Get Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior Guide for Volkswagen Polo SUV Seventh Generation (2021-2025)

Contamination with aggressive and solvent-based ingredients can cause irreparable damage to the vehicle equipment, e.g. even if

left for only a short time on seat covers or trim parts.

● Do not let contamination or dirt dry.

● Have stubborn stains removed by a suitably qualified workshop.

Washing the vehicle regularly prevents effects of soiling that can damage the paint.

Vehicles with a matt paint finish require special care due to the special paint characteristics.

To wash your vehicle correctly and properly, please observe the following information →

, →

WARNING

After a car wash, the braking action may be delayed as the brake discs and brake pads will be wet, or iced up in winter. The braking

distance will increase as a result. This can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and can lead to accidents and serious or fatal

injuries.

● Carry out a few careful braking operations to dry the brakes and remove any coating of ice when visibility, weather, road and traffic

conditions permit.

NOTICE

Improper vehicle cleaning can cause severe damage to the vehicle.

● Always observe the described tasks for vehicle care and cleaning.

● Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

● Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.

NOTICE

Wet components can freeze in cold weather and this may prevent them from functioning properly.

● Never aim a water jet directly at doors or the boot lid in cold weather.

Removing stubborn dirt on matt paint

—Soften adhering insects or bird droppings immediately with water if possible and spray with a special cleaner for matt paints.

—Remove tar stains on the paint surface with standard commercially available tar removers. Residue must not be removed by

intensive rubbing.

—Remove tree resin and flash rust particles with a special cleaner for matt paints and cleaning clay. Move over the affected locations

with the cleaning clay without exerting pressure.

—Spray grease and fingerprints with a special cleaner for matt paint and rub off with a soft microfibre cloth.

—Rinse off petrol residue immediately with plenty of water.

Automatic car washes

NOTICE

Washing the vehicle incorrectly can damage the matt paint surface and destroy the matt paint effect.

● Never use wash programs with wax preservation.

● For cleaning, use only cleaning agents that do not contain solid matter or abrasives, e.g. cleaning shampoos or insect remover.

● Do not use insect sponges or coarse sponges.

—For vehicles with matt paint, never select a wash program with wax or use a drying agent.

—For vehicles with matt paint, use only textile car washes and never car washes that use brushes.

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

—Preferably use car washes without brushes.

—To remove residues, also have the underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly on a regular basis.

—Please observe information of the car wash operator, especially where add-on parts such as spoilers are concerned →

The windows must be closed and the exterior mirrors must be folded away.

The Auto Hold function is switched off.

The handbrake must be released.

Vehicles with steering lock: If the vehicle is mechanically pulled through the car wash, the steering must not lock (→ Steering).

Vehicles with an automatic gearbox: If the vehicle is pulled mechanically through the car wash (tunnel wash), the gearbox must be in

neutral position .

Vehicles with a manual gearbox: If the vehicle is pulled mechanically through the car wash (tunnel wash), the gear must be

disengaged.

The windscreen wipers and the rain and light sensor (→ Rain and light sensor) are switched off.

If present: the roof aerial was unscrewed and removed.

NOTICE

Car washes that scan the contours mechanically can damage the vehicle and add-on parts, e.g spoilers.

● Observe the information of the car wash operator, particularly if there are add-on parts on the vehicle.

Wash the vehicle in dedicated cleaning areas only. This prevents any waste water contaminated by oil from entering the

sewage system.

High-pressure cleaner

In the bonnet space: do not use a high-pressure cleaner.

—Never use rotary nozzles. Observe the manufacturer’s instructions.

—Only use water up to a maximum temperature of +60°C (around +140°F).

—Move the jet of water uniformly so that the nozzle is at least 50 cm (around 20 inches) away from all components.

—Do not point the water jet at the same location for too long.

—Aim the water jet indirectly at sensitive vehicle components if possible, e.g. rubber seals, side windows, gloss strips, tyres, sensors,

camera lenses, decorative and protective film.

—Never use a high-pressure cleaner to clean windows that are iced up or covered in snow.

NOTICE

Please note that the sensors in the handles could be activated by a powerful jet of water or steam if a valid remote control key is

within the operating range. The windows could open as a result and moisture could enter the vehicle interior. This could lead to the

vehicle interior being damaged.

● Never direct the jet of a high-pressure or steam cleaner directly at the sensors in the door handles.

The vehicle may be unlocked if the jet of a high-pressure cleaner or steam cleaner is pointed directly at the sensors in the door

handles.

Hand wash

Isolated soiling on the paint can be removed with cleaning clay.

1. Clean the vehicle with plenty of water to remove dust and coarse soiling.

2. In the case of matt paint, remove insects, grease stains and fingerprints with a special cleaner for matt paints. Apply the product

with a microfibre cloth with gentle pressure.

3. Clean with a soft sponge, a wash mitt or a brush applying only light pressure. Start with the roof and work from the top to the

bottom. Use a cleaning shampoo only for very stubborn dirt.

In the case of matt paint, clean from top to bottom with a neutral cleaning shampoo and a microfibre cloth. Thoroughly wash out

the microfibre cloth at short intervals.

4. Clean wheels and side members with a clean sponge.

5. Rinse off with plenty of water.

6. Allow the vehicle to dry in the air.

7. Remove water residue with a chamois leather.

If the dirt on the paintwork could not be removed by hand washing, isolated dirt can be removed with cleaning clay.

NOTICE

Incorrect cleaning and care may cause vehicle damage.

● Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

● Do not use excessively hard or abrasive cleaning tools.

Windows, glass surfaces

—Remove wax residue, e.g. from care products, using a suitable glass cleaner or with the Volkswagen Genuine cleaning cloth.

—Remove snow with a hand brush.

— Remove ice with a plastic scraper. Move the scraper in one direction only.

—Thaw ice with a suitable de-icer or with Volkswagen Genuine de-icer.

—Clean the wiper blades or replace them as required.

Paint

Always treat surfaces with care so as not to remove the paint.

—Use a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution consisting of a maximum of two tablespoons of neutral soap diluted in one litre of

water or cleaning clay to remove any light dirt immediately, e.g. deposits, insect residue, or cosmetics.

—Remove overflowing fuel or service fluids immediately.

—Moisten flash rust deposits with a soap solution. Then remove any deposits with cleaning clay.

—Have corrosion removed by a suitably qualified workshop. Volkswagen recommends using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

—In the event of paint damage, go to a suitably qualified workshop and have the paint damage repaired. Volkswagen recommends

using an authorised Volkswagen repairer.

Waxing protects the paintwork. The vehicle should be protected again using a preservative wax at the latest when water no longer

clearly forms small drops and runs off the paintwork when the vehicle is clean.

—In the case of matt paint, use a soft sponge to apply a special wax for matt paints to the cleaned vehicle. Remove excess wax with a

microfibre cloth.

Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot be brought back by applying wax.

NOTICE

The surface of matt paintwork will be irreparably damaged by polishing the paint.

● Never polish matt-painted surfaces.

Even if a preservative wax is used regularly in the car wash, Volkswagen recommends protecting the paint with suitable hard

wax or with Volkswagen Genuine hard wax at least twice a year.

Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior for Your Volkswagen Polo SUV Seventh Generation (2021-2025)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals