2000 Ford Taurus Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 201

Maintenance and care To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners. Cleaning the wiper blades, windshield and rear window If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent. To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents. If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by substances on the windshield or rear window such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the windshield or rear window with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Ford Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, (E4AZ-19C507-AA), available from your Ford Dealer. Do not use abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield or rear window is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water. The windshield, rear window and wiper blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber elements replaced when worn. 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 a hot engine 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. 201