Ford Explorer: Vehicle Care / Cleaning the Exterior
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.
- Remove any exterior accessories, for example antennas, before entering a
car wash.
- When filling with AdBlue®, remove any residue on painted surfaces immediately.
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.
Cleaning the Headlamps
Note: Do not scrape the headlamp lenses or use abrasives, alcoholic solvents
or chemical solvents to clean them.
Note: Do not wipe the headlamps when they are dry.
Exterior Chrome Parts
- Apply a high quality-cleaning product to bumpers and other chrome parts.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. We recommend Motorcraft Custom Bright
Metal Cleaner.
- Do not apply the cleaning product to hot surfaces. Do not leave the cleaning
product on chrome surfaces longer than the time recommended.
- Using non-recommended cleaners can result in severe and permanent cosmetic
damage.
Note: Never use abrasive materials, for example steel wool or plastic pads
as they can scratch the chrome surface.
Note: Do not use chrome cleaner, metal cleaner or polish on wheels or wheel
covers.
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.
Stripes or Graphics (If Equipped)
Hand washing your vehicle is preferred however, pressure washing may be used
under the following conditions:
- Do not use water pressure higher than 2,000 psi (14,000 kPa).
- Do not use water hotter than 179°F (82°C).
- Use a spray with a 40° wide spray angle pattern.
- Keep the nozzle at a 12 in (305 mm) distance and 90° angle to your vehicle's
surface.
Note: Holding the pressure washer nozzle at an angle to the vehicle's surface
may damage graphics and cause the edges to peel away from the vehicle's surface.
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.
Regular waxing is necessary to protect your car's paint from the elements. We
recommend that you wash and wax the painted surface once or twice a year...
Other information:
Preliminary Inspection
Visually inspect the CV joints for obvious signs of mechanical damage.
If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is
found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next
step
If the cause is not visually evident, verify the symptom and REFER to Symptom Chart: NVH...
Vehicle Identification Number
The vehicle identification number is on the left-hand side of the instrument
panel.
Please note that in the graphic, XXXX is representative of your vehicle identification
number.
The Vehicle Identification Number contains the following information:
A - World manufacturer identifier...