It is essential to also thoroughly clean the underside of the vehicle at the end
of the winter.
WARNING
Observe the following instructions for the airbag system.
It is prohibited to tamper with individual parts of the airbag system as this
might result in the airbag being deployed.
Never install any airbag parts into the vehicle that have been removed
from old cars or have been recycled.
Never fit damaged airbag parts to a vehicle. The airbags may then not be
triggered properly or not at all in the event of an accident.
No modifications of any kind must be made to parts of the airbag system.
■
WARNING
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Washing your vehicle in the winter: water and ice in the brake system can
■
affect the braking efficiency – there is the risk of an accident.
■
Only wash the vehicle when the ignition is switched off – there is the risk
■
of an accident.
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CAUTION
Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight – there is a risk of paint damage.
WARNING
■
A change in the suspension of the vehicle including the use of non-ap-
For the sake of the environment
Only wash the vehicle at washing bays intended for this purpose.
proved wheels and tyre combinations can alter the functioning of the air-
bag system - there is a risk of accident and fatal injury.
■
Never make any changes to the front bumper or bodywork.
Washing by hand
Read and observe and on page 128 first.
Soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse as much as you can of this off.
Washing the car
Introduction
Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a washing glove or a washing brush.
Work from the top to the bottom - starting with the roof.
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Washing by hand
128
Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Automatic car wash systems
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
129
129
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such
areas.
The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences
is frequent washing.
Give the vehicle a good rinse after washing it and dry it off using a chamois
leather.
How often the vehicle should be washed depends, for example, on the follow-
ing factors.
Frequency of use.
Parking situation (garage, under trees, etc.).
Season of the year.
Weather conditions.
CAUTION
›
›
■
When washing the car by hand, protect your hands and arms from sharp-
edged metal parts (e.g. when cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel
housings or the wheel trims, etc.) - There is a risk of cuts!
›
›
Environmental influences.
›
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Only apply slight pressure when cleaning the vehicle's paintwork.
The longer insect residues, bird droppings, tree sap, road and industrial dust,
tar, soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits remain adhering to
the paintwork of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect
can be. High temperatures, such as those caused by intensive sun's rays, ac-
centuate this caustic effect.
128
General Maintenance
English 
