Page 2 of 288
Seating and Safety Restraints 105
Seating 105
Safety restraints 118
Airbags 132
Child restraints 147
Tires, Wheels and Loading 161
Tire Information 161
Tire Inflation 163
Vehicle loading 176
Trailer towing 182
Recreational towing 185
Driving 186
Starting 186
Brakes 189
Traction control 192
Transmission operation 193
Roadside Emergencies 205
Getting roadside assistance 205
Hazard flasher switch 206
Fuel pump shut-off switch 206
Fuses and relays 207
Changing tires 214
Lug Nut Torque 221
Jump starting 222
Wrecker towing 227
Customer Assistance 229
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 235
Cleaning 236
Table of Contents
2
2006 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Page 192 of 288

TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Controlsystem. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle. It
is especially useful on slippery road surfaces. The system operates by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of the
electronic elements already present in the anti-lock braking system
(ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlportion of the ABS computer. Excess wheel spin is
controlled through engine torque reduction. This is realized via the fully
electronic engine control system. This process is very sensitive to driving
conditions and very fast acting. The wheels “search” for optimum
traction several times a second and adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlsystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
During Traction Controloperation the engine will not “rev-up” when
you push further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior.
If you should become stuck in deep
snow or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction
Controlsystem off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the
vehicle out or enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
2006 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
192
Page 219 of 288
4. Put the jack in the jack notch
next to the tire you are changing.
Turn the jack handle clockwise until
the wheel is completely off the
ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
6. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
7. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
8. Remove the jack and fully tighten
the lug nuts in the order shown.
Refer toWheel lug nut torque
specificationslater in this chapter
for the proper lug nut torque
specification.
9. Install the wheel cover (if
equipped). The wheel cover will
only install if the Ford/Mercury logo
is aligned over the valve stem on the
wheel.
1
4 3
2 5
2006 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
219
Page 221 of 288

If you are stowing the flat tire,
remove the “L”-shaped bolt from the
large wing nut used to secure the
spare tire in the vehicle. With the
3rd row seat in the raised position,
stand the flat tire in the rear of the
vehicle with the tire’s valve stem
facing the rear of the vehicle.
Fasten the flat tire to the vehicle by
inserting the “L”-shaped bolt
through one of the lug bolt holes in
the wheel and turning clockwise into the threaded hole in the vehicle
until the tire is secured.
If you are stowing the temporary spare tire,place the tire over the
jack and secure it with the large wing nut.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 100 miles (160 km)
after any wheel disturbance (tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel
removal, etc.).
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
lb.ft. N•m
1/2-20 UNF 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or
foreign materials present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel
or the surface of the wheel hub, brake drum or brake disc that
contacts the wheel. Ensure that any fasteners that attach the rotor to
the hub are secured so they do not interfere with the mounting
surfaces of the wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal
contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to
loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion,
resulting in loss of control.
2006 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
221