Caring For Your Vehicle - BMW 2002 Z8 Owner's Manual

Caring for your vehicle

Washing your vehicle
You can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car-wash
systems that do not employ brushes
are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
In order to protect your convertible top,
do not use washing programs featuring
wax application on your vehicle. The
small amount of beading wax always
used in automatic car washes will not
harm the convertible top.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that
> the car-wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
> no damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories, such
as spoilers or antennas. Consult the
car-wash operator if necessary
> the wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car-wash system
> the vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.
Parts of the vehicle which are inacces-
sible to the automatic car-wash system
– such as door sills, door and hood
edges, etc. – should be cleaned by
hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to ensure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also cause damage to
the vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
further damage. In addition, moisture
could penetrate to vehicle components,
leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
> Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth. Never use abrasives or strong
solvents to clean the covers
> Remove dirt and contamination, e.g.
insects, by soaking with BMW Car
Shampoo and then rinsing with plenty
of water
> Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never
use a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Online Edition for Part No. 01 41 0 156 878 - © 06/02 BMW AG
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