tow FORD FREESTAR 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Seating and Safety Restraints 109
Seating 109
Safety restraints 134
Airbags 148
Child restraints 162
Tires, Wheels and Loading 180
Tire Information 180
Tire Inflation 182
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 194
Vehicle loading 200
Trailer towing 206
Recreational towing 211
Driving 212
Starting 212
Brakes 215
Transmission operation 220
Roadside Emergencies 226
Getting roadside assistance 226
Hazard flasher switch 227
Fuel pump shut-off switch 227
Fuses and relays 228
Changing tires 236
Lug Nut Torque 246
Jump starting 246
Wrecker towing 252
Customer Assistance 254
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 263
Cleaning 264
Table of Contents
2
2006 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 during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
5

Wireless headphoneswill not playaudio from any other sources
(AM, FM, tape, or Radio CD).
The front and rear seat passengers cannot listen to two different radio
stations at the same time.
GENERAL AUDIO INFORMATION
Radio frequencies:
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM: 530, 540 – 1700, 1710 kHz
FM: 87.7, 87.9 – 107.7, 107.9 MHz
Radio reception factors:
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from a station, the weaker
the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
Cassette/player care
Do:
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a pen or pencil into the hole and
turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Use cassettes that are longer than 90 minutes.
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Entertainment Systems
31

In theandmodes:
•Move the temperature control selector to the coldest setting.
•Select A/C and recirculated air
. Usewith A/C to provide
colder airflow.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain
passenger comfort.
In extremely cold temperatures, to maximize overall heater performance
it is suggested to not operate the auxiliary system (if so equipped) until
the engine temperature gauge crosses into the normal operating range.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to full heat.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
36

19.REAR:Press to enable the control located in the rear seat. Press
again to turn the auxiliary system off.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle: do not drive with the
airflow selector in the OFF or with recirculated air engaged.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For maximum cooling performance (MAX A/C):
In AUTO mode, press AUTO control and set to desired temperature.
In manual override control, select
or, A/C and recirculated
air
and set the temperature to 60°F (16°C). Set the fan to the
highest speed initially, then adjust to maintain passenger comfort.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after starting the vehicle or until the vehicle has
“aired out.”
In extremely cold temperatures, to maximize overall heater performance
it is suggested to not operate the auxiliary system (if so equipped) until
the engine temperature gauge crosses into the normal operating range.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan to the highest speed.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
41

To program the auto lamp exit time delay:
1. Start with the ignition in the OFF position and the headlamp control
in the autolamp position.
2. Deselect the auto lamps.
3. Put the ignition in RUN.
4. Put the ignition in OFF.
5. Select the autolamps.
•Note:Steps 2 through 5 must be performed within a 10 second
period.
•At this point, the headlamps and park lamps will turn on.
6. Deselect the auto lamps after the desired auto lamp delay time
(maximum of 3 minutes).
•At this point, the headlamps and park lamps will turn off.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the lowbeam headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
•the key must be in the ON position,
•the headlamp control is in the OFF, parking lamps or autolamp
position,
•and the transmission must be out of PARK.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System
does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
44

Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Battery saver
The battery saver will shut off the exterior lamps and interior lamps,
except the hazard warning lamps if activated, 10 minutes after the
ignition control has been turned off. The battery saver will extend the
time-out period for courtesy lamps to 30 minutes if the liftgate is ajar or
the dome lamp is on via manual activation using the dome lamp switch
or the headlamp switch, whichever is provided. The system will not turn
off the parking lamps if the headlamp control is in the PARK position.
For interior lights, refer toIlluminated entryin theLocks and security
chapter.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel during headlight
and parklamp operation.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from left
to right to brighten the
instrument panel.
•Rotate the thumbwheel from right
to left to dim the instrument
panel.
Your vehicle also contains a feature called “sleeping baby mode” — in
which the dome lamps will remain off and only the lower lamps will
illuminate. This lighting mode can be activated by rotating the
thumbwheel to the first left detent position (as denoted by the half filled
circle above).
Domelamp Control
The panel dimmer control also controls the domelamp operation.
•Rotate the thumbwheel fully to the right, past detent to activate the
domelamp.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
45

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Windshield washer:Push the end
of the stalk:
•briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
•a quick push and hold: the wipers
will swipe three times with
washer fluid.
•a long push and hold: the wipers and washer fluid will be activated for
up to ten seconds.
Rear window wiper/washer controls
For rear wiper operation, rotate the
rear window wiper and washer
control to the desired position.
Select:
INT 2 — One second interval rear
wiper.
INT 1 — Ten second interval rear
wiper.
OFF — Rear wiper and washer off.
For rear wash cycle, rotate (and hold as desired) the rear wiper/washer
control to either
position.
From either position, the control will automatically return to the INT2 or
OFF position.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
54

TILT STEERING WHEEL
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull and hold the steering wheel
release control toward you.
2. Move the steering wheel up or
down until you find the desired
location.
3. Release the steering wheel
release control. This will lock the
steering wheel in position.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED)
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamp.
Slide on rod feature
Rotate the visor towards the side
window and extend it rearward for
additional sunlight coverage.
Note:To stow the visor back into
the headliner, visor must be
retracted before moving it back
towards the windshield.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (IF EQUIPPED)
The appearance of your vehicle’s overhead console will vary according to
your option package.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
55

Fold-away mirrors
Carefully pull the outside mirrors
inwards when driving through a
narrow space, like an automatic car
wash.
POWER ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)
The accelerator and brake pedal
should only be adjusted when the
vehicle is stopped and the gearshift
lever is in the P (Park) position.
Press and hold the rocker control to
adjust accelerator and brake pedal
toward you or away from you.
The adjustment allows for approximately 2.8 inches (73 mm) of
maximum travel.
Never adjust the accelerator and brake pedal with feet on the
pedals while the vehicle is moving.
SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
With speed control set, you can maintain a speed of 30 mph (48 km/h)
or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal. Speed
control does not work at speeds below 30 mph (48 km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac
system, the speed control
will automatically disengage when the road conditions change. When
driving conditions permit you can return to speed control by pressing
RESUME on the speed control. For more information on the
AdvanceTrac
system seeAdvanceTrac
Stability Enhancement
Systemsection in theDrivingchapter.
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that
are winding, slippery or unpaved.
2006 Freestar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
68