Note:
Never drive your vehicle through an automated, commercial car wash due to the vehicle's low ground clearance. Always wash your vehicle by hand. Never use a power washer or high pressure wand to clean your vehicle.
Note:
Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage painted surfaces. If these substances come in contact with your vehicle, wash the affected area as soon as possible.
Note:
Use a separate wash mitt and soap bucket to clean the wheels to prevent brake dust from scratching the paint finish.
Note:
Do not spray cleaning products on the brake discs. Any resulting damage is not covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:
Always follow the instructions included in this manual when cleaning your vehicle and do not use abrasive cleaning products.
Standard Paint Finish
If your vehicle has a matte paint finish, see Matte Paint Finish in this chapter.
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral pH shampoo, we recommend Motorcraft®™ Detail Wash.
- Never use strong household detergents or soap, for example dish washing or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted surfaces.
- Never wash your vehicle when it is hot to the touch, or during strong or direct sunlight.
- Dry your vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel to eliminate water spotting.
- Immediately remove fuel spillages, bird droppings, insect deposits and road tar. These may cause damage to your vehicle’s paintwork or trim over time. We recommend Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover.
Matte Paint Finish (If Equipped)
Prepare the following before washing your vehicle:
- Use a no shine, matte car wash soap that does not contain fillers or silicone.
- Use high quality, soft lamb's wool mitts and wash each mitt thoroughly after each car wash.
- Wash your vehicle's painted surfaces in the shade with two buckets of water, one for soap and the other for clean water.
- Add a plastic grit guard to the bottom of the soap bucket so that dirt settles at the bottom of the bucket and does not contaminate the wash mitt.
To wash your vehicle:
- Rinse your vehicle to remove as much dirt and debris as possible.
- Wet the wash mitt in the soap bucket and apply the soapy water to your vehicle in a gentle back-and-forth motion.
Note:
Do not rub the wash mitt in circles or rub the paint surface aggressively. Rubbing too hard in circles leaves permanent swirl marks in the paint finish.
- Rinse the wash mitt in clean water before inserting the mitt back into the soap bucket to prevent dirt from contaminating the soapy water.
- Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry it with a clean, damp cloth.
Note:
Do not use automotive waxes, detail sprays or abrasive polishes or glazes on your vehicle. Improper use of cleaning products can cause damage to your vehicle not covered by your vehicle warranty.
Immediately remove fuel spillages, bird droppings, insect deposits and road tar. Use a wet microfiber towel and an alcohol-based window cleaner, a matte paint finish cleaner or a 50/50 mix of alcohol and deionized water.
Note:
Always soak a microfiber towel or wash mitt with water before cleaning. Using a dry towel or mitt on a matte paint finish creates a permanent glossy spot in the paint finish.
Raising the Rear Wing
For routine cleaning, raise the wing.
Using the information display select the following:
- Rear wing deployment.
- Select Raised.
After you have cleaned your vehicle, to return the wing to the lowered position you must drive the car at
15 mph (25 km/h) or above. The wing will return to the lowered position.
Note:
You cannot lower the wing when your vehicle is stationary.
Exterior Plastic Parts
For routine cleaning we recommend Motorcraft® Detail Wash. If tar or grease spots are present, we recommend Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover.
Underbody
Regularly clean the underside of your vehicle using water. Keep body and door drain holes free of debris or foreign material.
Under Hood
For removing black rubber marks from under the hood we recommend Motorcraft® Wheel and Tire Cleaner or Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover.