Skoda OCTAVIA Owner's Manual page 271

The longer insect residues, bird droppings, road salt and other aggressive de-
posits remain on the paintwork of your vehicle, the more detrimental their de-
structive effect can be. High temperatures, such as those caused by intensive
sun's rays, accentuate this caustic effect.
It is essential to also thoroughly clean the underside of the vehicle at the end
of the winter.
Washing by hand
Wash the vehicle from top to bottom, if necessary, wash using a soft sponge
or washing mitt and plenty of water with appropriate detergents. Wash out
the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Use a different sponge for the wheels, door sills and lower vehicle areas.
Give the vehicle a good rinse after washing it and dry it off using a chamois
leather.
Automatic car washes
The usual precautionary measures must be taken before washing the vehicle in
an automatic car wash system (e.g. closing the windows and the sliding/tilting
roof etc.).
If your vehicle is fitted with any particular attached parts, such as a spoiler,
roof rack system, two-way radio aerial etc., it is best to consult the operator of
the car wash system beforehand.
After an automatic wash with wax treatment, the blades of the wipers should
be cleaned with cleaning agents specially designed for the purpose, and then
degreased.
Pressure washer
When washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, the instructions for
use of the equipment must be observed. This particularly applies to informa-
tion with respect to the pressure and spray distance from the vehicle surface.
WARNING
Washing the vehicle in winter: water and ice in the braking system can af-
■
fect the braking efficiency – risk of accident!
Take care when cleaning the underbody or the inside of the wheel wells -
■
there is a risk of injury on sharp metal parts!
CAUTION
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight, do not exert pressure on the body
■
while washing. The temperature of the washing water should be max. 60 ° C -
otherwise there is a risk of damaging the vehicle paint.
Before driving through a car wash, fold in the exterior mirrors - there is a risk
■
of damage.
CAUTION
Washing the vehicle using pressure washers
The foils should not be washed using pressure washers - there is a risk of
■
damage .
Do not aim the water jet directly at the lock cylinders or the door or opening
■
joints when washing the vehicle in the winter – there is a risk of freezing.
During cleaning, always keep a sufficiently large spraying distance in particu-
■
lar from the parking sensors, the reversing camera lens, the external decora-
tive and protective plastic parts (e.g. roof racks, spoilers, protective strips) and
other vehicle parts made of non-metallic materials, such as rubber hoses or in-
sulation materials – otherwise there is a risk of damage.
Caring for the outside of the vehicle

Read and observe and
Vehicle compo- Facts of the
nent matter
Spilled fuel
No water drop-
lets form on the
Paint
paint
Matt paint
Plastic parts Soiling
Chromed
and anodised Soiling
parts
Foils Soiling
on page 268 first.
Remedy
Clear water, cloth, (clean as soon as
possible)
Use hard wax (min. twice a year), apply
wax to clean and dry body
Use polish, then preserve (if the polish
does not contain any preservative in-
gredients)
Clear water, cloth / sponge provided
for the intended cleaning agent
Clear water, cloth or cleaning agent
provided for this purpose, then polish
with a soft dry cloth
soft sponge and mild soap solution
Care and maintenance
a) 
269