
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
248

•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guide. The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant
concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester
(such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The
level of coolant should be maintained at the“FULL COLD”level or
within the“COLD FILL RANGE”in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls
below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolant
section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
265

TRANSAXLE FLUID
Checking automatic transaxle fluid
Do not use supplemental transaxle fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials or transaxle fluids
other than the recommended fluid, may affect transaxle operation
and result in damage to internal transaxle components.
Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guidefor scheduled intervals for
fluid changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid. However, the fluid
level should be checked if the transaxle is not working properly, i.e., if
the transaxle slips, takes more than a couple of seconds to engage into
Drive/Reverse or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
It is recommended that a qualified technician check fluid level
and add fluid if required.
If your transaxle has a low fluid condition sufficient to affect proper
operation the transaxle control module will send a signal to illuminate
the
on the instrument panel.
As long as the transaxle engages normally to drive or reverse, it is safe
to drive but if the
illuminates the vehicle should be taken to your
dealer for evaluation as soon as possible.
If your transaxle does not engage normally, do not attempt to
drive. The vehicle should be towed to your dealer for evaluation.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec engine
Engine air filter element FA-1771
Fuel filter FG-1060
Battery BXT-36R
Oil filter FL-820-S
PCV valve
1
Spark plugs2
1
The PCV valve is a critical emission component. It is one of the items
listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guideand is essential to the life
and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
For PCV valve replacement, see your dealer or a qualified service
technician. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidefor the
appropriate intervals for changing the PCV valve.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
267

the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems—such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
•To avoid interference with other vehicle functions, such as anti-lock
braking systems, amateur radio users who install radios and antennas
onto their vehicle should not locate the Amateur Radio Antennas in
the area of the driver’s side hood.
•Electrical or electronic accessories or components that are
non-Genuine Ford Accessories added to the vehicle by the dealer or
the owner may adversely affect battery performance and durability.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Accessories
278

A
Accessory delay ..........................66
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................131–132, 139, 141
and child safety seats ............133
description ..............132, 139, 141
disposal ....................................144
driver air bag ..........134, 139, 142
indicator light .................133, 144
operation .................134, 139, 142
passenger air bag ...134, 139, 142
side air bag ..............................139
Air cleaner filter .......................267
Air conditioning ........41, 43, 45, 47
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................202
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ........................249
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................194
Anti-theft system ......................104
arming the system ..................104
disarming a triggered
system .....................................105
Audio system (see Radio) ...17, 20
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................267
fluid, checking ........................267
fluid, refill capacities ..............268
fluid, specification ..................272
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................199
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........270
B
Battery .......................................247acid, treating emergencies .....247
jumping a disabled battery ....218
maintenance-free ....................247
replacement, specifications ...267
servicing ..................................247
BeltMinder .................................126
Brakes ........................................194
anti-lock ...................................194
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............194
fluid, checking and adding ....266
fluid, refill capacities ..............268
fluid, specifications .........270, 272
lubricant specifications ..270, 272
parking ....................................195
shift interlock ..........................197
Bulbs ............................................56
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....268
Cargo cover .................................89
Cargo net .....................................89
Cassette tape player ...................17
Cell phone use ............................88
Certification Label ....................274
Changing a tire .........................163
Child safety restraints ..............145
child safety belts ....................145
Child safety seats ......................148
in front seat ............................149
in rear seat ..............................149
tether anchorage hardware ...152
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............235
instrument panel ....................237
interior .....................................237
interior trim ............................237
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
Index
279