2025-2026 Volvo EX40 SUV Care and maintenance -> Exterior cleaning and care User Manual
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Care and maintenance -> Exterior cleaning and care for Your Volvo EX40 SUV First Generation (2025-2026)

Important  
The car is unable to detect and identify all types of issues that can occur. It is therefore important to regularly inspect the  
car’s condition and address any service or maintenance needs you identify. Contact an authorised Volvo workshop for  
guidance if you are unsure of an issue’s severity, regardless of whether it is indicated by the car or not.  
To open the car status view, press the car symbol  
in the bottom bar and go to Status.  
13.2. Exterior cleaning and care  
Keep your car's exterior in good condition by getting rid of dirt and taking care of any paintwork scratches as  
soon as you notice them. Ensure good visibility by keeping wiper blades in good condition.  
Wash your car regularly, top up the washer fluid when needed and replace the wiper blades when they get worn. Taking care of  
your car's exterior doesn't just make it look nice, it also keeps your car in good condition.  
13.2.1. Washing the exterior by hand  
To avoid problems with cleaning ingrained dirt, wash the car regularly and as soon as it starts getting dirty. It  
reduces the risk of scratches and, of course, keeps your car looking good.  
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Important  
When and where to clean the exterior  
Clean your car as soon as it has attracted dust or dirt. This prevents the build-up of ingrained dirt, which often  
contains larger particles and debris that cause wear and damage, especially during cleaning.  
Remove bird droppings and tree sap or resin as soon as possible. These contain substances that can quickly damage  
and discolour the paintwork.  
Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight. This can cause cleaning agents or wax to dry out and act as abrasives.  
If the car has been exposed to corrosive substances, such as acid rain, salt, chemicals, iron powder, soot or ash, it  
needs to be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent damage. In areas with a lot of industrial emissions, more frequent  
washing is recommended.  
Clean the car in a dedicated cleaning area that collects the wastewater and make sure the water is treated according  
to environmental regulations. Make sure that there is an oil separator in the cleaning area.  
High-pressure washing  
Make sure that doors, windows, hatches and the panoramic roof are closed.  
Use a circular motion and keep the nozzle at least 30 cm (1 foot) from the car's surface.  
Do not spray directly onto openings or sensitive areas such as locks, cameras, trim, air intakes, the fuel filler flap or  
the charging port.  
Do not wash while charging  
Do not wash your car if the charging cable is connected.  
Note  
Be gentle and use the right cleaning equipment for the type of surface you are washing.  
Only use cleaning agents and car care products recommended by Volvo, and follow each product's accompanying  
instructions.  
Full exterior washing  
1. Start by rinsing the underbody, including the wheel housings and bumpers.  
2. Rinse the entire car to dissolve and wash away dirt. For particularly dirty surfaces, you can use a cold degreasing agent.  
3. Then use a sponge, car shampoo and plenty of lukewarm water to wash the entire car.  
4. Dry the car with a clean, soft chamois cloth or a gentle squeegee. This reduces the risk of stains from dried water droplets,  
which require additional polishing.  
5. Remove dirt from the drainage holes in the doors and clean out the door sills after washing the car.  
6. If any bitumen stains from the road surface tarmac remain, use a tar remover to get rid of them.  
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If there are particularly stubborn dirt patches or if you don't get the desired result when cleaning your car, contact Volvo support  
for advice.  
13.2.2. Washing the car in an automatic car wash  
Volvo recommends that you wash the car by hand so that you can properly reach all parts of the car.  
However, an automatic car wash is a simple way to quickly clean your car as soon as it gets dirty.  
Note  
Volvo recommends that you do not use an automatic car wash during the first few months, when the car is still new. This  
allows the paintwork to harden properly.  
Important  
Before using an automatic car wash  
Make sure that doors, windows, hatches and the panoramic roof are closed.  
Reduce the alarm sensitivity if you won't be inside the car while it's being washed.  
Change wiper mode to off.  
Secure any auxiliary lights.  
Activate air recirculation.  
Disable auto hold so that the car does not automatically brake or give unnecessary warnings.  
Open the parking view.  
1. Follow the instructions to drive into the automatic car wash and stop at the designated location.  
2. If you are using a tunnel car wash:  
Put the gear in N and take your foot off the brake. Turn the car off but do not apply the parking brake.  
If you are using a rollover car wash:  
Put the gear in P to engage the parking brake.  
3. When the wash is complete, follow the instructions and drive out.  
4. Be sure to reset any functions you changed before you drove in.  
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Warning  
Always test the brakes after washing, including the parking brake. This helps prevent moisture from causing corrosion,  
which could reduce the brakes' performance.  
If there are particularly stubborn dirt patches or if you don't get the desired result when cleaning your car, contact Volvo support  
for advice.  
