SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only cable type SAE Class “S” chains. Conventional link or other
type chains may cause damage to your vehicle’s wheelhouse and/or
underbody.
•These cable type chains should only be applied to the front wheels.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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The use of tire sealants may damage your tires. The use of tire
sealants may also damage your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
and should not be used.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important information. If the
tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer
function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
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•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
For vehicles equipped with 4WD, it is not recommended that the vehicle
be operated in 4WD modes with a temporary emergency spare tire. If
4WD operation is necessary, do not operate above speeds of 10 mph
(16 km/h) or for distances above 50 miles (80 km).
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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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
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