Ford Freestyle (2007 year). Manual — part 55

1 (First)
• Transaxle operates in first gear only.

• Provides maximum engine braking.

• Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.

• Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)

when vehicle reaches slower speeds.

When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking
brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the

gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and injure someone.

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
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 necessary, try turning the Traction Control

娂 or AdvanceTrac威 system

off. This will allow the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck
vehicle. For more information, refer to Traction Control

娂 (if equipped)

or AdvanceTrac

威 stability enhancement system (if equipped) in this

chapter.
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 minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Reverse Sensing System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.

To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations of the reverse sensing system as contained in this

section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some (generally large and
fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at “parking
speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the function of the RSS;
this may include reduced performance or a false activation.

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222

To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in
R (Reverse) and when using the RSS.

This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to

assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.

Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal

detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.

The RSS detects obstacles up to
6 ft. (2 meters) from the rear
bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the
bumper, (refer to the figures for
approximate zone coverage areas).
As you move closer to the obstacle,
the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound
continuously. If the RSS detects a
stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the
side of the vehicle, the tone will
sound for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object
approaching, the tone will sound
again.

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223

The RSS is automatically enabled
when the gear selector is placed in
R (Reverse) and the ignition is ON.
The park aid disable switch allows
the driver to disable the RSS only
when the ignition is ON, and the
gear selector is in R (Reverse). The
OFF indicator remains illuminated
when the system is disabled. If the
indicator light illuminates when the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate
a failure in the RSS.

The system defaults to enabled every time the ignition is turned on.
Press the control to disable or enable the system.

Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.

If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).

When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall. Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.

Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.

OFF

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224

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

Getting roadside assistance

To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
• 24–hours, seven days a week
• for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or

36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km) on Lincoln
vehicles.

Roadside assistance will cover:
• a flat tire change with a good spare (except Ford GT which has a tire

inflation kit)

• battery jump start
• lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s

responsibility)

• fuel delivery – Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by

state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle. Fuel
delivery service is limited to two no-charge occurrences within a
12-month period.

• winch out – available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or

county maintained road, no recoveries.

• towing – Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to an authorized

dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a member requests to be towed to an
authorized dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56.3 km).

Trailers shall be covered up to $100 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer is disabled,
but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.

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225