Exterior Care; Washing The Vehicle - Vauxhall Agila Owner's Manual

10-30 Vehicle care

Exterior care

Locks
The locks are lubricated with a high-
grade lock cylinder grease at the
factory.
Only use de-icing agents in
emergencies, as they have a
degreasing effect and will impair the
function of the locks. After using a
de-icing agent, have the locks
regreased. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.

Washing the vehicle

The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences,
e.g. continuous changes in weather
conditions, industrial waste gases
and dust or thawing salts, so wash
and wax your vehicle regularly. When
using automatic car washes, select a
program which 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.
If using a car wash, comply with the
pertinent instructions of the car wash
manufacturer. The windscreen wiper
and rear window wiper must be
switched off 3 5-2, 5-3. Remove
detachable rod antenna by
unscrewing it.
Do not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,
make sure that the insides of the
wings are also thoroughly rinsed out.
Do not use household dishwashing
liquid, to avoid removing wax from the
paintwork.
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.
Also wash aluminium trim parts,
avoiding the use of abrasive
materials such as automotive or
chrome polish, steam or caustic
soap. Washing with water is normally
sufficient.
Observe national regulations.
Exterior lamps/lenses
Headlamp and other protective lamp
bezels are made of plastic. If they
require additional cleaning after the
vehicle has been washed, clean them
with Car Shampoo. Do not use any
abrasive or caustic agents, do not
use an ice scraper, and do not clean
them dry.
Waxing
Wax your vehicle regularly, in
particular after it has been washed
using Car Shampoo and at the latest
when water no longer forms beads on
the paintwork, otherwise the
paintwork will dry out.
Also wax aluminium trim parts, edges
and folds on opened doors and flaps
as well as the areas they cover.