2006 FORD FREESTAR check oil

economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine’s warranty use Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an
equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A.SAE
5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and durability
performance meeting all requirements for your vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed inscheduled maintenance information.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer toscheduled maintenance information
for the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the “level indicator”.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
277

•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
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.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 coolantsection.
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.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
280

•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 inscheduled maintenance information.
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).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
292

10. Ensure the pads on the bottom
of the air cleaner assembly are
properly seated.
11. Reconnect the outlet tube to the
air cleaner assembly and tighten the
clamp.
12. Reconnect the Mass Air Flow
Sensor electrical connector to the
outlet tube. Make sure the locking
tab on the connector is in “locked”
position.
Note:If hose clamp is not secured properly or Mass Air Flow Sensor
electrical connector is not properly installed the Check Engine light will
illuminate when vehicle is operated.
Note:Do not use oil-impregnated air filter elements. Failure to use the
correct air filter element may result in severe engine damage. The
customer warranty may be voided for any damage to the engine if the
correct air filter element is not used.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
301

wheels ......................................265
wiper blades ............................266
Clock ............................................63
Compass, electronic ....................56
calibration .................................57
set zone adjustment .................57
Console ........................................72
overhead ..............................55–56
Controls
power seat ...............................111
steering column ........................71
Coolant
checking and adding ..............280
refill capacities ................284, 303
specifications ..................304, 306
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................68
Cupholder(s) .............................114
Customer Assistance ................226
Ford Extended Service Plan .261
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............261
Getting roadside assistance ...226
Getting the service
you need .................................254
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................262
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............260
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................44
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................296
engine oil .................................274
Doors ...........................................58lubricant specifications ..........304
power sliding ............................59
Driving under special
conditions ..................................223
through water .........................225
DVD system .................................32
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................246
Emission control system ..........293
Engine ........................................306
cleaning ...................................265
coolant .....................................280
idle speed control ...................277
lubrication
specifications ..................304, 306
refill capacities ........................303
service points ..................272–273
starting after a collision .........227
Engine block heater .................215
Engine oil ..................................274
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................274
checking and adding ..............274
dipstick ....................................274
filter, specifications ........276, 302
recommendations ...................276
refill capacities ........................303
specifications ..................304, 306
Exhaust fumes ..........................214
F
Floor mats ...................................72
Fluid capacities .........................303
Fuel ............................................285
calculating fuel economy .......290
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
313

headlamps, flash to pass ..........45
instrument panel, dimming .....45
interior lamps .....................47–49
replacing bulbs .............49, 51–53
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................47
Liftgate ............................84, 88, 96
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........216
Load limits .................................200
Locks
autolock ...................................103
childproof ..................................93
doors ..........................................91
Low tire warning .........................15
Lubricant specifications ...304, 306
Lug nuts ....................................246
Luggage rack ...............................88
Lumbar support, seats .............113
M
Message center ...........................76
english/metric button ...............78
system check button ................79
warning messages .....................79
Mirrors ...................................55, 66
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................66
fold away ...................................68
heated ........................................67
programmable memory ..........100
side view mirrors (power) .......67
signal .........................................67
Motorcraft parts ........268, 285, 302
O
Octane rating ............................289Oil (see Engine oil) ..................274
Overdrive ...................................221
P
Parking brake ............................217
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....302
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................135
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............68
Power adjustable foot pedals .....68
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................232
Power door locks ................91, 103
Power liftgate ........................84, 96
Power mirrors .............................67
Power point .................................63
Power steering ..........................219
fluid, checking and adding ....295
fluid, refill capacity ................303
fluid, specifications .........304, 306
Power Windows ...........................65
R
Radio ..........................18, 20, 23, 26
Relays ........................................228
Remote entry system .................95
illuminated entry ................45, 99
locking/unlocking doors .....91, 95
Reverse sensing system ...........223
Roadside assistance ..................226
Roof rack .....................................88
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........147
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
315