Vauxhall Vectra Operation & Maintenance Instructions Manual

Also see for Vectra: Owner's manual Quick reference guide Owner's manual

Contents

281Vehicle careWindscreen wiper bladesWax, such as that used in car washes, cancause streaks to form on the windscreenwhen the wiper are used.Smearing wiper blades can be cleaned witha soft cloth and Vauxhall WindscreenWash Solvent, and replaced if necessary –see page 273.LocksThe locks are lubricated with a high-gradelock cylinder grease at the factory.Vauxhall lock cylinder grease prevents thelocks from freezing up. Only use de-icingagent in emergencies, as they have adegreasing effect and will impair thefunction of the locks. After using a de-icingagent, have the locks re-greased. Werecommend that you entrust this to yourVauxhall Authorised Repairer.Engine compartmentAreas of the engine compartment that arepainted in the same colour as the vehiclemust be looked after like any other paintedsurface.It is advisable to wash the enginecompartment before and after winter andpreserve it with wax. Cover alternator andbrake fluid reservoir with plastic sheetsbefore washing the engine.When washing the engine with a steam jet,do not direct the jet at components of theanti-lock brake system, the air conditioningsystem, the climate control system, theauxiliary heater or the belt drive or itscomponents.Protective wax that has been applied isalso removed during the engine wash. Forthis reason, have the engine, brake systemcomponents in the engine compartment,axle components with steering, body partsand cavities thoroughly preserved withprotective wax after the wash. Werecommend that you consult your VauxhallAuthorised Repairer.An engine wash can be performed in thespring in order to remove dirt that hasadhered to the engine compartment,which may also have a high salt content.Check protective wax layer and make goodif necessary.Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners.UnderbodyYour vehicle has a factory-applied PVCundercoating in the wheel arches(including the longitudinal members) whichprovides permanent protection and needsno special maintenance.The surfaces of the vehicle underbody notcovered by PVC are provided a durableprotective wax coating in critical areas.On vehicles which are washed frequently inautomatic car washes with underbodywashing facility, the protective waxcoating may be impaired by dirt-dissolvingadditives, so check the underbody afterwashing and have it waxed if necessary.Before the start of the cold weather season,check the PVC coating and protective waxcoating and, if necessary, have themrestored to perfect condition.Caution - commercially available bitumen/rubber materials can damage the PVCcoating. We recommend that you haveunderbody work carried out by a VauxhallAuthorised Repairer, who knows theprescribed materials and has experience inthe use thereof.The underbody should be washedfollowing the end of the cold weatherseason to remove any dirt adhering to theunderbody since this may also contain salt.Check protective wax coating and, ifnecessary, have it restored to perfectcondition.