Cabriolet. What to remember after the season?
In our latitudes - despite the fact that winters are becoming less annoying every year - low temperatures and snowfall require proper preparation of the car. Inspection, winter tires and possible fluid changes are one thing - convertible owners have more work to do.
Owning a convertible does not only mean positive things that come from the undoubted pleasure of driving such a car. It is also a duty. The roof in such a car is very often a complex “machine”, consisting of an innumerable number of transmissions, actuators, electronics and, of course, skin. Each of these elements must be properly looked after - otherwise the owner will face considerable expenses.
– In convertibles with a soft top, do not forget not only to clean it regularly, but also to impregnate it. Dirt penetrates into all the nooks and crannies of a rough surface, so the entire washing process is best done by hand. Appropriate measures will preserve the material so that it does not absorb moisture, explains Kamil Kleczewski, director of sales and marketing at Webasto Petemar.
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If the rear roof window is made of transparent plastic, appropriate maintenance measures should be applied regularly. However, over time, due to exposure to temperature and UV rays, it will need to be updated. When leaving, do not forget about the seals - impregnation is carried out, including with a special silicone preparation. It is also worth checking the technical condition of the mechanism and - if necessary - add hydraulic fluid to the system and lubricate all moving parts.
– When caring for the roof of our convertible, it is worth adhering to several rules that are shared and successfully applied by experienced owners of such cars. In the first place, washing the roof with high pressure and using an automatic car wash should be avoided, and it is better to wash the soft top from front to back of the car. In winter, however, you should definitely remove the snow before driving into the garage, adds Kamil Kleczewski from Webasto Petemar.
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Winter is a specific and sometimes very difficult period for a convertible. This car will do best in a warm garage, where it will also avoid the negative effects of low temperatures and precipitation. It is worth remembering that you need to open the roof at least once a month, which will allow you to check the operation and start the whole mechanism - you must avoid low temperatures, so the whole procedure is best done in a warm garage. A car standing “in the open air” is best covered with a special waterproof and vapor-permeable cover - the roof must first be thoroughly dried.
