MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 2019 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2019, Model line: GLA, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 2019Pages: 346, PDF Size: 16.66 MB
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Washing the vehicle and cleaning
the paintwork
Automatic car wash
GWARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is
restored.
!When Active Distance Assist DISTRONICor the HOLD function is activated, the vehi-cle brakes automatically in certain situa-tions.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivateActive Distance Assist DISTRONIC and theHOLD function in the following or similar sit-uations:
Rwhen towing the vehicle
Rin the car wash
!Never clean your vehicle in a TouchlessAutomatic Car Wash as these use specialcleaning agents. These cleaning agents candamage the paintwork or plastic parts.
!Make sure that the automatic transmissionis in transmission position \\when washingyour vehicle in a tow-through car wash. Thevehicle may be damaged in another trans-mission position.
!Make sure that:
Rthe side windows and sliding sunroof areclosed completely
Rthe blower is switched off
Rthe windshield wiper switch is in position
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the vehicle and the nozzle of the powerwasher.
Information about the correct distance isavailable from the equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around whencleaning your vehicle.
The water temperature of the power washermust not exceed 140 ‡ (60 †).
!Always maintain a distance of at least12 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and thepower washer nozzle. Information about thecorrect distance is available from the equip-ment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around whencleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
RTires
RDoor gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
RElectrical components
RBattery
RPlug-type couplings
RLight bulbs
RSeals
RTrim elements
RVentilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical componentscan lead to leaks or failures.
Cleaning the paintwork
!Do not affix:
Rstickers
Rfilms
Rmagnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwisedamage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affectedby corrosion and damage caused by inade-quate care cannot always be completelyrepaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-cialist workshop.
XRemove dirt immediately, where possible,while avoiding rubbing too hard.
XSoak insect remains with insect removerand rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse offthe treated areas afterwards.
XRemove tree resin, oils, fuels and greases byrubbing gently with a cloth soaked in petro-leum ether or lighter fluid
XRemove coolant and brake fluid with a moistcloth and clear water.
XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.
XUse silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paintsurface, use the paint care products recom-mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Thisis the case approximately every three to fivemonths, depending on the climate conditionsand the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or ifthe paint has become dull, the paint cleanerrecommended and approved by Mercedes-Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun oron the hood while the hood is hot.
XUse a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MBTouch-Up Stick, to repair slight damage tothe paintwork quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care
!Never polish the vehicle or the light alloywheels. Polishing causes the finish to shine.
!The following can give the paint a glossyappearance and thus reduce the matteffect:
RRubbing hard with unsuitable agents
RWashing the vehicle in direct sunlight
!Never use paint cleaner, buffing or polish-ing products, or gloss preserver, e.g. wax,for the purpose of paintwork care. Theseproducts are only suitable for high-gloss sur-faces. Their use on vehicles with mattepaintwork leads to considerable surfacedamage or, more specifically, to shiny, spot-ted areas.
Always have paintwork repairs carried out ata qualified specialist workshop.
!Only use automatic car washes which cor-respond to the latest technological stand-ards. Never use wash programs which finishby treating the vehicle with hot wax.
Observe these notes if your vehicle has a clearmatte finish. This will help you to avoid dam-age to the paintwork due to incorrect treat-ment.
280Care
Maintenance and care
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These notes also apply to light alloy wheelswith a clear matte finish.
Use only insect remover and car shampoofrom the range of care products approved byMercedes-Benz.
Cleaning the decorative film
!The following may have an effect on theservice life and color of decorative film:
Rsunlight
Rtemperature, e.g. hot-air fan
Rweather conditions
Rstone impacts and dirt
Rchemical cleaning agents
Rgreasy substances
!Do not use any types of polish on mattdecorative film. Polishing surfaces coveredwith film gives it a shiny finish.
!Do not treat matt or structured decorativefilm with wax. This may lead to marks thatcannot be removed.
Observe the notes in the section on the careand treatment of matte paintwork(Ypage 280), these notes also apply to mattedecorative film.
To clean, use plenty of water and a mild clean-ing agent without additional or abrasive prod-ucts, e.g. use a car shampoo approved forMercedes-Benz.
