Get Interior care and cleaning Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

Interior care and cleaning

ꢀIntroduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Caring for upholstery

Cleaning upholstery, fabric trim and Alcantara^®

Care and cleaning of leather upholstery

Cleaning leatherette

Cleaning storage compartments and cup holders

Cleaning storage compartments, cup holders, and ashtrays

Care and cleaning of plastic components, wood trim and instrument panel

Cleaning the safety belts

Modern clothing fabrics such as dark denim may not be completely colorfast. Even with normal use,

dye from these and other fabrics can rub off on seat upholstery and leave visible discolorations

(especially on light-colored seat upholstery). This is caused by a lack of colorfastness in the clothing

fabric, not by any fault in the seat upholstery fabric. To help prevent damage to the seat upholstery,

always make sure your clothing is colorfast. Volkswagen recommends having a qualified specialist

remove any discolorations from the seat upholstery.

The longer stains, dirt and other deposits remain on the surfaces of vehicle components and

upholstery, the more difficult it may be to clean them. If stains, dirt and deposits are left untreated for a

long time, they may become impossible to remove.

More information:

ꢀ

Exterior care and cleaning

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

WARNING

Vehicle care products can be dangerous. Improper use can cause accidents, burns,

poisoning, or other serious personal injuries.

ꢀ

Always store vehicle care products only in original containers that are securely closed.

Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS on the package.

To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use empty food or beverage containers that might

mislead someone into drinking from them.

ꢀ

Always keep vehicle care products out of the reach of children.

Always use such products outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, because harmful vapors

may be released when these products are used.

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover or other volatile fluids for

vehicle care. They are poisonous and highly flammable.

ꢀ

WARNING

Improper care and cleaning of vehicle components can compromise the vehicle's safety

features and cause serious personal injury.

ꢀ

Always clean and maintain vehicle components according to manufacturer's instructions.

Only use approved or recommended cleaners.

NOTICE

ꢀ

Vehicle care products containing solvents can cause irreparable damage to plastics and

other vehicle materials.

Stains, dirt and other deposits that contain aggressive substances or solvents can corrode

vehicle materials and cause permanent damage, even after brief contact with the surface.

ꢀ

Remove stains, dirt, and other deposits as quickly as possible and do not allow them to dry.

To help prevent damage, have stubborn stains removed by a professional who has the

necessary expertise and experience.

Suitable care products are available from authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized

Volkswagen Service Facilities.

Caring for upholstery

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Checklist

Please note the following when it comes to the care and preservation of the upholstery ⇒ꢀ

:

Open Velcro^®fasteners can damage upholstery, fabric, and trim. Before you get into the vehicle,

close all Velcro^®fasteners that could come into contact with upholstery fabrics and cloth trim.

¥

Sharp-edged objects and items on clothing and belts (such as belt clips, mobile phone cases,

zippers, rivets, and rhinestones) can damage upholstery material and fabric trim. To help prevent

damage, do not let such items come into direct contact with the upholstery and fabric trim.

¥

Dust and dirt particles in pores, folds, and seams can have a “scouring” effect on material and

damage the surface. Remove dust and dirt regularly to help prevent permanent surface damage.

¥

Check clothing for color-fastness to help prevent upholstery discoloration, especially to light-

colored upholstery.

NOTICE

Disregarding the upholstery-related checklist may lead to damage or discoloration of

upholstery and fabric trim.

ꢀ

Please note and follow the points listed in the checklist.

Volkswagen recommends having any discoloration removed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Cleaning upholstery, fabric trim and Alcantara^®

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Cleaning upholstery on heated seats and power seats or seats with airbag components

Airbag components and electrical connectors may be installed in the driver seat, the front passenger

seat, and in the outer rear seats. Damaging, cleaning and handling incorrectly, or wetting or soaking

these seat surfaces and backrests can damage the vehicle electrical system and prevent the airbag

system from working properly ⇒ꢀ

Electrical components and connectors that could be damaged by incorrect cleaning or handling are

.

installed in power seats and heated seats ⇒ꢀ . This can also result in damage to other parts of the

vehicle electrical system.

For this reason, read and follow these cleaning instructions:

ꢀ

Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or cooling spray.

Do not use detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions.

Do not wet the surface completely.

Only use cleaning products approved by Volkswagen.

If you have questions or concerns, consult a professional cleaner.

Before using any cleaning agent, familiarize yourself with instructions and warnings on the

packaging.

ꢀ

attachment.

Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, Alcantara^®upholstery, and carpeting regularly with a suitable brush

ꢀ

A soft sponge or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth may be used for general

cleaning ⇒ꢀ

.

ꢀ

Clean Alcantara^®surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth or a commercially available lint-free

microfiber cloth ⇒ꢀ

.

Upholstery and fabric trim with light generalized soiling can be cleaned with a commercially available

dry-foam cleaner.

If the upholstery and fabric trim pieces are heavily soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you begin cleaning to learn about suitable cleaning

options. If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professional.

