Audi TT 2012 Owner's Manual page 87

Steel wheels
Cleaning and protection 17
Applies to vehicles: with steel wheels
The wheels also have ta be cleaned.
~
Always include the hub caps and wheel rims
when washing your vehicle to remove road
dirt, salt sprays and brake dust.
Cast (light) alloy wheeLs
A
WARNING
- Moisture and ice on brakes may affect
braking efficiency -
q page
156,
General
information.
Test the brakes carefulLy af-
ter each vehicle wash.
- Always read and heed all WARNINGS and
the information
q page 167.
The wheeL rims are easier to keep clean if they
are regularly coated with liquid wax.
Paint scratches shouLd be touched up as soon
as possibLe to prevent corrosion
q page 170,
Touch-up paint.
If necessary, use a commercial wheel cleaner
ta remove accumulated brake dust.
~
Wash the wheels with a sponge or hose
brush
every
other week.
~
For deep cleaning afterwards, use only a
dedicated acid-free cast alLoy wheeL clea ner.
~ Rub a coat of Liquid wax onto the ri ms every
three month. Be sure to reach and treat all
parts of the rim.
Applies to vehicles: with Cast aUoy wheels
Cast (Iight) alloy wheels require special care.
To preserve the decorative appearance of the
cast alloy wheels, some special care is neces-
sary. In addition to road dirt and salt, brake
dust is also corrosive. If left on for too long,
brake dust can cause pitting.
Use only special acid-free cleaners formulated
for alloy rims. Safe products are available at
your Audi dealer. Never
leave
the cleaner on
the rims longer than specified on the label. If
not rinsed off promptly, the acid contained in
~
â
WARNING
- The windshield must not be treated with
water-repellent materials. They can in-
crease glare under poor visibility condi-
tions such as wetness, darkness, or when
the su n is low on the horizon. In add i-
tion, they can cause the windshield wip-
ers to chatter.
- Always read and heed all WARNINGS and
other information
qpage 167.
CD
Note
- Never use warm or hot water to
remove
snow and ice from windows
a~d
mirrors.
This could cause the glass ta crack.
- To prevent damage to the wires of the
rear defogger, do not pLace any adhesive
stickers on the inside of the rear window
over the wi res.
- To help prevent dirt from scratching the
window, always scrape in a forward di-
rection - pushing the scraper away from
you - never back and forth.
The windows must not be cleaned with insect
remover or wax since these can interfere with
the function of the windshield wiper blades
(chatter).
ail, grease or silicone residue can be removed
with gLass cLeaner or silicone remover. How-
ever, wax residue requires the use of a special-
ly formulated solvent. Please contact your Au-
di dealer for advice on safe products for wax
removal.
Windows should also be cleaned on the inside
at regular intervals.
Never dry windows with the same chamois
that you use to dry painted surfaces. Wax resi-
due on the chamois can impair vision through
the windows.
Clear vision ta ail sides.
A
WARNING
Always read and heed aU WARNINGS and
the information
qpage 167.
Chrome care products and alkaline cleaners
will attack aluminum surfaces and can dam-
age them over time.
Windows •
The number for the original vehicle paint can
be found on the vehicle identification label
qpage240.
Touch-up paint •
Minor paint damages should be touched up
immediotely.
Your Audi dealer has touch-up paint for minor
scratches and stone chips. Scratches should
be touched up soon after they occur to pre-
vent corrosion.
A
WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and
the information
qpage 167.
~
Use either a touch-up paint stick or spray
paint to coyer minor scratches and nicks.
Clean aU windows reguL-aF!y to remove road
film and carwash wax buildùp.
~
Remove
snow from windows using a brush.
~
Use a plastic ice scraper to
remove
ice from
windows and mirrors.
~
Remove
other residue on the windows with
a spray-on glass cleaner.
~ Wipe the windows dry with a clean piece of
cloth or kitchen paper towel.
The best way to remove snow from windows
and mirrors is to use a brush. Use a non-abra-
sive
pLastic ice scraper - better still, a spray
deicer - to
remove
ice from windows and mir-
rors.
Trim strips
Cleaning and protection
Metal trim needs special care.
Aluminum trim
For environmental reasons, Audi fabricates
the bright trim strips and trim pieces from
pure chromium-free aluminum.
Dirt and marks on the trim strips should be
removed with a pH-baLanced cleaning agent
(do not use a chrome cleaner). Audi dealers
carry cleaning products which have been test-
ed for use on your vehicle and are not harmful
to the environment.
Plastics needs special care.
To avoid corrosion on the exterior trim strips,
onLya pH-balanced solution should be used
for the windshield washer.
A
WARNING
ALways read and heed all WARNINGS and
the information
q page 167.
Plastic and vinyl
A
WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and
other information
qpage 167.
Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge to remove
dust and light surface dirt. For other soil, use
a lukewarm all-purpose cleaning soLution or a
mild sadd le soap for vinyl trim. Remove water
spots and soap traces with a clean, damp
cloth or sponge. Use a clean, soft cloth to rub
dry.
Grease, tar or oil stains can be removed with a
clean cloth or sponge soaked with all-purpose
cleaner or with a solvent designed especially
to clean vinyl.
Occasionally apply a coLorless vinyl or leather
preservative to retain the material's luster
and pliability.
Use onLy neutraL-pH products to remove spots
and deposits from aluminum surfaces.