2005 FORD FREESTAR spare tire

•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly
spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an
explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 35 mph (55 km/h) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have a qualified technician at a Ford or
Lincoln/Mercury dealer check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by a qualified technician
at a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles
and those with an independent rear suspension (if equipped) may
require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidethat comes with your vehicle) will help
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•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive
(4WD)/ All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealership to check for and correct any wheel
misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire
rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with one of two types of Low Tire
detection systems; Direct (Metal valve stem) or Indirect (Rubber valve
stem). If your vehicle has the Direct system refer to theTire pressure
monitoring system—directsection found in this chapter. If you have
the Indirect system refer to theLow tire warning—indirectsection
found in this chapter.
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Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (Direct system)
(if equipped)
When the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tire
information placard (label). Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can eventually lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. Even if your vehicle is
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, it is still important
that you manually check the inflation pressure of your tires regularly.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked monthly when cold and
set to the recommended inflation pressure as specified on the vehicle
placard (label) and in the owner’s manual.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is NOT a substitute for
manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be
checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge, see
Inspecting and inflating your tiresin this chapter. Failure to
properly maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire
failure, loss of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Changing tires with TPMS
It is recommended that you always
have your tires serviced by a dealer
or qualified technician.Each road
tire is equipped with a tire
pressure sensor mounted on the
wheel inside the tire connected
to the valve stem. The tire
pressure sensor must be
unbolted from the wheel prior to
tire removal. The sensor can be
removed by loosening the nut at the valve stem. Failure to
remove the sensor may damage it.The rubber grommet (washer)
between the wheel and the tire pressure sensor needs to be replaced
whenever the sensor is removed to minimize air leaks.
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The tire pressure should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using
an accurate tire gauge, refer toInspecting and inflating your tiresin
this chapter.
Understanding your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System measures pressure in your four
road tires and sends the tire pressure readings to your vehicle every
minute while you are driving and once an hour when your vehicle is
parked. The Low Tire Warning Lamp will turn ON if the tire pressure is
25% below the pressure listed on the tire label (approximately 6 to 9 psi
below the manufacturer’s recommend tire pressure). If the tire pressure
increases 2 psi above the“Light ON”threshold, then the TPMS light will
turn OFF. Once the light is illuminated, your tires are under inflated and
need to be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.
Even if the light turns ON and a short time later turns OFF, your tire
pressure still needs to be checked.
In short, once the light has turned ON, at least one tire may be under
inflated.
When your temporary spare tire is installed
When one of your road tires needs to be replaced with the temporary
spare, the TPMS system will continue to identify an issue to remind you
that the damaged road wheel/tire needs to be repaired and put back on
your vehicle. During this time, the low tire warning light can periodically
return or stay on, depending on the state of the damaged road
wheel/tire. This will include the message center messages (if equipped).
To restore the full functionality of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System,
have the damaged road wheel/tire repaired and remounted on your
vehicle. For additional information, refer toChanging tires with TPMS
in this section.
When you believe your system is not operating properly
The main function of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is to warn you
when your tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is
no longer capable of functioning as intended. Please refer to the
following chart for information concerning your Tire Pressure Monitoring
System:
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Low Tire Warning
LightCustomer Action Required
Solid Warning Light 1. Check your tire pressure to ensure they are
properly inflated, refer toInspecting and
inflating your tiresin this chapter. Ford
recommends the use of a digital or dial type
tire pressure gauge rather than a stick type
tire pressure gauge for increased accuracy.
2. After inflating your tires to the
manufacturer’s recommended air pressure as
shown on the Tire Label (located on the
driver’s door or the B-Pillar), the vehicle must
be driven for at least two minutes at 20 mph
(32 km/h) to guarantee that the light will turn
off.
3. If the light remains on even after these
steps have been taken, have the system
inspected by your servicing dealership
Flashing Warning Light
(flashes for 20 to 30
seconds either at
start-up or while
driving)1. Your spare tire is in use. Repair the
damaged road wheel and re-mount it on the
vehicle to restore system functionality. For a
description of how the system functions under
these conditions, refer to When You Have a
Flat Tire in this section.
2. If your tires are inflated to the
manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure,
and your spare tire is not in use, and a
flashing low time warning light is still present,
have the system inspected by your servicing
dealership.
When inflating your tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the Tire Pressure Monitoring System may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires. Here are the details:
•The tire pressure monitor sensors mounted in your wheels updates
your vehicle with tire pressure information only once every minute,
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interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is NOT a substitute for
manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be
checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge, see
Inspecting and inflating your tiresin this chapter. Failure to
properly maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire
failure, loss of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Low tire warning—indirect (if equipped)
The low tire warning system is designed to detect a significant loss of
inflation inany one of your tireson your vehicle. The system uses the
Anti-lock brake wheel speed sensors to detect a change in wheel speed
due to tire deflation.
When a tire loses inflation, the low
tire warning system detects the
change and illuminates the low tire
warning indicator light as shown.
If the light remains on while driving,
check the tire pressure refer to“Checking the tire pressure”in this
chapter. The low tire warning indicator light will also illuminate when
using a temporary spare, refer to“Changing the tires”in theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
The low tire warning system may not detect an under-inflated
tire under all conditions and is not a substitute for manually
checking tires regularly for proper inflation.
When to RESET the Low Tire Warning System:
after any of the following
•Tire rotation
•One or more tires have been replaced
•Tire balancing
•Wheel alignment
•Adjusting the pressure on one or more tires (note: tire pressures are
often adjusted during oil change service)
•Inflating a low tire will not clear the Low Tire Warning indicator light.
Only resetting the system will clear the light.
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GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 36,000
miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•a flat tire change with a good spare (except Ford GT which has a tire
inflation kit)
•battery jump start
•lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
•fuel delivery (2.0 gallons [7.5L], maximum two occurrences within 12
month period)
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents, are covered (some
exclusions apply, such as impound towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment. In Canada, the card is
found in theOwner Information Guidein the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
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Remote entry system .................99illuminated entry ......47, 102 –103
locking/unlocking doors .....95, 99
Reverse sensing system ...........228
Roadside assistance ..................231
Roof rack .....................................93
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........148
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................135, 138 –142
Safety Canopy ...........................158
Safety defects, reporting ..........256
Safety restraints ........135, 138 –142
belt minder .............................144
extension assembly ................148
for adults .........................139 –141
for children .............................162
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................136
safety belt maintenance .........148
warning light and chime 143 –144
Safety seats for children ..........165
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............135
Seats ..........................................112 child safety seats ....................165
front seats ...............112, 114 –115
memory seat ...................105, 115
second row seats ............118, 121
third row seats ...............121, 128, 132–133
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................109
Servicing your vehicle ..............263
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...182, 184 Spark plugs,
specifications .....................293, 297
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................295, 297
Speed control ..............................71
Starting your vehicle ........217
–219
jump starting ..........................241
Steering wheel controls ......................................74
tilting .........................................57
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................57
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Maintenance and
Specifications ..........................202
Tire warning ..............................206
Tires ...........................176 –177, 206
alignment ................................199
care ..........................................197
changing ..................182, 184, 187
checking the pressure ............179
inspecting and inflating .........178
label .........................................197
replacing ..................................180
rotating ....................................199
safety practices .......................198
sidewall information ...............192
snow tires and chains ............208
spare tire .................................183
terminology .............................177
tire grades ...............................177
treadwear ........................176, 197
Towing .......................................213 recreational towing .................216
trailer towing ..........................213
wrecker ....................................247
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