How Much To Service 2006 Ford Freestyle Awd System

It's telling that Ford gave this "crossover" motorcar-based sport-ute a proper name that starts with the letter F. Ford'south SUVs have names that start with the letter East (Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Circuit), and then Ford must consider this seven-rider vehicle to be genetically closer to its F-named carline (Focus, 5 Hundred, 2006 Fusion).

The Freestyle seems to autumn into the aforementioned vague category as the Chrysler Pacifica. It straddles the line between SUV and minivan, challenge to offer the advantages of both while leaving backside the disadvantages. To simplify matters, nosotros classify the Pacifica and the Freestyle equally SUVs. The Freestyle will appeal to shoppers who want minivan practicality hidden by sport-ute duds. Whether the formula volition find new buyers or cannibalize Explorer sales remains to exist seen.

Based on the modified Volvo platform that also lies beneath the Ford Five Hundred sedan and Mercury Montego twin, the Freestyle lacks the body-on-frame construction of traditional SUVs like the Explorer. Instead, the Freestyle gets the lightweight and rigid unibody structure of mod cars. Information technology's 10.2 inches longer and ii.three inches wider than an Explorer simply smaller than the super-size Expedition. Dissimilar the Pacifica or the new crossover vans from GM--the Buick Terraza, the Saturn Relay--or the quondam minivan-based SUVs from GM--the Pontiac Aztek, the Buick Rendezvous--the Freestyle isn't based on a minivan platform, and since it isn't related to a minivan, the proportions and styling don't scream "Mommy!" to the world.

What sometime minivan owners who get into the Freestyle will immediately discover and appreciate is the low step-in. The Freestyle has a low flooring, and there isn't a whole lot of ground clearance; actually, it barely sits any college than the V Hundred sedan, so off-roading probably isn't in the cards. One time inside, you'll notice seats that are perched loftier off the flooring, providing the seating position so many drivers notice as comforting as hot cocoa. Despite the Freestyle's car roots, y'all'll still be able to see over that pesky compact out front end.

JIM CAIOZZO

Ability comes from Ford's familiar DOHC 3.0-liter V-6 that does duty in the Five Hundred. The engine'south 203 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque work well enough in smaller vehicles, but in the Freestyle the relatively pocket-sized mill has 4190 pounds and the friction of an all-bicycle-drive system to put into motion. Supposedly, a 3.5-liter version of the engine is on the way. In the meantime, making the most of the available power is a ZF continuously variable manual that has an infinite spread of ratios betwixt a everyman "gear"--2.47:i--and a 0.41:1 peak ratio.

This is the first use of a CVT in something as large as the Freestyle, but its performance volition exist familiar if you lot've ever sampled i of these novel transmissions in a smaller motorcar. Driven gently, the engine revs stay unobtrusively and quietly at depression rpm, much as they practice in a conventional automatic. But if you floor it, the engine volition rev to 5800 rpm and stay there until yous back off, whereas a conventional transmission would modify to the next gear. Go along the pedal mashed, and the Freestyle continues to accelerate uninterrupted with the engine crying out at 5800 rpm as the CVT goes through its spread of ratios seamlessly to continue the engine at its power peak. This takes a flake of getting used to, merely if y'all never flooring the Freestyle for the extended periods that we do, you'll never notice its unusual beliefs.

Our Freestyle did the run to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, which beats the 5-6 Explorer'south 9.0-2nd time. Information technology fifty-fifty shell the 8.viii-second constitutional of a Porsche Cayenne V-6. Yet, those viii.two seconds are a chip uncomfortable, considering the engine notation never changes from a constant 5800 rpm, and the audio from the 3.0-liter engine is about as enjoyable as an American Idol reject.

Once under way, the CVT is willing to rapidly evangelize the gear ratio necessary for a pass. The nuance from 30 to 50 mph takes iv.3 seconds, with the fifty-to-seventy-mph romp coming in 5.ix seconds. The CVT finds an appropriate ratio immediately and makes the most of the 203 horsepower. Dorsum off the throttle, and engine revs drop speedily as the manual selects its tallest gear. More than horsepower and torque would certainly exist nice, only the Freestyle has enough of both not to feel underpowered with a less than total load of folks, thanks to the resourceful transmission.

JIM CAIOZZO

Ford claims to exist spending quite a chip more development money on its interiors. The F-150 pickup was the outset to enjoy the actress cash, and its interior is far ameliorate than anything else in the full-size-pickup segment. The Freestyle interior shows some F-150 influence, merely what is great in a pickup truck is merely good in a family unit vehicle. The plastics are nicely grained and the center stack has a tasteful metallic carbon-fiber-looking piece, but the entire dashboard feels hard and somewhat hollow to the touch. What did impress was the build quality of our exam vehicle--everything fit and was aligned perfectly. The new corporate radio works easily, and the 3-dial climate command is as straightforward as it gets.

