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GENERAL INFORMATION
Your dealer has many quality productsavailable to clean your vehicle and protectits finishes.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
Materials
For best results, use the following productsor products of equivalent quality:
SpecificationName
Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover ZC-42 (U.S. & Canada)
Motorcraft® Custom Bright Metal Cleaner ZC-15 (U.S. & Canada)
ESR-M14P4-AMotorcraft® Detail Wash ZC-3-A (U.S. & Canada)
Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo and Degreaser ZC-20 (U.S.)
Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo CXC-66-A (Canada)
Motorcraft® Leather and Vinyl Cleaner ZC-56 (U.S. & Canada)
Motorcraft® Multi-Purpose Cleaner CXC-101 (Canada)
WSS-M14P19-AMotorcraft® Premium Windshield Wash Concentrate with Bitterant ZC-32-B2 (U.S.)
WSS-M14P19-AMotorcraft® Premium Windshield Wash Concentrate with Bitterant CXC-37-A/B/D/F (Canada)
Motorcraft® Professional Strength Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner ZC-54 (U.S. & Canada)
ESR-M14P5-AMotorcraft® Premium Glass Cleaner CXC-100 (Canada)
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SpecificationName
Motorcraft® Spot and Stain Remover ZC-14 (U.S.)
ESR-M14P5-AMotorcraft® Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner ZC-23 (U.S.)
Motorcraft® Wheel and Tire Cleaner ZC-37-A (U.S. & Canada)
CLEANING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool orlukewarm water and a neutral pH shampoo,we recommend Motorcraft Detail Wash.
•Never use strong household detergentsor soap, for example dish washing orlaundry liquid. These products candiscolor and spot painted surfaces.
•Never wash your vehicle when it is hotto the touch, or during strong or directsunlight.
•Dry your vehicle with a chamois or softterry cloth towel to eliminate waterspotting.
•Immediately remove fuel spillages, birddroppings, insect deposits and road tar.These may cause damage to yourvehicle’s paintwork or trim over time. Werecommend Motorcraft Bug and TarRemover.
•Remove any exterior accessories, forexample antennas, before entering a carwash.
Note:Suntan lotions and insect repellentscan damage painted surfaces. If thesesubstances come in contact with yourvehicle, wash the affected area as soon aspossible.
Cleaning the Headlamps
Note:Do not scrape the headlamp lensesor use abrasives, alcoholic solvents orchemical solvents to clean them.
Note:Do not wipe the headlamps when theyare dry.
Exterior Chrome Parts
•Apply a high quality-cleaning product tobumpers and other chrome parts. Followthe manufacturer’s instructions. Werecommend Motorcraft Custom BrightMetal Cleaner.
•Do not apply the cleaning product to hotsurfaces. Do not leave the cleaningproduct on chrome surfaces longer thanthe time recommended.
•Using non-recommended cleaners canresult in severe and permanent cosmeticdamage.
Note:Never use abrasive materials, forexample steel wool or plastic pads as theycan scratch the chrome surface.
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Note:Do not use chrome cleaner, metalcleaner or polish on wheels or wheel covers.
Exterior Plastic Parts
For routine cleaning we recommendMotorcraft Detail Wash. If tar or grease spotsare present, we recommend Motorcraft Bugand Tar Remover.
Stripes or Graphics (If Equipped)
Hand washing your vehicle is preferredhowever, pressure washing may be usedunder the following conditions:
•Do not use water pressure higher than2,000 psi (14,000 kPa).
•Do not use water hotter than 179°F (82°C).
•Use a spray with a 40° wide spray anglepattern.
•Keep the nozzle at a 12 in (305 mm)distance and 90° angle to your vehicle'ssurface.
Note:Holding the pressure washer nozzleat an angle to the vehicle's surface maydamage graphics and cause the edges topeel away from the vehicle's surface.
Underbody
Regularly clean the underside of your vehicleusing water. Keep body and door drain holesfree of debris or foreign material.
Under Hood
For removing black rubber marks from underthe hood we recommend Motorcraft Wheeland Tire Cleaner or Motorcraft Bug and TarRemover.
