305
Vehicle care
Smearing wiper blades can be cleaned with
a soft cloth and Vauxhall Windscreen
Wash Solvent, and replaced if necessary –
see page 297.
Locks
The locks are lubricated with a high-grade
lock cylinder grease at the factory.
Vauxhall lock cylinder grease prevents the
locks from freezing up. Only use de-icing
agent in emergencies, as they have a
degreasing effect and will impair the
function of the locks. After using a de-icing
agent, have the locks re-greased. We
recommend that you entrust this to your
Vauxhall Authorised Repairer.
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
(
ABS), the air conditioning system, the
climate control system or the belt drive and
its components.
Protective wax that has been applied is
also removed during the engine wash. For
this reason, have the engine, brake system
components in the engine compartment,
axle components with steering, body parts
and cavities thoroughly preserved with
protective wax after the wash. We
recommend that you consult your Vauxhall
Authorised Repairer.
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 andmake good
if necessary.
Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners.
Underbody
Your vehicle has a factory-applied
PVC undercoating in the wheel arches
(
including the longitudinal members) which
provides permanent protection and needs
no special maintenance. The surfaces of
the vehicle underbody not covered by PVC
are provided with a durable 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.
Check the underbody after washing and
have it waxed if necessary. Before the start
of the cold weather season, check the PVC
coating and protective wax coating. Have
them restored to perfect condition if
necessary.
Caution - commercially available bitumen /
rubber materials can damage the PVC
coating. We recommend that you have
underbody work carried out by a Vauxhall
Authorised Repairer, who knows the
prescribed materials and has experience in
the use thereof.
The underbody should be washed
following the end of the cold weather
season to remove any dirt adhering to the
underbody since this may also contain salt.
Check protective wax coating and, if
necessary, have it restored to perfect
condition.
Astra TwinTop
Treat all seals, e.g. on the roof and
windscreen frame, with silicone oil from
time to time. Good contact between the
fine rubber lips and the sealing surfaces
prevents leaks and reduces clamping
forces.
Intermediate roof position for cleaning –
see page 149.
Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners.