2009 Volvo S40 Owner's Manual - Page 203

08 Car care Washing and cleaning the car CAUTION Keeping the underbody clean is most important, especially in the winter. Some automatic washers do not have facilities for washing the underbody. Exterior lighting Condensation may form temporarily on the inside of the lenses of exterior lights such as headlights, fog lights, or taillights. This is normal and the lights are designed to withstand moisture. Normally, condensation will dissipate after the lights have been on for a short time. • During high pressure washing, the spray mouthpiece must never be closer to the vehicle than 13" (30 cm). Do not spray into the locks. Dirt, snow, etc., on the headlights can reduce lighting capacity considerably. Clean the headlights regularly, for example when refueling. When washing or steam cleaning the engine, avoid spraying water or steam directly on the electrical components or toward the rear side of the engine. Always close the moonroof (option) and sun shade before washing your vehicle. Never use abrasive cleaning agents on the moonroof. Never use wax on the rubber seals around the moonroof. • CAUTION • • Before driving into an automatic car wash, turn off the optional rain sensor to avoid damaging the windshield wipers. Make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliary lamps, etc, are secure, and that any antenna(s) are retracted or removed. Otherwise there is risk of the machine dislodging them Chromed wheels: Clean chromeplated wheels using the same detergents used for the body of the vehicle. Aggressive wheel-cleaning agents can permanently stain chrome-plated wheels. Polishing and Waxing • Normally, polishing is not required during the first year after delivery, however, waxing may be beneficial. • • Before applying polish or wax the vehicle must be washed and dried. Tar spots can be removed with kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing compound. • • • • • After polishing use liquid or paste wax. • Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax. Automatic washing - simple and quick We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the first six months (because the paint will not have hardened sufficiently). An automatic wash is a simple and quick way to clean your car, but it is worth remembering that it may not be as thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and water. • Waxing alone does not substitute for polWARNING ishing a dull surface. • A wide range of polymer-based waxes can be purchased today. These waxes are easy to use and produce a long-lasting, highgloss finish that protects the bodywork against oxidation, road dirt and fading. • When the car is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakes several times in order to remove any moisture from the brake linings. Engine cleaning agents should not be used when the engine is warm. This constitutes a fire risk. • • Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct sunlight (the surface of the vehicle should not be warmer than 113 °F (45 °C). 08 203