2006 FORD FREESTAR fuel cap

•Theindicator may come on. For more information on the “Check
Engine” or the “Service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning lights
and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than three automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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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 your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When the
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause your
indicator 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. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, the
indicator 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 the
indicator 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
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
294

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
All Fill to MAX line
on reservoir
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)
3
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)3.9L engine 5.0 quarts
(4.7L)
4.2L engine 5.0 quarts
(4.7L)
Engine coolant
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)Without rear
heater14.8 quarts
(14.0L)
With rear heater 15.9 quarts
(15.0L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Fuel tank N/A All 26.0 gallons
(98.4L)
Automatic
transaxle fluidMotorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAll 13.7 quarts
(13.0L)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
303

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

cap ...........................................287
capacity ...................................303
choosing the right fuel ...........288
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................293
detergent in fuel .....................289
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................285, 287, 290
filter, specifications ........285, 302
fuel pump shut-off switch .....227
improving fuel economy ........290
octane rating ...................289, 306
quality ......................................289
running out of fuel .................289
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................285
Fuses ..................................228–229
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................72
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............287
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................290
Gauges .........................................15
H
Hazard flashers .........................227
Head restraints .................109, 114
Headlamps ...................................43
aiming ........................................46
autolamp system .......................43
bulb specifications ....................50
daytime running lights .............44
flash to pass ..............................45
high beam .................................44
replacing bulbs .........................51turning on and off ....................43
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................33–34
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................72
Hood ..........................................271
I
Ignition ...............................212, 306
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................169
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................294
Instrument panel ........................63
cleaning ...................................267
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................45
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......246
K
Keyless entry system ...............101
autolock ...................................103
Keys ...........................................106
positions of the ignition .........212
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................43
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................50
daytime running light ...............44
headlamps .................................43
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
314