Page 265 of 473

CLEANING THE ENGINE Engines are more efficient when they are
clean because grease and dirt buildup keep
the engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
• Take care when using a power washer
to clean the engine. The high-pressure
fluid could penetrate the sealed parts
and cause damage.
• Do not spray a hot engine with cold
water to avoid cracking the engine
block or other engine components.
• Spray Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo
and Degreaser on all parts that require
cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In
Canada, use Motorcraft® Engine
Shampoo.
• Never wash or rinse the engine while it
is hot or running; water in the running
engine may cause internal damage.
• Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,
spark plug wire or spark plug well, or
the area in and around these locations.
• Cover the battery, power distribution
box, and air filter assembly to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES Clean your windows and wiper blades
regularly. If the wipers do not wipe
properly, substances on the vehicle’s glass
or the wiper blades may cause squeaking
or chatter noise from the blades, and
streaking and smearing of the windshield. To clean these items, follow these tips:
• You can clean the windows with a
non-abrasive cleaner such as
Motorcraft Ultra-Clear Spray Glass
Cleaner.
• You can clean the wiper blades with
isopropyl rubbing-alcohol or Motorcraft
Premium Windshield Wash
Concentrates in the U.S., or Premium
Quality Windshield Washer Fluid in
Canada. Be sure to replace wiper
blades when they appear worn or do
not function properly.
• Do not use abrasives, as they may
cause scratches.
• Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint
thinner to clean any parts.
If you cannot remove those streaks after
cleaning with the glass cleaner or if the
wipers chatter and move in a jerky motion,
clean the outer surface of the windshield
and the wiper blades using a sponge or
soft cloth with a neutral detergent or
mild-abrasive cleaning solution. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper
blades with clean water. The windshield
is clean if beads do not form when you
rinse the windshield with water.
Note: Do not use sharp objects, such as a
razorblade, to clean the inside of the rear
window or to remove decals, as this may
cause damage to the rear window
defroster’s heated grid lines.
CLEANING THE INTERIOR WARNINGS
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach
or dye on the vehicle’s safety belts,
as these actions may weaken the
belt webbing.
262Vehicle Care
Page 268 of 473

VEHICLE STORAGE If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (30 days or more),
read the following maintenance
recommendations to make sure your
vehicle stays in good operating condition.
All motor vehicles and their components
were engineered and tested for reliable,
regular driving. Long term storage under
various conditions may lead to component
degradation or failure unless specific
precautions are taken to preserve the
components.
General • Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.
• Protect from sunlight, if possible.
• If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and damage.
Body • Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and underside of front fenders.
• Periodically wash your vehicle stored
in exposed locations.
• Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.
• Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when your vehicle is washed.
• Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid
hinges, and latches with a light grade
oil.
• Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents. Engine • The engine oil and filter should be
changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contain contaminates that
may cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days. Run at
fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature
• With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
Fuel system • Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Note: During extended periods of vehicle
storage (30 days or more), fuel may
deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality
gas stabilizer product to your vehicle's fuel
system whenever actual or expected
storage periods exceed 30 days. Follow the
instructions on the additive label. your
vehicle should then be operated at idle
speed to circulate the additive throughout
the fuel system.
Cooling system • Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system
leaks, and fluid is at the recommended
level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery, it
may be advisable to disconnect the
battery cables to ensure battery charge
is maintained for quick starting.
265Vehicle Care
Page 456 of 473

Operating in dusty or sandy conditions (such as unpaved or dusty roads)
Change engine oil and filter. *
Every 5000 miles (8000
km) or six months
Perform multi-point inspection.*
Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid only: Reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine
oil and filter changes. See Engine Oil Check (page 244).
Exceptions There are some exceptions your Normal
Scheduled Maintenance:
California fuel filter replacement : If you
register your vehicle in California, the
California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item does not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
before the completion of your vehicle's
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however,
urges you to have all recommended
maintenance services performed at the
specified intervals and to record all vehicle
service. Hot climate oil change intervals :
Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or
locations with similar climates using an
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification
mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal
oil change interval is 5000 miles (8000
kilometers).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not
available, then the oil change interval is
3000 miles (4800 kilometers).
Engine air filter and cabin air filter
replacement : The life of the engine air
filter and cabin air filter is dependent on
exposure to dusty and dirty conditions.
Vehicles operated in these conditions
require frequent inspection and
replacement of the engine air filter and
cabin air filter.
453Scheduled Maintenance