2005 FORD FREESTAR tow

Seating and Safety Restraints 112
Seating 112
Safety restraints 135
Air bags 149
Child restraints 162
Tires, Wheels and Loading 176
Tire Information 177
Changing tires 181
Lug Nut Torque 192
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 202
Low tire warning system 206
Vehicle loading 208
Trailer towing 213
Recreational towing 216
Driving 217
Starting 217
Brakes 221
Transmission operation 225
Roadside Emergencies 231
Getting roadside assistance 231
Hazard flasher switch 232
Fuel pump shut-off switch 232
Fuses and relays 233
Jump starting 241
Wrecker towing 247
Customer Assistance 248
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 256
Cleaning 257
Table of Contents
2
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002),
Market: USA_English (fus)

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

RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a pen or pencil into the hole and
turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Use cassettes that are longer than 90 minutes.
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•For vehicles equipped with a six disc CD changer, don’t insert more
than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
•Clean using a circular motion.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
32

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.
In the
andmodes:
•Move the temperature control selector to the coldest setting.
•Select A/C and recirculated air
. Usewith A/C to provide
colder airflow.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
passenger comfort.
For maximum heating performance, turn the auxiliary climate control
system (if equipped) on, set the temperature setting to the warmest
setting and set the fan to the highest blower speed.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to full heat.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Climate Controls
35

In theandmodes:
•Move the temperature control selector to the coldest setting.
•Select A/C and recirculated air
. Usewith A/C to provide
colder airflow.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
passenger comfort.
For maximum heating performance, turn the auxiliary climate control
system (if equipped) on, set the temperature setting to the warmest
setting and set the fan to the highest blower speed.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to full heat.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Climate Controls
38

19.REAR:Press to enable the control located in the rear seat. Press
again to turn the auxiliary system off.
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 AUTO mode, press AUTO control and set to desired temperature.
In manual override control, select
or, A/C and recirculated
air
and set the temperature to 60°F (16°C). Set the fan to the
highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain passenger comfort.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after starting the vehicle or until the vehicle has
“aired out.”
For maximum heating performance, turn the auxiliary climate control
system (if equipped) on, set the temperature setting to the warmest
setting and set the fan to the highest blower speed.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Modulate the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan to the highest speed.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Climate Controls
43

2. Deselect the auto lamps.
3. Put the ignition in RUN.
4. Put the ignition in OFF.
5. Select the autolamps.
•Note:Steps 2 through 5 must be performed within a 10 second
period.
•At this point, the headlamps and park lamps will turn on.
6. Deselect the auto lamps after the desired auto lamp delay time
(maximum of 3 minutes).
•At this point, the headlamps and park lamps will turn off.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the lowbeam headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
•the key must be in the ON position,
•the headlamp control is in the OFF, parking lamps or autolamp
position,
•and the transmission must be out of PARK.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Lights
46

Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Battery saver
The battery saver will shut off the exterior lamps and interior lamps,
except the hazard warning lamps if activated, 10 minutes after the
ignition control has been turned off. The battery saver will extend the
time-out period for courtesy lamps to 30 minutes if the liftgate is ajar or
the dome lamp is on via manual activation using the dome lamp switch
or the headlamp switch, whichever is provided. The system will not turn
off the parking lamps if the headlamp control is in the PARK position.
For interior lights, refer toIlluminated entryin theLocks and security
chapter.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during headlight
and parklamp operation.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from left
to right to brighten the
instrument panel.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from right
to left to dim the instrument
panel.
Your vehicle also contains a feature called“sleeping baby mode”—in
which the dome lamps will remain off and only the lower lamps will
illuminate. This lighting mode can be activated by rotating the
thumbwheel to the first left detent position (as denoted by the half filled
circle above).
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar(win), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Lights
47