2023-2026 Audi Vehicles Exterior Glass Cleaning TSB

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may observe several issues related to exterior glass, particularly the windshield. These symptoms include:

• Streaked windshield: Visible lines or smudges that impair visibility, especially in certain lighting conditions.
• Snakeskin appearance: The windshield surface may develop a textured or patterned look, resembling snakeskin.
• Rough surface: The glass may feel coarse or gritty to the touch, rather than smooth.
• Irregular wiping pattern: Wiper blades may not clear the windshield effectively, leaving behind uneven streaks or uncleared areas.
• Damaged wiper blade: While the TSB focuses on cleaning, an underlying issue might be perceived as a damaged wiper blade due to poor performance.

These conditions can significantly affect driving visibility and overall vehicle aesthetics.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

Audi has identified the root cause of these exterior glass issues as the accumulation of residue. This residue can originate from various sources, including industrial fallout and normal road dirt and grime. Over time, these contaminants bond to the glass surface, leading to the streaked, rough, or snakeskin-like appearance. The TSB clarifies that this is a cleaning issue, not a manufacturing defect, and provides a detailed procedure for effective Audi e-tron glass cleaning.

Repair Procedure Summary

The TSB outlines a comprehensive 10-step cleaning procedure to restore the clarity and smoothness of the exterior glass. This process is crucial to perform and verify before considering wiper blade replacement, as warranty claims for new blades may be rejected if a defect isn't found.

1. Initial Wash: All affected exterior glass surfaces should be thoroughly washed and dried.
2. Wiper Service Position: Place the windshield wipers in their service position, as shown in Figure 1, to allow full access to the windshield and blades.
3. Clean Wiper Blades: Use a household glass cleaner (such as Windex® or 3M™ Glass Cleaner) to clean any residue from the wiper blades (Figure 2). It's important not to use the 3M™ Glass Polishing Compound on the wiper blades themselves.
4. Prepare Compound: Shake the bottle of 3M™ Glass Polishing Compound (Figure 3) to ensure the product is mixed evenly.
5. Apply Compound: Apply the 3M™ Glass Polishing Compound directly to the outside of the windshield, covering both the driver and passenger sides (Figure 4).
6. Polish Glass: Using a clean, dry 3M™ Microfiber Detail Cloth - Yellow (Figure 5), vigorously clean the windshield with long, horizontal strokes (Figure 6). Take care to avoid applying the polishing compound to the window trim.
7. Drying Time: Allow the compound to dry on the windshield until a fine film or haze forms. Drying time can vary based on ambient temperatures; temperatures of 60°F (15°C) or lower may extend the required drying time.
8. Rinse: Use a garden hose to thoroughly rinse the windshield (Figure 7). Also, rinse off any polishing product that may have inadvertently come into contact with the trim.
9. Final Buff: With a separate clean, dry microfiber cloth, dry and buff the glass to achieve a clean, streak-free shine (Figure 8).
10. Trim Wipe: Finally, wet and wring out a microfiber cloth with warm water. Use this to wipe off any remaining residue that made contact with the trim or rubber seals.

This detailed process ensures thorough Audi e-tron glass cleaning and addresses the root cause of the symptoms.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform the recommended exterior glass cleaning procedure, specific products are required:

• 3M™ Glass Polishing Compound (Part Number: 60150): Quantity 01. This specialized compound is essential for removing stubborn residue from the glass surface.
• 3M™ Microfiber Detail Cloth - Yellow (Part Number: 39016): Quantity 01. A high-quality microfiber cloth is needed for effective polishing and buffing without scratching the glass.

Both of these items can be ordered through the Audi Top Service Supplies & Touch Up Paint eStore. Additionally, household glass cleaner (like Windex® or 3M™ Glass Cleaner) and a garden hose will be needed.

Owner Action

If you are experiencing a streaked, rough, or snakeskin-like windshield on your 2023-2026 Audi vehicle, it is recommended to address this issue. While the TSB is informational and not applicable to any Audi Warranty, owners can either perform the detailed cleaning procedure themselves using the specified products or visit an authorized Audi service center. The service center will have the necessary tools and expertise to perform the exterior glass cleaning according to the TSB guidelines.

NHTSA ID: 11025322