Ford Escape: Vehicle Care / Cleaning the Exterior

Cleaning the Exterior Precautions

Immediately remove fuel spillages, AdBlue residuals, bird droppings, insect deposits and road tar. These may cause damage to your vehicle’s paintwork or trim over time.

Remove any exterior accessories, for example antennas, before entering a car wash.

Cleaning Headlamps and Rear Lamps

We recommend that you only use cold or lukewarm water containing car shampoo to clean the headlamps and the rear lamps.

Do not scrape the lamps.

Do not wipe lamps when they are dry.

Cleaning Windows and Wiper Blades

To clean the windshield and wiper blades:

• Clean the windshield with a non-abrasive glass cleaner.

  Note: When cleaning the interior of the windshield, avoid getting any glass cleaner on the instrument panel or door panels. Wipe any glass cleaner off these surfaces immediately.

• Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid or water applied with a soft sponge or cloth.

  Note: Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean or remove decals from the inside of the heated rear window. This can cause damage not covered by the vehicle Warranty.

Cleaning Chrome, Aluminium or Stainless Steel

We recommend that you only use a car shampoo, a soft cloth and water on bumpers and other chrome, aluminium or stainless steel parts.

Note: For additional information and assistance, we recommend that you contact an authorized dealer.

Note: Rinse the area well after cleaning.

Note: Do not use abrasive materials, for example steel wool or plastic pads, as they can scratch these surfaces.

Note: Do not use chrome cleaner, metal cleaner or polish on wheels or wheel covers.

Cleaning Wheels

Only use a recommended wheel and tire cleaner to clean the wheels weekly. For additional information and assistance, we recommend that you contact an authorized dealer.

1. Use a sponge to remove heavy deposits of dirt and brake dust.
2. Rinse well after cleaning.

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

If you intend on parking your vehicle for an extended period after cleaning the wheels with a wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle for a few minutes before parking your vehicle. This reduces the risk of corrosion of the brake discs, brake pads and linings.

Do not clean the wheels when they are hot.

Note: Some car washes could damage wheel rims and covers.

Note: Using non-recommended cleaners, harsh cleaning products, chrome wheel cleaners or abrasive materials could damage wheel rims and covers.

Cleaning the Engine Compartment

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove debris from the screen area below windshield.

Note: If you are not familiar with the parts around the engine do not wash the engine compartment. Avoid frequent engine washes.

When washing the engine compartment:

• Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running.
• Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well.
• Cover the battery, power distribution box, and air filter assembly to prevent water damage.

  Note: If your vehicle has an engine cover remove the cover before application of shampoo and degreaser.

• Spray an approved engine shampoo and degreaser on all parts that require cleaning and rinse with water.

Cleaning Stripes or Graphics

It is recommended to wash your vehicle by hand however, pressure washing may be used under the following conditions:

• 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.
• Do not use water pressure higher than 2,000 psi (14,000 kPa).
• Do not use water hotter than 179°F (82°C).

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.

Cleaning Camera Lenses and Sensors

We recommend that you only use lukewarm or cold water and a soft cloth to clean the camera lens and sensors.

Note: Do not pressure wash camera lens and sensors.

Cleaning the Underbody

Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and door drain holes free from packed dirt.

Rear suspension components may require regular cleaning with a power washer or a thorough rinse with a strong stream of water if the vehicle is operated in dusty or muddy environments. Rear leaf springs or other suspension components may emit squeaking or popping noises while operating the vehicle if particles, such as dirt, rocks, or other debris, are present in the components.