Ford Transit Transit Custom 2011-2019 Vehicle Care Car Owner Manuals

Vehicle Care

Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral pH shampoo.

• Never use strong household detergents or soap, for example dish washing or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted surfaces.
• Never wash your vehicle when it is hot to the touch, or during strong or direct sunlight.
• Dry your vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel to eliminate water spotting.
• Immediately remove fuel spillages, bird droppings, insect deposits and road tar. These may cause damage to your vehicle’s paintwork or trim over time.
• Remove any exterior accessories, for example antennas, before entering a car wash.
• When filling with AdBlue®, remove any residue on painted surfaces immediately.

Note: Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage painted surfaces. If these substances come in contact with your vehicle, wash the affected area as soon as possible.

Note: If you use a car wash with a waxing cycle, make sure that you remove the wax from the windshield and the wiper blades.

Note: Before using a car wash, check that it is suitable for your vehicle.

Note: Some car washes use water at high pressure. Due to this, water droplets may enter inside your vehicle and could also damage certain parts of your vehicle.

Note: Remove the antenna before using an automatic car wash.

Note: Switch the blower motor off to prevent contamination of the cabin air filter.

We recommend that you wash your vehicle with a sponge and lukewarm water containing a car shampoo.

Cleaning the Headlamps

Note: Do not scrape the headlamps.

Note: Do not use abrasives, alcoholic solvents or chemical solvents to clean the headlamps.

Note: Do not wipe the headlamps when they are dry.

Cleaning the Rear Window

Note: Do not scrape the inside of the rear window.

Note: Do not use abrasives, alcoholic solvents or chemical solvents to clean the inside of the rear window.

Clean the inside of the rear window with a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.

Cleaning the Chrome Trim (If Equipped)

Note: Do not use abrasives or chemical solvents. Use soapy water.

Note: Do not apply cleaning product to hot surfaces and do not leave cleaning product on chrome surfaces for a period of time exceeding that which is recommended.

Note: Industrial-strength (heavy-duty) cleaners, or cleaning chemicals, may cause damage over a period of time.

Cleaning Stripes or Graphics (If Equipped)

Hand washing your vehicle is preferred however, pressure washing may be used under the following conditions:

• Do not use water pressure higher than 14,000 kPa (2,000 psi).
• Do not use water hotter than 82°C (179°F).

Vehicle Care

• Use a spray with a 40° wide spray angle pattern.
• Keep the nozzle at a 305 mm (12 in) distance and 90° angle to your vehicle's surface.

Note: Holding the pressure washer nozzle at an angle to the vehicle's surface may damage graphics and cause the edges to peel away from the vehicle's surface.

Body Paintwork Preservation

Frequently remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar spots, road salt and industrial fallout to avoid paint surface damage.

Frequently wash the underbody of your vehicle if salt is applied on the road.

We recommend that you wax the paintwork once or twice a year.

Note: Do not apply polish in strong sunlight as this dries the polish too quickly.

Note: Do not allow polish to come in contact with unpainted plastic surfaces as it could be difficult to remove.

Note: Do not apply polish to the windshield or rear window. A contaminated windshield or contaminated wiper blades may lead to increased wiper noise, reduced wipe quality or reduced rain sensor performance.

CLEANING THE INTERIOR

Note: Do not allow air fresheners and hand sanitizers to spill on interior surfaces. If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately. Damage may not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

Note: Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of the seat materials.

Note: We recommend distilled water when cleaning.

Fabric, Carpets, Cloth Seats, Headliners and Floor Mats

Note: Avoid soaking any surface. Do not use excessive amounts of water to clean the vehicle interior.

Note: To avoid spots or discoloration, clean the entire surface.

To clean:

• Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner or brush.
• Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and water solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
• If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area immediately, but do not soak or the ring will set.

Seatbelts

WARNING: Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle's seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with seat-mounted airbags, do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents. Such products could contaminate the side airbag system and affect performance of the side airbag in a crash.

Note: Do not use abrasives, or chemical solvents to clean them.

Note: Do not allow moisture to penetrate the seatbelt retractor mechanism.

Cleaning may safely be carried out using mild soap and water. Let them dry naturally, away from artificial heat.