1996 Ford Ranger Owner's Manual - Page 284

Servicing Your Ranger Wiper Blades Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice a year. Also check them whenever they seem less effective than usual. Such substances as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades. If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your wiper blades. These will damage your blades. To make reaching the wiper blades easy, simply turn the ignition to the ACC position and turn your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a vertical position and turn the ignition to the OFF position. Do not move the wipers manually. Manually moving the wipers across the windshield may damage them. Wiper blade replacement If the wipers still do not work properly after you clean them, you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly or the blade. When replacing the wiper blade assembly, blade refill, or wiper arm always use a Motorcraft part or equivalent. To replace the wiper blades: 1. Cycle windshield wiper arm and wiper blade to where removal of blade can be performed without difficulty. Turn ignition off at desired position. 2. To remove wiper blade assembly from wiper mounting arm, depress lock tab and push wiper mounting arm away from wiper blade assembly. 3. To install wiper blade assembly, pull wiper mounting arm down on wiper blade until lock tab is engaged. 285