WAXING
Regular waxing is necessary to protect yourcar's paint from the elements. Werecommend that you wash and wax thepainted surface once or twice a year.
When washing and waxing, park your vehiclein a shaded area out of direct sunlight.Always wash your vehicle before applyingwax.
•Use a quality wax that does not containabrasives.
•Follow the manufacturer’s instructions toapply and remove the wax.
•Apply a small amount of wax in aback-and-forth motion, not in circles.
•Do not allow wax to come in contact withany non-body (low-gloss black) coloredtrim. The wax will discolor or stain theparts over time.
•Roof racks.
•Bumpers.
•Grained door handles.
•Side moldings.
•Mirror housings.
•Windshield cowl area.
•Do not apply wax to glass areas.
•After waxing, your car's paint should feelsmooth, and be free of streaks andsmudges.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they areclean because grease and dirt buildup keepthe engine warmer than normal.
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When washing:
•Take care when using a power washerto clean the engine. The high-pressurefluid could penetrate the sealed partsand cause damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold waterto avoid cracking the engine block orother engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo andDegreaser on all parts that requirecleaning and pressure rinse clean. InCanada, use Motorcraft Engine Shampoo.
•Never wash or rinse the engine while itis hot or running; water in the runningengine may cause internal damage.
•Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,spark plug wire or spark plug well, or thearea in and around these locations.
•Cover the battery, power distribution box,and air filter assembly to prevent waterdamage when cleaning the engine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES
Car wash chemicals and environmentalfallout can result in windshield and wiperblade contamination. Dirty windshield andwipers will result in poor windshield wiperoperation. Keep the windshield and wiperblades clean to maintain windshield wiperperformance.
To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
•Clean the windshield with a non-abrasiveglass cleaner. When cleaning the interiorof the windshield, avoid getting any glasscleaner on the instrument panel or doorpanels. Wipe any glass cleaner off thesesurfaces immediately.
•For windshields contaminated with treesap, chemicals, wax or bugs, clean theentire windshield using steel wool (nogreater than 0000 grade) in a circularmotion and rinse with water.
•Clean the wiper blades with isopropylrubbing alcohol or windshield washerconcentrate.
Note: Do not use razor blades or othersharp objects to clean or remove decals fromthe inside of the heated rear window. Thevehicle warranty does not cover damagecaused to the heated rear window grid lines.
CLEANING THE INTERIOR
WARNINGS
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleachor dye on the vehicle’s safety belts, asthese actions may weaken the belt webbing.
On vehicles equipped withseat-mounted airbags, do not usechemical solvents or strong detergents. Suchproducts could contaminate the side airbagsystem and affect performance of the sideairbag in a collision.
Note:Follow the same procedure forcleaning leather seats when cleaning leatherinterior. See Cleaning Leather Seats (page324).
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Note:Do not use household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners, which can stainand discolor the fabric and affect the flameretardant abilities of the seat materials.
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety beltsand seats equipped with side airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with avacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil withMotorcraft Professional Strength Carpet& Upholstery Cleaner.
For grease or tar stains:
•Spot clean the area with Motorcraft Spotand Stain Remover (MotorcraftMulti-Purpose Cleaner in Canada).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spotcleaning, clean the entire areaimmediately (but do not oversaturate) orthe ring will set.
Cleaning Alcantara Microfiber ClothFabric (If Equipped)
Note:Alcantara microfiber cloth fabric ismade of polyester microfiber withmicro-porous polyurethane. Usingcommercially available fabric cleaners cancause permanent damage.
Note:Do not use commercially availableleather and vinyl cleaning products onAlcantara microfiber cloth fabric.
Note:Some vehicles may have Alcantaramicrofiber cloth fabric on the seats,headliner, floor mats and door panels.
Depending on the type of stain, use water,lemon juice or pure ethyl alcohol whencleaning. For cleaning Alcantara microfibercloth, refer to the following chart:
Cleaning ProcedureType of Stain
Use lukewarm water and rinse by dabbing with clean water.Fruit juice, jam, jelly, syrup or ketchup.
Use cold water and rinse by dabbing with clean water. Avoid warmwater because it makes these substances coagulate.Blood, egg, excrement or urine.
