Get General Maintenance -> Care of the exterior of vehicle Guide for Skoda Octavia 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2012)

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 211

General Maintenance

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle

General

Care of the exterior of vehicle

Proper care retains the value of your vehicle.

Washing the vehicle

Regular and proper care retains the value of your vehicle. It may also be one of the

requirements for the acceptance of warranty claims relating to corrosion damage

and paint defects on the bodywork.

Frequent washing protects your vehicle.

The best protection for your vehicle against harmful environmental influences is

frequent washing and wax treatment. How often you should wash your vehicle

depends on a wide range of factors, such as:

We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by

your Škoda dealer. Please follow the instructions for use on the package.

•

Frequency of use,

The parking situation (garage, below trees etc.),

Season of the year,

WARNING

•

Care products may be harmful to your health if not used according to the

instructions.

Weather conditions,

Environmental influences.

•

Always store care products in a safe place, out of the reach of children -

risk of poisoning!

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 paint-

work of your vehicle, the more detrimental their destructive effect can be. High

temperatures, such as those caused by intensive sun's rays, accentuate this caustic

effect.

For the sake of the environment

Always select environmentally-friendly products when purchasing vehicle care

products.

•

It may therefore be necessary, in certain circumstances, to wash the car once a

week. It may also be sufficient, however, to wash the car once a month followed

by appropriate wax treatment.

•

Do not dispose of the packages with residues of care products in domestic

waste.

It is essential to also thoroughly wash the underside of your vehicle at the end of

the winter road salting and gritting period.

WARNING

When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the brake system

can affect the braking efficiency - risk of accident!

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212 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle

Automatic vehicle wash systems

WARNING

The paintwork of the vehicle is sufficiently resistant that the vehicle can be washed

normally in automatic vehicle wash plants without any problem. The actual stress

to which the paintwork is subjected, however, depends greatly on the design of the

vehicle wash system, the filtering of the water and the type of washing and care

products used. If the paintwork of your vehicle appears mat after being washed or

even has scratches, point this out to the operator of the vehicle wash plant. Use a

different vehicle wash plant, if necessary.

•

The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle -

risk of accident!

•

Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you

are cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel

trims - risk of cuts.

Caution

There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in an automatic

vehicle wash system other than the usual precautionary measures (closing the

windows and the sliding/tilting roof, etc.).

•

Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.

•

Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locks or at the door and

panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose - risk of freezing.

If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler, roof rack

system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of the car

wash plant.

•

Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning prod-

ucts - risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.

It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing

through the automatic vehicle wash system.

For the sake of the environment

Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This

ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage

system. It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle in certain areas except at such

specific washing bays.

Washing vehicle by hand

It is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thor-

oughly as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.

Washing with a high-pressure cleaner

One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge, washing glove or

a washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom -

beginning with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during

cleaning Only use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.

When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential to comply

with the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This applies in particular to

the pressure used and to the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large

distance to soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.

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.

Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.

On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters!

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 213

WARNING

Caution

You must not treat mat painted parts or plastic with polishing products or hard

wax.

•

It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray

jets. Visible but also invisible damage to tyres may occur even at a relatively

large spraying distance and if sprayed only for a short time - risk of accident!

•

Do not polish the paintwork of the vehicle in a dusty environment, otherwise

the paintwork can be scratched.

Caution

Chrome parts

The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the vehicle can

be damaged.

First clean the chrome parts with a damp clotch and then polish them with a soft,

dry cloth. If it does not prove to be adequate, use a chrome care product from

Škoda original accessories.

Wax treatment

Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful

environmental influences and minor mechanical damage.

Caution

Do not polish the chrome parts in a dusty environment, otherwise they can be

scratched.

The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest, when

no more drops form on the clean paintwork.

A new layer of a high-quality hard wax polish can be applied to the clean bodywork

after it has dried thoroughly. Even if you use a wax preserver regularly we still

recommend that you treat the paintwork of the vehicle at least twice a year with

hard wax.

Paint damage

Slight damage to paintwork such as scratches, scuffs or traces of chip damage must

be touched up immediately with paint (Škoda painting pen) before any corrosion

can result. You can of course have this work carried out by authorised Škoda Service

Partners.

Caution

Never apply wax to the windows.

The authorised Škoda Service Partners have a range of matching touch-up pens or

spray cans available in the colour of your vehicle.

Polishing

The paint number of the original paintwork of your vehicle is indicated on the

vehicle data sticker ⇒ page 272.

Polishing is only necessary if the paintwork of your vehicle has become unattractive

and if it is no longer possible to achieve a gloss with wax preservers.

Any corrosion which has already have formed must be removed thoroughly. Apply

a corrosion protection primer and then the paint to the affected point. You can of

course have this work carried out by authorised Škoda Service Partners.

