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Comments
There is also traction control on the Freestyle, but that comes into play is a wheel on one side starts spinning faster than the opposite wheel for the AWD, keeping you going in the direction forward. The two systems work together on the AWD to keep you stable.
I hope that helps. :shades:
In any case, I stood out there like a damn fool ready to press the panic button every time the alarm started going off. It finally stopped after a couple of minutes, but I got to wondering how long I was going to have to stand there! Not fun and the panic alarm has gone off before for no apparent reason, but it's shut off after one punch of the red button on the key fob. Ideas???? It's LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS and I would really like to know how to make it not do that anymore... :surprise:
does this sound like what happened to you?
btw, i think the alarm sounds for three minutes, then resets.
Nope, the key fob button wasn't stuck. The key fob was in my purse lying right top and I hadn't used it to lock or unlock anything; just turned the ignition off and stepped out of the car to unload it. I had already taken a trip or two into the house when the panic alarm went off. It as in the afternoon--I hate to think what would happen if it went off at night....
I'm not sure I'm excited about being a station wagon owner, but AAA and Parents Magazine listed the Freestyle as one of the top three family vehicles (along with Mazda 6 Sport Wagaon and Subaru Legacy). Whatever. One of the best cars I ever owned was a Taurus station wagon. The article can be found at MSN.com
For those posting replies to my panic alarm issues, I'm not sure I'll ever really know the peculiar sequence of events that have caused this to happen twice (once while my husband was idling in the driveway using his key, but he doesn't use a key fob). I approached the passenger side to get in and the panic alarm went off and yes, I did have my key fob in my purse. This is a pattern that we repeat many times, so I'm stumped as to why the alarm went off that particular time.
RE: do I close the hatch everytime I take a load in the house? No--I don't live in a neighborhood where that's necessary, thank heaven!
If this is a perimeter alarm issue, is there any way to disable it? I'm afraid to park it and walk away for fear it will "go off." I'm not a believer in alarms, anwyay because I think real crooks who want your car will know what to do to get it. The Freestyle ain't high on the list of stolen cars, nor do I think it's likely to ever be
http://www.bankrate.com/bos/news/auto/car-guide-2005/Coolest1.asp
In some vehicles the cruise control will engine break on hill descents. Does the Freestyle's cruise control act like this?
I cannot answer any technical aspect of your question (although I'm sure someone else will) but I drive big hills every day. With my Explorer and Expedition, I would push the "overdrive" button off for extra power going uphill and increased compression (is that the right term?) going downhill. No such thing with the CVT, of course, but I'm amazed at how well the engine brakes itself. With previous cars, I would have the feeling of rolling and gaining speed so I would have to put on my brakes--I do this far less with the Freestyle. I have never used the "low" setting and I really do drive some steep hills. Just one person's experience...
Thanks for the link, willie19 (message #3041)--fun read.
But I could never figure out what was seeming to cause it (no correlations with anything), nor could I locate exactly where the noise was coming from.
Today, finally, it started doing it enough that I was finally able to notice that when it started, if I turned of the A/C, it would immediately stop. Also, the noise seemed to be louder if the A/C blower was blowing higher.
Hopefully this is something that the service managers will recognize instantly and won't be all that difficult to fix.
For a while, it was more annoying not knowing what it was, and even wondering if I was hearing things. But now it's more frequent, and is louder (at time). Still doesn't last long each time, though.
www.cvt.com.sapo.pt/ivt/ivt.htm
For the record:
CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission
IVT = Infinitely Variable Transmission
The nutshell is that CVT needs a "secondary" gear, Reverse. The forward ranges a traditional "n-gear" transmission covers in steps (gears), the CVT does continuously.
The IVT doesn't use any secondary gears at all. Even reverse. The operation of the IVT is from Reverse to Top gear. The CVT operates from "1st" to Top gear. A major difference.
Thus, an IVT can beat a CVT as it's "CVT-ing" far before the later. A regular "n-gear" trans is far behind either.
This is the link for ANT14's favorite Trans type: www.torotrak.com
My wish upon a Ford design Star: Duratec 35 + Hybrid + IVT.
Sam
The "Low Gear" position acts like first gear in most standard automatic transmissions. I dropped the Freebie into low at 30 mph once and watched the tach climb 1500 rpm. Not something to try at freeway speeds. :shades:
Some suggestions for people purchasing the car...
We went with the "pebble" interior over the black/charcoal one...for a few reasons. One, the black interior makes the inside of the vehicle really dark. Consider that if you are trying to find something in the vehicle in a low/medium light, like a parking deck...
The moonroof option removes the special mirror that allows you to see the rear seat passengers. If you have kids, the mirror is very useful....