Cleaning upholstery on non-heated seats, manual seats, or seats without airbag

components

ꢀ Before using any cleaning agent, familiarize yourself with instructions and warnings on the

packaging.

ꢀ

attachment.

Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, Alcantara^®upholstery, and carpeting regularly with a suitable brush

ꢀ

Do not use power washers, steam cleaners, or cooling spray.

A soft sponge or a commercially available lint-free microfiber cloth may be used for general

cleaning ⇒ꢀ

Clean Alcantara^®surfaces with a damp cotton or wool cloth or a commercially available lint-free

microfiber cloth ⇒ꢀ

.

ꢀ

.

Upholstery and fabric trim with light generalized soiling can be cleaned with a commercially available

dry-foam cleaner.

If the upholstery fabric and fabric trim pieces are heavily soiled, see your authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility before you begin cleaning to learn about suitable

cleaning options. If necessary, have the cleaning done by a professional.

Removing stains

When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean entire surface and not just the stain itself. This is

especially true if the entire surface has become dirty from normal use. Otherwise, the area that is

treated may be lighter than the untreated area. If you have questions or concerns, consult a

professional cleaner.

Type of stain

Recommended cleaning for fabric and upholstery

Water-based stains, such

as coffee or fruit juice.

– Moisten a sponge with water and rub the stain gently with a circular

motion.

– Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth.

Persistent stains, such as

chocolate or make-up.

– Use only Volkswagen-approved cleaning products.

– If necessary, have the fabric or upholstery professionally cleaned.

Grease-based stains, such

as oil, lipstick, etc.

– Use only Volkswagen-approved cleaning products.

– If necessary, have the fabric or upholstery professionally cleaned.

WARNING

If there is a malfunction in the airbag system, the airbag may not deploy correctly or at all, or

it may deploy unexpectedly. This could cause fatal injuries.

ꢀ Have the airbag system inspected immediately by your authorized Volkswagen dealer or

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

NOTICE

If the upholstery on power seats, heated seats, or seats with airbag components is wet,

electrical components and the vehicle electrical system could be damaged.

ꢀ

If the seating surface becomes soaked, have it dried and the system components checked

immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Do not use steam cleaners because the steam could cause the dirt to penetrate deeper into

the fabric and make it impossible to remove.

ꢀ

Pressure washers and cooling sprays can damage the upholstery.

NOTICE

ꢀ Clean only the carpet and floor mats with brushes. Other textile surfaces can be damaged

by brushes.

ꢀ

If detergent pastes or mild detergent solutions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge, the

surfactants in the detergent may cause visible lines to form at the edges of the area where the

detergent was applied. These lines are generally difficult or impossible to remove.

NOTICE

ꢀ

Do not soak Alcantara^®.

Do not treat Alcantara^®with leather care products, solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain

remover or similar products.

ꢀ

Do not use brushes for damp cleaning, because they can damage upholstery surfaces.

Do not use a steam cleaner, because dirt will penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Care and cleaning of leather upholstery

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If you have questions regarding the care and cleaning of the leather upholstery in the vehicle, please

contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Care and treatment

Natural leather requires special attention and care. Napa leather has a smooth surface. The intensity

of the color application determines the leather's appearance and texture. If you can see the leather

grain and other natural characteristics, this is an untreated napa leather that will provide very

comfortable seating. Delicate veins, closed scars, insect bites, folds, and a slightly clouded color

remain visible and represent authentic characteristics of the natural material. Untreated napa leather

has no protective coating. It is therefore more susceptible to damage. You should keep this in mind if

the leather is going to be exposed to severe wear from children, animals, or other factors. By contrast,

leather that has a protective coating is more robust. This has a positive effect on the leather's

durability in daily use. The typical natural characteristics are hardly visible or no longer visible at all,

but that has no impact on the quality of the leather itself. The typical characteristics of untreated

leather are much more distinctive than those of a surface-treated leather.

ꢀ

After each cleaning, apply cream that waterproofs the leather and protects it against the sun. Such

creams also nourish the leather, let it breathe, keep it flexible and moisturized. At the same time it

protects the surface.

ꢀ

Clean leather every 2 to 3 months and remove any new stains.

ꢀ

Treat leather with a suitable leather-care product twice a year ⇒ꢀ

Apply cleaning and conditioning materials sparingly and always with a dry, lint-free cotton or wool

cloth. Do not apply cleaning and conditioning materials directly to the leather.

.

ꢀ

Remove fresh stains such as ballpoint pen, lipstick, ink, shoe polish, etc. as soon as possible.

Preserve the leather's color. If necessary, refresh fading spots with a specially-colored leather

cream.

ꢀ

Wipe the leather with a soft cloth.

Cleaning

Volkswagen recommends using a slightly moistened cotton or wool cloth for general cleaning.

It is important not to let water soak through the leather or penetrate into seams.

Before cleaning leather surfaces, read and heed the information, Cleaning upholstery on heated

seats and power seats or seats with airbag components.

