Owner`s manual

292 Self-help, vehicle care
Engine compartment
Areas of the engine compartment that are
painted in the same colour as the vehicle
must be looked after like any other painted
surface.
It is advisable to wash the engine
compartment before and after winter and
preserve it with wax. Cover alternator and
brake fluid reservoir with plastic sheets
before washing the engine.
When washing the engine with a steam-jet
cleaner, do not direct the steam jet at
components of the anti-lock brake system,
the air conditioning system, the climate
control system or the belt drive and its
components.
Engine washing also removes subsequently
applied protective wax. Therefore after
washing, have a workshop protect the
engine, parts of the braking system in the
engine bay, axle elements with steering,
body elements and cavities, thoroughly
with protective wax.
An engine wash can be performed in the
spring in order to remove dirt that has
adhered to the engine compartment,
which may also have a high salt content.
Check protective wax layer and make good
if necessary.
Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners.
Underbody
PVC underbody protection is applied in the
factory in the areas that are affected by
wheel spray, including the longitudinal
sides of the underbody. This provides long-
term protection and does not require
special maintenance.
The areas of the vehicle underbody that
are not covered with PVC have a
permanent protective wax coating in
critical areas.
On vehicles which are washed frequently in
automatic car washes with underbody
washing facility, the protective wax
coating may be impaired by dirt-dissolving
additives.