Ford Freestyle - Taurus X

indybell

What's the Ebay link to purchase a spare key for the Freestyle. I haven't ever used Ebay before so I'm in the dark as to where to look on that site.

Thanks.

volfangary

Just go to www.ebay.com and type Freestyle key in search box on Ebay. I just bought one on Ebay, took it to hardware to get cut (75 cents) and programed it in 30 seconds. Very easy to do!

gogophers1

After a lot of encouragement from me, my parents decided to order a new Freestyle (chalk up one more on the road in the Twin Cities area) right before they left on a month long vacation. They put in an order for an '06 a couple weeks ago, but now I just got word that Ford is no longer taking orders for '06 and the dealer said he put an order in for an '07 instead.

The color and model are supposed to be the same (FWD SEL Titanium green/shale), and though he said the option packages changed, the features they originally wanted were still available in some form or fashion (comfort package; sunroof; safety package; 50/50 split 3rd row; 60/40 split 2nd row; back-up sensors; cloth seats). I'm a bit nervous. Does anyone know what changes are in store for the 2007 model year? Is there an order guide out there yet?

As an aside, the Freestyle was purchased with D-plan pricing (my uncle is the finance manager) and they left their trade at the dealer before departing from the state (and, of course, that car has already been sold). Ugh!

Please someone tell me that this car isn't changing much and that there shouldn't be any big delivery delay due to the model year changeover. Again, a link posted here to an '07 order guide would be great.

oregonnewfs

an auxiliary question: I assumed that (maybe incorrectly) that since the CD player was MP3 compatible this meant that I could plug my MP3 (IPOD) into it? is this the case? I can't see anywhere in the owner's manual (had to buy one from Helm Publishing online as I bought my Freebie used and no manual) that there is any place for an MP3 input. the manual just says "AUX - use if there is an auxiliary source." I don't want to burn 30GB worth of CD's!! anyone have any experience with this? :confuse:

saabturboid

There is no place to plug an MP3 player into the stock Ford stereo. The MP3 designation simply means the CD player can decode CDs burned with MP3 files. If you want to play your portable MP3 player through the stock stereo you can pick up an FM modulator at any stereo store designed for just this.

- Chad

freealfas

If you have the FS Limited with the Audiophile stereo system an adapter can be bought that connects into the aux input button on the stereo to hardwire in an ipod(planning on doing it, just haven't yet) this is one source;

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=761

You can do a google search to also review what is available. This should get you started but verify all of the info for yourself and model/year.

barnstormer64

That adapter you linked to WILL NOT WORK with the Freestyle. The Freestyle has a CAN-BUS radio, and requires this adapter:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=813

Note that you CANNOT use the Aux-Input adapter if you also have the Rear-Seat Entertainment System (DVD player). In that case, route the iPod outputs to the RCA inputs on the DVD player, instead.

To control an iPod, you should also consider something like the Harman-Kardon Drive+Play to go with the PIE adapter. This lets you control the iPod very easily.

http://www.harmankardon.com/drive-1/default.aspx

freealfas

thanks for the correction with that one...

barnstormer64

PS, this shows the installation of the Drive+Play and the XM Commander in the Freestyle. It's a series of 3 different photos one on top the other . .. looks a bit confusing at first glance.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/barnstormer64/xmipodinstall.jpg

oregonnewfs

thanks to all for the info. I do have the LTD w/ DVD and would never had thought of running it thru the DVD. i assume I'll have to hardwire it and run the wire thru the headliner. or it might just be easier to get the FM transmitter, saw one for $90.00 at BestBuy that probably would do the trick. I'll look into the Drive+Play, too. looks interesting and more safe.

barnstormer64

The FM transmitter won't sound very good, unfortunately.

Also, I have to leave a DVD in the player to make it work correctly all the time. About every second or third time I start the vehicle, the radio wants to go back to FM. Without the DVD in the DVD player, I could never select the DVD/Aux-In to listen to. It would say something equivalent to "no signal".

Once I started leaving the DVD in the player, I could always select the Aux-In . . the first press will select the DVD itself, the second press gets to the Aux-Inputs on the DVD player.

bruneau1

They usually don't start building next year's model until June or July.

fsmmcsi

Ford fleet web sites show that production of the 2007 Five Hundred, Montego and Freestyle (which, by the way, should all be in one Edmunds forum) will start May 1, 2006. I have not yet been able to find ordering guides for the 2007 models on line.

stever

should all be in one Edmunds forum

How do you mean? The Five Hundred and Montego are sedans. Are you having problems finding discussions for them? Or do you mean they share platforms so need to be lumped together?

Curious. :shades:

Steve, Host

lenwoodruff

Anyone know or know where I could get the production numbers for my FreeStyle? I see more new Vettes around Dallas than I see Freestyles.

lenwoodruff

I have just over 24K miles on my Limited AWD with the 18" wheels and the Pirelli Tires are worn out. I always have gotten more than twice that mileage on my Explorers before needing new tire.

saabturboid

You had truck tires on your Explorer, probably Goodyears which do usually last about 40,000 miles. The Pirelli's on your Freestyle are performance oriented tires that do not last nearly as long. What is the tread wear number on the sidewall? I'm guessing it is less than 300. I don't know since I have a SEL with the Continentals.

When replacing your tires look for a tread wear rating of over 400. The only problem might be finding such a tire in an 18" size. Most tires available in an 18" size are performance tires which do tend to wear out faster than traditional all-season car tires. I'm going to replace my 17" Continentals when they wear out with Nokian WRs which are a winter oriented all-season tire that last about 50,000 miles. I don't think they are available in an 18" size however.

- Chad

barnstormer64

According to this website, the treadwear is 400:

http://www.vulcantire.com/p64season_t.htm

fsmmcsi

Steve, the Freestyle is just a Five Hundred / Montego wagon - so much of all three is the same that they should all be in one discussion.

stevedebi

"Steve, the Freestyle is just a Five Hundred / Montego wagon - so much of all three is the same that they should all be in one discussion."

I happened to see a 500 parked next to a Freestyle yesterday, and they don't look the same. I'm aware that the platform is the same, but the FS was engineered more like an SUV, and has a completely different body - not just a "station wagon version" of a 500. Plus, I don't think the 500 is offered with CVT and FWD - only AWD/CVT. The FWD is a 6 speed transmission.

I think that the two vehicles are a bit more different than "corporate twins" and should have their own forums.

barnstormer64

Plus, I don't think the 500 is offered with CVT and FWD

It *was*, during 2005. I don't think it is being offered that way now, though.

stever

Thanks, I didn't even realize they came in a wagon style.

Too many car flavors out there; it's worse than Baskin-Robbins. And I like wagons!

The forums do get tweaked now and then; most people seem to search by make and model, so that's how we have the discussions organized. There's plenty of opportunity to make a comparison discussion if you wish.

Steve, Host

tim156

Go to www.blueovalnews.com
On the left column site map click business news then sales figures on the next page. This site doesn't break down to regional sales but gives figures for past and current years and months for all Ford models including the Freestyle. Hope this helps.

lenwoodruff

Thanks. I found the info. Looks like they did about 68,000 Freestyles in Calender 2005.

lenwoodruff

I checked the tires and they have a 400 Treadware rating.

vicenac

That's pretty bad for a car. It may be OK for a crossover. I remember an article about police cruisers. It was said that Ford is selling around 70-80k Victoria's per year as police cruisers, "so it's not much of a lucrative market".
I wonder how many Pacifica's are sold out there. It seems that Chrysler is advertising their product while Ford is not.

northlakes

My neighbor across the street had a new car in his garage tonight - a Merlot Ford 500 Limited. He says it is my fault for having the Freestyle for a year and a half and having no complaints. He and spouse were actually looking at a lot of cars, began to zero in on the Escape hybrid, but eyed the 500 on the lot and got drawn in.

Interesting that they got the AWD 500 with CVT - identical drivetrain to my Freebie except for the 18" wheels. We can compare notes and mileage. Though not a Freestyle, I welcomed him to the family. :shades:

saabturboid

lenwoodruff wrote:
"I checked the tires and they have a 400 Treadware rating."

A treadwear rating of 400 *should* offer longer than 24k miles of tread life, but Pirellis are traditionally short lived tires, and the manufacturers themselves set the treadwear rating. It unfortunately isn't a standardized rating amongst all makes. My guess is a 400 from other manufacturers would last longer. It seems appropriate to say... your mileage may vary.

- Chad

northlakes

My neighbor across the street had a new car in his garage tonight - a Merlot Ford 500 Limited. He says it is my fault for having the Freestyle for a year and a half and having no complaints. He and spouse were actually looking at a lot of cars, began to zero in on the Escape hybrid, but eyed the 500 on the lot and got drawn in.

Interesting that they got the AWD 500 with CVT - identical drivetrain to my Freebie except for the 18" wheels. We can compare notes and mileage. Though not a Freestyle, I welcomed him to the family. :shades:

lenwoodruff

Probabaly an accurate observation.

bladexp

Here is a link for the 2007 Freestyle order guide
http://www.downsford.com/order_guides/2007%20Freestyle%20Order%20Guide.pdf . I'm calling my Dealer tomorrow.

bobw3

My Freestyle has 30K miles, so I'm thinking about getting the ESP for up to 100K miles. On the web, I've found several places to get the official Ford ESP, in addition to the Ford webpage. These are cheaper, and on the webpages they say they're just other official Ford dealers selling the Ford ESP at a cheaper price. Are they legit places to get the Ford ESP and not just an aftermarket warrenty?

http://www.fordwarrantys.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plansExtraCare

http://www.fordwarrantys.com/

http://www.fordesps.com/warranty_questions.php

pnewby

Yes, if they are Ford ESP then all is well. I have purchased from the web in the past, and have also used the price they gave me to have the dealer match it. You may want to try that.

scootertrash

http://www.fordwarrantys.com has great prices and excellent service. They beat my local dealer by $500.

