Ford C-MAX Hybrid (2018 year). Manual — part 59

To clean:
•

Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.

•

Wipe the surface with a soft, damp
cloth and a mild soap and water
solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft
cloth.

•

If a ring forms on the fabric after spot
cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately, but do not soak or the
ring will set.

Instrument Cluster Screens, LCD
Screens and Radio Screens

Note: Do not use abrasives, alcoholic
solvents or chemical solvents to clean the
instrument cluster screens, LCD screens or
radio screens. These cleaning products can
damage the screens.

Clean the instrument panel and cluster
lens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,
then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to dry
these areas.

Do not spray any liquid directly onto the
screens.

Do not use a microfiber cloth to clean the
bezel around the display screens as it could
damage the surface.

Rear Windows

Note: Do not use any abrasive materials to
clean the interior of the rear windows.

Note: Do not install stickers or labels to the
interior of the rear windows.

Storage Compartments, Cup
Holders and Ashtrays

To clean:
•

Take out any removable inserts.

•

Wipe the surface with a soft, damp
cloth and a mild soap and water
solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft
cloth.

CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS

WARNING

Do not use chemical solvents or
strong detergents when cleaning the
steering wheel or instrument panel

to avoid contamination of the airbag
system.

Note: Follow the same procedure as
cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces. See Cleaning Leather Seats
(page 240).

Clean the instrument panel and cluster
lens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,
then use a clean, dry and soft 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 you from
undesirable windshield reflection.

•

Do not use any household cleaning
products or glass cleaners as these
may damage the finish of the
instrument panel, interior trim and
cluster lens.

•

Wash or wipe your hands clean if you
have been in contact with certain
products such as insect repellent and
suntan lotion to avoid possible damage
to the interior painted surfaces.

•

Do not allow air fresheners and hand
sanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.
If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.
Your warranty may not cover these
damages.

If a staining liquid like coffee or juice has
been spilled on the instrument panel or on
interior trim surfaces:

1.

Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean,
soft cloth as quickly as possible.

2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather and

Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for
automotive interiors. Test any cleaner
or stain remover on an inconspicuous
area.

3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with a

clean, soft cloth and a mild soap and
water solution. Dry the area with a
clean, soft cloth.

4. If necessary, apply more soap and

water solution or cleaning product to
a clean, soft cloth and press it onto the
soiled area. Allow this to set at room
temperature for 30 minutes.

5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with a

clean, damp cloth, use a rubbing
motion for 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 as
cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces.

For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with
a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and
water solution. Dry the area with a clean,
soft cloth.

For cleaning and removing stains such as
dye transfer, use Motorcraft Premium
Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a
commercially available leather cleaning
product for automotive interiors.

Note: Test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous area.

You should:
•

Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.

•

Clean and treat spills and stains as
soon as possible.

Do not use the following products as these
may damage the leather:
•

Oil and petroleum or silicone-based
leather conditioners.

•

Household cleaners.

•

Alcohol solutions.

•

Solvents or cleaners intended
specifically for rubber, vinyl and
plastics.

REPAIRING MINOR PAINT
DAMAGE

You should repair paintwork damage
caused by stones from the road or minor
scratches as soon as possible. A choice of
products are available from an authorized
dealer.

Remove particles such as bird droppings,
tree sap, insect deposits, tar spots, road
salt and industrial fallout before repairing
paint chips.

Always read and follow the manufacturer’s
instructions before using the products.

CLEANING THE WHEELS

Note: Do not apply a cleaning chemical to
warm or hot wheel rims and covers.

Note: 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 a period of time.

Note: Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based
or high caustic-based wheel cleaners, steel
wool, fuels or strong household detergent.

Note: If you intend parking your vehicle for
an extended period after cleaning the
wheels with a wheel cleaner, drive your
vehicle for a few minutes before doing so.
This will reduce the risk of increased
corrosion of the brake discs, brake pads and
linings.

Note: Some automatic car washes may
cause damage to the finish on your wheel
rims and covers.

Alloy wheels and wheel covers are coated
with a clear coat paint finish. To maintain
their condition we recommend that you:
•

Clean them weekly with the
recommended wheel and tire cleaner.

•

Use a sponge to remove heavy
deposits of dirt and brake dust
accumulation.

•

Rinse them thoroughly with a
pressurized stream of water when you
have completed the cleaning process.

We recommend that you use Ford service
wheel cleaner. Make sure that you read
and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Using other non-recommended cleaning
products can result in severe and
permanent cosmetic damage.

VEHICLE STORAGE

If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30
days or more, read the following
maintenance recommendations to make
sure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.

We engineer and test all motor vehicles
and their components for reliable, regular
driving. Under various conditions,
long-term storage may lead to degraded
engine performance or failure unless you
use specific precautions to preserve engine
components.

General

•

Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.

•

Protect from sunlight, if possible.

•

If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and damage.

Body

•

Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.

•

Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.

•

Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.

•

Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when you wash your vehicle.

•

Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.

•

Cover interior trim to prevent fading.

•

Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.

Engine

•

Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.

•

Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.

•

With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.

•

We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.

Fuel system

•

Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.

Cooling system

•

Protect against freezing temperatures.

•

When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.

Battery

•

Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.

•

If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.

Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.

Brakes

•

Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.

Tires

•

Maintain recommended air pressure.

Miscellaneous

•

Make sure all linkages, cables, levers
and pins under your vehicle are covered
with grease to prevent rust.

•

Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)
every 15 days to lubricate working parts
and prevent corrosion.

Removing Vehicle From Storage

When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
•

Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt
or grease film build-up on window
surfaces.

•

Check windshield wipers for any
deterioration.

•

Check under the hood for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage such as mice or squirrel
nests.

•

Check the exhaust for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage.

•

Check tire pressures and set tire
inflation per the Tire Label.

•

Check brake pedal operation. Drive
your vehicle 15 ft (4.5 m) back and
forth to remove rust build-up.

•

Check fluid levels (including coolant,
oil and gas) to make sure there are no
leaks, and fluids are at recommended
levels.

•

If you remove the battery, clean the
battery cable ends and check for
damage.

Contact an authorized dealer if you have
any concerns or issues.