A grippy and durable-looking fabric covered the seats of our mid-level SEL-grade Freestyle. Leather is standard on the top-of-the-line Express, which starts $1055 north of our SEL'south $29,840 as-tested cost. The SEL has a high level of standard equipment that includes an in-dash half dozen-CD changer, a power driver seat, two-tone pigment, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and automatic headlights. Our example wore 2 options, a sunroof ($895) and a reverse sensing organization ($250) that beeps if you're nearly to dorsum over inferior'southward tricycle.

Indicate the Freestyle downwardly an interstate, and enjoy the silence. Air current and road noise are subdued, and the serenity goes a long way toward making the Freestyle feel like a more expensive vehicle. At lxx mph, the Freestyle registered a respectable 68 decibels, just to our ears the sound doesn't seem to increase much as you creep upwardly into big-ticket territory. Combine the silence with steering that is solid on-middle, and information technology's piece of cake to find yourself speeding along at ten to 15 mph over the limit. Fifty-fifty the engine fades quietly into the background at highway speeds as the transmission selects its tallest ratio, which works out to a somnolent 2100 rpm at 80 mph.

Pavement imperfections are swallowed almost inaudibly past the strut front and multilink rear suspension. Turn the steering wheel, and the Freestyle responds apace and predictably. Torso roll is controlled, and although the tires protestation loudly at the slightest provocation, there is a decent amount of grip (0.77 chiliad). Despite its larger dimensions, the Freestyle is lighter than the Explorer and feels smaller than its stablemate. No matter how bad the pavement, this SUV never sets a human foot wrong or shudders from blows. The feeling of refinement is probably the virtually satisfying attribute of the Freestyle driving feel and makes information technology a far better vehicle to alive with than Ford'south own Explorer.

Where the Freestyle comes upwards short is in towing chapters. You lot're express to 2000 pounds, while an Explorer has the potential to elevate 7140 pounds behind it. Clearly, the Freestyle is designed to movement people instead of trailers. Certainly, its loftier level of refinement makes it a stellar people mover. So it's not a hard-core truck, and well, it's not a minivan, either. It's neither fish nor fowl, but rather a dissimilar blazon of animate being that belies its 203-hp engine and combines plenty of utility with a decent driving feel.

CSABA CSERE
When a vehicle arrives late to a crowded segment, information technology had better make it with some advantages, and that's exactly what the Freestyle does. The new car-based SUV delivers an efficient package with a roomy second-row seat and a third row that's bearable for adult males. Ford's new CVT with the proven Duratec Five-half-dozen provides unexpectedly brisk performance with no weirdo slipping-clutch sensations. Although not touted as sporty, the Freestyle takes to rapid motoring very well while maintaining fine ride condolement. And this goodness comes at a price that undercuts most competitors'. Anyone seeking a versatile people mover should definitely check out the Freestyle.

ANDRÃo/oo IDZIKOWSKI
There isn't much to complain almost with the Freestyle. In fact, the merely thing wrong with it is information technology needs a more powerful engine. Near SUVs aren't quick, only this i feels annoyingly slow getting up to speed on the thruway, and passing traffic on two-lane roads requires a lot of room and planning. The CVT automated isn't to blame; information technology's one of the best I've run across. But information technology needs something larger than the 203-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 information technology's currently mated to. This is too bad, because the chassis feels solid and the Freestyle rides and handles better than about other SUVs on the market place. Ford has done a bang-up chore on this one. It just needs to get rid of the boat-ballast engine.

RON KIINO
The Freestyle is a stylish alternative to the dreaded minivan. Which begs the question: "Is it better than a minivan?" Well, it'due south meliorate than some, namely, Ford's own team taxi, the Freestar. In our June 2004 comparison exam of full-size minivans, the $33,860 Freestar SEL reached lx in 8.viii seconds, registered 0.73 m on the skidpad, and featured the tightest third row of the agglomeration. Unsurprisingly, it finished fifth--of five. For over $4000 less, the Freestyle SEL hits 60 in eight.2, hugs the skidpad for 0.77 g, and sports a roomier third row that can be comfortably inhabited by adults. So congrats, Ford--the Freestyle appears to have a bright future. Too bad information technology just killed the Freestar.

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How Much To Service 2006 Ford Freestyle Awd System,

Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15131769/ford-freestyle-sel-awd-road-test/

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