2018 Ford F-250 Owners Manual - Vehicle Care

Vehicle Care

Your dealer has many quality products available to clean your vehicle and protect its finishes.

For best results, use the following products or products of equivalent quality:

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

For routine cleaning we recommend Motorcraft Detail Wash. If tar or grease spots are present, we recommend Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.

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.

Regularly clean the underside of your vehicle using water. Keep body and door drain holes free of debris or foreign material.

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.

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When washing and waxing, park your vehicle in a shaded area out of direct sunlight. Always wash your vehicle before applying wax.

Use a quality wax that does not contain abrasives.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply and remove the wax.

Apply a small amount of wax in a back-and-forth motion, not in circles.

Do not allow wax to come in contact with any non-body (low-gloss black) colored trim. The wax will discolor or stain the parts over time.

Roof racks.

Bumpers.

Grained door handles.

Side moldings.

Mirror housings.

Windshield cowl area.

Do not apply wax to glass areas.

After waxing, your car's paint should feel smooth, and be free of streaks and smudges.

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 on all parts that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada, use Motorcraft Engine Shampoo.

Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running; water in the running engine may cause internal damage.

Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well, or the area in and around these locations.

Cover the battery, power distribution box, and air filter assembly to prevent water damage when cleaning the engine.

Failure to maintain the functional holes, in the tailpipe section of the exhaust, clean and free of debris or

foreign material may result in the holes becoming blocked or plugged. Do not modify or remove the tail-pipe section. Blocked or plugged holes or removal/modification of the system could result in elevated exhaust gas temperatures which may result in vehicle/property damage or personal injury.

The normal operating temperature of the exhaust system is very high.

Never work around or attempt to repair any part of the exhaust system until it has cooled. Use special care when working around the diesel oxidation catalytic converter and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF). The diesel

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oxidation catalytic converter and/or the DPF heats up to a high temperature after only a short period of engine operation and can stay hot even after the engine is turned off. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

The visible holes in the exhaust tip and the holes under the shield just inboard of the right rear tire(s) are functional. The holes need to be kept clear of mud/debris or foreign material to maintain proper function of the exhaust system. Clean and remove debris or foreign material if present as needed. Spraying with a hose during regular washing of vehicle should help keep holes clean and clear of debris or foreign material.

Car wash chemicals and environmental fallout can result in windshield and wiper blade contamination. Dirty windshield and wipers will result in poor windshield wiper operation. Keep the windshield and wiper blades clean to maintain windshield wiper performance.

To clean the windshield and wiper blades:

Clean the windshield with a

non-abrasive glass cleaner. 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.

For windshields contaminated with tree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, clean the entire windshield using steel wool (no greater than 0000 grade) in a circular motion and rinse with water.

Clean the wiper blades with isopropyl rubbing alcohol or windshield washer concentrate.

Note: Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean or remove decals from the inside of the heated rear window. The vehicle warranty does not cover damage caused to the heated rear window grid lines.

Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle's seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt

webbing.

On vehicles equipped with

seat-mounted airbags, do not use chemical solvents or strong

detergents. Such products could contaminate the side airbag system and affect performance of the side airbag in a crash.

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For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and seats equipped with side airbags:

Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.

Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner.

If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. In Canada, use Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Cleaner.

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

Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of the seat materials.

Note: Microfiber cloth fabric is made of polyester microfiber with micro-porous polyurethane. Using commercially available fabric cleaners can cause permanent damage.

Note: Do not use commercially available leather and vinyl cleaning products on microfiber cloth fabric.

Note: Your vehicle may have microfiber cloth fabric on the seats, headliner, floor mats and door panels.

Depending on the type of stain, use water, lemon juice or pure ethyl alcohol when cleaning. For cleaning microfiber cloth, refer to the following chart:

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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 375).

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:

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

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.

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

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.

Remove the soaked cloth, then with a clean, damp cloth, use a rubbing motion for 60 seconds on the soiled area.

Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

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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 spots and 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.

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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.

Your vehicle has seating covered in premium, top-grain leather that is extremely durable, but still requires special care and maintenance in order to preserve longevity and comfort.

Regular cleaning and conditioning maintains the appearance of the leather.

For dirt, use a vacuum cleaner then use a clean, damp cloth or soft brush.

For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap and water solution.

Clean spills as quickly as possible.

Test any cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the leather as cleaners may darken the leather.

Do not spill coffee, ketchup, mustard, orange juice or oil-based products on the leather as they may permanently stain the leather.

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

Because the leather in the seat comes from genuine steer hides, there may be evidence of naturally occurring markings, such as small scars. These markings give character to the seating covers and are considered to be proof of a genuine leather product.

In order to lessen the appearance of certain scratches and other wear marks, apply conditioner on the affected area following the same instructions as in the Conditioning section.

Bottles of King Ranch Leather Conditioner are available at the King Ranch Saddle Shop. Visit the website at www.krsaddleshop.com, or call 1–800–282–KING (5464) in the United States. If you are unable to obtain King Ranch Leather Conditioner, use another premium leather conditioner.

Clean the surfaces using the steps outlined in the Cleaning section.

Make sure the leather is dry then apply a nickel-sized amount of conditioner to a clean, dry cloth.

Rub the conditioner into the leather until it disappears. Allow the conditioner to dry, then repeat the process for the entire interior. If a film appears, wipe it off with a dry, clean cloth.

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Authorized dealers have touch-up paint to match your vehicle’s color. Your vehicle color code is printed on a sticker on the front, left-hand side door jamb. Take your color code to your authorized dealer to make sure you get the correct color.

Before repairing minor paint damage, use a cleaner such as Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover to remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar spots, road salt and industrial fallout.

Always read the instructions before using cleaning products.

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Regularly clean them with a wheel cleaner. We recommend that you use Ford approved wheel cleaner if available.

Remove dirt and brake dust with a sponge.

Remove tar and grease with a bug and tar remover. We recommend that you use Ford approved bug and tar remover if available.

Thoroughly rinse the wheels with water after cleaning.

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 doing so. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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Cover interior trim to prevent fading.

Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.

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.

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

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.

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.

Make sure the brakes and parking brake release fully.

Maintain recommended air pressure.

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.

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.

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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.

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