Use lukewarm water. If the color remains, treat with lemon juice andthen rinse.Liquor, alcoholic beverages, wine, beer, cola and tea.
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Cleaning ProcedureType of Stain
Use lukewarm water and rinse by dabbing with clean water.Indelible pencil, cocoa, chocolate, pastry with cream or chocolate, icecream or mustard.
Use lemon juice, wipe with lukewarm water and rinse by dabbing withclean water.Vinegar, hair gel, tomato sauce or coffee with sugar.
Use ethyl alcohol, then dab with water.Dye transfer and all other stains.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING
Do not use chemical solvents or strongdetergents when cleaning the steeringwheel or instrument panel to avoidcontamination of the airbag system.
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces. See Cleaning Leather Seats (page324).
Clean the instrument panel and cluster lenswith a clean, damp and soft cloth, then usea clean, dry and soft cloth to dry these areas.
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increasethe gloss of the upper portion of theinstrument panel. The dull finish in thisarea helps protect you from undesirablewindshield reflection.
•Do not use any household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners as these maydamage the finish of the instrumentpanel, interior trim and cluster lens.
•Wash or wipe your hands clean if youhave been in contact with certainproducts such as insect repellent andsuntan lotion to avoid possible damageto the interior painted surfaces.
•Do not allow air fresheners and handsanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.Your warranty may not cover thesedamages.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice hasbeen spilled on the instrument panel or oninterior trim surfaces:
1.Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean, softcloth as quickly as possible.
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2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather andVinyl Cleaner or a commercially availableleather cleaning product for automotiveinteriors. Test any cleaner or stainremover on an inconspicuous area.
3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with aclean, soft cloth and a mild soap andwater solution. Dry the area with a clean,soft cloth.
4.If necessary, apply more soap and watersolution or cleaning product to a clean,soft cloth and press it onto the soiledarea. Allow this to set at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with aclean, damp cloth, use a rubbing motionfor 60 seconds on the soiled area.
6. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS (If
Equipped)
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface witha soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and watersolution. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
For cleaning and removing stains such asdye transfer, use Motorcraft Premium Leatherand Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially availableleather cleaning product for automotiveinteriors.
Note:Test any cleaner or stain remover onan inconspicuous area.
You should:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with avacuum cleaner.
•Clean and treat spills and stains as soonas possible.
Do not use the following products as thesemay damage the leather:
•Oil and petroleum or silicone-basedleather conditioners.
•Household cleaners.
•Alcohol solutions.
•Solvents or cleaners intended specificallyfor rubber, vinyl and plastics.
REPAIRING MINOR PAINT
DAMAGE
Authorized dealers have touch-up paint tomatch your vehicle’s color. Your vehicle colorcode is printed on a sticker on the front,left-hand side door jamb. Take your colorcode to your authorized dealer to make sureyou get the correct color.
Before repairing minor paint damage, use acleaner such as Motorcraft Bug and TarRemover to remove particles such as birddroppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tarspots, road salt and industrial fallout.
Always read the instructions before usingcleaning products.
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CLEANING THE WHEELS
Note:Do not apply a cleaning chemical towarm or hot wheel rims and covers.
Note:Some automatic car washes maycause damage to the finish on your wheelrims and covers.
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-based orhigh 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. Applyusing manufacturer's instructions.
•Use a sponge to remove heavy depositsof dirt and brake dust accumulation.
•Rinse thoroughly with a strong stream ofwater when you have completed thecleaning process.
•To remove tar and grease, use MotorcraftBug and Tar Remover.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30days or more, read the followingmaintenance recommendations to make sureyour vehicle stays in good operatingcondition.
We engineer and test all motor vehicles andtheir components for reliable, regular driving.Under various conditions, long-term storagemay lead to degraded engine performanceor failure unless you use specific precautionsto preserve engine components.
General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilatedplace.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If vehicles are stored outside, theyrequire regular maintenance to protectagainst rust and damage.
Body
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly to removedirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from exteriorsurfaces, rear-wheel housing and theunderside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash your vehicle if it isstored 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 necessary whenyou wash your vehicle.
•Lubricate all hood, door and luggagecompartment hinges and latches with alight grade oil.
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