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Comments
I guess your Freestyle has the rear bucket seats instead of the rear bench? MY FS with bench rear seats will handle 5 kids back there, three in row 2 and 2 in row 3.
Check for a dealer that has a better service department and treat them as you would like to be treated. Ford does monitor them and rewards them for excellent customer service. The smart ones know where their bread is buttered. Good service boosts sales.
I just had my summer tires put my 05 Freestyle and the mecanic told me my rear brakes are completely gone. I'm not surprised since my 20 000 km check up showed that they were almost completely worn down. Despite being aware of the problem (a TSB was sent out about this issue), neither Ford Canada nor the dealer offered any help (the guarantee of 1 year/ 20 000 km is non-negociable I was told). Changing my rear brakes is expensive (dealer: about 300$ can) and I find ridiculous considering that the car only has 31 000 km.
Does anyone have any suggestions? And what type of pads should I use to avoid having to change them again in 30 000 km?
:confuse:
One question regarding the false seatbelt warning. When this is happening, is there anything on the seat heavy enough to fool the system into thinking that someone might be seated there? (It doesn't take very much.) If not, I suppose you pull the fuse that would disable the warning system itself until you repatriate your Freestyle. Your manual should be of some help in locating which fuse to pull. If you don't have the manual, let us know and we'll look it up for you.
BTW, how much is regular unleaded per liter in Italy?
Deactivating/activating the BeltMinder feature
The driver and front passenger BeltMinder are
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Steps 1 - 4 thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
Note: The driver and front passenger BeltMinder features must be
disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the
same key cycle.
The driver and front passenger BeltMinder features can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
• The parking brake is set
• The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
• The ignition switch is in the OFF position
• The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the
BeltMinder feature while driving the vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT
START THE ENGINE)
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately 1
minute)
• Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt
warning light turns off.
3. For the seating position being disabled, at a moderate speed, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt 9 times, ending in the unbuckled state.
(Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt
warning light turns off.)
• After Step 3, the restraint system warning light (airbag light) will be
turned on for three seconds.
4. Within 10 seconds of the light turning on, at a moderate speed, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt.
Seating and Safety Restraints
• This will disable the BeltMinder feature for that seating position if it
is currently enabled. As confirmation, the restraint system warning
light will flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds.
• This will enable the BeltMinder feature for that seating position if it
is currently disabled. As confirmation, the restraint system warning
light will flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds, followed by 3
seconds with the light off, then followed by the restraint system
warning light flashing 4 times per second for 3 seconds again.
The BeltMinder hasn't malfunctioned since the posting I made. My wife said there was nothing in the seat other than her purse...would that be enough to give a false reading? It's not a very large or heavy purse. Anyway, I'll be sure to try the 4 step procedure in the event that this should happen again.
And to answer your question Passat_2002 - The Freestyle isn't too bad getting around Italy at all. There are some areas inside citys that can be quite a squeeze, but usually in those areas most folks are on foot anyway...so that's what we do. But very rarely do I have to re-think my route or anything like that...not really as bad as you may think.
By the way, gas is about 1.25 euro per litre...or if you do the math it's about $6.50 a gallon (Euro/Dollar rate is the worst in history right now - .723E to $1)!! However, I only pay about $70 for a hundred litre coupon book...about $3 a gallon.
Anyway, thanks for the help.
I had my FS in to check a strange problem. Yesterday after I came home my FOB would not work. I tried my wife's FOB as well, but the alarm lights would not flash, and it would lock or unlock only about every 10th time. I went to supper (it got dark), and when I came out, the problem was gone.
I took the car into the dealer; it was due for a 6 month oil change anyway. They could not find a problem. I had hoped the computer had recorded an error code.
Anyway, while there I asked the service manager if they would try and program my DRL. I got a call later that said "The Freestyle does not have DRL". I printed out a couple of web pages describing how other FS owners have had Ford program the Smart Junction Box, and faxed it to him.
To their credit, they got together with their electronics bunch and figured out how to program the DRL! They simply have to hook up the diagnostic program to the connection under the steering column, go to the "Lights" section of the diagnostic program, and set the DRL to on. I don't have the exact procedure, and the service advisor didn't know it either, just the basics I have listed here. He did say that the same area programs the perimeter lighting.
Now, when I put my FS into gear, the DRL come on. Way cool, I can't imagine why Ford doesn't program this from the factory.
2006 SEL FWD.
Nothing; I have seen other sites that claim a $30 charge. Evidently it is a very simple change.
I think they traded the knowledge that the capability was there for turning it on in my case.
>Now, when I put my FS into gear, the DRL come on. Way cool, I can't imagine why Ford doesn't program this from the factory.
I'm glad Ford doesn't program them that way from the factory otherwise I'd be at my Ford dealer asking them to undo it. I can't stand DRLs. I've owned two vehicles that came with DRLs and the first thing I did in both cases was figure out how to disable them. If I want the lights on I can turn them on myself.
A simple change allright. Unless you have an '05 model. Then it becomes a good deal more complicated and the dealer will be far more likely to charge to do it.
The glare doesn't really become that bad unless it's a time when I'd be wearing the sunglasses, though.
