2005 FORD FREESTAR towing

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
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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.
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Introduction
5

Liftgate ajar Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON
Check left park lamp
Check right park lamp
Check left headlamp
Check fuel cap
Check right headlamp
Check left turn lamp
Washer fluid low
Check right turn lamp
Change oil soon
Check tires/low tire pressure
(if equipped)
Tire pressure monitor fault (if
equipped)
Tire pressure sensor fault (if
equipped)
Check brake lamps
Turn signal on reminder
DRIVER’S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s rear door is not
completely closed.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side rear
door is not completely closed.
LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate is not completely closed.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If the warning
stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission
service as soon as possible.
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Driver Controls
84

3. Lower back of seat onto the rear
tubs until both release controls latch
into place. Be sure that the seat is
locked in place both front and back.
Do not place the seat front hooks on the front most pin of the front tub.
Doing so will not allow the seat to fully install in vehicle.
Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat.
If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.
Stowing the third row seat
1. If the comfort guide is on the
center lap/shoulder belt, slip the
guide off the belt and stow the
guide in the pocket on the back of
the seat.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
128

8. Pull the number 3 strap on the seat back to tumble seat all the way in
to the tub in the floor.
Do not use the seat anchors as cargo tie downs.
Unstowing the third row seat
Ensure seat latching area is free of objects.
1. Lift the seat out of the tub in the
floor by pulling up on the exposed
strap or handle. Once seat is at a
vertical position, push the seat over,
letting it fall onto the latches.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
132

This is not a position suitable for driving. Do not drive the
vehicle with the seat in this position. The safety belts are not
functional when the seat is in the tailgate position.
Ensure head restraints are moved to their full down position, all seat
belts are released from the seat, seat and stowage tub are free of objects.
1. Push the head restraint release buttons and move all head restraints
fully down.
2. To access the tailgate function,
the seat must be in the seating
position. If the seat is not in the
seating position, follow all the steps
of the‘Unstowing Seat Section’.
Once the seat is in the seating
position, release the cushion latches
by pulling the number 2 strap.
Then, pull the seat rearward by the
number 3 strap and set the seat on
the liftgate scuff plate. The number
1 strap is not used to access this
position.
Do not sit on the head restraints.
2
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Seating and Safety Restraints
134

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.
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Seating and Safety Restraints
142

•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional caution
should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a dissimilar spare tire/wheel and seek
service as soon as possible.
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Item Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper.
Jack Behind the access panel located
on the right rear quarter panel
interior trim.
Jack handle Attached to the jack with a clip.
Flat tire tether, wing screw Inside tire tether kit, next to jack.
Jack extension tool (cargo van
model only)Attached to the jack kit.
Removing the jack and tools
1. Locate the access panel on the interior trim. Rotate the two panel
retaining clips and remove the panel.
2. Remove the jack and lug nut wrench by turning the thumbscrew
counterclockwise to relieve tension against the stowage bracket.
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Tires, Wheels and Loading
184