Volvo 2009 S60 - Manual (Page 176)

08 Car care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
08
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Washing the vehicle
• The vehicle should be washed at regular
intervals since dirt, dust, insects and tar
spots adhere to the paint and may cause
damage. It is particularly important to wash
the vehicle frequently in the wintertime to
prevent corrosion, when salt has been
used on the roads.
• When washing the vehicle, do not expose
it to direct sunlight. Use lukewarm water to
soften the dirt before you wash with a
sponge, and plenty of water, to avoid
scratching.
• Bird droppings: Remove from paintwork as
soon as possible. Otherwise the finish may
be permanently damaged.
• A detergent can be used to facilitate the
softening of dirt and oil.
• A water-soluble grease solvent may be
used in cases of sticky dirt. However, use
a wash place equipped with a drainage
separator.
• Dry the vehicle with a clean chamois and
remember to clean the drain holes in the
doors and rocker panels.
• Tar spots can be removed with kerosene
or tar remover after the vehicle has been
washed.
• A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy
water can be used to clean the wiper
blades. Frequent cleaning of the wind-
shield and wiper blades improves visibility
considerably and also helps prolong the
service life of the wiper blades.
• Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel
housings, fenders, etc.).
• In areas of high industrial fallout, more fre-
quent washing is recommended.
CAUTION
• 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.
• Dirt, snow, etc., on the headlights can
reduce lighting capacity considerably.
Clean the headlights regularly, for
example when refueling.
• During high pressure washing, the
spray mouthpiece must never be closer
to the vehicle than 13 " (30 cm). Do not
spray into the locks.
Special moonroof cautions:
• 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.
• After cleaning the engine, the spark plug
wells should be inspected for water and
blown dry if necessary.
Suitable detergents: Special vehicle washing
detergents should be used. A suitable mixture
is about 2.5 fl. oz. (8.5 cl) of detergent to 2.6 US
gal. (10 liters) of warm water. After washing
with a detergent the vehicle should be well
rinsed with clean water.
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 care-
fully. Solvents or stain removers should not be
used.
CAUTION
• Avoid waxing or polishing plastic or rub-
ber components
• Polishing chromed strips can wear
away or damage the surface
• Polishes containing abrasive sub-
stances should not be used