2005 FORD FREESTYLE towing

In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, flatbed transport vehicle or a car hauling trailer) your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) only under the
following conditions:
•The ambient temperature is above 32°F(0°C)
•Place the automatic transaxle in N (Neutral).
•DO NOT exceed the distance of 31 miles (50 km).
•DO NOT exceed the speed of 31 mph (50 km/h).
On All Wheel Drive (AWD) models,it is not recommended that your
vehicle be towed with any wheels on the ground. It is recommended to
tow your vehicle with all the wheels off the ground using wheel lift
equipment and a wheel dolly, a flatbed transport vehicle or a car-hauling
trailer.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, flatbed transport vehicle or a car hauling trailer) your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) or wrecker towed
(rear wheels on the ground) only under the following conditions:
•The ambient temperature is above 32°F(0°C).
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Maximum distance is 31 miles (50 km).
•Maximum speed is 31 mph (50 km/h).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
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Roadside Emergencies
224

UTILIZING THE MEDIATION/ARBITRATION PROGRAM
(CANADA ONLY)
In those cases where you continue to feel that the efforts by Ford and
the dealer to resolve a factory-related vehicle service concern have been
unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an impartial third party
mediation/arbitration program administered by the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and relatively speedy
alternative to resolve a disagreement when all other efforts to produce a
settlement have failed. This procedure is without cost to you and is
designed to eliminate the need for lengthy and expensive legal
proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party arbitrators conduct
hearings at mutually convenient times and places in an informal
environment. These impartial arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, when appropriate, render awards to resolve
disputes. CAMVAP decisions are fast, fair, and final; the arbitrator’s
award is binding both to you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all territories and provinces. For more
information, without charge or obligation, call your CAMVAP Provincial
Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. It provides
the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
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Customer Assistance
231

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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Index
283

Turn signal ..................................55
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................272
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................274
Vehicle loading ..........................180
Ventilating your vehicle ...........193
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10Washer fluid ..............................243
Water, Driving through .............207
Windows
power
.........................................65
rear wiper/washer
.....................62
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid
.....243
operation
...................................61
replacing wiper blades
.............62
Wrecker towing
.........................223
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2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
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Index
284