Washing your Volvo XC90

[Volvo XC90 News]

Volvo recommends you hand wash your new Volvo for a few months after purchase to ensure no damage is done to the finish on your new Volvo. The reason for this is the paint may not have had sufficient time to properly harden after it was manufactured and could scratch the finish.

Your Volvo should be washed regularly since dirt, dust, insects and tar spots stick to the paint and may cause damage. To help prevent corrosion, it is extremely important to wash the car frequently in the wintertime to clean off the salt and dirt.

Volvo does not recommend the use of long-life or durable paint protection coatings; some of which may claim to prevent pitting, fading, oxidation, etc. These coatings have not been tested by Volvo for compatibility with your vehicle's clear coat. Some of them may cause the clear coat to soften, crack, or cloud. Any damage caused by paint protection coatings may not be covered under your vehicle's paint warranty.

Note: Using an automatic car wash may not be as thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and water. Keeping the underbody clean is very important, especially in the winter. If you do use an automatic car washer in the winter, check that they have an undercarriage wash as some do not have the ability to wash the underbody.

• Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight. Doing so may cause detergents and wax to dry out and become abrasive. To avoid scratching, use lukewarm water to soften the dirt before you wash with a soft sponge, and plenty of sudsy water
• Remove bird droppings from paintwork as soon as possible or the finish may be permanently damaged
• A detergent can be used to facilitate the softening of dirt and oil
• Dry the car with a clean chamois cloth
• Tar spots can be removed with tar remover after the car has been washed
• A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy water can be used to clean the wiper blades. Frequent cleaning of the windshield and wiper blades improves visibility considerably and also helps prolong the service life of the wiper blades
• Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings, fenders, etc)
• In areas of high industrial fallout, we recommend more frequent washings
• When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors and sills

Special moonroof cautions:

• Always close the moonroof and sun shade before washing your Volvo.
• Never use abrasive cleaning agents on the moonroof.
• Never use wax on the rubber seals around the moonroof.

Polishing and Waxing your Volvo
Normally, it is not necessary to polish your Volvo during the first year after delivery, however, waxing your Volvo may be beneficial.

• Before applying polish or wax the vehicle must be washed and dried. Tar spots should be removed with kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing compound.
• After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
• Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax.
• Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing a dull surface.
• 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 oxidation, road dirt and fading.
• Do not polish or wax your Volvo in direct sunlight (the surface of the vehicle should not be warmer than 113 ?F (45 ?C).)

Note: Volvo does not recommend the use of long-life or durable paint protection coatings; some of which may claim to prevent pitting, fading, oxidation, etc. These coatings have not been tested by Volvo for compatibility with your vehicle's clear coat. Some of them may cause the clear coat to soften, crack, or cloud. Any damage caused by paint protection coatings may not be covered under your vehicle's paint warranty.