You must treat the paintwork with a wax preserver if the polish you use does not

contain any preserving elements ⇒ page 213.

We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by

your Škoda dealer.

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214 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle

Plastic parts

The headlight lenses

External plastic parts are cleaned by normal washing. Plastic parts and synthetic

leather can also be treated with special solvent-free plastic cleaning agents if a

damp cloth is not sufficient. Paint care products are not suitable for plastic parts.

Please do not use any aggressive cleaning or chemical solvent products - risk of

damage to the plastic lenses Please use soap and clean warm water.

Caution

Never wipe the headlights dry and do not use any sharp objects for cleaning the

plastic lenses, this may result in damage to the protective paintwork and conse-

quently in formation of cracks on the headlight lenses, e.g through effect of chem-

ical products.

Solvent-free cleaners attack the material and can damage it.

Windows

Door and window seals

Only use a plastic ice scraper for removing snow and ice from the windows and

mirrors. You should not move the ice scraper forward and backward but in one

direction on the window which you are cleaning in order to avoid any damage to

the surface of the glass.

The rubber seals on the doors, boot lid, bonnet and windows remain supple and

last longer if you treat them from time to time with a rubber care product (e.g. with

a spray with silicone-free oil). You also avoid premature wear of the seals and

prevent leakages in this way. It is also easier to open the doors. Rubber seals which

are well cared for also do not stick together in cold winter weather.

You can best remove residues of rubber, oil, grease, wax or silicone by using a

special window cleaner or a special silicone remover.

You should also clean the windows regularly from the inside.

Do not use window leathers which you have used to polish the vehicle body to dry

off the windows. Residues of preservatives in the window leather can dirty the

window and reduce visibility.

Locking cylinder

We recommend that you use the spray from Škoda original accessories with

regreasing and anticorrosive effect for de-icing locking cylinders.

Do not affix any stickers over the inside of the rear window to avoid damage to the

heating elements of the rear window heater.

We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by

your Škoda dealer.

Note

When washing your vehicle, ensure that as little water as possible gets into the

locks.

Caution

Never remove snow or ice from the glass parts with warm or hot water - risk of

formation of cracks in the glass!

Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle 215

Underbody protection

Wheels

Steel wheels

The underside of your vehicle is protected for life against chemical and mechanical

influences.

You should also thoroughly wash the wheels and wheel trims when giving your

vehicle its regular wash. This prevents any brake dust, dirt and road salt from

sticking to the wheel hubs. You can remove stubborn brake abrasion adhering to

the wheels with an industrial cleaner. Touch up any damage to the paintwork on the

wheels before rust is able to form.

One cannot, however, completely rule out damage to the protective layer when

driving so we recommend that you inspect the protective layer on the underside of

your vehicle and on the chassis at certain intervals - this is best done at the begin-

ning and end of the winter - and to touch up any damaged areas.

The authorised Škoda Service Partners have suitable spray products available as

well as the necessary equipment and are familiar with the instructions for use. It is

therefore best to have such touch-up work or additional corrosion protection

measures carried out by an authorised Škoda Service Partner.

Light alloy wheels

Regular care of light alloy wheels is necessary in order to retain their decorative

appearance over long periods. It is particularly important to remove regularly any

road salt and brake abrasion from light alloy wheels, otherwise the light metal will

suffer. Wash thoroughly and then treat the wheels with a protective product for light

alloy wheels which does not contain any acidic components. We recommend to

apply a hard wax layer onto the wheel hubs every three months. You must not use

any products which cause abrasion when treating the wheel hubs. Any damage to

the paint layer on the wheel hubs must be touched up immediately.

WARNING

Never use additional underbody protection or corrosion-protection agents

for the exhaust pipes, catalytic converters, diesel particle filter or heat

shields. When the engine reaches its operating temperature, these

substances might ignite - risk of fire!

We recommend using a preservative from Škoda genuine accessories offered by

your Škoda dealer.

Protection of hollow spaces

WARNING

One should remember when cleaning the wheels that moisture, ice and road

salt may adversely affect braking efficiency - risk of an accident!

All the cavities of your vehicle which are at risk from corrosion are protected for life

by a layer of protective wax applied in the factory.

This wax protection does not require to be inspected or re-treated. Please remove

any small amount of wax which flows out of the cavities at high temperatures with

a plastic scraper and clean the spot using petroleum cleaner.

Note

Severe layers of dirt on the wheels can also result in wheel imbalance. This may

show itself in the form of a wheel vibration which is transmitted to the steering

wheel which, in certain circumstances, can cause premature wear of the steering.

This means it is necessary to remove the dirt.

WARNING

Safety and environmental protection regulations should observed when

using petroleum cleaner to remove wax - a risk of fire!

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General Maintenance -> Care of the exterior of vehicle for Your Skoda Octavia 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2012)

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