2005 FORD FREESTAR brakes

with a message center will also have CHECK ADVANCETRAC shown in
the display. Have the vehicle system serviced immediately.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when driving in deep sand,
switching off the AdvanceTrac
system may be beneficial so the wheels
are allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose engine power while
driving in deep sand or very deep snow, switching off the AdvanceTrac

stability enhancement feature will restore full engine power and will
enhance momentum through the obstacle.
Some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake pedal when the
AdvanceTrac
performs a system self-check. During AdvanceTrac

operation you may experience the following:
•A rumble or grinding noise
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The TRAC ACTIVE indicator light will illuminate
•If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal will move to apply higher brake forces. You may also hear
a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during this severe
condition.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTrac
operation.
If the AdvaceTrac system is activated for an extended period of time, the
brake portion of the system will shut down to allow the brakes to cool
down. A limited AdvanceTrac
function using only engine power
reduction will still help control the wheels from over-spinning. When the
brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool-down period.
Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTrac
system. Also, do not install a stereo
loudspeaker near the front center console or under either front
seat. The speaker vibrations can adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac
sensors located in this area.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of an AdvanceTrac
event
is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
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Driving
224

When the key is in the 3 (OFF) position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from the P (Park) position
without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle with column
gearshift
Your transaxle is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transaxle may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered
normal and will not affect function or durability of the transaxle. Over
time, the adaptive learning process will fully update transaxle operation.
Additionally, whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the strategy must be relearned.
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully automatic operation in
either D (Drive) or 3. Driving with the gearshift lever in D (Drive) gives
the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions. For manual control
start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park). Once you place the gearshift
lever securely into position, gradually release the brake pedal and use
the accelerator as necessary.
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The RSS is automatically enabled
when the gear selector is placed in
R (Reverse) and the ignition is ON.
The park aid disable switch allows
the driver to disable the RSS only
when the ignition is ON, and the
gear selector is in R (Reverse). The
OFF indicator remains illuminated
when the system is disabled. If the
indicator light illuminates when the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate
a failure in the RSS.
The system defaults toenabledevery time the ignition is turned on.
Press the control to disable or enable the system.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars). When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine or your vehicle may
stall.Driving through deep water where the transmission vent
tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and
cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.OFF
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CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the“MIN”and
“MAX”lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised; seek service from
your dealer immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guidefor scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
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Maintenance and Specifications
286

A
Accessory delay ..........................68
AdvanceTrac ..............................222
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................149–150, 156, 158and child safety seats ............151
description ..............150, 156, 158
disposal ....................................162
driver air bag ..........152, 157, 160
indicator light .................156, 161
operation .................152, 157, 160
passenger air bag ...152, 157, 160
side air bag ..............................156
Air cleaner filter .......288–289, 293
Air filter, cabin ............................44
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................271
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................221–222
Anti-theft system ......................110 arming the system ..................111
disarming a triggered
system .....................................111
Audio system
(see Radio) ................18, 20, 23, 26
Automatic transaxle .................225 fluid, adding ............................286
fluid, checking ........................286
fluid, refill capacities ..............294
fluid, specification ..................297
Automatic transmission driving an automatic
overdrive .................................227
Auxiliary power point .................66
Axle lubricant specifications ..........295 B
Battery .......................................269
acid, treating emergencies .....269
jumping a disabled battery ....241
maintenance-free ....................269
replacement, specifications ...293
servicing ..................................269
BeltMinder .................................144
Brakes ........................................221 anti-lock ...........................221–222
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................221
fluid, checking and adding ....286
fluid, refill capacities ..............294
fluid, specifications .........295, 297
lubricant specifications ..295, 297
parking ....................................222
shift interlock ..........................225
Bulbs ............................................51
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....294
Cargo net .....................................92
Cassette tape player .......18, 20, 26
Cell phone use ............................74
Certification Label ....................299
Child safety restraints ..............162 child safety belts ....................162
Child safety seats ......................165 in front seat ............................167
in rear seat ..............................167
tether anchorage hardware ...169
Cleaning your vehicle engine compartment ..............258
instrument panel ....................260
interior .....................................260
interior trim ............................260
plastic parts ............................259
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Index
Index
303

L
Lampsautolamp system .......................45
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................51
daytime running light ...............46
headlamps .................................45
headlamps, flash to pass ..........47
instrument panel, dimming .....47
interior lamps .....................49 –51
replacing bulbs ...................51 –55
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................49
Liftgate ....................88 –89, 93, 100
Lights, warning and indicator ....10 anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........221
Load limits .................................208
Locks autolock ...........................104, 107
childproof ..................................96
doors ..........................................95
Low tire warning .........15, 201, 206
Lubricant specifications ...295, 297
Lug nuts ....................................192
Luggage rack ...............................93
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Message center ...........................79 english/metric button ...............82
system check button ................82
warning messages .....................83
Mirrors ...................................58, 69 automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................69
fold away ...................................70 heated ........................................70
programmable memory ..........105
side view mirrors (power) .......69
signal .........................................70
Motorcraft parts ................280, 293
O
Octane rating ............................279
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................266
Overdrive ...................................226
P
Parking brake ............................222
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....293
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................136
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................71
Power adjustable foot pedals .....71
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................237
Power door locks ........95, 104, 107
Power liftgate ......................89, 100
Power mirrors .............................69
Power point .................................66
Power steering ..........................225 fluid, checking and adding ....286
fluid, refill capacity ................294
fluid, specifications .........295, 297
Power Windows ...........................68
R
Radio ..........................18, 20, 23, 26
Relays ........................................233
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Index
306