remove any bird droppings without delay, as these can discolor the paintwork and prove difficult to polish out. Lay a wad of wet paper on the patch of dirt and leave it for a minute or so. It will then be easy to wash off the dirt. Use a soft cloth moistened with white spirit to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do not use strong cleaners, as these can dry out the paintwork.