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Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs
(for trucks) (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating drive
shafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating drive shafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
Note:Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (power transfer unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other public and private lands by
“treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Note:Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep slopes or hills. A
danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possibly rolling over.
Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand the route you will use.
Do not drive over the crest of a hill without seeing what conditions are
on the other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill without the aid of
an observer.
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)147
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![FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SEDAN 2013 1.G Owners Manual •Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to y FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR SEDAN 2013 1.G Owners Manual •Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to y](/manual-img/11/5315/w960_5315-184.png)
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Drive through water in an emergency only, and not
as part of normal driving.
WARNING:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air
filter.
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
or air intake and can cause internal vehicle damage or cause it to stall.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be
limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely
damage your engine or your vehicle
may stall.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle
as quickly as dry brakes.
Driving Hints185
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4. Remove the soaked cloth, and if it is not soiled badly, use this cloth to
clean the area by using a rubbing motion for 60 seconds.
5. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Clean spills and stains as quickly as possible.
•For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap and water
solution. In Canada, use MotorcraftVinyl Cleaner . Dry the area with
a soft cloth.
•If the leather cannot be completely cleaned using a mild soap and
water solution, the leather may be cleaned using a commercially
available leather cleaning product designed for automotive interiors.
•To check for compatibility, first test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous part of the leather.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing or
damage to the leather.
CLEANING THE ALLOY WHEELS
Note:Do not use chrome cleaner, metal cleaner or polish on wheels and
wheel covers.
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers are coated with a clear coat paint
finish. In order to maintain their shine:
•Clean weekly with MotorcraftWheel and Tire Cleaner. Heavy dirt and
brake dust accumulation may require agitation with a sponge. Rinse
thoroughly with a strong stream of water.
•Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
•Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Industrial-strength (heavy-duty) cleaners, or
cleaning chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove
brake dust and dirt, could wear away the clear coat finish over time.
•Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
•To remove tar and grease, use MotorcraftBug and Tar Remover.
248Vehicle Care
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POLICE TIRES
Wheel rims - police
To withstand the demands placed on vehicles driven under heavy duty
service conditions, Ford Motor Company installs heavy duty steel wheels.
Tires - police
Tires (including the spare) are speed-rated radials for police use. Use
only the recommended tire size and speed ratings.
In regions with snow and ice during the winter months, installation of
snow tires may be desirable. Snow tires will usually exhibit a drop in dry
pavement handling, but many show an increase in snow and ice traction.
When snow tires are used, they should be installed on all four wheels,
never on the drive wheels only.
Tires - long term storage
Most high performance tires are made with a nylon overlay.
As such, the following steps should be taken to avoid flatspotting when
the vehicles are not used for a period of time.
•Fleets should store the vehicles with 44 psi (303 kPa) in the tires.
•If the vehicle is stored for periods longer than 30 days, it should be
moved several feet at least once during each 30-day period, so that a
different portion of the tread contacts the ground.
•Tire pressure should be reduced to the recommended pressure shown
on the vehicle certification label before the vehicle is placed back into
service.
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