Seat Ibiza: Care of the vehicle exterior

Seat Ibiza Owners Manual

Automatic car washes

The paint is so durable that the car can normally be washed without problems in an automatic car wash. However, the effect on the paint depends to a large extent on the design of the car wash, the brushes used, the filtering of the wash water and the type of detergents and wax solutions used, etc. Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precautions such as closing the windows and sunroof. There is nothing to note apart from that. If the vehicle has special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or twoway radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car wash operator. After the car has been washed, the brakes could hesitate to respond as the brake discs and pads will be wet, or even frozen in winter. “Dry ” the brakes by braking several times.

WARNING

Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident.

Caution

Before putting the vehicle in a carwash tunnel, do not tighten the aerial if it is folded as this may cause damage.

Washing by hand

Washing the vehicle

– First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.

– Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, a glove or a brush. Start on the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure. – Rinse the sponge or glove as much as possible. – Special car shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt. – Clean the wheels, sill panels etc. last using a different sponge or glove. – Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water. – Dry the surface of the vehicle gently using a chamois leather. – If it is cold, dry the rubber seals and the surfaces they touch with a cloth to prevent them freezing. Apply silicone spray to the rubber seals.

After cleaning the vehicle

– If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times, “Braking effect and braking distance”.

WARNING

• The ignition must always be switched off before the vehicle is washed.

• Protect your hands and arms from cuts on sharp metal edges when cleaning the underbody, the inside of the wheel housings etc. Risk of injury.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident.

Caution

• Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes. This could scratch the paintwork or glass on your vehicle.

• Washing the vehicle in low temperatures: if the vehicle is rinsed with a hose, do not direct the water into the lock cylinders or the gaps around the doors, luggage compartment, or bonnet. Otherwise there is a risk of malfunction.

For the sake of the environment

In the interests of environmental protection, the car should be washed only in specially provided wash bays. This prevents toxic, oil-laden waste water entering the sewerage system. In some districts, washing vehicles anywhere else may be prohibited.

Note

Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.

Washing the car with a high pressure cleaner

Be particularly careful when using a high pressure cleaner!

– Always observe the instructions for the high-pressure cleaner, particularly those concerning the pressure and the spraying distance. – Increase the spraying distance for soft materials and painted bumpers.

– Do not use a high pressure cleaner to remove ice or snow from windows. – Never use concentrated jet nozzles or so-called “dirt blasters” ⇒
. – If possible, avoid sudden braking directly after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times.

WARNING

• Never wash tyres with a concentrated jet or cylindrical jet (“rotating nozzle”). Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible and invisible damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident.

Caution

• Do not use water hotter than 60°C. This could damage the car.

• To avoid damage to the vehicle, maintain a sufficient distance from sensitive materials for example: flexible hoses, plastic, sound proofing, etc. This is especially important for bumpers painted in the same colour as the vehicle. The closer the nozzle is to the surface, the greater the wear on the material.

Waxing the car

Regular waxing protects the paintwork. You need to apply wax to your car if water does not form small drops and run off the paintwork when it is clean. Good quality hard wax is available from your Authorised Service Centre. A good coat of wax helps to protects the paintwork from environmental contaminants. It is also effective in protecting against minor scratches. Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the car wash, it is advisable to protect the paint with a coat of hard wax at least twice a year.

Polishing the paintwork

Polishing brings back gloss to the paintwork. Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot be brought back by applying wax. Polish can be obtained from your Authorised Service Centre. The car must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain wax compounds to seal the paint, “Waxing the car”.

Caution

To prevent damage to the paintwork:

• Do not use polishes and hard wax on painted parts with a matte finish or on plastic parts.

• Do not polish your vehicle in a sandy or dusty environment.

Caring for plastic parts

Solvents will damage plastic parts. If normal washing fails to clean plastic parts, clean them with special solventfree plastic cleaning and care products.

Caution

• The use of liquid air freshener directly over the air vents of the vehicle may damage the plastic parts if the liquid is accidentally spilled.

• Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.

Cleaning windows and exterior mirrors

Cleaning the windows

– Moisten the windows with commercially available, alcohol based glass cleaner. – Dry the windows with a clean chamois leather or a lint-free cloth.

Removing snow

– Use a small brush to remove snow from the windows and mirrors.

Removing ice

– Use a de-icer spray.

Use a clean cloth or chamois leather to dry the windows. Chamois leathers which have been used on painted surfaces are not suitable for use on windows. They will be soiled with wax deposits which would smear the windows.

