Washing the exterior by hand

To avoid problems with cleaning ingrained dirt, wash the car regularly and as soon as it starts getting dirty. It reduces the risk of scratches and, of course, keeps your car looking good.

 Important

When and where to clean the exterior

  • Clean your car as soon as it has attracted dust or dirt. This prevents the build-up of ingrained dirt, which often contains larger particles and debris that cause wear and damage, especially during cleaning.
  • Remove bird droppings and tree sap or resin as soon as possible. These contain substances that can quickly damage and discolour the paintwork.
  • Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight. This can cause cleaning agents or wax to dry out and act as abrasives.
  • If the car has been exposed to corrosive substances, such as acid rain, salt, chemicals, iron powder, soot or ash, it needs to be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent damage. In areas with a lot of industrial emissions, more frequent washing is recommended.
  • Clean the car in a dedicated cleaning area that collects the wastewater and make sure the water is treated according to environmental regulations. Make sure that there is an oil separator in the cleaning area.

High-pressure washing

  • Make sure that doors, windows, hatches and the panoramic roof are closed.
  • Use a circular motion and keep the nozzle at least 30 cm (1 foot) from the car's surface.
  • Do not spray directly onto openings or sensitive areas such as locks, cameras, trim, air intakes or the fuel filler flap.

 Note

  • Be gentle and use the right cleaning equipment for the type of surface you are washing.
  • Only use cleaning agents and car care products recommended by Volvo, and follow each product's accompanying instructions.

Full exterior washing

Start by rinsing the underbody, including the wheel housings and bumpers.
Rinse the entire car to dissolve and wash away dirt. For particularly dirty surfaces, you can use a cold degreasing agent.
Then use a sponge, car shampoo and plenty of lukewarm water to wash the entire car.
Dry the car with a clean, soft chamois cloth or a gentle squeegee. This reduces the risk of stains from dried water droplets, which require additional polishing.
Remove dirt from the drainage holes in the doors and clean out the door sills after washing the car.
If any bitumen stains from the road surface tarmac remain, use a tar remover to get rid of them.

If there are particularly stubborn dirt patches or if you don't get the desired result when cleaning your car, contact Volvo support for advice.