2007 FORD FREESTAR brakes

•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The AdvanceTrac
indicator light will illuminate
•If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal will move to apply higher brake forces. You may also hear
a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during this severe
condition.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTrac
operation.
If the AdvaceTrac system is activated for an extended period of time, the
brake portion of the system will shut down to allow the brakes to cool
down. A limited AdvanceTrac
function using only engine power
reduction will still help control the wheels from over-spinning. When the
brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool-down period.
Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTrac
system. Also, do not install a stereo
loudspeaker near the front center console or under either front
seat. The speaker vibrations can adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac
sensors located in this area.
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 an AdvanceTrac
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.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump reservoir
fluid level (below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
218

When the key is in the ignition and in the 3 (OFF) position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P (Park)
position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle with column
gearshift
Your transaxle is equipped with an adaptive learning strategy found in
the vehicle computer. This feature is designed to increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or
transaxle may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered
normal and will not affect function or durability of the transaxle. Over
time, the adaptive learning process will fully update transaxle operation.
Additionally, whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the strategy must be relearned.
Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully automatic operation in
either D (Drive) or 3. Driving with the gearshift lever in D (Drive) gives
the best fuel economy for normal driving conditions. For manual control
start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal,
then move gearshift lever out of P (Park). Once you place the gearshift
lever securely into position, gradually release the brake pedal and use
the accelerator as necessary.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
220

The RSS is automatically enabled
when the gear selector is placed in
R (Reverse) and the ignition is ON.
The park aid disable switch allows
the driver to disable the RSS only
when the ignition is ON, and the
gear selector is in R (Reverse). The
OFF indicator remains illuminated
when the system is disabled. If the
indicator light illuminates when the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate
a failure in the RSS.
The system defaults toenabledevery time the ignition is turned on.
Press the control to disable or enable the system.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.OFF
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
224

POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCON
AT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised; seek service from
your authorized dealer immediately.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
292

A
Accessory delay ..........................68
AdvanceTrac ..............................216
Air cleaner filter ...............294, 299
Air filter, cabin ............................44
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........153, 162, 164
and child safety seats ............155
description ..............153, 162, 164
disposal ....................................167
driver airbag ............155, 163, 165
indicator light .................161, 167
operation .................155, 163, 165
passenger airbag .....155, 163, 165
side airbag ...............................162
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................276
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................214–215
Anti-theft system ..............109, 111
arming the system ..................111
disarming a triggered
system .....................................112
Audio system
(see Radio) ................19, 21, 24, 27
Automatic transaxle .................219
fluid, adding ............................293
fluid, checking ........................293
fluid, refill capacities ..............300
fluid, specification ..................300
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................221
Auxiliary power point .................66
B
Battery .......................................274acid, treating emergencies .....274
battery saver .............................47
jumping a disabled battery ....245
maintenance-free ....................274
replacement, specifications ...299
servicing ..................................274
BeltMinder
...............................148
Brakes ........................................214
anti-lock ...........................214–215
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............215
fluid, checking and adding ....292
fluid, refill capacities ..............300
fluid, specifications .................300
lubricant specifications ..........300
parking ....................................216
shift interlock ..........................219
Bulbs ............................................51
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....300
Cargo net .....................................91
Cassette tape player .......19, 21, 24
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............168
child safety belts ....................168
Child safety seats ......................171
in front seat ............................173
in rear seat ..............................173
tether anchorage hardware ...175
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............262
instrument panel ....................263
interior .....................................264
interior trim ............................264
plastic parts ............................262
washing ....................................260
waxing .....................................261
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
307

headlamps .................................45
headlamps, flash to pass ..........46
instrument panel, dimming .....47
interior lamps .....................49–51
replacing bulbs ...................52, 55
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................49
Liftgate ............................87–88, 92
remote release ..................95, 101
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........215
Load limits .................................200
Locks
autolock .....................................96
childproof ..................................98
doors ..........................................95
Lubricant specifications ...........300
Lug nuts ....................................245
Luggage rack ...............................92
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Message center .....................78–79
english/metric button ...............81
system check button ................81
warning messages .....................82
Mirrors .........................................69
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................69
fold away ...................................70
heated ........................................70
programmable memory ..........102
side view mirrors (power) .......69
signal .........................................70
Motorcraft parts ........265, 281, 299
O
Octane rating ............................285Oil (see Engine oil) ..................271
Overdrive ...................................220
P
Parking brake ............................216
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....299
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................139
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............71
Power adjustable foot pedals .....71
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................231
Power door locks ..................95–96
Power liftgate ......................88, 101
Power mirrors .............................69
Power point .................................66
Power steering ..........................218
fluid, checking and adding ....292
fluid, refill capacity ................300
fluid, specifications .................300
Power Windows ...........................67
R
Radio ..........................19, 21, 24, 27
Relays ........................................227
Remote entry system .........98, 100
illuminated entry ............104–105
locking/unlocking
doors ................................100–101
panic alarm .............................102
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................103
replacing the batteries ...........103
Reverse sensing system ...........222
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
310