2006 FORD FREESTYLE check oil

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.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
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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.
•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
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•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.
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interior trim ............................239
plastic parts ............................238
washing ....................................236
waxing .....................................236
wheels ......................................237
wiper blades ............................238
Climate control
(see Air conditioning
or Heating) ................42, 44, 46, 49
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................81
Console ..................................63–64
overhead ....................................64
Controls
power seat ...............................108
steering column ........................73
Coolant
checking and adding ..............251
refill capacities ................256, 270
specifications ..................272, 274
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................70
Customer Assistance ................205
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................233
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................234
Getting roadside assistance ...205
Getting the service you
need .........................................229
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................234
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................232D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................53
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................268
engine oil .................................246
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........272
Driving under special
conditions ..........................199, 202
sand .........................................200
snow and ice ...........................202
through water .................201, 203
E
Electronic message center .........78
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................222
Emission control system ..........265
Engine ........................................274
cleaning ...................................237
coolant .....................................251
idle speed control ...................249
lubrication specifications ......272,
274
refill capacities ........................270
service points ..........................244
starting after a collision .........206
Engine block heater .................189
Engine oil ..................................246
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................246
checking and adding ..............246
dipstick ....................................246
filter, specifications ........248, 269
recommendations ...................248
refill capacities ........................270
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K
Keyless entry system .................97
autolock .....................................99
Keys
positions of the ignition .........186
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................52
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................57
daytime running light ...............53
fog lamps ...................................54
headlamps ...........................52, 57
headlamps, flash to pass ..........53
instrument panel, dimming .....54
interior lamps ...........................56
replacing bulbs ...................56–60
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................56
Liftgate ........................................88
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........190
Load limits .................................176
Locks
autolock .....................................99
childproof ..................................91
doors ..........................................90
Lubricant specifications ...272, 274
Lug nuts ....................................221
Luggage rack ...............................89
Lumbar support, seats .............107
M
Message center ...........................78
english/metric button ...............83system check button ................84
warning messages .....................84
Mirrors ...................................63, 68
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................68
fold away ...................................68
heated ........................................69
side view mirrors (power) .......68
Moon roof ....................................74
Motorcraft parts ........240, 257, 269
N
Navigation system .......................24
O
Octane rating ............................261
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................246
P
Parking brake ............................191
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....269
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................120
Power adjustable foot pedals .....69
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................211
Power door locks ........................90
Power mirrors .............................68
Power point .................................65
Power steering ..........................193
fluid, checking and adding ....267
fluid, refill capacity ................270
fluid, specifications .........272, 274
Power Windows ...........................66
R
Radio ......................................17, 20
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