Get Maintenance -> Vehicle care Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Vehicle care

Notes on vehicle care

Regular and expert care helps to maintain your vehicle's condition.

The longer contamination or dirt is left on the surface of vehicle components and upholstery

fabrics, the more difficult it can become to clean and treat them. Extended exposure may mean

that it is no longer possible to remove contamination or dirt.

Volkswagen recommends using genuine care products designed especially for your vehicle.

WARNING

Incorrect care and cleaning of vehicle parts can impair the safety features of the vehicle and

cause serious injury.

●

Vehicle parts must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Always use approved or recommended cleaning products.

Do not use cleaning agents that contain solvents. Solvents can cause irreparable damage to

the airbag modules.

●

Protect your hands and arms against parts with sharp edges, e.g. when cleaning the insides

of the wheel housings.

WARNING

If the windscreen, door windows or rear window are dirty, iced up or affected by condensation,

visibility will be reduced and the risk of accidents and severe injuries will increase. This could

impair the safety equipment of the vehicle.

●

Drive only when you have a clear view through all windows.

Do not treat the windscreen with water-repellent window coating agents. In unfavourable

conditions, they can cause increased dazzle.

WARNING

Care products may be toxic and hazardous. Unsuitable care products and incorrect application

of care products can cause accidents, severe injuries, burns or poisoning.

●

Store care products only in the closed original container.

Observe the manufacturer's instructions.

Keep children away from all care products.

Use care products only outside or in well-ventilated rooms so that you do not breathe in any

toxic vapours.

●

Never use turpentine, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids for vehicle care. These

substances are toxic and highly flammable.

NOTICE

Soiling with aggressive and solvent-based ingredients can cause irreparable damage to the

vehicle equipment, even if left for only a short time, e.g. on seat padding or trim parts.

●

Do not let contamination or dirt dry.

Have stubborn stains removed by a qualified workshop.

Washing the vehicle

Regularly and thoroughly clean the bottom of the vehicle also to remove residue.

Automatic car washes

Always observe all the car wash operator's specifications, in particular if your vehicle features

add-on parts →

.

—Preferably use car washes without brushes.

—Preclean the vehicle by rinsing with water.

—The steering column must not lock when driving through automatic car washes (→ Steering,

Function).

—Always switch off the Auto Hold function (→ Auto Hold function, Description), the wipers (→

Wipers, Description) and the rain/light sensor before entering the car wash.

—Fold in the exterior mirrors.

—Do not select cleaning programmes with hot wax for vehicles with decorative and protective

films.

High-pressure cleaner

Observe the manufacturer's instructions for the high-pressure cleaner. Never use rotating nozzles

→

.

—Use water up to a maximum temperature of +60°C (+140°F) only.

—Do not clean windows that are iced up or covered in snow with a high-pressure cleaner.

—Move the jet of water uniformly so that the nozzle is at least 50 cm away from the side

windows and other vehicle components.

—Do not apply the water jet to the same area for too long. Instead, leave stubborn dirt to soak.

—If possible, do not direct the water jet at seals, e.g. side windows, decorative trim, tyres,

rubber hoses, insulation materials or any other sensitive components, e.g. door locks.

—Sensors, camera lenses, and decorative and protective films should be sprayed directly only for

brief periods of time.

Hand wash

As a rule, a hand wash is a gentle method to clean your vehicle. However, there are also some

things to note for this →

.

—Soften dirt using plenty of water before cleaning the vehicle and subsequently rinse well.

—Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a cleaning glove or a cleaning brush using only light

pressure. Start with the roof and work from the top to the bottom.

—Thoroughly rinse out the sponge, wash mitt or brush regularly at short intervals.

—Clean wheels, sills etc. last and using a second sponge.

Use a shampoo for very stubborn dirt only.

Waxing

Waxing protects the paintwork. At the latest when water no longer clearly forms small drops and

runs off the paintwork when the vehicle is clean, the vehicle should be protected again using a

good preservative wax.

Even if a preservative wax is applied regularly in the automatic car wash, Volkswagen

recommends protecting the vehicle paintwork at least twice a year using Volkswagen Genuine

Hard Wax (000 096 317).

Polishing

Only if the paint has lost its shine and the gloss cannot be brought back by applying preservative

agents is polishing necessary.

Matt-painted vehicle parts must not be polished! The surface will be irreparably damaged by

polishing the paint.

Washing matt-painted vehicles

Clean vehicles with matt-painted surfaces by hand or in a textile car wash without wax

preservation. When washing the vehicle by hand, first remove the coarse dirt with sufficient

water and then wash the surface with a mild soap solution.

Slight soiling such as grease stains or insect residue can be removed with a special cleaner for

matt paint.

Notes on the high-voltage system

End the charging process and completely close the charging socket before washing the vehicle.

Further information:

—Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system and switch off the ignition.

—The stationary air conditioning program must not be active.

—Components of the high-voltage system, e.g. orange-coloured lines, must not be damaged.

Also observe the safety information for the high-pressure cleaner →

WARNING

.

