Skoda Fabia Owner's Manual page 157

156 Taking care of your vehicle and cleaning the vehicle
There are no particular points to note before washing your vehicle in an automatic
vehicle wash system other than the usual precautionary measures (closing the
windows, unscrewing the aerial, etc.).
If you have any particular attached parts fitted to your car - such as spoiler, roof rack
system, two-way radio aerial - it is best to first of all consult the operator of the car
wash plant.
It is important to degrease the lips of the windscreen wiper rubbers after passing
through the automatic vehicle wash system.
Washing vehicle by hand
It is important to first soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse it off as thoroughly
as possible before washing your vehicle by hand.
One should then clean the vehicle using a soft washing sponge, washing glove or a
washing brush and only slight pressure. Work from the top to the bottom - beginning
with the roof. Only place slight pressure on the vehicle paintwork during cleaning Only
use a car shampoo for stubborn dirt.
Wash out the sponge or washing glove thoroughly at short intervals.
Clean wheels, door sills and similar parts last. Use a second sponge for such areas.
Rinse off the vehicle well after giving it a wash and dry it off using a chamois leather.
WARNING

The ignition should always be switched off when you wash your vehicle -
risk of accident!

Protect your hands and arms from sharp-edged metal parts when you are
cleaning the underfloor, the inside of the wheel housings or the wheel trims -
risk of cuts.
Caution

Do not wash your vehicle in bright sunlight - risk of paint damage.

Ensure that the jet of water is not aimed directly at the locking cylinders or at the
door and panel joints if you spray your vehicle in winter down with a hose - risk of
freezing.

Do not use any insect sponges, rough kitchen sponges or similar cleaning products
- risk of damage to the surface of paintwork.
For the sake of the environment
Only wash your vehicle at washing bays specifically reserved for this purpose. This
ensures that no water which may be contaminated by oil flows into the sewage system.
It is not even permitted to wash your vehicle in certain areas except at such specific
washing bays.
Washing with a high-pressure cleaner
When you wash your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, it is essential to comply with
the instructions for use of the cleaning equipment. This applies in particular to the
pressure used and to the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficiently large distance to
soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation material.
On no account use circular spray nozzles or so-called dirt cutters.
WARNING
It is particularly important that you do not clean tyres with circular spray jets.
Damage may occur even at a relatively large spraying distance and if sprayed
only for a short time.
Caution
The water containing wax must be no hotter than 60°C, otherwise the vehicle can be
damaged.
Wax treatment
Good wax treatment is an effective way of protecting the paintwork from harmful envi-
ronmental influences and minor mechanical damage.
The vehicle must be treated with a high-quality hard wax polish at the latest, when no
more drops form on the clean paintwork.