Get Cleaning and maintenance -> Cleaning and caring for the interior Guide for Volkswagen Up 4 Door Second Generation (2019-2023)

recommends that the protective coating on the underside of the vehicle and on the running gear

should be checked regularly and repaired if necessary.

CAUTION

Underseal and anti-corrosion coatings can ignite on the hot exhaust system or on other hot

engine parts.

•

Never apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic converter,

heat shields or other vehicle components that become hot.

Cleaning the engine compartment

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a hazardous area ⇒ Preparation for working in the

engine compartment.

The engine compartment should be cleaned by a qualified workshop. An incorrect cleaning

procedure could possibly remove corrosion protection and damage electrical components.

Furthermore, water could enter the vehicle interior directly via the plenum chamber ⇒

If the engine compartment is very dirty, we recommend that you always proceed to a qualified

workshop to have it cleaned by a professional mechanic. Volkswagen recommends using a

Volkswagen dealership for this purpose.

Plenum chamber

The plenum chamber is located in the engine compartment between the windscreen and the engine

and has a perforated cover. Air from outside is drawn in from the plenum chamber and is passed

into the vehicle interior via the heating and air conditioning system.

Leaves and other loose objects must be removed from the cover of the plenum chamber at regular

intervals using a vacuum cleaner or by hand.

WARNING

All work in the engine compartment carries the risk of injury, scalding, accidents and fire.

•

Before carrying out any work ensure that you are familiar with the requisite procedures

and general safety regulations ⇒ Preparation for working in the engine compartment.

•

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

NOTICE

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.

In the interests of environmental protection, the engine compartment should be washed only

in specially provided wash bays. This prevents toxic waste water containing oil, grease and fuel

from entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing the engine compartment anywhere

else may be prohibited.

Cleaning and caring for the interior

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:

⇒ Seat covers

⇒ Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara upholstery

⇒ Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers

⇒ Cleaning leatherette upholstery

⇒ Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays

⇒ Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic parts

⇒ Cleaning seat belts

Modern fabrics, such as dark denim, are often not colourfast. Light-coloured upholstery (soft

materials or leather) is particularly sensitive to staining caused by these fabrics, even if you are

careful. This is not caused by a fault in the upholstery, but by the non-colourfast nature of the

garments.

Leaving stains, dirt and other deposits on the surface of vehicle components and cloth seat covers

for a long time can make it difficult to clean and treat them. Stains, dirt and deposits may become

impossible to remove, particularly if left for a long time.

Additional information and warnings:

•

Cleaning and caring for the vehicle exterior ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior

•

Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs

and renewal of parts

WARNING

Car care products can be toxic and hazardous. Unsuitable care products and incorrect

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

•

The care product must be kept in its original sealed container.

Read the manufacturer's instructions.

Never store car care products in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original

containers as people finding these containers may not know that they contain care

products.

•

Keep children away from care products.

The products can give off harmful fumes during use. They should therefore only be used

outside or in well-ventilated spaces.

•

Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail varnish remover or other volatile fluids to wash,

clean or care for your vehicle. These substances are toxic and highly inflammable.

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.

Only use approved or recommended cleaning products.

NOTICE

•

Cleaning products that contain solvents attack the material and may cause irreparable

damage.

•

Stains, dirt and other deposits containing aggressive and solvent-based ingredients attack

the material and may cause irreparable damage, even if only left for a short time.

Stains, dirt and other deposits should be removed as quickly as possible and not allowed

to dry in.

To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a specialist cleaning company.

Suitable care products are available from a Volkswagen dealership.

Seat covers

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Checklist

Please note the following for the cleaning and maintenance of the seat covers ⇒

Before getting into the vehicle, close all Velcro fasteners that could touch the cloth seat

covers and fabric trims. Open Velcro fasteners can cause damage to cloth seat covers and

fabric trims.

Avoid the direct contact of sharp-edged items and accessories to the upholstery and fabric

trims in order to prevent damage. Accessories include zips, studs, rhinestones on clothing

or belts.

Dust and grit in upholstery pores, folds and seams should be removed regularly so that no

permanent damage is caused to the surface of the seats by scratching.

Always check whether garments are colourfast to prevent damage to the upholstery. This

is especially important for light-coloured upholstery.

NOTICE

Ignoring any of the items on this important checklist for maintaining the seat covers can lead

to damage or discolouration of the seat covers and fabric trims.

•

Follow the instructions on the checklist.

Volkswagen recommends that stained upholstery is cleaned by a specialist company.

