Skoda Octavia Owner's Manual page 247

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 also essential to thoroughly clean the underside of the vehicle at the end
of the winter.
Washing by hand
Wash the vehicle from top to bottom, with a soft sponge or a wash mitt and
plenty of water, and, if necessary, with the appropriate detergents. Wash out
the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
For wheels, door sills and lower areas of the vehicle use a different sponge.
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
(e.g. closing the windows and the tilt/slide roof etc.).
If your vehicle is fitted with any particular attached parts (e.g. 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 wiper blades should be
cleaned with cleaning agents specially designed for the purpose, and then de-
greased.
Pressure Washers
When washing the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, the instructions for
use of the equipment must be observed. This particularly applies to instruc-
tions regarding the pressure and spraying distance from the vehicle surface.
WARNING
When washing your vehicle in the winter: Water and ice in the braking
■
system can affect 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 from 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 no more than
60 °C max. - 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 with high-pressure cleaners
Films should not be washed with any high-pressure cleaners - risk of dam-
■
age.
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 to the
■
parking sensors, the rear camera lens, to external decorative 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 insulation materials.
The sensors of the parking aid can be sprayed only for a short time and there
■
must be a minimum distance of 10 cm - there is a risk of damage.
Exterior vehicle care

Read and observe and
Vehicle compo-
Circumstances
nents
Spilled fuel
No water drop-
lets form on the
Paint
paint
Paint has gone
matt
Chrome
and anodised Soiling
parts
Films Soiling
Windows
Soiling
and door mirrors
on page 244 first.
Remedy
Clear water, cloth, (clean as soon as
possible)
Use hard wax preserve (at least twice a
year), apply wax to clean and dry body
Use polish, then wax (if the polish does
not contain any preservative ingredi-
ents)
clear water, cloth, possibly cleaners
provided for this purpose, clean then
polish with a soft dry cloth
Soft sponge and mild soap solution
Wash with clean water and dry with a
wipe specifically for that purpose
Care and maintenance
a)

245