If possible use a de-icing spray to remove ice. If you use an ice scraper, push it in one direction only. Do not move it to and fro. Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to clean off rubber, oil, grease and silicone deposits. Wax deposits have to be removed with a special cleaner which is available from your Authorised Service Centre. Wax deposits on the windscreen could cause the wiper blades to judder. A window cleanser specifically for removing wax will stop the blades juddering if added to the windscreen washer fluid. Grease removing cleansers will not remove wax deposits.

Caution

• Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!

• The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner side of the window. To prevent damage, do not put stickers over the heating elements on the inside of the window.

Cleaning windscreen wiper blades

Clean wiper blades are essential for clear vision.

1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen wiper blades.

2. Use window cleanser to clean the windscreen wiper blades. Use a sponge or a cloth to remove stubborn stains.

Care of rubber seals

If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not freeze so quickly.

1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seals.

2. Apply a specialist care product to the rubber seals.

The weather strips on the doors, windows, bonnet and rear lid will remain pliable and last longer if they are treated with a suitable care product (for example silicone spray). Caring for rubber seals will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The doors will be easier to open. If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not freeze so quickly in winter.

Door lock cylinders

The door lock cylinders can freeze up in winter. To de-ice the lock cylinders you should only use spray with lubricating and anti-corrosive properties.

Cleaning chrome parts

1. Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth.

2. Polish chrome parts with a soft, dry cloth.

If this does not provide satisfying results, use a specialist chrome cleaning product. Chrome cleaning products will remove stains and coatings from the surface.

Caution

To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:

• Never use an abrasive care product on chrome.

• Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.

Steel wheels

– Clean steel wheels regularly using a separate sponge. Use an industrial cleanser to remove brake dust. Any damage to the paint on steel wheels should be repaired before the metal starts to rust.

WARNING

• Never wash tyres with a cylindrical jet. Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible and invisible damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times, “Braking effect and braking distance”.

Cleaning alloy wheels

Every two weeks

– Wash salt and brake dust from alloy wheels. – Use an acid free detergent to clean the wheels.

Every three months

– Apply a hard wax compound to the wheels.

Alloy wheels require regular attention to preserve their appearance. It is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the wheels at regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired. Always use an acid-free detergent for alloy wheels. Car polish or other abrasive agents should not be used. If the protective coating is damaged, e.g. by stone impact, the damaged area should be repaired immediately.

WARNING

• Never wash tyres with a cylindrical jet. Even at large spraying distances and short cleaning times, visible and invisible damage can occur to the tyres. This may cause an accident.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing the vehicle. You must “dry” the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times, “Braking effect and braking distance”.

Underbody sealant

The underside of the vehicle is coated to protect it from corrosion and damage. The protective coating could be damaged when driving. We recommend that the protective coating under the body and on the running gear should be checked, and reinstated if necessary, before and after the winter season. We recommend that repair work and additional anti-corrosion work is carried out by your Authorised Service Centre.

WARNING

Do not apply underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or the heat shields on the exhaust system. The heat of the exhaust system or the engine could cause them to ignite! This is a fire hazard.

Cleaning the engine compartment

Take special care when cleaning the engine compartment.

Anti-corrosion treatment

The engine compartment and the surface of the power unit are given anticorrosion treatment at the factory. Good corrosion protection is particularly important in winter when the car is frequently driven on salted roads. To prevent the salt corroding the vehicle, the entire engine compartment should be thoroughly cleaned before and after the salting period.

Your Authorised Service Centre

is able to provide the correct cleaning and preserving products and has the necessary equipment. For this reason, we recommend having this work performed by them.

The anti-corrosion protection is usually removed if the engine compartment is cleaned with grease removing solutions, or if you have the engine cleaned. If this job is carried out, you should ensure that all surfaces, seams, joints and components in the engine compartment are given anti-corrosion treatment afterwards.

WARNING

• When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warnings.

• Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake firmly and always remove the key from the ignition before you open the bonnet.

• Allow the engine to cool before you clean the engine compartment.

• Do not clean the underside of vehicle, wheel arches without protecting your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts. Failure to comply could result in injury.

• Moisture, ice and salt on the brakes may affect braking efficiency. Risk of accident. If possible, avoid sudden braking immediately after washing the vehicle.

• Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature-controlled and could start automatically, even when the key is removed from the ignition!

For the sake of the environment

Fuel, grease and oil deposits could be removed when the engine is washed. The polluted water must be cleaned in an oil separator. For this reason, engine washing should be carried out only by a qualified workshop or a suitable filling station.