XDry vehicles covered with film using a soft,absorbent cloth after every wash.Water marks could otherwise form.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affectedby corrosion and damage caused by inade-quate care cannot always be completelyrepaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-cialist workshop.
XRemove dirt immediately, where possible,while avoiding rubbing too hard.The decorative film may be irreparably dam-aged.
XSoak insect remains with insect removerand rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse offthe treated areas afterwards.
The Paint Cleaner cleaning product, which hasbeen approved and recommended byMercedes-Benz, should be used when dirt has
penetrated the decorative film surface or thedecorative film has become dull.
The manufacturer can provide you with infor-mation on special care and cleaning products.
Laminated surfaces may exhibit optical differ-ences to surfaces which were not protected bya decorative film when the decorative film isremoved.
iHave work or repairs on decorative filmcarried out at a qualified specialist work-shop. Mercedes-Benz recommends that youuse an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center forthis purpose.
Cleaning the vehicle parts
Cleaning the wheels
GWARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior dam-
age to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-
diately.
!Do not use acidic wheel cleaning productsto remove brake dust. This could damagewheel bolts and brake components.
!Do not park your vehicle for a long periodof time directly after cleaning, particularlyafter cleaning the wheel rim with wheelcleaner. Wheel cleaner can lead to theincreased corrosion of the brake discs andpads. Therefore, drive for a few minutesafter cleaning. By heating up the brakes, thebrake discs and pads dry. The vehicle canthen be parked for a long period of time.
Cleaning the windows
GWARNING
You could become trapped by the wind-
shield wipers if they start moving while
cleaning the windshield or wiper blades.
There is a risk of injury.
Care281
Maintenance and care
Z
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Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield
or wiper blades.
!Only fold the windshield wipers away fromthe windshield when vertical. Otherwise, youwill damage the hood.
!Do not use dry cloths, abrasive products,solvents or cleaning agents containing sol-vents to clean the inside of the windows. Donot touch the insides of the windows withhard objects, e.g. an ice scraper or ring.There is otherwise a risk of damaging thewindows.
!Clean the water drainage channels of thewindshield and the rear window at regularintervals. Deposits such as leaves, petalsand pollen may under certain circumstancesprevent water from draining away. This canlead to corrosion damage and damage toelectronic components.
XClean the inside and outside of the windowswith a damp cloth and a cleaning productthat is recommended and approved byMercedes-Benz.
Cleaning wiper blades
GWARNING
You could become trapped by the wind-
shield wipers if they start moving while
cleaning the windshield or wiper blades.
There is a risk of injury.
Always switch off the windshield wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windshield
or wiper blades.
!Only fold the windshield wipers away fromthe windshield when vertical. Otherwise, youwill damage the hood.
!Do not pull the wiper blade. Otherwise, thewiper blade could be damaged.
!Do not clean wiper blades too often anddo not rub them too hard. Otherwise, thegraphite coating could be damaged. Thiscould cause wiper noise.
!Hold the wiper arm securely when foldingback. The windshield could be damaged ifthe wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
XFold the windshield wiper arms away fromthe windshield.
XCarefully clean the wiper blades with adamp cloth.
XFold the windshield wiper arms back againbefore switching on the ignition.
Cleaning the exterior lighting
!Only use cleaning agents or cleaningcloths that are suitable for plastic lenses.Caustic, irritant or otherwise unsuitablecleaning agents or cleaning cloths couldscratch or damage the exterior lighting plas-tic lenses.
XClean the plastic lenses of the exterior lightswith a wet sponge and a mild cleaningagent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo orcleaning cloths.
Cleaning the mirror turn signals
!Only use cleaning agents or cleaningcloths that are suitable for plastic lenses.Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaningcloths could scratch or damage the plasticlenses of the mirror turn signals.
XClean the plastic lenses of the mirror turnsignals in the exterior mirror housing using awet sponge and mild cleaning agent, e.g.Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or cleaningcloths.
Cleaning the sensors
!If you clean the sensors with a powerwasher, make sure that you keep a distanceof at least 11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehi-cle and the power washer nozzle. Informa-tion about the correct distance is availablefrom the equipment manufacturer.
282Care
Maintenance and care