Well, to each his own. My insurance company gives a small discount if the car has this safety feature. Of course, I WANT the lights on, which is why I had them turn on DRL. These are not the ordinary lights - it only turns on the headlights, and not at full strength. No tail lights or markers. So it is a bit different than just turning on the lights.
However, if it WAS enabled, your dealer could easily have turned them off.
The first post I saw (on another site), was from a 2005 SE owner. He is the one that reported a $30 charge.
His only complication was to convince Ford that the 2005 Freestyle had a Smart Junction Box. He had to show the dealer the sticker to prove it. Then they took 10 minutes and programmed the DRL.
My 2005 Freestyle is having problems getting out of park. It appears to be related to the release mechanism that allows the trigger to be pulled in on gear shift knob to move shifter out of park. I have to play with pushing and releasing driving break pedal several times before trigger will pull in on shifter to move out of park. I can then keep pedal pushed in and move shifter in and out of park releasing trigger each time and it works fine, but once I take foot off break and push break pedal again and try moving out of park again, trigger won't work again. I took it into Ford for repair Friday and they said someone had spilled a drink down shifter and they tried to clean shifter mechanism and if it still does it, which it does, they want $500 to replace all the shifting mechanisms. Does anyone know if this is correct. Seams to me there would be a switch that could be replaced that might be causing this that would be cheaper to replace than whole shifting mechanism.
I'd have somebody else look at it first . . it could easily be something as simple as described by the post above mine.
Anyone else had this issue?
Now putting the car away in the garage I find that the puddle lamps (those on the underside of the side mirrors) are stuck on.
Of course it is Saturday evening so I can not get it to the dealer until Monday....
Did I knock something inside the car that causes the lights to stay on that I can easily reset? Or, more likely did something just fail and I am looking at having to jump start the car tomorrow?
Any ideas?
My FS made a squeeking noise when I shifted into park. My Dealer verified the problem and solved it by following TSB 07-1-8 (Replacing the entire shift mechanism).
Lots of the Tech writers at dealerships never read the TSB's.
You should check to see if this will solve your problem.
Good Luck
Mark.
I was not aware of the problems with the rear brakes. Has that been resolved by Ford?
I would hate to spend all the money I save on the '07 getting it to run properly. Instead of spending time and energy fighting Ford or paying out for repairs, should I just apply that money on the new '08 and be worry free? Or will the new tranny on the '08s, being untested, present a whole new set of problems???
Oops, I meant to say an '08 Taurus X. (I don't like the name change!)
I am confused and on a deadline! The rebates expire soon and the salesman wants an answer!
Help! :confuse:
the brakes are seeming to be more frequest than people would like but there are people who have and have not had premmie pad wear at the rears and ford I'm not sure has licked it entirely. Some of it seems to be more AWD than FWD versions hearing about the wear but that being said I have a FWD and they were gone @ 18k so it doesn't make sense, you just take your chances. If you go with the '07 just make sure the pads get looked at around 10-12k and then review them at oil change time to be sure to catch them before they get into the rotors, pad replacement shouldn't be more than $150 with aftermarket pads if you pay someone to do it less if you can do it.
If it was my money I'd go '07 and drive away very happy.
Thanks for the advice. This is a decision that I have been really chewing over!
GOOD LUCK BUYING...
Eventually after a period of time (I am not sure exactly how long) they did switch themselves off.
Now I know they are meant to stay for a few minutes but this was a lot longer than that. Since this incident they now seem to work fine...
I have an offer that is 20% off MSRP. I think I will take it, and join you all as a proud owner of a Freestyle~
Yup, I’m a newbie!
07N10 Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
July 3, 2007
TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers
SUBJECT: Customer Satisfaction Program 07N10
Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
PROGRAM TERMS
This program extends the warranty coverage of the rear brake pads to 3 years of service or 36,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. If a vehicle has already accumulated more than 36,000 miles, this coverage will last until December 31, 2007. This program provides one-time replacement coverage, and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego FWD & AWD and Ford Freestyle FWD vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through November 28, 2006.
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Freestyle AWD Vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through Job Last 2007.
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS.
REASON FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Some of the affected vehicles may have had direct exposure to moisture for an extended period that may have caused the pads to “swell” and create a slight drag condition. Low levels of brake drag might not be noticed by a customer, but could lead to premature brake pad wear and excessive brake dust.
SERVICE ACTION
2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego & FWD Freestyle Vehicles
If an affected vehicle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rear rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
2005 through 2007 AWD Freestyle Vehicles
Due to the configuration of the braking system on AWD Freestyle vehicles the front brake pads must be replaced when rear brake pads are replaced. Therefore, this program will allow replacement of front brake pads, but only if the rear brake pads require replacement during the same visit.
If an affected AWD Freestyle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the front and rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
NOTE: Brake pad inspection is part of normal maintenance and is not covered as part of this program. If the vehicle is within this extended time and mileage coverage and the owner experiences a brake system symptom or during a normal maintenance inspection (brakes every 15,000 miles or more often, per the Scheduled Maintenance Guide) the vehicle's rear brake pads are found to have less than 3 millimeters (0.118 inch) of lining material, then Ford Motor Company will cover the cost of replacing the rear brake pads.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Mailing will begin July 9, 2007.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III: Technical Information
Customer Notification Letter
QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Special Service Support Center (Dealer Only) . .1-800-325-5621