engine coolant FORD FREESTAR 2006 1.G User Guide

coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
283

Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34° F [–36° C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
284

the description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
295

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
All Fill to MAX line
on reservoir
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)
3
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)3.9L engine 5.0 quarts
(4.7L)
4.2L engine 5.0 quarts
(4.7L)
Engine coolant
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)Without rear
heater14.8 quarts
(14.0L)
With rear heater 15.9 quarts
(15.0L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Fuel tank N/A All 26.0 gallons
(98.4L)
Automatic
transaxle fluidMotorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAll 13.7 quarts
(13.0L)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
303

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft
High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
Spray
LubricantXL-6 ESR-M13P4-A
Engine
coolantMotorcraft
Premium
Gold Engine
Coolant
(yellow
colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA,
OR and NM),
VC-7-B (CA,
OR and NM)WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oil Motorcraft
SAE 5W-20
Premium
Synthetic
Blend Motor
Oil (US)
Motorcraft
SAE 5W-20
Super
Premium
Motor Oil
(Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–
LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C930-A with
API Certification Mark
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
304

A
Accessory delay ..........................65
AdvanceTrac ..............................217
Air cleaner filter ...............298, 302
Air filter, cabin ............................42
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................148–149, 157, 159
and child safety seats ............150
description ..............149, 157, 159
disposal ....................................162
driver airbag ............151, 158, 160
indicator light .................157, 162
operation .................151, 158, 160
passenger airbag .....151, 158, 160
side airbag ...............................157
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................280
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................215–216
Anti-theft system ......................107
arming the system ..................108
disarming a triggered
system .....................................108
Audio system
(see Radio) ................18, 20, 23, 26
Automatic transaxle .................220
fluid, adding ............................296
fluid, checking ........................296
fluid, refill capacities ..............303
fluid, specification ..................306
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................221
Auxiliary power point .................63
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........304
B
Battery .......................................277acid, treating emergencies .....277
jumping a disabled battery ....246
maintenance-free ....................277
replacement, specifications ...302
servicing ..................................277
BeltMinder .................................143
Brakes ........................................215
anti-lock ...........................215–216
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............216
fluid, checking and adding ....296
fluid, refill capacities ..............303
fluid, specifications .........304, 306
lubricant
specifications ..................304, 306
parking ....................................217
shift interlock ..........................220
Bulbs ............................................49
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....303
Cargo net .....................................88
Cassette tape player .......18, 20, 23
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............163
child safety belts ....................163
Child safety seats ......................169
in front seat ............................171
in rear seat ..............................171
tether anchorage hardware ...173
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............265
instrument panel ....................267
interior .....................................267
interior trim ............................267
plastic parts ............................266
washing ....................................264
waxing .....................................264
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
312

wheels ......................................265
wiper blades ............................266
Clock ............................................63
Compass, electronic ....................56
calibration .................................57
set zone adjustment .................57
Console ........................................72
overhead ..............................55–56
Controls
power seat ...............................111
steering column ........................71
Coolant
checking and adding ..............280
refill capacities ................284, 303
specifications ..................304, 306
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................68
Cupholder(s) .............................114
Customer Assistance ................226
Ford Extended Service Plan .261
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............261
Getting roadside assistance ...226
Getting the service
you need .................................254
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................262
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............260
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................44
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................296
engine oil .................................274
Doors ...........................................58lubricant specifications ..........304
power sliding ............................59
Driving under special
conditions ..................................223
through water .........................225
DVD system .................................32
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................246
Emission control system ..........293
Engine ........................................306
cleaning ...................................265
coolant .....................................280
idle speed control ...................277
lubrication
specifications ..................304, 306
refill capacities ........................303
service points ..................272–273
starting after a collision .........227
Engine block heater .................215
Engine oil ..................................274
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................274
checking and adding ..............274
dipstick ....................................274
filter, specifications ........276, 302
recommendations ...................276
refill capacities ........................303
specifications ..................304, 306
Exhaust fumes ..........................214
F
Floor mats ...................................72
Fluid capacities .........................303
Fuel ............................................285
calculating fuel economy .......290
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
313