Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses
15% less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•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.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288
wheels ......................................261
wiper blades ............................263
Clock ............................................66
Compass, electronic ....................58
calibration .................................60
set zone adjustment .................59
Console ........................................65
overhead ....................................58
Controls
power seat ...............................115
steering column ........................74
Coolant
checking and adding ..............276
refill capacities ................280, 300
specifications ..........................300
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................71
Cupholder(s) .............................118
Customer Assistance ................225
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................257
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............258
Getting roadside assistance ...225
Getting the service you
need .........................................253
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................258
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............256
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................46
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................293
engine oil .................................271Doors ...........................................60
power sliding ............................62
Driving under special
conditions ..................................222
through water .........................224
DVD system .................................34
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................245
Emission control system ..........289
Engine ........................................302
cleaning ...................................262
coolant .....................................276
idle speed control ...................274
lubrication specifications .......300
refill capacities ........................300
service points ..................269–270
starting after a collision .........227
Engine block heater .................214
Engine oil ..................................271
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................271
checking and adding ..............271
dipstick ....................................271
filter, specifications ........273, 299
recommendations ...................273
refill capacities ........................300
specifications ..........................300
Exhaust fumes ..........................213
F
Floor mats ...................................87
Fluid capacities .........................300
Fuel ............................................281
calculating fuel economy .......286
cap ...........................................283
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
308