Cleaning cloth seat covers, fabric trim and Alcantara^®upholstery

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions with seat heating, electrically

adjustable seats, or seats containing airbag components

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

seat and sometimes also in the rear outer seats. Seat cushions or backrests that are damaged,

incorrectly cleaned or treated, or that become wet, may cause damage to the vehicle electrics or

trigger a fault in the airbag system ⇒

Electrical components and connectors are installed in electrically adjustable seats and seat

cushions with seat heating. These can be damaged if cleaned or treated incorrectly ⇒

also result in damage to other parts of the vehicle electrics.

. This can

For this reason, please follow these cleaning guidelines:

•

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

Do not use washing paste or fine detergent solutions.

Avoid getting the seat wet.

Only use detergents that have been approved by Volkswagen.

If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning company.

Cleaning upholstery on seat cushions without seat heating, seats that are

not electrically adjustable, and seats that do not contain airbag components

•

Please read and follow the instructions, notes and warnings on the package before using

cleaning products.

•

Upholstery, fabric trims, Alcantara^®seat covers and carpeting should be cleaned regularly with

a vacuum cleaner (brush).

•

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

We recommend that you use a soft sponge or commercially available lint-free microfibre cloth

for cleaning jobs ⇒

•

Clean Alcantara^®surfaces with a slightly damp cotton or woollen cloth or a commercially

available lint-free microfibre cloth ⇒

General surface soiling of the upholstery and fabric trim can be cleaned with a commercially

available foam cleaner.

If the upholstery and fabric trims are generally heavily soiled, consult a Volkswagen dealership for

information on suitable cleaning methods before attempting any cleaning. If required, take the

vehicle to a specialist cleaning company.

Treating stains

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

This particularly applies if the surface shows general signs of wear. The cleaned area could

otherwise be lighter than the surrounding area. If in doubt, consult a specialist cleaning company.

Type of stain

Recommended cleaning method for seat cushions

and upholstery

– Moisten a sponge using a spray bottle and treat the stain by

rubbing it in a circular motion.

– Wipe with a dry absorbent cloth.

Water-based stains, e.g.

coffee, fruit juice.

– Only use detergents approved by Volkswagen.

– If required, take the vehicle to a specialist cleaning firm to have the

upholstery cleaned.

Stubborn stains, e.g.

chocolate, foundation.

– Only use detergents approved by Volkswagen.

– If required, take the vehicle to a specialist cleaning firm to have the

upholstery cleaned.

Oily stains, e.g. oil,

lipstick.

WARNING

If there is a fault in the airbag system, the airbag may not function properly, or not function at

all or function unexpectedly. This could cause accidents and fatal injuries.

•

The airbag system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.

NOTICE

If the upholstery on electrically adjustable seats or on seat cushions containing airbag

components gets wet, electric components and the vehicle electrics could be damaged.

•

A wet seat cushion should always be dried out, and system components checked, by a

qualified workshop.

•

Do not use steam cleaners as the steam pushes the soiling into the fabric and sets it.

High-pressure cleaners and coolant sprays can damage the upholstery.

NOTICE

•

Brushes should be used on carpets and mats only. Other surfaces could be damaged by

brushes.

When washing paste or fine detergent solutions are applied with a damp cloth or sponge,

visible edges may appear on the upholstery once it has dried. This can be due to

substances such as surfactants. These edges are usually difficult or even impossible to

remove.

NOTICE

•

Do not soak Alcantara^®under any circumstances.

Do not use leather care products, solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers or

similar products on Alcantara^®.

•

Do not use brushes if cleaning with liquids. This could damage the surface of the material.

Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Please contact a Volkswagen dealership or other qualified workshop if you have any questions on

cleaning and caring for the leather equipment in your vehicle.

Care and use

Natural leather is sensitive as it does not have a uniform coating of dye.

•

Use a leather cream with sunlight protection and impregnation properties on a regular basis and

always after cleaning. The cream nourishes the leather, keeps it breathable and supple and

replaces lost moisture. It also protects the surface.

•

Leather should be cleaned every two to three months and fresh stains removed.

Treat the leather with a special leather care product every six months ⇒

Always apply cleaning and care products extremely sparingly and always use a dry cotton or

woollen cloth that is free from fluff. Do not apply cleaning and care products directly to the

leather.

•

Remove fresh stains such as ink, ball-point pen ink, lipstick, shoe cream etc. as quickly as

possible.

Look after the pigment. Use a special coloured leather cream to refresh the colour where

necessary.

Wipe it off with a soft cloth.

Cleaning

Volkswagen recommends that you use a damp cotton or wool cloth for general cleaning purposes.

Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the seams.

Please observe the following notes prior to cleaning the leather upholstery ⇒ Cleaning upholstery

on seat cushions with seat heating, electrically adjustable seats, or seats containing airbag

components.

Type of stain

Stubborn stains

Cleaning

– Use a wrung-out cloth to apply a mild soap solution^a)

– Dry with an absorbent, dry cloth.

