Ford Explorer Quiz
Vehicle Care

Exterior Cleaning

In this manual: Vehicle Care
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
~2min read

Regularly wash the vehicle with cool or lukewarm water and a pH-neutral shampoo. We recommend Motorcraft Detail Wash.

  • Never use strong household cleaners or soap, such as dishwashing detergent or laundry detergent. These products can discolor and leave stains on painted surfaces.
  • Never wash the vehicle when the body is hot to the touch or in strong or direct sunlight.
  • Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth to prevent water spotting.
  • Remove spilled fuel, bird droppings, insect deposits, and road tar immediately. These may damage the paint or finish of your vehicle over time. We recommend Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.
  • Remove all external accessories, such as antennas, before entering an automatic car wash.
  • When filling with AdBlue®, immediately remove any residue from painted surfaces.

Headlight Cleaning

Exterior Chrome Parts

  • Apply a high-quality cleaner to the bumpers and other chrome parts. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. We recommend Motorcraft Custom Bright Metal Cleaner.
  • Do not apply the cleaner to hot surfaces. Do not leave the cleaner on chrome surfaces longer than the recommended time.
  • Use of non-recommended cleaners may cause severe and irreversible cosmetic damage.

Exterior Plastic Parts

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

Stripes or Graphics (If Equipped)

Hand washing the vehicle is preferred; however, a pressure washer may be used under the following conditions:

  • Do not use water pressure above 2000 psi (14 000 kPa).
  • Do not use water hotter than 179°F (82°C).
  • Use a 40° wide-angle spray nozzle.
  • Hold the nozzle 12 inches (305 mm) from and at a 90° angle to the vehicle surface.

Underbody

Regularly flush the underbody with water. Keep the body and door drain holes free of debris or foreign material.

Under the Hood

To remove black rubber marks from under the hood, we recommend Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner or Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Explorer quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.