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2014 Ford Flex Manual

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252 Towing TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED) WARNING: Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death. Ford does not recommend disabling this feature except in situations where speed reduction may be detrimental (such as hill climbing), the driver has significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and maintain safe operation. Note: This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it once it begins. Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying. Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too high, the system may turn on multiple times, gradually reducing vehicle speed. This feature applies your vehicle brakes at individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces engine power. If the trailer begins to sway, the stability control light flashes. The first thing to do is slow your vehicle down, then pull safely to the side of the road and check for proper tongue load and trailer load distribution. See the Load Carrying chapter for specific loading information. RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS Note: Do not exceed the trailer weight for your vehicle configuration listed in the chart below. Note: Make sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area. Do not exceed: • 20 feet2 (1.86 meters2) trailer frontal area if your vehicle can tow a Class I trailer. • 40 feet2 (3.72 meters2) trailer frontal area if your vehicle can tow a Class III trailer. Note: For high altitude operation, reduce the gross combined weight by 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters) starting at the 1000 foot (300 meter) elevation point. Note: Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers over a specified weight. Be sure to check state regulations for this specified weight. The maximum trailer weights listed may be limited to this specified weight, as your vehicle's electrical system may not include the wiring connector needed to use electric trailer brakes. Your vehicle may tow a Class I or III trailer provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed for your vehicle configuration on the following chart. 2014 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013 USA (fus)

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Introduction	10
ABOUT THIS MANUAL	10
Protecting the Environment	10
SYMBOL GLOSSARY	11
DATA RECORDING	12
Service Data Recording	12
Event Data Recording	13
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65	14
PERCHLORATE MATERIAL	15
FORD CREDIT (U.S. ONLY)	15
REPLACEMENT PARTS RECOMMENDATION	15
Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs	15
Collision Repairs	15
Warranty on Replacement Parts	16
SPECIAL NOTICES	16
New Vehicle Limited Warranty	16
Special Instructions	16
MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT	16
EXPORT UNIQUE (NON–UNITED STATES/CANADA) VEHICLE SPECIFIC INFORMATION	17
Child Safety	18
GENERAL INFORMATION	18
CHILD SEAT POSITIONING	20
BOOSTER SEATS	22
Types of Booster Seats	23
INSTALLING CHILD SEATS	25
Child Seats	25
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts	25
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)	31
Using Inboard Lower Anchors From the Outboard Seating Positions (Center Seating Use)	32
Combining Safety Belt and LATCH Lower Anchors for Attaching Child Safety Seats	33
Using Tether Straps	33
CHILD SAFETY LOCKS	37
Safety Belts	38
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	38
FASTENING THE SAFETY BELTS	40
Restraint of Pregnant Women	40
Safety Belt Locking Modes	41
Vehicle Sensitive Mode	41
Automatic Locking Mode	42
When to Use the Automatic Locking Mode	42
Non-inflatable safety belts	42
Rear outboard inflatable safety belts (second row only–if equipped)	42
How to Disengage the Automatic Locking Mode	42
Safety Belt Extension Assembly	43
SAFETY BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT	43
SAFETY BELT WARNING LIGHT AND INDICATOR CHIME	43
Conditions of Operation	44
SAFETY BELT-MINDER®	44
Deactivating and Activating the Belt-Minder® Feature	45
REAR INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT (IF EQUIPPED)	47
How Does the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt System Work?	47
Stowing the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt	48
CHILD RESTRAINT AND SAFETY BELT MAINTENANCE	49
Personal Safety System	50
PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM™	50
How Does the Personal Safety System Work?	50
Supplementary Restraints System	51
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	51
SOS POST-CRASH ALERT SYSTEM™	52
DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS	53
Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment	53
Children and Airbags	54
FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM	54
SIDE AIRBAGS	58
SAFETY CANOPY® CURTAIN AIRBAGS	60
CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR	62
AIRBAG DISPOSAL	63
Keys and Remote Control	64
GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIO FREQUENCIES	64
Intelligent Access (If Equipped)	64
REMOTE CONTROL	65
Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs) (If Equipped)	65
Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)	65
Replacing the Battery	66
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter	66
Intelligent Access Transmitter	67
Memory feature (if equipped)	67
Programming memory to the transmitter	68
Deactivating memory from the transmitter	68
Car Finder	68
Sounding a Panic Alarm	68
Remote Start (If Equipped)	69
Remote Starting the Vehicle	70
Extending the Vehicle Run Time	70
Turning the Vehicle Off After Remote Starting	71
REPLACING A LOST KEY OR REMOTE CONTROL	71
MyKey	72
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	72
Non-configurable Settings	72
Configurable Settings	72
CREATING A MYKEY	73
Programming/Changing Configurable Settings	73
CLEARING ALL MYKEYS	74
CHECKING MYKEY SYSTEM STATUS	74
USING MYKEY WITH REMOTE START SYSTEMS	74
MYKEY TROUBLESHOOTING	75
Locks	76
LOCKING AND UNLOCKING	76
Power Door Locks	76
Remote Control	76
Unlocking the Doors (Two-Stage Unlock)	76
Locking the Doors	76
Activating Intelligent Access (If Equipped)	77
At the Front Doors	77
At the Liftgate	77
Smart Unlocks for Integrated Keyhead Transmitter	77
Smart Unlocks for Intelligent Access Keys (If Equipped)	77
Autolock Feature (If Enabled)	78
Autounlock Feature (If Enabled)	78
Deactivating or Activating	79
Illuminated Entry	79
Illuminated Exit	79
Battery Saver	79
Accessory Mode Battery Saver for Intelligent Access Keys (If Equipped)	79
LIFTGATE	80
Manual Liftgate	80
Power Liftgate (If Equipped)	80
Opening and Closing the Power Liftgate	81
Obstacle Detection	82
Resetting the Power Liftgate	82
SECURICODE™ KEYLESS ENTRY KEYPAD (IF EQUIPPED)	83
Programming a Personal Entry Code	83
Erasing a Personal Code	84
Anti-Scan Feature	84
Unlocking and Locking the Doors	85
Displaying the Factory Set Code	85
With Integrated Keyhead Transmitters	85
With Intelligent Access Keys	86
Security	87
SECURILOCK® PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM	87
Automatic Arming	87
Automatic Disarming	87
Replacement Keys	87
Programming a Spare Integrated Keyhead Transmitter	88
Programming a Spare Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)	89
ANTI-THEFT ALARM (IF EQUIPPED)	90
Arming the Alarm	90
Disarming the Alarm	91
Steering Wheel	92
ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL	92
Power Tilt and Telescope Steering Column (If Equipped)	92
Easy Entry and Exit Feature	93
Memory Feature	93
AUDIO CONTROL	94
VOICE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)	94
CRUISE CONTROL	95
INFORMATION DISPLAY CONTROL	96
Cluster Display Control Features	96
Pedals	97
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)	97
Wipers and Washers	98
WINDSHIELD WIPERS	98
Speed-dependent Wipers (If Equipped)	98
RAIN-SENSING WIPERS (IF EQUIPPED)	98
WINDSHIELD WASHERS	99
REAR-WINDOW WIPER AND WASHERS	99
Lighting	100
LIGHTING CONTROL	100
High Beams	100
Headlamp Flasher	100
AUTOLAMPS (If equipped)	101
INSTRUMENT LIGHTING DIMMER	101
HEADLAMP EXIT DELAY	101
DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)	102
FRONT FOG LAMPS	103
DIRECTION INDICATORS	103
INTERIOR LAMPS	104
Front map lamps	104
Rear dome/reading lamps	104
Rear map lamps	104
Windows and Mirrors	105
POWER WINDOWS	105
Rear Window Buffeting	105
One-Touch Up or Down (Driver’s Window)	105
Bounce-Back	105
Overriding the Bounce-Back Feature	105
Window Lock	106
Accessory Delay	106
EXTERIOR MIRRORS	106
Power Exterior Mirrors	106
Fold-Away Exterior Mirrors	106
Power-Folding Mirrors (If Equipped)	107
Loose Mirror	107
Memory Mirrors (If Equipped)	107
Integrated Blind Spot Mirrors (If Equipped)	107
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) (If Equipped)	108
INTERIOR MIRROR	108
Auto-Dimming Mirror	109
SUN VISORS	109
Slide-On-Rod	109
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror	109
MULTI–PANEL VISTA ROOF® (IF EQUIPPED)	110
Opening and Closing the Moonroof	110
Bounce-Back	110
Venting the Moonroof	110
Instrument Cluster	111
GAUGES	111
Type 1	111
Fuel gauge	111
Type 2	112
WARNING LAMPS AND INDICATORS	112
Adaptive cruise control (if equipped) (RTT)	112
Stability Control System	113
Stability Control System Off	113
Airbag readiness	113
Anti-lock brake system	113
Brake system warning light	113
Charging system (RTT)	114
Door ajar (RTT)	114
Engine oil pressure (RTT)	114
Engine coolant temperature (RTT)	114
Fog lamps (if equipped)	114
Grade assist and overdrive cancel (if equipped) (RTT)	115
Heads up display (if equipped)	115
High beams	115
Low fuel (RTT)	115
Liftgate ajar (RTT)	115