Water-based stains, e.g.

coffee, tea, juice, blood

etc.

– Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth,

– If the stain has already dried, use a suitable cleaning agent ⇒

– Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.

– If the stain has not yet penetrated the surface, use a suitable

Oily stains, e.g. oil, lipstick

etc.

cleaning agent ⇒

Difficult stains, e.g. biro,

felt tip pen, nail varnish,

emulsion paint, shoe

polish etc.

– Dry with an absorbent, dry cloth.

– Clean with a suitable leather stain remover.

NOTICE

•

Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar products on leather.

Stains cannot be removed if they has been left on the leather for a long time and have

penetrated the surface.

•

Spilt liquids should be cleaned immediately using an absorbent cloth as the leather surface

and the stitching absorb liquids quickly.

If the car is left standing outdoors for long periods, the leather should be protected against

direct sunlight to prevent it from fading.

However, slight colour variations will arise in normal use.

^a)Mild soap solution: two tablespoons neutral soap diluted in one litre of water.

Cleaning leatherette upholstery

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Please observe the following notes prior to cleaning the leatherette upholstery ⇒ Cleaning

upholstery on seat cushions with seat heating, electrically adjustable seats, or seats containing

airbag components.

Only use water and neutral detergents to clean the leatherette upholstery.

NOTICE

Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar products on the

leatherette upholstery. These may cause the material to become hard and brittle prematurely.

Cleaning stowage compartments, drink holders and ash trays

Fig. 128 In the centre console: stowage compartment with drink holder

Fig. 129 Ashtray with snuffer, removed and opened

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Cleaning stowage compartments and drink holders

•

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

•

If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a special solvent-free plastic cleaning product.

Cleaning the ashtray

•

Remove and empty the ashtray.

•

Wipe the ashtray with a cloth to clean it.

To clean the snuffer ⇒ Fig. 129, use a toothpick or similar object to pick out the ashes.

Cleaning and caring for the dash panel, wooden trims and plastic

parts

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

•

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

Treat plastic parts (inside and outside the vehicle) and the dash panel with a special solvent-

free plastic cleaning and care product that has been approved by Volkswagen ⇒

•

Treat wooden trims with a mild soap solution.

Clean the mount for the portable navigation device using a dry cloth only.

WARNING

Cleaning agents that contain solvents cause the surface of the airbag modules to become

porous. In an accident that triggers the airbag, loose plastic parts can cause serious injury.

•

Never clean the dash panel or the airbag covers with cleansers that contain solvents.

NOTICE

When cleaning the dash panel, ensure that the contacts for the portable navigation device do

not become wet as this could cause damage to the electrical system.

Cleaning seat belts

First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒

Introduction

Large particles of dirt on the automatic belt prevent it from rolling back properly and thus from

working effectively.

The seat belts must never be removed for cleaning purposes.

•

Remove dirt with a soft brush ⇒

Carefully pull the dirty seat belt right out and leave it out.

Clean the seat belt with a mild soap solution.

Allow the seat belt fabric to dry completely.

Do not allow the seat belt to roll up until it has dried completely.

WARNING

Check the condition of all seat belts regularly. If the belt webbing or any other part of the seat

belt becomes damaged have it removed and replaced immediately by a qualified workshop.

Damaged seat belts are very dangerous and can cause severe or fatal injuries.

•

Never use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts or their components. Furthermore

the seat belts may not come into contact with corrosive fluids, solvents or sharp objects.

These could considerably weaken the webbing.

•

After cleaning, allow seat belts to dry completely before rolling them up. Otherwise the

automatic belt retractors could become damaged and thus impair their function.

Never let any foreign bodies or liquids enter the slot for the seat belt buckle. This could

prevent the belt buckle and seat belt from working properly.

•

Never try to repair, modify or remove the seat belts yourself.

Damaged seat belts must be replaced immediately with seat belts approved by

Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Seat belts subjected to stress and stretched during an

accident must be replaced by a qualified workshop. Renewal may be necessary even if

there is no apparent damage. The belt anchorage should also be checked.

Wheels and tyres

Introduction

This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:

⇒ Handling wheels and tyres

⇒ Rims

⇒ New wheels and tyres

⇒ Tyre pressure

⇒ Tread depth and wear indicators

⇒ Tyre damage

⇒ Spare wheel or temporary spare wheel

⇒ Tyre lettering

⇒ Winter tyres

⇒ Snow chains

Volkswagen recommends that work on tyres and wheels is carried out by a qualified workshop.

They are familiar with the procedure and have the necessary special tools and spare parts and the

Cleaning and maintenance -> Cleaning and caring for the interior for Your Volkswagen Up 4 Door Second Generation (2019-2023)

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