Note:Industrial-strength or heavy-dutycleaners in combination with brush agitationto remove brake dust and dirt, could wearaway the clear coat finish over a period time.
Note:Do not use hydrofluoric acid-basedor high caustic-based wheel cleaners, steelwool, fuels or strong household detergents.
Note:If you intend parking your vehicle foran extended period after cleaning thewheels with a wheel cleaner, drive yourvehicle for a few minutes before doing so.This will reduce the risk of increasedcorrosion of the brake discs.
Alloy wheels and wheel covers are coatedwith a clear coat paint finish. To maintaintheir condition we recommend that you:
•Clean the wheels weekly usingMotorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner.Apply using manufacturer'sinstructions.
•Use a sponge to remove heavydeposits of dirt and brake dustaccumulation.
•Rinse thoroughly with a strong streamof water when you have completed thecleaning process.
•To remove tar and grease, useMotorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30days or more, read the followingmaintenance recommendations to makesure your vehicle stays in good operatingcondition.
We engineer and test all motor vehiclesand their components for reliable, regulardriving. Under various conditions,long-term storage may lead to degradedengine performance or failure unless youuse specific precautions to preserve enginecomponents.
General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilatedplace.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If you store vehicles outside, theyrequire regular maintenance to protectagainst rust and damage.
Body
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly toremove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud fromexterior surfaces, rear-wheel housingand the underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash your vehicle if youstore it in exposed locations.
•Touch-up exposed or primed metal toprevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel partswith a thick coat of auto wax to preventdiscoloration. Re-wax as necessarywhen you wash your vehicle.
•Lubricate all hood, door and luggagecompartment hinges and latches witha light grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil andsolvents.
Engine
•Change the engine oil and filter prior tostorage because used engine oilcontains contaminates which maycause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days for aminimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idlewith the climate controls set to defrostuntil the engine reaches normaloperating temperature.
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•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
•We recommend that you change theengine oil before you use your vehicleagain.
Fuel System
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
Cooling System
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing your vehicle fromstorage, check coolant fluid level.Confirm that there are no coolingsystem leaks and that fluid is at therecommended level.
12V Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keepconnections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30days without recharging the battery,we recommend that you disconnectthe battery cables to maintain batterycharge for quick starting.
Note:It is necessary to reset memoryfeatures if you disconnect the batterycables.
We recommend the following options foryour plug-in vehicle:
•Leave your vehicle plugged in. The 12Vbattery maintains power if left pluggedin. However, this periodically useselectricity from the household outlet.
•Connect a battery charger to your 12Vbattery and leave it on a continuous,slow charge.
•Disconnect the 12V battery. If your 12Vbattery is located in the luggagecompartment, do not fully shut theluggage compartment afterdisconnecting the 12V battery. Onlyleave the luggage compartment openif your vehicle is stored in a lockedlocation.
Brakes
•Make sure the brakes and parking brakerelease fully.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure you cover all linkages,cables, levers and pins under yourvehicle with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)every 15 days to lubricate working partsand prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out ofstorage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirtor grease film build-up on windowsurfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for anydeterioration.
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W
Warning Lamps and Indicators................89Anti-Lock Braking System................................89Battery.....................................................................89Brake System........................................................89Cruise Control.......................................................89Direction Indicator...............................................89Door Ajar.................................................................89EcoSelect................................................................89Engine and Motor CoolantTemperature.....................................................89Engine Oil................................................................90EV Later...................................................................90EV Now....................................................................90Fasten Safety Belt...............................................90Front Airbag...........................................................90Front Fog Lamps..................................................90High Beam..............................................................90Liftgate Ajar...........................................................90Low Battery............................................................90Low Fuel Level......................................................90Low Tire Pressure Warning..............................90Overdrive Cancel and Grade Assist..............90Parking Lamps.......................................................91Powertrain Fault....................................................91Ready to Drive........................................................91Service Engine Soon............................................91Stability Control.....................................................91Stability Control Off............................................92Stop Safely.............................................................92Vehicle Plugged in................................................92Washer Fluid Check.....................................227WashersSee: Cleaning the Exterior...............................241See: Wipers and Washers.................................70Waxing.............................................................242Wheels and Tires.........................................249Technical Specifications.................................274Windows and Mirrors...................................80Windshield Washers......................................72Windshield Wipers.........................................70Intermittent Wipe.................................................70Speed Dependent Wipers................................70Wiper BladesSee: Checking the Wiper Blades..................229Wipers and Washers.....................................70
Wrecker TowingSee: Transporting the Vehicle.......................190
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Index
