2005 FORD FREESTYLE warning

2. Remove the console panel by
opening the armrest, grasping the
panel firmly, then pulling up. This
will allow access to the gearshift
assembly.
3. Locate the white plastic cover at
the front driver side of the gearshift
lever. Locate the screw which
attaches this cover and remove
using a screwdriver. Remove the
cover by tilting forward while
pulling up and out of the gearshift
assembly.
4. Locate the silver button in the driver side front area of the gearshift
assembly. Press and hold the silver button while moving the gearshift
lever out of P (Park) into N (Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle and release the parking brake.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
198

This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to
assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal
detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
The RSS detects obstacles up to six
feet (two meters) from the rear
bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the
bumper, (refer to the figures for
approximate zone coverage areas).
As you move closer to the obstacle,
the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound
continuously. If the RSS detects a
stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the
side of the vehicle, the tone will
sound for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object
approaching, the tone will sound
again.
The RSS automatically turns on
when the gear selector is placed in
R (Reverse) and the ignition is ON.
An RSS control on the instrument
panel allows the driver to turn the
RSS on and off. To turn the RSS off,
the ignition must be ON, and the gear selector in R (Reverse). An
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
201

If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid“over-driving”your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain
and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures, but drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly and avoid spinning the
wheels.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
204

emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the“Check Engine”light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
engine/Service engine soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
264

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

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

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
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
280

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
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestyle(219), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
282