Vehicle Care

Cleaning the alloy wheels

~1min read

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

A clearcoat paint finish coats aluminum wheels and wheel covers.

In order to maintain their condition: • Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Use a sponge to remove heavy deposits of dirt and brake dust accumulation. Rinse thoroughly with a strong stream of water when you have completed the cleaning process.

• To remove tar and grease, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.

• Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or covers.

• Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your wheel rims or covers.

• Industrial-strength (heavy-duty) cleaners, or cleaning chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.

• Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.

• 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 increased corrosion of the brake discs.

Test yourself

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