
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, it may be beneficial
to disengage the Traction Controlsystem while attempting to rock the
vehicle.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
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Driving
207

Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire,
be sure to place the transaxle in P (Park), set the parking brake
and block (in both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite
(other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park),
turn engine OFF, and block the
diagonally opposite wheel.
2007 Freestyle(219)
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Roadside Emergencies
226

1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
+–+–
2007 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
231

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle we providescheduled maintenance
informationwhich makes tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your authorized dealer can
provide the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty
Guide/Owner Information Guideto find out which parts and services
are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning (cigarettes) material away
from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or personal burn
injuries do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed
and do not remove it while the engine is running.
2007 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
252

CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the vehicle slightly.
2. Press the release button and pull the wiper blade from the wiper arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm by sliding it onto the wiper
arm until it clicks into place.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
2007 Freestyle(219)
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Maintenance and Specifications
256

Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
2007 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
261

A
Accessory delay ..........................74
Air cleaner filter .......................281
Air conditioning ........48, 50, 52, 54
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................140–141, 149, 151
and child safety seats ............142
description ..............141, 149, 151
disposal ....................................154
driver airbag ............143, 150, 152
indicator light .................149, 154
operation .................143, 150, 152
passenger airbag .....143, 150, 152
side airbag ...............................149
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................206
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................262
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................197–198
Anti-theft system ..............107, 110
arming the system ..................110
disarming a triggered
system .....................................112
triggering .................................112
Audio system (see Radio) ...16, 21
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................281
fluid, checking ........................281
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
fluid, specification ..................283
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................202
B
Battery .......................................260acid, treating emergencies .....260
jumping a disabled battery ....230
maintenance-free ....................260
replacement, specifications ...281
servicing ..................................260
BeltMinder...............................136
Brakes ........................................197
anti-lock ...........................197–198
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................198
fluid, checking and adding ....280
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
fluid, specifications .................283
lubricant specifications ..........283
parking ....................................198
shift interlock ..........................201
Bulbs ............................................62
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....283
Cargo cover .................................95
Cargo net .....................................95
Cassette tape player ...................16
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................223
Child safety restraints ..............155
child safety belts ....................155
Child safety seats ......................158
in front seat ............................159
in rear seat ..............................159
tether anchorage hardware ...162
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............247
instrument panel ....................248
interior .....................................249
interior trim ............................249
plastic parts ............................247
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Index
290

Keys ...........................................109
positions of the ignition .........194
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................58
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................63
daytime running light ...............60
fog lamps ...................................59
headlamps .................................58
headlamps, flash to pass ..........59
instrument panel, dimming .....60
interior lamps .....................62–63
replacing bulbs ...................63, 66
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................62
Liftgate ........................................94
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........198
Load limits .................................184
Locks
autolock .....................................97
childproof ................................100
doors ..........................................97
Lubricant specifications ...........283
Lug nuts ....................................230
Luggage rack ...............................95
Lumbar support, seats .............115
M
Message center ...........................85
english/metric button ...............90
system check button ................90
warning messages .....................91
Mirrors .........................................74automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................74
fold away ...................................75
heated ........................................75
side view mirrors (power) .......74
Moon roof ....................................80
Motorcraft parts ........250, 269, 281
N
Navigation system .......................30
O
Octane rating ............................273
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................256
P
Parking brake ............................198
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....281
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................128
Power adjustable foot pedals .....75
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................219
Power door locks ........................97
Power mirrors .............................74
Power point .................................71
Power steering ..........................200
fluid, checking and adding ....279
fluid, refill capacity ................283
fluid, specifications .................283
Power Windows ...........................72
R
Radio ......................................16, 21
2007 Freestyle(219)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
293