2000 Mercury Mountaineer Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 232

Maintenance and care 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. Cleaning the engine Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing: • Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage. • Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or other engine components. • Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning the engine. 232