2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Owner Guide 6th Printing - Page 228

Maintenance and care 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, 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. Underbody Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage. 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. Repairing paint chips Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (F7AZ-19K507-BA), Lacquer Touch-up Paint (ALBZ-19500-XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray Lacquer (ALAZ-19500-XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line. Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on the products. Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately. 228