13.2.3. Polishing and waxing  
If your car loses its lustre, it's time for a new coat of polish and wax. This gives the paintwork extra  
protection.  
Feel free to wax your car whenever necessary, but you shouldn't need to polish it during its first year.  
Important  
Be careful  
Do not polish or use products intended for high-gloss paintwork on surfaces that have matte paintwork. This may  
create a permanent gloss on the surface.  
Polishing glossy trim mouldings could wear away or damage the glossy surface layer.  
Avoid using polish or wax on rubber and unpainted plastic components.  
Contact Volvo support for information on recommended cleaning agents and car care products.  
1. Make sure the car is protected from direct sunlight. The surface should be no more than 45 °C (113 °F) when applying polish  
or wax.  
2. Wash and dry the car thoroughly.  
3. First polish the car, then wax it. Follow the instructions on the packaging carefully. Many products contain both polish and  
wax.  
13.2.4. Touching up paintwork damage  
Taking care of your car's paintwork helps to maintain the exterior. Inspect it regularly and repair damage  
straightaway to avoid further problems.  
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Common damage that may occur includes stone chips, scratches and marks along the edges of doors or bumpers.  
Important  
Paintwork damage in front of a radar can affect the radar's detection capabilities. Contact a service point for repairs if you  
find any damage close to the radars.[1] If you're unsure about where your car's radars are, you can find an overview of  
their locations in a separate section of this manual.  
Note  
Paint batches and brands may differ slightly in colour even if the colour code is the same. Therefore, even though you can  
touch up paintwork damage on your own, Volvo recommends that you always contact an authorised Volvo workshop to  
get help with any paintwork damage.  
Contact a Volvo dealer for recommendations on touch-up pens and spray paints.  
The surface must be clean and dry before doing any touch-ups.  
The temperature of the surface should be at least 15 °C (59 °F).  
Follow the instructions for the touch-up pen or paint you're using.  
1. Apply masking tape over the damaged area. Then peel it off to remove all loose paint.  
2. If there are uneven edges, you may need to gently polish around the damaged area using a very fine abrasive cloth. Clean the  
area thoroughly afterwards and let it dry.  
3. If the damage:  
has not reached the metal and an undamaged layer of paint remains, you can apply touch-up paint directly to the  
cleaned surface.  
has reached the metal, first use a primer.  
is on a plastic surface, first use an adhesive primer for better results. Spray into the lid of the spray can and brush on a  
thin layer.  
is a long scratch, use masking tape around the damaged area to protect the undamaged paintwork.  
4. Stir the primer thoroughly and apply with a fine brush, matchstick or something similar. Let it dry.  
5. Finish with a basecoat and clearcoat.  
[1]  
Volvo recommends an authorised Volvo workshop for all servicing and repairs.  
13.2.4.1. Finding the paint colour code  
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You can find the car body paint colour code on the product label located on a pillar between the front and  
rear doors.  
If there is damage to your car's paintwork, or it needs repairing or repainting, you need to know the exact colour of the paint.  
1
1
Paint colour code  
1. Go to the right-hand side of the car.  
2. Open the front and rear doors.  
3. Find the door pillar located between the front and rear doors.  
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The product label containing the colour code is located on the outer side of the door pillar, near the bottom of it.  
13.2.5. Windscreen damage  
It's important to repair a damaged windscreen as soon as possible. If you take immediate action, minor chips  
and cracks can often be repaired without replacing the entire windscreen.  
Small cracks or chips  
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Small windscreen cracks or chips can quickly spread, turning it from minor to severe damage. Contact an authorised Volvo  
workshop if you notice glass damage. Repair the windscreen as soon as possible.  
Important  
Camera and sensor area  
Any windscreen damage in the camera and sensor area, including small chips, scratches or cracks, can negatively affect  
forward detection and features that use it.  
Any windscreen damage in this area requires inspection by a service technician.  
Volvo recommends not repairing small damage in the camera and sensor area. Instead, the entire windscreen should  
be replaced.  
Severe glass damage  
If the windscreen suffers severe damage, the entire glass panel needs to be replaced.  
Warning  
Compromised safety  
Do not drive the car if there is structural damage to the windscreen. Weakened glass can degrade very quickly, impair vis-  
ibility and seriously compromise safety.  
Note  
Compatibility of new windscreen  
It's important that the new windscreen and its installation meet Volvo's specifications for safety and compatibility with  
the car's features.  
Calibration  
When a windscreen is installed, the forward-facing camera behind the glass requires function checks and calibration by a  
service technician to ensure that it works correctly.  
13.2.6. Refilling washer fluid  
The washer fluid reservoir cap is located under the bonnet. Be sure to use good quality washer fluid.  
The car notifies you when the washer fluid level is getting low.[1]  
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Note  
Reservoir capacity  
Your car can hold 10.2 litres (approximately 10.8 US quarts) of washer fluid.  