After a car wash, the braking action may be delayed and this may extend the braking distance

as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet or iced up in winter.

●

Dry and de-ice the brakes by performing careful braking manoeuvres. Do not endanger any

other road users when doing this.

WARNING

The incorrect use of a high-pressure cleaner can result in damage. This can cause accidents and

serious injuries.

●

Never point the jet from the high-pressure cleaner straight at the orange high-voltage

cables or at components belonging to the high-voltage system or the 12-volt vehicle

electrical system.

NOTICE

Improper vehicle cleaning can cause severe damage to the vehicle.

●

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.

Never aim a water jet directly at locks, doors or the boot lid in cold weather. The locks and

seals could freeze up.

NOTICE

Car washes that scan the contours mechanically may damage the vehicle, e.g spoiler.

NOTICE

Painted parts and surfaces with a matt finish, unpainted plastic parts, headlight lenses and tail

light clusters can be damaged if the vehicle is not washed correctly.

●

Do not use hard or abrasive brushes.

Wash the vehicle in dedicated cleaning areas only. This prevents any waste water

contaminated by oil from entering the sewage system.

Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior

Fig. 1 Between the engine compartment and the windscreen: plenum chamber (illustration).

Fig. 2 In the rear of the vehicle: rear view camera

in the Volkswagen badge or

in the number plate light (illustration).

The following overview contains recommendations for cleaning and care of individual vehicle

components →

.

Windows, glass surfaces:

Remove wax residue, e.g. from care products, using the Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth

(000 096 166 A) or a suitable glass cleaner.

Use a hand brush to remove snow and ice. If you use a plastic scraper, move it in one direction

only. Use the Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (000 096 322) to remove ice.

Wiper blades: (→ Wiper blades, Description).

Paint:

Always treat surfaces carefully in order to prevent damage to the paint coat. Use a clean, soft

cloth and a mild soap solution

Repair minor paint damage with a touch-up pen. Refer to the vehicle data sticker for the paint

code (→ Technical data, Description). Consult a qualified workshop in the event of damage to

surfaces with matt paint.

Further information:

—Flash rust deposits: moisten deposits with a soap solution. Then remove any deposits with

cleaning clay.

—Corrosion: have removed by a qualified workshop.

Plenum chamber, engine compartment:

Remove leaves and other loose objects with a vacuum cleaner or by hand → Fig. 1 , →

.

Cleaning of the engine compartment should always be performed by a qualified workshop →

.

Water that has entered the plenum chamber via a manual process (e.g. from a high-pressure

cleaner) can cause considerable damage to the vehicle.

Sensors, camera lenses:

Clean the area in front of the sensors or camera with a soft cloth and solvent-free cleaning

agent. Observe the installation locations (→ Vehicle overviews, Overview).

In vehicles with rear view camera in the rear Volkswagen badge → Fig. 2

—Switch on the ignition.

:

—Set the selector lever position R.

—Clean the camera lens.

Clean sensitive surfaces on the rain/light sensor and the camera window on the windscreen in

the same way as windows and glass surfaces (depending on vehicle equipment).

Remove snow with a hand brush. Do not use warm or hot water. Use the Volkswagen Genuine

de-icing agent (000 096 322) to remove ice.

Decorative films, protective films:

Remove soiling as for paint. Always use Volkswagen Genuine plastic cleaner (000 096 314) for

matt decorative films.

Treat the vehicle with liquid hard wax every three months after washing and removing dust. Only

use clean, soft microfibre cloths to apply the wax. Do not use hot wax, even in car washes.

Further information:

—Stubborn dirt: remove carefully using white spirits, and then rinse with warm water.

Trim parts, trim strips, exhaust pipes made of chrome, aluminium or stainless steel:

Clean only using a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution

Chrome parts can be protected using Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (000 096 317).

Treat anodised surfaces with Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminium care product

(000 096 319 D).

Headlights, tail light clusters:

Use a soft sponge soaked with a mild soap solution

Further information:

—Stubborn dirt: remove with Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminium care product

(000 096 319 D).

Wheels:

Remove dirt and gritting salt deposits with plenty of water.

Alloy wheels: treat dirty aluminium wheels with Volkswagen Genuine wheel cleaner

(000 096 304). Volkswagen recommends treating the wheel rims with Volkswagen Genuine hard

wax (000 096 317) every three months.

Further information:

—Damage protective paint coating: repair immediately with a touch-up pen. If necessary go to a

qualified workshop.

—Brake dust: use Volkswagen Genuine wheel rim cleaner (000 096 304).

Door lock cylinders:

Volkswagen recommends using Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (000 096 322) for de-icing.

Do not use door lock de-icer containing degreasing substances.

WARNING

The engine compartment of the vehicle is a hazardous area. All work in the engine

compartment carries the risk of injury, scalding, accidents and fire.

●

Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment, always observe the required

procedures and safety precautions (→ In the engine compartment, General safety).

●

Volkswagen recommends having the work carried out by a qualified workshop.

