2004 Ford Freestar Owner's Manual - Page 184

Driving The RSS is automatically enabled OFF 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 if the depth is not known. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine's air intake and severely damage your engine. 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. Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause internal transmission damage. VEHICLE LOADING - WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining 184 2004 Freestar (win) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English (fus)