1997 Ford Taurus Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 151

Maintenance and care exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car wash. • After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them. Waxing your vehicle The best way to determine when the paintwork needs waxing is by noting 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. Remove any bugs and tar before waxing vehicle. Use cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to remove. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots. Repairing paint chips Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with touch-up paint, paint repair foil or aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory line. 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 wheels Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to clean the body of your vehicle. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar. Cleaning the engine Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt buildup act as insulators and keep the engine warmer than normal. Follow these guidelines to clean your engine: 152