
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light for additional information.
Check engine:TheCheck Engine
indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the ON
position to check the bulb. Solid
illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Check
engine warning light to come on,
refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationchapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the
brake system should be inspected immediately by your authorized dealer.
P!
BRAKE
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11 

Bulb warning:Illuminates when one of the exterior front turn lamps or
rear brake/turn/tail lamps bulb has burned out.
•Without Message Center
•With Message Center
Displays which bulb is burned out.
Depress the RESET control to clear.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Turn signal warning chime:Sounds when the turn signal lever has
been activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is
driven more than 2 miles (3.2 km).
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15 

Function Trade Number
Front park/turn lamps 3457AK (amber)
Front sidemarker lamp 904NA (amber)
Cornering lamps 3156K
Auxiliary parking lamps 912
Headlamps H13
Rear license plate lamps W5WL
High-mount brake lamp LED (see dealer)
Rear tail/stop/turn lamps 4157K or 3157K
Backup lamps 3156K
Dome lamp (front row) 10W sofitte
Cargo lamp 10W sofitte
Map lamps H6W
Dome lamp (third row) 10W sofitte
Map lamp (overhead console) 906
Stepwell lamp T-562
Front seat footwell 194
Front door mounted courtesy lamp 168
Visor vanity lamp - Slide on Rail system
(SOR)37
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the OFF position, then open the
hood.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
52 

3. To remove theside markerbulb,
turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise, and pull the bulb
straight out of the socket.
4. To remove theparking/turn
bulb, turn the socket on the bottom
of the headlamp assembly
counterclockwise and pull the bulb
straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing tail lamp/backup/turn lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and open the
liftgate to expose the tail lamp
assembly, then remove the retaining
screws for the lamp assembly.
2. Carefully remove the lamp
assembly.
3. Rotate bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
4. Pull bulb straight out of socket and push in new bulb.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see your authorized dealer.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
54 

Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an airbag” Airbags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK OUR
CRASH”.
Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt or insert a latchplate
into the buckle to avoid the BeltMinderchime. To do so may
adversely affect the performance of the vehicle’s air bag system.
One time disable
If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles
the safety belt for that seating position, the BeltMinderis disabled for
the current ignition cycle. The BeltMinderfeature will enable during the
same ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for
approximately 30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one time
disable.
Deactivating/activating the BeltMinderfeature
The driver and front passenger BeltMinderare
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
Note: The driver and front passenger BeltMinderfeatures must be
disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the
same key cycle.
The driver and front passenger BeltMinderfeatures can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set
•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
151 

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift
lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
being depressed.
When the key is in the ignition and in the 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.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
3
1
2
5
4
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
211 

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
3. Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
4. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
212 

ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated if wheelslip or skidding is detected,
optimizing your stopping distance and allowing you to retain steering
control.
Brake Assist (if equipped as part of the AdvanceTracsystem)
The Brake Assist system provides full braking force during panic braking
situations. It detects a rapid application of the brake pedal and
maximizes the amount of brake booster assist, helping the driver to
achieve maximum braking pressure. Once a panic brake application is
detected, the system will remain activated as long as the brake pedal is
depressed. The system is deactivated by releasing the brake pedal.
When the system activates, the brake pedal will travel with very little
effort; this is normal.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
215