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
Roadside assistance ..................225
Roof rack .....................................92
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........147
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........138, 141, 143–145
Safety Canopy ...........................164
Safety defects, reporting ..........259
Safety
restraints ...........138, 141, 143–145
BeltMinder............................148
extension assembly ................146
for adults .........................143–145
for children .....................167–168
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................139
safety belt maintenance .........147
warning light and chime ........148
Safety seats for children ..........171
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................303
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............138
Seats ..........................................113
child safety seats ....................171
front seats .......................113–116
memory seat ...................102, 117
second row
seats .................119–120, 123–124
third row
seats .................124, 131, 135–137
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............109–110
Servicing your vehicle ..............267
Spare tire (see
Changing the Tire) ...................238Spark plugs,
specifications .....................299, 302
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................300
Speed control ..............................71
Starting your vehicle ........211–213
jump starting ..........................245
Steering wheel
controls ......................................74
tilting .........................................57
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................57
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....196
Warning Displays ......................10
Tires ...................................182–183
alignment ................................190
care ..........................................186
changing ..........................238, 240
checking the pressure ............186
inflating ...................................184
label .........................................195
replacing ..................................188
rotating ....................................190
safety practices .......................189
sidewall information ...............191
snow tires and chains ............200
spare tire .................................236
terminology .............................183
tire grades ...............................183
treadwear ........................182, 187
Towing .......................................206
recreational towing .................210
trailer towing ..........................206
wrecker ....................................251
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............219
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
311
fluid, refill capacities ..............300
lubricant specifications ..........300
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....219
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................293
Turn signal ..................................49
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................303
Vehicle loading ..........................200
Ventilating your vehicle ...........214W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................270
Water, Driving through .............224
Windows
power .........................................67
rear wiper/washer .....................56
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................56
checking and adding fluid .....270
liftgate reservoir .....................270
replacing wiper blades ...........271
Wrecker towing .........................251
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
312