The DVD entertainment center is well designed. Positives is the neat way you can activate the IR headsets, but still hear the radio (adults get radio, kids get movie...). Bad news is that it does do a good job of blocking rear visibility. If used at night, the glow from the screen can really prevent you from seeing out the back...side view mirrors only....hopefully for long highway trips, the need to look backwards is low.
A negative...the car has no side "strip" to block some idiot from dinging the side of the car...some cars have a vinyl side bumper running the length of the car to protect it...I may have to add one...
The 3rd row rear seat has a fantastic design/fold capability.
Outside is plain, inside is well designed. We are calling it the Ford "Free-of-style". But loads of practicality.
Safety package is a worthwhile addition. My wife was in a roll-over (not in the Freestyle). It will change your outlook on side airbags to "must have".
Rear sensor system is also very worthwhile.
love is good,
lizzzard
Cost was $5.72 for both,it took me 25 minutes to wash and wax my Free and it turned out great!Here's how I did it:
Use a soft bristle nylon brush,buy a good one more fibers the better.
Apply wash gel to brush not a bucket needed.Wet car then gently brush area thoroughly.
Do the wheels last so no brake dust gets on paint.(rinse brush well)
Use micro-fiber towels $5 at wally for four I think.
While vehicle is still wet apply wax gel to wet cloth and wipe dry.
You will be amazed as I was how fast it worked and what a shine.No water spots, no smearing on glass.Black plastic areas cleanup real nice with no whitening.
All this in 25 minutes for a $1,The wash gel rinsed well and the wax may not last till trade in time but it's on the vehicle,you can feel it.
I wash from bottom up and rinse while doing so,do it in the shade or wait till hot sun is off the paint.
lizzzard
:shades:
Today, finally, it started doing it enough that I was finally able to notice that when it started, if I turned of the A/C, it would immediately stop. Also, the noise seemed to be louder if the A/C blower was blowing higher.
I remember two instances where I heard whistling noise in the past. One car actually had leaves sucked into the ventilation. It would whistle, then abruptly stop.
Another occassion and more likely for you occurred in our 98Windstar. If the ceiling vents were manually closed and the air is blowing through, it can get louder/softer as you change the fan speed. And if you are alone in the car, it would be hard to determine the source. The Freestyle has similar vents.
We also went with the pebble interior, but not for the reason you mentioned (although it is a good point). We got the dark blue exterior which creates a nice contrast to the pebble interior.
"Rear sensor system is also very worthwhile."
Rear sensor has been fantastic. Being not used to driving a bigger vehicle it comes in handy when I am reversing. Also a great help when parallel parking.
Also, we chose captain's chairs for the second row without the console so we could use both carseats and still get into the third row without removing them. It is definitely possible, but it is a bit of a tight squeeze getting back there. I guess it's the tradeoff for not driving a minivan.
I did not see a single Freestyle on the drive, which surprised me because Ford is big in Michigan. I did see two Ford Five Hundreds, though.
Rachel
Hmmm, I'll check that. I do think that I have the ceiling vents closed. Thanks.
**********************************
March 7, 2005
Dearborn, Michigan. Ford Motor Company told dealers that 2005 Ford Freestyle vehicles with the 3.0L 4-valve engine and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) may exhibit intermittent drivability concerns on deceleration and/or during turning maneuvers.
To solve this drivability concern, Ford will reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM).
Owners who experience intermittent drivability concerns with their Freestyle should consult their Ford or Lincoln-Mercury to have the above mentioned service performed.
What kind of heater is it--plug-in 120v or trickle off the battery?
How far, in y'all's experience, will a dealer search to find the specs you're looking for? I live in Omaha, and there are scads of the specs I'm looking for--in Dallas/Fort Worth...
(For the record, I'm looking at FWD SEL Norsea/Shale/Front Comfort/Aux Climate/3-seat bench middle/50-50 3rd seat/Reverse Sensing; with absoutely no AWD, DVD or Moonroof)
Thanx in advance!
*************************************
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Standard and only available in states of AK, MN,
ND, SD, MT, WI and WY. Other states available
via FCSD.
*************************************
I believe "FCSD" means fleet sales only, but the Ford guys would know better. It has an 120 volt plug with a hinged cap on the driver's side of the lower grill - waiting for your extension cord. :shades:
They weren't garaged up there or I wouldn't have bothered, and I don't use them here in Boise. They are easy to find up North for ~$35 and up, plus installation.
Steve, Host
My wife and kids love the vehicle. Hopefully my skepticism will be proven unfounded as we have purchased not one, but two Freestyle. Best designed third row and rear storage space in class.
So yes, they are a bit thick, but they are there for a good reason and so far they have shown to do their job of protecting passengers in side collisions.
