
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Introduction
5

AUXILIARY AUDIO CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with auxiliary audio controls. This feature
allows the front and middle seat passengers to listen to different media
sources (radio, cassette, CD or DVD) simultaneously. (However, the front
and middle-seat passengers cannot listen to two different radio stations
at the same time.)
1.Volume:Press to
/
increase/decrease volume control.
2.Media:Press to select from
different playing medias.
3.
/: Press to activate dual
play mode and enable the rear seat
passengers to hear audio through
the headphones. Press again to
deactivate.
4.MEM:Press consecutively to scroll through the preset stations,
change tape side (if equipped), or to change discs on multiple disc
radios (if equipped).
5.SEEK:Press
/to access the next/previous strong radio station,
cassette selection or CD track.
When the rear seat controls are activated, rear seat passengers can use
the controls to change the playing media for all passengers (Single Play
mode). In this mode, all speakers will play audio from the same media
source for all passengers to hear.
If there is a discrepancy between the rear seat controls and the front
audio controls (such as both trying to listen to the same playing media),
the front audio system will receive the desired selection.
To activate Dual Play mode (rear seat passengers listen to a different
playing media than the front seat passengers):
•Press the speaker/headphone control.
•Press MEDIA to change audio sources (for headphone mode only).
•Use the SEEK, VOLUME and MEMORY controls to make adjustments
to the playing media.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
30

will be warmer or cooler than the driver airflow temperature setting
when more than one rear temperature light (
REAR)is
illuminated.
5.
RRear defrost:Press to activate/deactivate rear window defrost.
Refer toRear window defrosterlater in this chapter for more
information.
6.
Recirculated air:Press to activate/deactivate air recirculation
in cabin. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time to cool down
the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired odors
from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculation engages
automatically with selection of MAX A/C or can be engaged manually in
any other airflow selection except
. Recirculation may turn off
automatically in all airflow selections except MAX A/C.
7.A/C:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. Engages
automatically in MAX A/C,
and.
8.Fan speed adjustment:Controls the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
9.Left temperature selection:Controls the temperature of the airflow
to the driver in the front of the vehicle.
10.Right temperature selection:Controls the temperature of the
airflow to the passenger in the front of the vehicle.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
airflow selector in the OFF or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For maximum cooling performance (MAX A/C):
In the MAX A/C mode:
•Move the temperature control selector to the coldest setting.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
passenger comfort.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Climate Controls
37

2. To return the seat back to the
seating position, pull the number 1
strap, then while holding the
number 1 strap, pull the number 3
strap to raise the seat back.
3. Release the number 1 strap to
allow the seat to lock, then release
the number 3 strap.
4. Pull up on the head restraints to adjust them.
5. If the center lap/shoulder belt is detached, remove the belt from the
ceiling storage area just ahead of the liftgate opening and buckle the
tongue on the end of the belt to the mini-buckle on the left side of the
center seat.
Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat.
If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.
Third row seat features
The seat is equipped with a recline
function to allow for adjustment of
the seat back for improved comfort.
To activate the recliner, pull and
hold the strap located near the
plastic shield in the center of the
seat. When seat is adjusted to
desired location, release the strap.
Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the
seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Tailgate function
The 3rd row seat is equipped with a tailgate function to be utilized when
the vehicle is parked and engine turned off. This rearward-facing position
allows the customer to open the liftgate and sit facing out of the vehicle
rearward.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
133

2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
All restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts.
While you are fastened in the seat belt, the combination lap/shoulder belt
adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if
your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the safety
belt will become locked and help reduce your forward movement.
Energy Management Feature — Outboard
•This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management
feature at the front seats to help further reduce the risk of injury in
the event of a head-on collision.
•This safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to
extend the seat belt webbing in a controlled manner. This helps
reduce the belt force acting on the user’s chest.
Failure to inspect and replace if necessary the Belt and
Retractor assembly after an accident could increase the risk of
injury in a collision.
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 5 mph (8
km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic
locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
140

Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
Safety belt height adjustment
Your vehicle has safety belt height
adjustments at the front and second
row outboard seating positions.
Adjust the height of the shoulder
belt so the belt rests across the
middle of your shoulder.
To adjust the shoulder belt height,
squeeze and hold the buttons on the
side and slide the height adjuster up
or down. Release the buttons and
pull down on the height adjuster to
make sure it is locked in place.
Position the safety belt height adjusters so that the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety
belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt and
increase the risk of injury in a collision.
Third row comfort guide
Note:Before stowing the third row seat or folding the third row seat
back down, the center seat lap/shoulder belt needs to either have the
cross lap tongue stowed in the pocket on the belt or the entire belt
needs to be stowed in the roof.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
142

The tether anchors in your vehicle
are in the positions shown:
The front passenger seat with power adjustment does not have a
tether anchor.The two tether anchors on the back of the second row
bench seat can be used either for child safety seats at the two seating
positions, or either anchor can be used for a single LATCH child seat
installed at the center of the bench seat.
Front passenger seating position (manual adjusting seats only)
1. Position the child safety seat on
the passenger seat cushion.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
170

washing ....................................257
waxing .....................................257
wheels ......................................258
wiper blades ............................259
Clock ............................................66
Compass, electronic ....................59 calibration .................................60
set zone adjustment .................60
Console ........................................74 overhead ....................................58
Controls power seat ...............................113
steering column ........................74
Coolant checking and adding ..............271
refill capacities ................275, 294
specifications ..................295, 297
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................71
Cupholder(s) .............................117
Customer Assistance ................231 Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................262
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................254
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............255
Getting roadside assistance ...231
Getting the service you
need .........................................248
Ordering additional owner ’s
literature .................................255
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................251
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................253 D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................46
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................286
engine oil .................................266
Doors ...........................................61 lubricant specifications ..........295
power sliding ............................62
Driving under special
conditions ..................................228 through water .........................230
E
Emergencies, roadside jump-starting ..........................241
Emission control system ..........283
Engine ........................................297 cleaning ...................................258
coolant .....................................271
idle speed control ...................269
lubrication
specifications ..................295, 297
refill capacities ........................294
service points ..................265 –266
starting after a collision .........232
Engine block heater .................220
Engine oil ..................................266 change oil soon warning,
message center .......................266
checking and adding ..............266
dipstick ....................................266
filter, specifications ........268, 293
recommendations ...................268
refill capacities ........................294
specifications ..................295, 297
Exhaust fumes ..........................220
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar (win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),
Market: USA_English (fus)
Index
304