Important  
Washer fluid quality  
Use washer fluid with a pH between 6 and 8.  
If you use concentrated washer fluid, dilute it as instructed on the packaging and use clean pH-neutral water.  
Volvo recommends washer fluid with frost protection in cold conditions, especially in temperatures below freezing.  
This is to prevent damage caused by the fluid freezing inside the pump, reservoir and hoses.  
1. Open your car's bonnet.  
2.  
Locate the blue cap with the washer fluid symbol and open it.  
3. Pour the washer fluid into the reservoir. Avoid spillage if possible.  
4. Close the cap and bonnet.  
[1]  
When there is about 1 litre (1 quart) left.  
13.2.7. Cleaning wipers  
Dirt, dust, sand, insects and different weather conditions are just a few of the things your wipers take care of.  
It's important to clean your wipers regularly to maintain good visibility and prolong the blades' service life.  
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1. Activate the wiper service position via settings in the centre display. This gives you better access to the front wiper blades.  
2. Rinse the area with water to get rid of any loose dust and dirt.  
3. Use a soft sponge with a lukewarm soap solution or car shampoo to clean the area. Lift the wiper arms from the windscreen  
for better access.  
4. Use a clean, soft cloth to dry the wipers.  
5. Make sure the wiper arms are folded back down against the windscreen, and then deactivate the wiper service position.  
Important  
Test the wipers before driving. Use plenty of washer fluid when the wipers are in motion. The windscreen must be wet for  
the wipers to work properly.  
13.2.8. Replacing front wiper blades  
Your front wiper blades' service life is affected by the water, dirt and debris that they sweep off your  
windscreen. The wiper blades need to be replaced when they show signs of wear.  
1. Activate the wiper service position via settings in the centre display.  
2.  
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Fold the wipers up and away from the windscreen.  
3.  
Press the button on the wiper arm and remove the wiper blade by pulling it upwards.  
4.  
Make sure that the blade for the driver side is longer than the blade for the passenger side. Slide the wiper blade onto the  
wiper arm. Ensure that the pin on the wiper arm goes into the hole on the wiper blade. Push the blade into the wiper arm  
until you hear a click sound.  
5. Check that the blade is firmly attached.  
6. Fold the wiper arms back down against the windscreen.  
7. Deactivate the wiper service position.  
13.2.9. Replacing the rear wiper blade  
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Your rear wiper blade's service life is affected by the water, dirt and debris that it sweeps off your rear  
windscreen. The wiper blade needs to be replaced when it shows signs of wear.  
1.  
Grasp the centre of the wiper arm and lift it up and away from the rear windscreen. You may feel some resistance halfway –  
this is the lock position. You need to pull the wiper arm past the lock position so that it doesn't fall back onto the  
windscreen.  
2. Pull the lower part of the blade away from the wiper arm until it loosens.  
3. Press the new blade into place until you hear a click.  
4. Check that the blade is firmly attached to the wiper arm.  
5. Fold the arm back down against the windscreen.  
6. Connect the wiper blade's hose to the hose connector. Lower the plastic cover back down.  
Note  
Make sure that the hose is positioned in such a way that it won't become trapped or pinched when the plastic cover is  
lowered back down.  
13.2.10. Activating the wiper service position  
The wiper service position allows you to clean or replace the front wiper blades. When activated, the wipers  
move to a more accessible position on the windscreen.  
1. Press the car symbol  
in the bottom bar and go to Settings.  
2. Go to Controls → Mirrors and wipers → Wipers → Wiper service position.  
3. Activate the service position.  
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The wipers move to a more accessible position and can be lifted up from the windscreen for servicing.  
Important  
Fold the wipers down  
Be sure to fold the wipers back down against the windscreen after servicing them. Activation of the wipers when they are  
in an elevated position can damage the car.  
Once you have folded the wipers back down, deactivate the service position. This can be done by either of these options:  
The setting in the centre display.  
Start driving.  
Start using the wipers or washers.  
13.2.11. Corrosion protection  
A good way to reduce the risk of corrosion is to keep your car clean. Your car also has durable corrosion  
protection.  
Normally, the corrosion protection doesn't require maintenance apart from regular cleaning and washing, which removes cor-  
rosive substances. Avoid using strong alkaline or acidic cleaning solutions on glossy trim components as they can cause corro-  
sion. Road surfaces with gravel or small stones can lead to paint chips that can act as entry points for corrosion. Deal with such  
damage as soon as you notice it.  
The car body's corrosion and abrasion protection consists of:  
protective coatings, both on the sheet metal and applied in a high-quality painting process  
shielding with plastic components  
corrosion-resistant cast aluminium used for exposed components of the wheel suspension.  
13.3. Interior cleaning and care  
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instances. For more information, refer to the first page for the complete disclaimer note.  
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