2012 Volvo S60 Owner's Manual - Page 327

08 Maintenance and specifications Vehicle care Washing the car The following points should be kept in mind when washing and cleaning the car: considerably and also helps prolong the service life of the wiper blades. Exterior components Volvo recommends the use of special cleaning products, available at your Volvo retailer, for cleaning colored plastic, rubber, or ornamental components such as chromed strips on the exterior of your vehicle. The instructions for using these products should be followed carefully. Solvents or stain removers should not be used. • Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings, fenders, etc). • The car should be washed at regular intervals since dirt, dust, insects and tar spots adhere to the paint and may cause damage. To help prevent corrosion, it is particularly important to wash the car frequently in the wintertime. • In areas of high industrial fallout, more frequent washing is recommended. NOTE When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors and sills. • Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight. Doing so may cause detergents and wax to dry out and become abrasive. To avoid scratching, use lukewarm water to soften the dirt before you wash with a soft sponge, and plenty of sudsy water. CAUTION • CAUTION Avoid waxing or polishing plastic or rubber components Polishing chromed strips can wear away or damage the surface Polishes containing abrasive substances should not be used • • • • Bird droppings: Remove from paintwork as soon as possible. Otherwise the finish may be permanently damaged. 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. Always close the moonroof 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. • A detergent can be used to facilitate the softening of dirt and oil. • Automatic car wash • Dry the car with a clean chamois and remember to clean the drain holes in the doors and rocker panels. • We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the first few months (because the paint will not have hardened sufficiently). Special moonroof cautions: • Tar spots can be removed with tar remover after the car has been washed. • • • • 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. Keeping the underbody clean is most important, especially in the winter. Some automatic washers do • A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy water can be used to clean the wiper blades. Frequent cleaning of the windshield and wiper blades improves visibility 08 `` 327