Always turn off the ignition before working in the engine compartment. Under certain conditions, the cooling fan may continue to run for several minutes after the engine has stopped, so be careful not to get your fingers, hair, or clothing caught in the fan blades.
The electronic ignition system operates under high voltage. Do not touch the components of this system while the engine is running or the ignition is on.
Washing
The most important detergent you need to care for your car's paintwork is clean water. Wash your car with cold or warm water only.
The best procedure is washing without the use of brushes at a good car wash. If high-pressure water is used to wash the vehicle, water may enter the interior of the vehicle. Before visiting an automatic car wash, unscrew and remove the outdoor antenna, and also turn off the climate system fan to exclude the possibility of contamination of the cabin filter.
If a polishing cycle is selected, ensure that the polishing compound is removed from the windshield after washing.
High-pressure washing is allowed at a pressure of no more than 80 bar and a distance of at least 30 cm from the spray nozzle to the body. Failure to follow the instructions may cause damage to fragile elements of the car's exterior trim. It is recommended to use flat spray nozzles; round nozzles should not be used. Do not point the water jet at the radiator, alternator or ball joints.
In winter, do not forget to regularly wash the bottom of the car to remove road salt.
When washing the car by hand with car shampoo, rinse the body with plenty of water. Wipe the car dry with a piece of suede.
After washing, lightly press the brake pedal several times to remove moisture from the brakes.
To prevent damage to the clear plastic headlight lenses, do not use strong abrasives or chemical solvents to clean them. Do not wipe dry headlights and do not use sharp objects for this.
Depending on the distance traveled, the wheels should be washed about once a week to avoid the possibility of brake dust clogging. Use a wheel cleaner or warm water and a soft sponge. Do not use abrasive materials, so as not to damage the specially treated surface.
To prevent damage to the rear window heating elements, use a soft cloth or damp chamois to clean the inside of the rear window. Do not use solvents or sharp objects.
To maintain the effectiveness of the windshield wipers, wipe the outside of the windshield and rear window with a silicone-free cleaner. Do not apply any special coatings as this may cause noise during operation of the wipers.
It is recommended to clean the instrument panel with a soft brush or warm water and a lint-free cloth.
Use an interior cleaner or clean warm water to clean the seat belts. Do not use chemical cleaners, boiling water, bleach or dyes. Do not allow moisture to enter the seat belt retractors. Air dry belts without forced heat.
To clean displays (in the instrument cluster, on the audio unit, on the climate control unit) do not use abrasive materials, alcohol solutions or chemically active solvents.
To care for leather trim, use only special detergents and cleaners designed for leather. Wipe leather surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth and dry with a soft, clean cloth. Heavily soiled surfaces can be cleaned with a mild detergent, such as mild soap and water. Under normal conditions, it is recommended to treat the skin with a special protective composition every six months. Overmoistening of leather upholstery is not allowed. Take all necessary precautions to prevent water from penetrating into the seams.
Removal of minor damage to the paintwork and its protection
Damage to the paintwork caused by gravel and small scratches can be repaired with spray paint or a masking stick. Follow the instructions for use for each of these products. The paintwork warranty will only remain valid if the car is cleaned of aggressive substances in a timely manner (bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar stains, road salt, industrial emissions).
Once or twice a year, the paintwork of the car body should be treated with mastic. This allows you to keep the shine of the coating and accelerates the runoff of raindrops from the body. When polishing the car, be careful not to get polish on plastic surfaces as it will be difficult to remove from such areas. Do not polish your car in bright sunlight. Do not apply polish to the windshield or rear window as this may impair the effectiveness of the wipers or cause noise during operation.