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Self-help, vehicle care
Vehicle care
When caring for your vehicle, observe all
nationa l environmental regulations,
particularly when washing it.
Regula r, thorough care helps to imp rov e
the a ppearance of your vehicle and
maintain its value ov er the years. It is also
prerequisite for warranty claim s for any
paint or corrosion dam age. The following
pages conta in tips for vehicle ca re which,
if used properly, w ill help comb at the
unavoidable damag ing effects of the
env ironment.
Washing
The paintwork of your v ehicle is exposed to
env ironmenta l influences. Wash a nd wax
your vehicle regularly. When using
automatic c ar washes, select a programm e
that includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin, pollen
and the like should be cleaned off
immediately, as they contain aggressive
constituents which can cause paint
dam age.
When using a car wa sh, follow the car-
wash manufacturer’s instructions. Switch
off the windscreen wiper
3
. Unscrew the
antenna
3
and rem ove the roof rack
3
.
If you w ash your v ehicle by hand, make
sure that the insides of the wing s a re also
thoroughly rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened doors
and flaps as well as the areas they cover.
Thoroughly rinse off and leather-off the
vehicle. Rinse leather frequently. Use
separate leathers for paint and w indow
surfaces: remnants of wax on the wind ow s
will impair vision.
Polishing and w axing
Wax the v ehicle regularly (at the latest
when water no longer beads). Otherwise,
the paintwork will d ry out.
Polishing is necessa ry only if the paint has
become dull or if solid deposits have
become attached to it.
Pa intwork polish with silic one form s a
protective film , ma king waxing
unnec essary.
Plastic body parts should not be treated
with wax a nd polish.
Wheels and tyres
Do not use high-pressure jet clea ners.
Clea n wheels with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Wheels are painted a nd can be treated
with the same agents as the b ody.
Pa intwork dam age
Rectify m inor p aintwork damage with a
touch-up p en b efore rust forms. Have more
extensive dam age or rust areas repaired
by a workshop.
Exterior lights
Headlight and other lig ht lens are ma de of
plastic. Do not use any a brasive or caustic
agents, do not use an ice sc ra per, and do
not clean them d ry.
Plastic and rubb er parts
Plastic and rubber parts can be cleaned
with the same cleaner a s used to clean the
body. Use interior c leaner if necessary. Do
not use any other agent. Avoid solv ents
and p etrol in particular. Do not use high-
pressure jet clea ners.
Interior and upholstery
Clean the vehicle interior, including the
instrument panel fascia, using interior
cleaner.
The instrum ent panel is only to be cleaned
with a soft, da mp cloth.
Clean the fabric upholstery with a v acuum
cleaner and brush. Remove sta ins with an
upholstery cleaner.
Clean seat belts with lukewa rm water or
interior cleaner.
Caution
Close Velcro fasteners as open Velcro
fasteners on clothing could damag e
seat upholstery.
Summary of Contents for 2013 Combo
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