NOTICE

Incorrect cleaning and care may cause vehicle damage.

●

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

●

Do not use excessively hard, abrasive cleaning tools.

NOTICE

The drainage channels for the plenum chamber may become blocked by leaves and dirt. Water

that fails to drain away can enter the interior.

●

Have the area under the perforated cover cleaned by a qualified workshop.

The durability and colour of decorative and protective films may be affected by

environmental influences, such as sunlight, moisture, polluted air, stone impacts, etc.

Decorative films may show signs of wear and ageing after around one to three years, and

protective films after two to three years. In very hot climates, decorative films may

become faded within one year and protective films within two years.

Vehicle interior cleaning and care

The following overview contains recommendations for cleaning and care of individual vehicle

components →

.

Windows:

Clean with a glass cleaning agent and then wipe dry using a clean chamois cloth or a lint-free

cloth.

Fabrics, microfibre fabrics, leatherette:

Remove any dirt with Volkswagen Genuine interior cleaning agent (000 096 301). Never treat

materials with leather care agents, solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or similar

substances.

Further information:

—Dirt particles adhering to surfaces: remove with a vacuum cleaner on a regular basis so that

the material is not permanently damaged by abrasion.

—For greased-based soiling, use Volkswagen Genuine interior cleaning agent (000 096 301), e.g.

for oil. Dab off dissolved grease and colour particles with an absorbent cloth and then treat

with water if necessary.

—For special soiling, use Volkswagen Genuine interior cleaning agent (000 096 301), e.g. for

ballpoint pen ink, nail varnish. If necessary, treat with a mild soap solution.

Natural leather:

Remove fresh soiling with a cotton cloth and mild soap solution

Treat any dried spots with Volkswagen Genuine leather cleaner (000 096 323).

Regularly and each time after having finished cleaning, apply care cream with light and moisture

protection and, if necessary, use a special coloured leather cream. If the vehicle is parked

outdoors for long periods, you should cover the leather to protect it from direct sunlight.

Never treat leather with solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or similar.

Further information:

—For grease-based soiling, e.g. oil, remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.

—Treat special soiling with Volkswagen Genuine leather cleaner (000 096 323), e.g. ballpoint pen

ink, nail varnish and dried spots.

Plastic parts:

Use a soft, moist cloth.

If stubborn soiling cannot be removed with mild soap solution

000 096 314

Trim parts, trim strips made of chrome, aluminium or stainless steel:

Clean using a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution

Treat anodised surfaces with Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminium care product

(000 096 319 D).

Controls:

Remove coarse dirt and other dirt that is difficult to reach using a soft brush. Then use a clean,

soft cloth and a mild soap solution

Displays and screens:

Use a Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth (000 096 166 A) with a little water, a suitable glass

cleaner or LCD cleaner. Do not clean the instrument cluster display and Infotainment system

screen with a dry cloth. Switch off the Infotainment system temporarily before cleaning.

Rubber seals:

Clean with a soft and lint-free cloth as well as plenty of water. Treat with Volkswagen Genuine

rubber care agent (000 096 310) on a regular basis.

Seat belts:

Carefully pull the seat belt right out and leave it out → . Remove coarse dirt with a soft brush.

Clean the seat belt with a mild soap solution. Leave the belt fabric to dry completely and then

allow it to roll up.

Wooden trims:

Clean with a soft cloth and some mild soap solution

Cleaning upholstery fabrics

If clothing that is not sufficiently colour-fast, e.g. denim which leaves stains on the seat cushion,

then this is not due to the cover fabric. The seat padding may contain components for the airbag

system and electrical connections. Seat padding that is damaged, incorrectly cleaned or treated,

or that becomes wet, may cause damage to the vehicle electrical system or trigger a fault in the

airbag system →

.

Depending on the equipment, seat cushions with seat heating feature electrical components and

connectors that may be damaged in the event of incorrect cleaning or treatment. This can also

result in damage to other parts of the vehicle electrics.

—Do not use high-pressure cleaners, steam cleaners or coolant spray.

—Do not switch on the seat heating to dry the seats.

—Do not use washing paste or fine detergent solutions.

—Avoid getting the seat wet.

—In the event of uncertainty, contact a Volkswagen dealership.

WARNING

Failure to clean the parts properly can cause damage to the seat belts, the fastenings and the

belt retractor.

●

Never try to modify or remove the seat belts for cleaning.

Never clean the seat belts and their components with chemical agents.

Do not use any caustic liquids, solvents or sharp objects.

Protect the belt buckles against the ingress of liquids and foreign bodies.

Let the cleaned seat belt to dry completely before allowing it to retract.

WARNING

Incorrect care and cleaning of vehicle parts can impair the safety features of the vehicle and

cause serious injury.

●

Vehicle parts must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.

NOTICE

Incorrect cleaning and care may cause vehicle damage.

●

Do not use a steam cleaner, brushes or hard sponges etc. under any circumstances.

Have stubborn stains removed by a qualified workshop.

Maintenance -> Vehicle care for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

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