F-250 Light Duty (1999 year). Manual — part 52

AIMING THE HEADLAMPS

The alignment of your headlamps should be checked by a qualified
service technician if:
• Oncoming motorists frequently signal you to deactivate your high

beams, and your high beams are not activated.

• The headlamps do not seem to provide enough light for clear night

vision.

• The headlamp beams are pointed substantially away from a slightly

down and to the right position.

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.

Washing your vehicle

Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.

During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle.

Remove any exterior accessories (such as antennas) and fold in the side
view mirrors before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied to the
vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the
wiper blades and windshield as described in Cleaning the wiper blades
and windshield.

After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.

Maintenance and care

208

Waxing your vehicle

Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.

Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing vehicle. Use
tar remover to remove any tar spots.

Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have wax applied at a
commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described in Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield.

Repairing paint chips

Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507–BA), touch-up
paint (#ALBZ-19500–XXXXA), or aerosol paint spray (#ALAZ-19500–
XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line. Please note that the
part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with your vehicle’s
specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on the products.

Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.

Cleaning the wheels

Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.

The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.

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 with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or

other engine components.

• Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running; water in the

running engine may cause internal damage.

Maintenance and care

209

Cleaning plastic exterior parts

Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a tar remover if
necessary. Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.

Cleaning the exterior lamps

Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover if necessary.

To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.

Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield

If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.

If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield such as tree sap and some hot wax
treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the
windshield with a non-abrasive cleanser such as the non-abrasive
Bon-Ami

威 powder. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Do not use

abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield
is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water. The
windshield and wiper blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and
blades or rubber elements replaced when worn.

Cleaning the instrument panel

Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.

Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.

Cleaning the interior fabric

Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Do not use household or glass cleaners.
These agents can stain and discolor the fabric. Use a mild soap and
water solution if necessary.

Maintenance and care

210

Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts

Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belts, because
these actions may weaken the belt webbing.

Check the safety belt system periodically to make sure there are no
nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle has been involved in an accident,
refer to the Safety belt maintenance section in the Seating and safety
restraints chapter.

Cleaning leather seats (if equipped)

To clean, simply use a soft cloth dampened with water and a mild soap.
Wipe the leather again with a damp cloth to remove soap residue. Dry
with a soft cloth. For tougher soiling concerns, Ford recommends using
the Deluxe Leather Care Kit F8AZ-19G253–AA, which is available from
your Ford Dealer. This mild cleaner and special pad, cleans the leather
and maintains its natural beauty. Follow the instructions on the cleaner
label. Regular cleaning of your leather upholstery helps maintain its
resiliency and color.

Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions,
solvents or cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl or plastics.

Maintenance and care

211