Ford Explorer Quiz
Vehicle Care

Waxing

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
~1min read

Regular waxing is necessary to protect your vehicle's paint from the weather. We recommend washing and waxing the painted surfaces once or twice a year.

When washing and waxing, park the vehicle in a shaded area protected from direct sunlight. Always wash the vehicle before waxing.

  • Use a quality wax that does not contain abrasives.
  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for applying and removing wax.
  • Apply a small amount of wax using back-and-forth motions, not circular motions.
  • Do not allow wax to contact any foreign objects or non-painted surfaces (black, low-gloss or contrasting color trim). Wax will discolor or stain these parts over time.
    • Roof rails.
    • Bumpers.
    • Textured door handles.
    • Side moldings.
    • Mirror housings.
    • Windshield cowl area.
  • Do not apply wax to glass surfaces.
  • After waxing, the paint on your vehicle should be smooth and free of streaks and spots.

Test yourself

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