Cleaning The Exterior - Volvo XC40 Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
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Cleaning fabric upholstery and ceiling liner
(p. 574)
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Cleaning the seat belt (p. 575)
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Cleaning floor mats and inlay mats (p. 575)
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Cleaning leather upholstery (p. 576)
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Cleaning the leather steering wheel (p. 577)
578

Cleaning the exterior

The vehicle should be washed as soon as it
becomes dirty. This makes the vehicle easier to
clean because dirt does not attach as strongly. It
also reduces the risk of scratches and keeps the
vehicle looking new. Wash the vehicle in a car
wash or garage with an oil separator. Use a car
washing detergent.
Related information
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Cleaning the exterior (p. 578)
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Polishing and waxing (p. 578)
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Hand washing (p. 579)
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Automatic car washes (p. 580)
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High-pressure washing (p. 581)
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Cleaning the wiper blades (p. 582)
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Cleaning exterior plastic, rubber and trim
components (p. 582)
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Cleaning rims (p. 583)
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Corrosion protection (p. 584)
Polishing and waxing
Polish and wax the vehicle when the paint is
matte or to provide extra protection. The vehicle
does not need to be polished until it is at least a
year old. However, it can be waxed during the
first year. Do not polish or wax the vehicle in
direct sunlight. The surface of the vehicle should
not be warmer than approximately 45 °C
(113 °F).
•
Wash and dry the vehicle very carefully
before polishing or waxing. Remove asphalt
and tar stains with asphalt remover or paint
thinner. More stubborn stains can be
removed with a grinding paste designed for
vehicle paint.
•
Use polish first and then liquid or paste wax.
Follow the instructions on the package care-
fully. Many products contain both polish and
wax.
•
A wide range of polymer-based waxes can
be purchased today. These waxes are easy to
use and produce a long-lasting, high-gloss
finish that protects the bodywork against oxi-
dation, road dirt and fading.