Vehicle Care - Vauxhall 2009 Tigra Owner's Manual

150 Self-help, Vehicle Care

Vehicle care

When caring for your vehicle, observe all
national environmental regulations,
particularly when washing it.
Regular, thorough care helps to improve
the appearance of your vehicle and
maintain its value over the years. It is also
a prerequisite for warranty claims for any
paint or corrosion damage. The following
pages contain tips for vehicle care which,
if used properly, will help combat the
unavoidable damaging effects of the
environment.
Washing
The paintwork of your vehicle is exposed
to environmental influences. Wash and
wax your vehicle regularly. When using
automatic car washes, select a programme
that includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin, pollen
and the like should be cleaned off
immediately, as they contain aggressive
constituents which can cause paint
damage.
When using a car wash, follow the
instructions of the car wash manufacturer.
Switch off windscreen wipers. Unscrew
antenna rod 3.
If you wash your vehicle by hand, make
sure that the insides of the wings are also
thoroughly rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened doors
and flaps as well as the areas they cover.
Thoroughly rinse off and leather-off the
vehicle. Rinse leather frequently. Use
separate leathers for paint and window
surfaces: remnants of wax on the windows
will impair vision.
Polishing and waxing
Wax the vehicle regularly (at the latest
when water no longer forms beads on the
paintwork). Otherwise, the paintwork will
dry out.
Polishing is necessary only if the paint has
become dull or if solid deposits have
become attached to it.
Paintwork polish with silicone forms a
protective film, making waxing
unnecessary.
Plastic body parts should not be treated
with wax and polish.
Wheels and tyres
Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners.
Clean wheels with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Wheels are painted and can be treated
with the same agents as the body.
Paintwork damage
Rectify minor paintwork damage with a
touch-up pen before rust forms. Have more
extensive damage or rust areas repaired
by a workshop.
Exterior lamps
Headlamp and other lamp covers are
made of plastic. Do not use any abrasive
agents, do not use an ice scraper, and do
not clean them dry.
Plastic and rubber parts
Plastic and rubber parts can be cleaned
with the same cleaner as used to clean
the body. Use interior cleaner if necessary.
Do not use any other agent. Avoid
solvents and petrol in particular. Do
not use high-pressure jet cleaners.