(hint: fill out the on-line quote. Then wait a week or two and they will e-mail you a coupon for an additional $200 of so off)

barnstormer64

The dealer that I bought the car from matched the FordWarrantys price for my ESP. All I had to do was ask.

xnappo

Your link didn't work - can you please try again? Or just summarize the changes?

Thanks,
xnappo

volfangary

Go here to click on link.
http://www.downsford.com/orderguide.htm

explorerx4

this is a legit dealership. i have been on their lot several times.

pnewby

I'm wondering if this is a good sign or a bad sign. Fewer posts lately than there used to be might mean more people are happy with their FS. Especially since I am seeing many many more on the road and in the parking lots now than ever before. I hardly ever go out without seeing several in the last couple of months, and I used to go weeks between seeing one before that. Looks like lots more on the road, and lots less posts here.

saabturboid

I can understand why a lot of people are reluctant to give the Freestyle a try. In the Minneapolis Star Tribune over the weekend a person wrote into the local well respected automotive columnist saying they are considering a Freestyle but are wondering about the CVT.

His response was basically to not buy one until they have been on the market for 10 years and the reliability is known after 100,000 miles. This type of response angers me because it assumes guilt until proven innocent. How is any new technology supposed to be given a fair shot in with that attitude?

- Chad

barnstormer64

What's silly about that is that CVT Technology isn't new, nor is it unproven.

saabturboid

This is true and the columnist did point out CVT technology has been around for some time, but his point was it is unproven in the Freestyle application due to the size of the vehicle and the power of the engine.

He also said he didn't see the point of a CVT transmission and suggested modern 5 and 6 speed automatics are just as efficient.

Personally, I love the CVT and will keep my fingers crossed for many years of service. Ford's relatively short warranty does concern me however. In my opinion Ford could move a lot of Freestyles if they offered and advertised a longer warranty on the CVT.

- Chad

nitromax

Personally, I love the CVT and will keep my fingers crossed for many years of service. Ford's relatively short warranty does concern me however. In my opinion Ford could move a lot of Freestyles if they offered and advertised a longer warranty on the CVT.

So you need a warranty to cover LONGER than 100,000 miles? Good luck finding that!

And if you think you can't get a 100,000 mile warranty on the Freestyle and all of it's components...look again!

oh, you wanted it for free? Sorry, but nothing is free...you get what you pay for.
Do we need to talk about Hyundai and the scandals that have been rocking them?
A lot of lies and deception going on over there.

barnstormer64

Do we need to talk about Hyundai and the scandals that have been rocking them? A lot of lies and deception going on over there

Possibly. This thread would be a good place to post that info.

barnstormer64

and suggested modern 5 and 6 speed automatics are just as efficient.

I think this may be true. The Five Hundred was offered with a 6-speed or the CVT, both in the FWD version. (AWD was CVT only, and the CVT FWD was a bit hard to find, but it did exist).

As I recall, the EPA mileage estimates were a bit higher for the 6-speed than the CVT. Maybe somebody has access to the actual numbers.

bruneau1

CVT type transmissions will be used by one or more vehicles from the following makes for 2007: Ford, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, Nissan , Lexus, and some I forgot.

northlakes

I suppose the writer did not mention the Murano, which has a CVT transmission and an engine with more horsepower than the Freestyle. In addition, though the transmission design is different, almost all hybrids have a flavor of CVT.

A six speed can have a wider gear ratio (like a CVT) than a 4 or 5 speed, but I would expect the biggest mileage gains over a CVT would be in city driving. The EPA mileage is a composite figure. One should note that the new Ford-GM developed 6 speed automatic is also unproven long-term. So we are not really talking proven designs, we are talking comfort level IMHO.

I just put 1922 miles on my Freestyle. Purred like a kitten. 27 M.P.G. on the freeways with my AWD SEL. I saw quite a few Freestyles on the road as well. It was nice to put unleaded regular gas in the Freestyle, unlike some of the higher-horsepowered competition.

We can't have it both ways. We either want Ford to put newer technology into its vehicles, or we are afraid when they do.

:shades:

stevedebi

"We either want Ford to put newer technology into its vehicles, or we are afraid when they do. "

Actually, both statements are exactly true, in accordance with human nature...

"We both want Ford to put newer technology into its vehicles, and we are afraid when they do. " :surprise:

bobw3

From the linked article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060502/ap_on_bi_ge/auto_sales_1
"car-based crossover utilities saw an 8 percent rise in sales."

Other than the Freestyle, I'm not sure what other car-based crossover utilities sold by Ford, so this is good for the Freestyle.

volfangary

Article from Ford about April Sales.

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=23245

Notice:"Combined sales for Ford's CUVs (Ford Escape and Freestyle and Mercury Mariner) registered a sales increase of 8 percent in April"

Didn't realize Escape was a crossover?

Also notice that the Freestyle is the only Ford vehicle, besides trucks, to show an increase in sales for the year as compared to last year at this time! (Look at far right column). Think what they could have done if they got the word out about the Freestyle!