Get Interior care and cleaning Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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

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 col-

orfastness 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 uphol-

stery.

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 contain-

ers 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 chil-

dren.

Always use such products outdoors or in well-ventilated are-

as, because harmful vapors may be released when these prod-

ucts 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 com-

promise the vehicle's safety features and cause serious per-

sonal 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 irrepara-

ble damage to plastics and other vehicle materials.

Stains, dirt and other deposits that contain aggressive sub-

stances 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 ⇒ꢀ :

d 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.

d 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 dam-

age, do not let such items come into direct contact with the uphol-

stery and fabric trim.

d 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.

d Check clothing for color-fastness to help prevent upholstery discol-

oration, especially to light-colored upholstery.

NOTICE

Disregarding the upholstery-related checklist may lead to dam-

age 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 in-

correct cleaning or handling are installed in power seats and heated

seats ⇒ꢀ . This can also result in damage to other parts of the vehi-

cle 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 instruc-

tions and warnings on the packaging.

Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, Alcantara^®upholstery, and carpet-

ing regularly with a suitable brush attachment.

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 instruc-

tions and warnings on the packaging.

Vacuum upholstery, fabric trim, Alcantara^®upholstery, and carpet-

ing regularly with a suitable brush attachment.

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 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.

Treating stains

When treating stains, it may be necessary to clean the 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 become lighter than the untreated area. If you have questions or

concerns, consult a professional cleaner.

Type of stain

Recommended cleaning for fabric and uphol-

stery

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, – Use only Volkswagen-approved cleaning prod-

such as choco- ucts.

late or make-up. – If necessary, have the fabric or upholstery pro-

fessionally cleaned.

Type of stain

Recommended cleaning for fabric and uphol-

stery

Grease-based

stains, such as

– Use only Volkswagen-approved cleaning prod-

ucts.

oil, lipstick, etc. – If necessary, have the fabric or upholstery pro-

fessionally 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 au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

NOTICE

If the upholstery on power seats, heated seats, or seats with air-

bag 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.

Power washers and cooling sprays can damage the uphol-

stery.

NOTICE

Clean only the carpet and floor mats with brushes. Other tex-

tile 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 im-

possible 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. Un-

treated 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 ro-

bust. This has a positive effect on the leather's durability in daily use.

The typical natural characteristics are hardly visible or no longer visi-

ble at all, but that has no impact on the quality of the leather itself.

The typical characteristics of untreated leather are much more distinc-

tive 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 dry⁴.

– 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 appropri-

ate cleaning agent ⇒ꢀ .

4

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

Type of stain

Cleaning

Grease-based

– Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.

stains, such as oil, – Use an appropriate cleaning agent on stains

lipstick, etc.

that have not yet penetrated the surface ⇒ꢀ .

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 uphol-

stery to protect the leather from direct sunlight and to help pre-

vent 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 uphol-

stery to protect the leatherette from direct sunlight and to help

prevent fading or discoloration.

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 rub-

ber 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 surfac-

es where airbags are located can change the way airbags de-

ploy 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 dam-

age.

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 retrac-

tor.

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 when-

ever 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 Ser-

vice 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 sub-

stance 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 com-

pletely 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 re-

paired.

Never try to repair a damaged safety belt yourself. Never re-

move 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 Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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