Hello everyone,

 

Is there any document to specify what type of lubrication I need to apply to various places on the car on a timely schedule? What I’m asking for is the door, bonnet and boot locks/jams, hinges and retainers, the sunroof guides and mechanism, window seals etc…

I keep a schedule of detailing (in depth cleaning, waxing and leather care) of the vehicle and when I was searching for what types of lubricants to use the internet throws at you a million different things. On my other older vehicle, I used white lithium grease for the door hinges, sunroof guides/rails and only wd40 for the door/bonnet/boot locks (as I was advised by someone who works at a bodyshop).

Reading up on these I believe that these are either wrong or not the correct lubricants for each use. Having said this I do realise that we live in a world based on marketing and each and every part might have its own specified spray etc… but I just figured since I am doing the work to do it right and maintain the parts correctly. Other VAG forums also give the impression that the very specific products have to be used as to not cause any further damage.

I asked the dealership if they take care of these things on the service maintenance schedule but they said not (especially the sunroof).

Every video and search gives a different approach and how a different product works better and this keeps getting more confusing the more you read up.

 

 Car in question is an Octavia vRS 2025 and I'd like to start the process with the correct products.

TIA

One thing to bear in mind when quoting the use of WD40, many years ago, WD40 was only ever sold as their "water dispersant" and general lubricant offering, nowadays, WD40 and plenty other "old names/brands" do send to market many other service fluids which are individually intended for use in specific areas of a car etc.

WD-40 is great for freeing up seized or sticking bits, but I'd use heavier stuff such as engine oil in locks, probably similar or lighter grease as you said in hinges, by way of routine maintenance.

Smear of vaseline for electrical contacts.

You do know more than you think. Hinges, for example, are ancient technology and white lithium or black molybdenum grease will be perfectly fine. On very dry joints I might spray a little thinner grease to help the heavier stuff get in. Wipe off excess afterwards and you're done.

The thinner grease I have to hand is Wurth HHS 2000. Good penetration and good adhesion / durability - something WD40 doesn't have. Bonnet release catches are regularly checked but door / boot locks hardly ever unless I notice stiffness.

Sunroofs are tricky things with many different requirements. Here's a summary from Krytox of all the challenges you face. ISTR the VW Eos convertible had issues with its roof which were only ameliorated by liberal use of a Krytox product (at vast expense when branded by VW). Dow Corning do make a special lubricant for this kind of application but very hard to find any retail quantities (Molykote G-1033).

grease oil lubrication sunroof systems.pdf

Thanks for the replies!

I was refering to the 'classic' WD40 my bad!

In my discovery I spray a bit of white lithium grease. While researching if it was OK to do the same on the Skoda, I came across many references that I need to use VAG specific product specially for the sunroof (and this costs €70!!!). Audi forum guys where very specific to not use anything else and that kind of worried me. For door locks/jams/checks I read various opinions on using white lithium grease, dry lubrican, dry graphte lubricant, general purpose oil, even gun maintnenace oil! It can drive a man insane 🤪

VAG recommends you use a VAG specific product. How surprising. Most of the questions you have can be answered by working out what is meant to be sliding on what?

Any temperature or environmental constraints? What type of loading?

PS Someone who works in a bodyshop is not a lubrication specialist.

Just now, inspectorman said:

VAG recommends you use a VAG specific product. How surprising. Most of the questions you have can be answered by working out what is meant to be sliding on what?

Any temperature or environmental constraints? What type of loading?

PS Someone who works in a bodyshop is not a lubrication specialist.

Haha! I have discovered that first hand!

what makes most sense to me is white lithium grease for most applications but I'm not too sure if that will interfere with any signals of sorts and showing that the door/bonnet is open while its not for instance.

All the hinges I sprayed it too have not collected any dust so I'm confident in that

I missed your sunroof reference, sorry.. if there's anything plastic you probably need to watch for mineral oils and more solvent things, but I'm sure such lubricants are easy to find.