2005 FORD FREESTYLE power steering

Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, Do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’tbe
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transaxle damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
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Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not“pump”the brakes. Refer to the Brakes section of this chapter for
additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of AWD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
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
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.0L DOHC V6 DURATEC ENGINE
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Power steering fluid reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Battery
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Engine coolant bleed plug
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
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Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F3.0L engine Between MAX
and MIN on
reservoir
Automatic
transaxle fluidMotorcraft
Continuously
Variable Chain
Type
Transmission
FluidCVT automatic
transaxle
310.0 quarts
(9.5L)4
Rear axle
lubricantMotorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
LubricantAWD 1.5 pints (0.7L)
Coupler Volvo
Transmission Oil,
ClutchCoupler 1.5 pints (0.7L)
Power Take-off
Unit (PTU)Motorcraft SAE
75W-90 Fuel
Efficient High
Performance
Rear Axle
LubricantPTU 1.9 pints (0.9L)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 135 oz. (4.0L)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.2Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
3Using any transmission fluid other than those that meet the
recommended specification may cause internal transaxle damage.
4Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid
changes.
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ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Power Transfer
UnitMotorcraft SAE
75W-90 Fuel
Efficient High
Performance
Rear Axle
LubricantXY-75W-90–
QFEHP
—
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–
LSP12 (Canada)WSS-M2C930-A
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity jointsCV Joint Grease
(High Temp.)XG-5 WSS-M2C258–A1
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA and
OR), VC-7-B
(CA and OR
only)WSS
-M97B51–A1
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcrarft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Using any transaxle fluid other than those that meet the
recommended specification may cause internal transaxle damage.
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plastic parts ............................236
washing ....................................234
waxing .....................................234
wheels ......................................235
wiper blades ............................236
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) .....................41, 43, 45, 47
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................79
Console ..................................87–88
overhead ..............................63–64
Controls
power seat ...............................108
steering column ........................71
Coolant
checking and adding ..............249
refill capacities ................255, 268
specifications ..................270, 272
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................68
Customer Assistance ................209
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................239
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................231
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............232
Getting roadside assistance ...209
Getting the service
you need .................................225
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................233
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................228
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............231D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................52
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................267
engine oil .................................243
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........270
Driving under special
conditions ..........................203, 206
sand .........................................204
snow and ice ...........................206
through water .................205, 207
E
Electronic message center .........76
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................218
Emission control system ..........263
Engine ........................................272
cleaning ...................................235
coolant .....................................249
idle speed control ...................247
lubrication
specifications ..................270, 272
refill capacities ........................268
service points ..........................242
starting after a collision .........210
Engine block heater .................193
Engine oil ..................................243
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................243
checking and adding ..............243
dipstick ....................................243
filter, specifications ........246, 267
recommendations ...................246
refill capacities ........................268
specifications ..................270, 272
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Keys
positions of the ignition .........190
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................51
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................56
daytime running light ...............52
fog lamps ...................................52
headlamps ...........................51, 57
headlamps, flash to pass ..........53
instrument panel, dimming .....53
interior lamps .....................55, 57
replacing bulbs ...................56–60
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................55
Liftgate ........................................88
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........194
Load limits .................................180
Locks
autolock .....................................99
childproof ..................................92
doors ..........................................91
Lubricant specifications ...270, 272
Lug nuts ....................................170
Luggage rack ...............................90
Lumbar support, seats .....107–108
M
Message center ...........................76
english/metric button ...............81
system check button ................81
warning messages .....................82
Mirrors ...................................63, 67automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................67
fold away ...................................67
side view mirrors (power) .......67
Moon roof ....................................72
Motorcraft parts ................260, 267
O
Octane rating ............................259
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................243
P
Parking brake ............................195
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....267
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................119
Power adjustable foot pedals .....68
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................214
Power door locks ........................91
Power mirrors .............................67
Power point .................................64
Power steering ..........................197
fluid, checking and adding ....265
fluid, refill capacity ................268
fluid, specifications .........270, 272
Power Windows ...........................65
R
Radio ......................................17, 20
Relays ........................................211
Remote entry system .................93
illuminated entry ......................97
Reverse sensing system ...........200
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