We engineer and test all motor vehicles
and their components for reliable, regular
driving. Under various conditions,
long-term storage may lead to degraded
engine performance or failure unless you
use specific precautions to preserve engine
components.
General
•
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.
•
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•
If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and damage.
Body
•
Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.
•
Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.
•
Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.
•
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when you wash your vehicle.
•
Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
•
Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
Engine
•
Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
•
Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
•
With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
•
We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
•
Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
•
Protect against freezing temperatures.
•
When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•
Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
•
If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.
Note:
It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.
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Fiesta (CCT), enUSA, Second Printing
Vehicle Care