Ford E-350 (2012 year). Manual — part 62

WASHING THE EXTERIOR

Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo, such as Motorcraft

威 Detail Wash (ZC-3-A), which is

available from your authorized dealer.
• Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing

or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.

• Never wash a vehicle that is “hot to the touch” or during exposure to

strong, direct sunlight.

• Always use a clean sponge or car wash mitt with plenty of water for

best results.

• Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to

eliminate water spotting.

• It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the

winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.

• Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings

and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time. Use Motorcraft

威 Bug and Tar Remover

(ZC-42), which is available from your authorized dealer.

• Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a

car wash.

• Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted

surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.

• If your vehicle is equipped with running boards, do not use

rubber, plastic and vinyl protectant products on the running
board surface, as the area may become slippery.

Exterior chrome
• Wash the vehicle first, using cool or lukewarm water and a neutral pH

shampoo, such as Motorcraft

威 Detail Wash (ZC-3-A).

• Use Motorcraft威 Custom Bright Metal Cleaner (ZC-15), available from

your authorized dealer. Apply the product as you would a wax to
clean bumpers and other chrome parts; allow the cleaner to dry for a
few minutes, then wipe off the haze with a clean, dry rag.

• Never use abrasive materials such as steel wool or plastic pads

as they can scratch the chrome surface.

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WAXING
• Wash the vehicle first.
• Use a quality wax that does not contain abrasives.
• Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body

(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will “gray” or stain the parts over time.

• Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with the sliding door

electrical contact switches. Paint sealant or other contaminants could
interfere with the proper operation of the power locks or radio
speakers. If necessary, clean the contacts with Motorcraft

威 Bug and

Tar Remover (ZC-42) to remove any sealant. Do not use any abrasives
on the contact surfaces.

PAINT CHIPS

Your authorized dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb) to
your authorized dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
• Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar

spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.

• Always read the instructions before using the products.

ALUMINUM 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 Motorcraft威 Wheel and Tire Cleaner, which is

available from your authorized dealer. 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 Motorcraft威 Bug and Tar Remover ,

available from your authorized dealer.

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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威 Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all

parts that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada, use
Motorcraft

威 Engine Shampoo (CXC-66-A).

• Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning

the engine.

• 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.

PLASTIC (NON-PAINTED) EXTERIOR PARTS

Use only approved products to clean plastic parts. These products are
available from your authorized dealer.
• For routine cleaning, use Motorcraft威 Detail Wash (ZC-3-A).
• If tar or grease spots are present, use Motorcraft威 Bug and Tar

Remover (ZC-42).

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WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES

The windshield, rear and side windows and the wiper blades should be
cleaned regularly. If the wipers do not wipe properly, substances on the
vehicle’s glass or the wiper blades may be the cause. These may include
hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes, water repellent
coatings, tree sap, or other organic contamination; these contaminants
may cause squeaking or chatter noise from the blades, and streaking and
smearing of the windshield. To clean these items, follow these tips:
• The windshield, rear windows and side windows may be cleaned with

a non-abrasive cleaner such as Motorcraft

威 Ultra-Clear Spray Glass

Cleaner (ZC-23), available from your authorized dealer.

• The wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or

Motorcraft

威 Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate (ZC-32-A) in

the U.S., or Premium Quality Windshield Washer Fluid [CXC-37-(A, B,
D, or F)] in Canada, available from your authorized dealer. This
washer fluid contains special solution in addition to alcohol which
helps to remove the hot wax deposited on the wiper blade and
windshield from automated car wash facilities. 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.

INSTRUMENT PANEL/INTERIOR TRIM AND CLUSTER LENS

Clean the instrument panel, interior trim areas and cluster lens with a
clean, damp, white cotton cloth, then use a clean and dry white cotton
cloth to dry these areas.
• Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase the gloss of the upper portion

of the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.

• Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in

contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.

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