Ford E-250 (2009 year). Manual — part 65

WASHING THE EXTERIOR

Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo, such as Motorcraft 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 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 Detail Wash (ZC-3-A).

• Use Motorcraft 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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• After polishing chrome bumpers, apply a coating of Motorcraft

Premium Liquid Wax (ZC-53-A), available from your authorized dealer,
or an equivalent quality product to help protect from environmental
effects.

WAXING
• Wash the vehicle first.
• Do not use waxes that contain abrasives; use Motorcraft Premium

Liquid Wax (ZC-53-A), which is available from your authorized dealer,
or an equivalent quality product.

• 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 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 clearcoat paint
finish. In order to maintain their shine:
• Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37-A),

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.

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• Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your

wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat 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 Bug and Tar Remover

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

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

that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada use
Motorcraft 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 running; water in the

running engine may cause internal damage.

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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 Detail Wash (ZC-3-A).
• If tar or grease spots are present, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar

Remover (ZC-42).

• For plastic headlamp lenses, use Motorcraft Ultra Clear Spray Glass

Cleaner (ZC-23).

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 Ultra-Clear Spray Glass
Cleaner (ZC-23), available from your authorized dealer.

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

Motorcraft Premium Windshield Washer Concentrate (ZC-32-A),
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.

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