Now the "A" Pillar (windshield) have a different role. They protect the passenger cabin from a frontal impact, channeling the force over the passenger compartment through the header structural beams. While they are connected to the firewall crossmember, which channels energy on side impacts behind the dashboard, onto the opposite side of the car. The firewall crossmember also prevents engine intrusion into the cabin, and will divert all possible accessories/engine/transmission onto the ground before it even intrudes into the footwell area.
One crossmember you will see is below the front seats. That crossmember channels energy from the doors, downward onto the beam, and channels the force below the seats to meet up with the "B" pillar of the opposite side. This (as well as the "B" Pillar....allows it to score 5 Stars in government crash ratings
Now "D" Pillars, is at the rear-most area of the vehicle. They too channel energy in rear impacts, as well as side impacts.
If you have purchased two Freebies, you have probably spent some good time test driving them. How did it feel after you adjusted the mirrors? Hopefully your twin Freebies meet your expectations. :shades:
Thanks for the information on the pillars and side impact design safety, very enlightening. I can see to the left or right rear OK when changing lanes and the outside mirrors are great but they sure stick out more than I am used to. When parking in a tight spot they are very close to the other vehicles. Still a minor thing and I really enjoy the Freestyle.
Truckers and racers rely on outside mirrors,learn them they are your friend.
lizzzard :shades:
They always seem to adjust them so they can see the side of the car, which makes no sense. In other words, they aim them too far towards the center of the vehicle, and not far enough out.
In fact, most cars I've been in, you need to adjust the mirrors almost as far as they can go to the outside (if not further).
It seems that any time I take my car in to a shop, the mirrors end up being adjusted back toward the inside . . leaving HUGE blind-spots.
I adjust mine so that I can JUST see the outside of the rear of the vehicle, IF I lean my head towards the mirror from my normal position. This typically leaves me with a very small blind spot. A motorcycle or very short car can get it that blind spot, but he'd have a hard time staying completely in it.
I do think that the mirrors on the Freestyle are better than the ones on my Taurus.
Now to my question - the Freestyle came with front mats and second row mats, but there is no mat for the space in the middle between the two second row seats or for any of the third row. I'd love to protect these areas because they get walked on so often. Has anyone found any mats for these areas?
Thanks!
http://www.sherwooddash.com/newrelease.htm
Just look for the Ford Freestyle listings and pics. 2 different kit styles in multiple finishes.
I know what you mean, but I do what I did with my Expedition--if I'm in a tight spot, I fold the mirror(s) in so they don't get whomped by other peope/cars, etc.
I agree, numerous people do not know how to adjust their mirrors. There's no reason someone should have blindspots looking out the side mirrors. Personally, I can back up a vehicle, or parellel park, without rotating my head to see out the rear/quarter windows, because of properly adjusted mirrors.
Center the def. on roof,open moonroof,push the removable deflector down and block it off with something to keep it down as if roof was closed.
Place tab under edge of opening,thread screw from def. to tab,secure it but not super tight. Simple (my screws were too long and hit on the glass when closing the roof)cut them off or get shorter ones by 1/4 inch.
DID YOU KNOW THAT FREESTYLE ACC. ARE GUARENTEED FOR 3YRS. OR 36000 M :shades: ILES?Just found this out today.
I got the vent visors,moon def.,bug shield.Prices were no more than Wal-mart and they work super.The moon roof,quiets wind noise to nothing.
lizzzard
I think its crap, I have mine set like you and they always get moved around, they may nnot be changing them though, they are easy to tilt, just from hand cleaning with paper towels.
Agreed.
" There's no reason someone should have blindspots looking out the side mirrors."
Well, you can't COMPLETELY eliminate them. At least not without one of those concave mirrors.
Even with those, there can be blind spots. I about got run off the highway by a trucker once because I was in his blind spot too long. The one just barely ahead of the passenger door.
I'd find them guilty of negligent homicide if that ever caused an accident. Sheesh!
As I said, I can't see my car at all through the side mirrors unless I tilt my head slightly toward that side of the car. That is, if the mirror ALLOWS that. I've had a few that couldn't quite be adjusted out that far.
I think there's a good reason for that. You tend to focus on what's in the central portion of the image in the mirror. If the image just "glances" the rear corner of your car you are less likely to notice an object emerging from the blind spot than if the boundary of the blind spot were more centered in your mirror.
Also, I think the definition of blind spot used here by some is rather restrictive. You simply cannot eliminate the blind spot with mirrors (basic geometry and optics) unless you're talking about noticing or not noticing LARGE object behind you. More generally you must consider small objects and little people especially while perfoming backing up maneuvers.
tidester, host