Type of stain

Cleaning

Heavy stains

– Apply a mild soapy solution with a cloth that has been wrung nearly

dry⁷.

– Dab dry with an absorbent cloth.

Water-based stains, such

as coffee, tea, juice, or

blood.

– Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.

– If the stains are already dry, use an appropriate cleaning agent ⇒ꢀ

.

Grease-based stains, such

as oil, lipstick, etc.

– Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.

– Use an appropriate cleaning agent on stains that have not yet

penetrated the surface ⇒ꢀ

.

7

Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in 1 quart (liter) of water.

Type of stain

Cleaning

Special stains, such as

ballpoint pen, marker, nail

polish, latex paint, or shoe

polish.

– Dab dry with an absorbent cloth.

– Clean with a special stain remover designed for leather.

NOTICE

ꢀ Stains that have been left in place too long will penetrate the surface of the leather and

cannot be removed.

ꢀ

Never treat leather with solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or similar products.

Wipe up spilled liquids immediately with an absorbent cloth. Liquid can penetrate leather

surfaces and seams within a few seconds.

ꢀ If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time, cover the upholstery to protect the leather

from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading and discoloration.

Slight discoloration caused by wear and tear is normal.

Cleaning leatherette

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Clean leatherette upholstery only with water and a mild soap solution.

Before cleaning leatherette surfaces, read and heed the information,Cleaning upholstery on heated

seats and power seats or seats with airbag components.

NOTICE

ꢀ Do not clean leatherette with solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover, or similar

products.

ꢀ

These can cause the material to become brittle and break. Sharp-edged objects and items

on clothing and belts (such as belt clips, mobile phone cases, zippers, rivets, and rhinestones)

can damage upholstery material and fabric trim.

ꢀ If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time, cover the upholstery to protect the leatherette

from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading or discoloration.

Applicable only in the United States and Canada

Cleaning storage compartments and cup holders

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

Some storage compartments and cup holders have a removable rubber insert at the bottom.

ꢀ

Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.

If this is not sufficient, then use a special solvent-free care and cleaning product designed for

plastics.

Care and cleaning of plastic components, wood trim and instrument

panel

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

ꢀ

Moisten a clean, lint-free cloth with water and clean the parts.

Clean plastic components (inside and outside of the vehicle) and the instrument panel only with a

solvent-free care and cleaning product that is specifically designed for plastics and approved by

Volkswagen ⇒ꢀ

Clean wood trim with a mild soap solution.

.

ꢀ

WARNING

Using solvents or other improper cleaning products on surfaces where airbags are located

can change the way airbags deploy in a crash.

ꢀ

Products containing solvents will change the properties of the plastics and may cause

plastic parts to break and fly around when the airbag deploys in a crash, causing injury.

Never use solvents or cleaners on the steering wheel horn pad or on the instrument panel

ꢀ

because they can damage the airbag cover or change the stiffness or strength of the material

so that the airbag cannot deploy and protect properly.

ꢀ When cleaning the horn pad and instrument panel, use only a soft, dry cloth or a cloth

moistened with plain water.

Cleaning the safety belts

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If a safety belt is dirty, this can prevent the belt from working properly. Keep safety belts clean and

regularly check all safety belts for damage.

Safety belts must never be taken apart for cleaning.

ꢀ

Remove coarse dirt with a soft brush ⇒ꢀ

Carefully pull the dirty safety belt out of the retractor and keep it out.

.

Clean the safety belt with a mild soap solution.

After cleaning, always give the safety belts time to dry thoroughly before letting them retract. This

helps prevent damage to the retractor.

ꢀ

Do not let the safety belts retract until they are completely dry.

WARNING

Damage to safety belts reduces their overall effectiveness and increases the risk of serious

personal injury and death whenever the vehicle is being used.

ꢀ

Check the condition of all safety belts regularly. If you notice that the safety belt webbing,

hardware, retractor, buckle, or any other part of the safety belts is damaged, immediately

have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility replace the

safety belt with the correct replacement belt for your vehicle model and model year.

ꢀ

Never use chemical cleaning agents, solvents, or any substance that may damage or

weaken the safety belt webbing or any other parts of the safety belt. Never let the belts come

into contact with corrosive fluids or sharp objects. Otherwise, the safety belt webbing will be

significantly weakened.

ꢀ

After cleaning, always give the safety belts time to dry completely before letting them

retract. The moisture can damage the retractor and keep it from working properly.

Never let foreign objects or liquids get into the safety belt latch. This could prevent the

belt buckles and safety belts from working properly.

ꢀ

Damaged safety belts must be replaced; they cannot be repaired.

Never try to repair a damaged safety belt yourself. Never remove or modify the safety belts

in any way.

ꢀ

Safety belts that were subject to stress in an accident and stretched must be replaced with

a correct, new safety belt, preferably by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

ꢀ Replacement after a crash may be necessary even if a safety belt shows no visible

damage. Anchorages that have been loaded must also be inspected.

Interior care and cleaning for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals