2006 FORD FREESTAR octane

Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
289

•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.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
290

Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord specification
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. DOT 3 fluid is
recommended. However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto
determine the correct service interval.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.9 L OHV V6 engine 4.2L OHV V6 engine
Cubic inches 232 256
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system EDIS EDIS
Spark plug gap 0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)
Compression ratio 9.36:1 9.27:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Wagon - inches
(mm)Van - inches (mm)
(1) Overall length 201.0 (5105) 201.0 (5105)
(2) Overall width 88.3 (2244) 88.3 (2244)
(3) Overall height 70.9 (1785)
168.8 (1748)2
(4) Wheelbase 120.8 (3069) 120.8 (3069)
(5) Tread - Front 64.7 (1644) 64.7 (1644)
(5) Tread - Rear 62.8 (1595) 62.8 (1595)
1Equipped with P225/60R16 tires.
2Equipped with P235/60R16 tires.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
306

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

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