2005 FORD FREESTYLE flat tire

STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system, never hold the steering
wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
It is also important to maintain a proper power steering fluid level in the
power steering fluid reservoir:
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless the brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Remove the trim ring around the gearshift lever.
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Driving
197

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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Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Emergencies
209

Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
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Maintenance and Specifications
262

Roadside assistance ..................209
Roof rack .....................................90
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........130
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) ......118, 121–125
Safety Canopy ...........................141
Safety defects, reporting ..........233
Safety restraints ........118, 121–125
belt minder .............................126
extension assembly ................130
for adults .........................122–124
for children .....................144–145
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................119
safety belt maintenance .........130
warning light and chime ........125
Safety seats for children ..........148
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............118
Seats ..........................................106
child safety seats ....................148
front seats .......................106, 109
heated ............................43, 45, 47
memory seat .....................94, 110
second row seats ............111, 114
third row seats ................114–116
Servicing your vehicle ..............240
Setting the clock
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................21
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...........163, 165
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................267, 272
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................270, 272Speed control ..............................68
Starting your
vehicle ........................190–191, 193
jump starting ..........................218
Steering wheel
controls ......................................71
tilting .........................................63
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................63
Tires ...........................158–159, 163
alignment ................................177
care ..........................................176
changing ..................163, 165–166
checking the pressure ............161
inspecting and inflating .........160
label .........................................175
replacing ..................................163
rotating ....................................178
safety practices .......................177
sidewall information ...............170
snow tires and chains ............179
spare tire .................................164
terminology .............................159
tire grades ...............................159
treadwear ........................158, 176
Towing .......................................186
recreational towing .................189
trailer towing ..........................186
wrecker ....................................223
Traction control ........................196
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............268
lubricant specifications ..........272
Transmission .............................197
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....197
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................267
lubricant specifications ..........270
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2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
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Index
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