Maintenance
Service
Information regarding the service schedule
Information regarding maintenance of your vehicle and the type and scope of service work can be found in your service schedule. The service schedule is included with your manual Service schedule.
Vehicle care
Vehicle care information
Regular, proper care helps to maintain your vehicle.
The longer dirt remains on the surfaces of vehicle components, the more difficult it may be to clean and care for them. Long-term exposure can make it impossible for dirt to be removed.
For questions regarding care products or for vehicle components that are not listed, consult a suitably qualified professional. Suitably qualified professionals can provide you with suitable accessories. Volkswagen recommends contacting your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Read and follow the usage instructions on the packaging.
WARNING
Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components could impair vehicle safety equipment and cause serious injuries.
- Clean and maintain vehicle components only according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always use approved or recommended cleaning solution.
- Never use cleaning solutions that contain solvents. Solvents can cause permanent damage to the airbag module.
- Protect your hands and arms against components with sharp edges, for example when cleaning the inside of the wheel housings.
WARNING
Dirty, foggy, or icy windows reduce visibility and increase the risk of accidents and serious injuries. The vehicle safety equipment could become impaired.
- Only drive when there is clear visibility through all windows.
- Do not use water-repellent window solutions on the windshield. This can cause intense glare under poor visual conditions.
WARNING
Care products can be poisonous and dangerous. Unsuitable care products and incorrect application of care products can cause accidents, serious injuries, burns, and poisoning.
- Only store care products in their sealed original containers.
- Read and follow the package leaflet.
- Keep children away from all care products.
- Only use care products outside or in well-ventilated areas so that no harmful vapors are inhaled.
- Never use turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover, or other fluids with vapors that dissipate easily for vehicle care. They are poisonous and highly flammable.
NOTICE
Cleaning dirt with aggressive and solvent-based products can cause permanent damage to vehicle equipment, even if only exposed to the vehicle component for a brief period, for example on seat cushions or decorative parts.
- Do not allow dirt to dry.
- Have stubborn spots removed by a suitably qualified, authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Washing the vehicle
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ and Vehicle care information.
Washing your vehicle regularly prevents exposure to contamination, which may damage the paint.
Matte-finish vehicles require special care due to the particular properties of the paint.
To ensure that your vehicle is washed correctly and appropriately, note the following information ⇒ , ⇒ .
WARNING
After a car wash, the braking efficiency may be delayed due to damp or icy brake rotors and brake pads in the winter, and this can increase the braking distance.
- Perform careful braking maneuvers to “dry and remove ice” from the brakes. Do not endanger other road users while doing this.
NOTICE
Improper car washes can increase the risk of severe vehicle damage.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
- In cold weather, never direct a jet of water at locks, doors, or the trunk lid. Vehicle components could freeze.
Removing stubborn dirt on matte paint
- Soak insects or bird excrement that have adhered to the surface immediately with water and spray with a special cleaner for matte paint.
- Remove tar splashes on the paint surface with commercially available tar removers. Residue must not be removed by intensive rubbing.
- Remove tree resin and rust particles with special cleaner for matte paint and a cleaning clay bar. Slide the cleaning clay bar over the affected areas without pressing down on it.
- Spray grease and fingerprints with matte paint finish spray and rub with a soft microfiber cloth.
- Rinse gasoline residue immediately with plenty of water.
Automatic car washes
- If your vehicle has matte paint, never select a wash program with wax or drying aids.
- If your vehicle has matte paint, only use textile car washes, never brush car washes.
- For vehicle with decorative and protective decals, never use a wash package with hot wax.
- Choose car washes without brushes.
- Also ensure that the underside of the vehicle is washed regularly and thoroughly to remove any residue.
- Observe the information provided by the car wash operator, particularly with regard to attachments on the vehicle, e.g. spoilers ⇒ .
- The windows are closed and the outside mirrors are folded in.
- Vehicles with steering column lock: If the vehicle is mechanically towed in the car wash, the steering column must not be locked ⇒ Steering information.
- The windshield wiper ⇒ Window wipers and the rain/light sensor ⇒ Rain/light sensor are switched off.
- If applicable: the roof antenna has been removed.
