2007 FORD FREESTAR towing

Seating and Safety Restraints 113
Seating 113
Safety restraints 138
Airbags 153
Child restraints 167
Tires, Wheels and Loading 182
Tire information 182
Tire inflation 184
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 196
Vehicle loading 200
Trailer towing 206
Recreational towing 210
Driving 211
Starting 211
Brakes 214
Transmission operation 219
Roadside Emergencies 225
Getting roadside assistance 225
Hazard flasher switch 226
Fuel pump shut-off switch 227
Fuses and relays 227
Changing tires 235
Lug nut torque 245
Jump starting 245
Wrecker towing 251
Customer Assistance 253
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 259
Cleaning 260
Table of Contents
2
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
5

3. Lower back of seat onto the rear
tubs until both release controls latch
into place. Be sure that the seat is
locked in place both front and back.
Do not place the seat front hooks on the front most pin of the front tub.
Doing so will not allow the seat to fully install in vehicle.
Ensure seat is latched to vehicle floor by pushing/pulling on seat.
If not latched, the seat may cause injury during a sudden stop.
Stowing the third row seat
1. If the comfort guide is on the
center lap/shoulder belt, slip the
guide off the belt and stow the
guide in the pocket on the back of
the seat.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
131

8. Pull the number 3 strap on the seat back to tumble seat all the way in
to the tub in the floor.
Do not use the seat anchors as cargo tie downs.
Unstowing the third row seat
Ensure seat latching area is free of objects.
1. Lift the seat out of the tub in the
floor by pulling up on the exposed
strap or handle. Once seat is at a
vertical position, push the seat over,
letting it fall onto the latches.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
135

Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the
seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Tailgate function
The 3rd row seat is equipped with a tailgate function to be utilized when
the vehicle is parked and engine turned off. This rearward-facing position
allows the customer to open the liftgate and sit facing out of the vehicle
rearward.
This is not a position suitable for driving. Do not drive the
vehicle with the seat in this position. The safety belts are not
functional when the seat is in the tailgate position.
Ensure head restraints are moved to their full down position, all safety
belts are released from the seat, seat and stowage tub are free of objects.
1. Push the head restraint release buttons and move all head restraints
fully down.
2. To access the tailgate function,
the seat must be in the seating
position. If the seat is not in the
seating position, follow all the steps
of theUnstowing the third row
seat section.Once the seat is in the
seating position, release the cushion
latches by pulling the number 2
strap. Then, pull the seat rearward
by the number 3 strap and set the
seat on the liftgate scuff plate. The
number 1 strap is not used to
access this position.
Do not sit on the head restraints.
2
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
137

Position the safety belt height adjusters so that the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety
belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt and
increase the risk of injury in a collision.
Third row comfort guide
Note:Before stowing the third row seat or folding the third row seat
back down, the center seat lap/shoulder belt needs to either have the
cross lap tongue stowed in the pocket on the belt or the entire belt
needs to be stowed in the roof.
The safety belt for the 3rd row
center occupant may be stowed in
the ceiling if it has been detached
from the seat to carry large cargo.
Remove the safety belt from the
stowage area on the ceiling and
buckle the small tongue on the end
of the safety belt to the mini-buckle
on the left side of the center seat
position.
The third row center lap/shoulder
belt is equipped with a Belt Comfort
Guide located in a pocket on the
back of the seat. The guide is
attached to the driver’s side head
restraint, and is used to adjust the
comfort of the shoulder belt for
smaller occupants in the center
position of the 3rd row seat. To
adjust the comfort guide:
•Slip the shoulder belt into the
belt guide.
•Slide the guide up or down along the head restraint post so that the
belt is centered on the occupant’s shoulder.
Safety belt extension assembly
If the safety belt is too short when fully extended,a9inch(23cm)or
12 inch (31 cm) safety belt extension assembly can be added (part
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
146

Example only:
Cargo Weight– includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)– is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) – including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
202

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The total
load on each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Note:For trailer towing information refer toTrailer towingfound in
this chapter or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)– is the Vehicle Curb Weight + cargo +
passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)– is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label located on the B-Pillar or
the edge of the driver’s door.
The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR.
Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label vehicle
weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle handling
or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
2007 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
203