2000 Ford F250 Owner's Manual - Page 218

Maintenance and care Washing your vehicle Wash your vehicle regularly with cold or lukewarm water. Never use strong detergents or soap. If your vehicle is particularly dirty, use a quality car wash detergent. Always use a clean sponge, washing glove or similar device and plenty of water for best results. To avoid spots, avoid washing when the hood is still warm, immediately after or during exposure to strong sunlight. During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and also cause damage to the vehicle. Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such as bird droppings should be washed and sponged off as soon as possible. Deposits not removed promptly can cause damage to the vehicle's paintwork. Remove any exterior accessories (such as antennas) and fold in the side view mirrors before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as described in Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield. After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them. Waxing your vehicle Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and paint damage. Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three or four months, depending on operating conditions. Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots. Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as described in Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield. 218