Low tire pressure warning	115
Low washer fluid (RTT)	115
Powertrain malfunction/reduced power (RTT)	116
Safety belt	116
Service engine soon	116
Speed control (if equipped) (RTT)	117
Turn signal	117
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND INDICATORS	117
Key In Ignition Warning Chime	117
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)	117
Headlamps On Warning Chime	117
Parking Brake On Warning Chime	117
Information Displays	118
GENERAL INFORMATION	118
Information Display Controls (Type 1)	118
Menu	118
TRIP AND FUEL ECONOMY COMPUTER	121
Resetting the Trip Computer	121
Odometer	121
Trip Odometer	121
Total Time	121
Fuel Used	121
Distance to E	121
Average Fuel	121
Compass (If Equipped)	121
Information Messages	122
Information Display Controls (Type 2)	122
Main menu	122
Display Mode	123
Trip 1 & 2	124
Fuel Economy	124
Driver Assist	125
INFORMATION MESSAGES	128
Climate Control	136
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM	136
DUAL AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM (WITH MyTemp)	138
DUAL AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM (WITH SONY® AUDIO SYSTEM)	139
REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE CONTROL	141
GENERAL OPERATING TIPS	142
Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System	142
Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control	143
HEATED WINDOWS AND MIRRORS (IF EQUIPPED)	144
Heated Rear Window	144
Heated Exterior Mirror (If Equipped)	144
CABIN AIR FILTER	144
REMOTE START CLIMATE OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)	145
Manual Climate Systems	145
Automatic Climate Systems	145
Seats	146
SITTING IN THE CORRECT POSITION	146
HEAD RESTRAINTS	147
Tilting Head Restraints	149
MANUAL SEATS	149
POWER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)	151
Power Lumbar (If Equipped)	152
MEMORY FUNCTION (IF EQUIPPED)	152
Programming a memory position	152
Recalling a memory position	153
Recalling memory positions with the remote control	153
Easy Entry and Exit Feature (If Equipped)	153
HEATED SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)	154
Second-Row Heated Seats (If Equipped)	155
HEATED AND VENTILATED SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)	156
Heated Seats	156
Ventilated Seats	157
Heated and Ventilated Seat Air Filter Replacement (If Equipped)	157
REAR SEATS	158
Second Row Seats	158
Recline adjustment	158
Moving the seats backward and forward (six–passenger vehicles only)	159
Power fold and tumble seat	159
Third Row Seats	160
Accessing the Seat	160
Third Row Seat Exit	162
Stowing the Third Row Seat	164
Unstowing the Third Row Seat	165
PowerFold® Third-row Seat (If Equipped)	165
Closing the Liftgate	167
Universal Garage Door Opener (If Equipped)	168
HOMELINK® WIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)	168
Programming	168
Erasing the Function Button Codes	170
Reprogramming a single button	170
Programming HomeLink to a Genie Intellicode 2 garage door opener	170
Programing the transmitters	171
Programming HomeLink to the Genie Intellicode garage door opener motor	172
Clearing a HomeLink device	172
FCC and RSS-210 Industry Canada Compliance	172
Auxiliary Power Points	173
AUXILIARY POWER POINTS	173
Locations	173
Storage Compartments	176
CENTER CONSOLE	176
Second Row Center Console (If Equipped)	176
Console Refrigerator and Freezer (If Equipped)	177
Cleaning and Maintenance	178
OVERHEAD CONSOLE	178
Starting and Stopping the Engine	179
GENERAL INFORMATION	179
IGNITION SWITCH (IF EQUIPPED)	180
KEYLESS STARTING (IF EQUIPPED)	180
Ignition Modes	181
STARTING A GASOLINE ENGINE	181
Vehicles with an Ignition Key	182
Vehicles with Keyless Start	182
Fast Restart (Vehicles with Keyless Start)	182
Failure to Start	183
Automatic Engine Shutdown	183
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary	184
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving	184
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes	184
Important Ventilating Information	185
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)	185
Using the Engine Block Heater	186
Fuel and Refueling	187
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS	187
FUEL QUALITY	188
Choosing the Right Fuel	188
Octane Recommendations	188
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL	189
Refilling with a Portable Fuel Container	189
REFUELING	190
Easy Fuel® “No Cap” Fuel System	191
FUEL CONSUMPTION	192
Filling the Tank	192
Calculating Fuel Economy	192
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM	193
On-board Diagnostics (OBD-II)	194
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing	195
Transmission	196
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	196
SelectShift Automatic® Transmission (If Equipped)	197
Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning	198
Brake-shift interlock	199
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow	200
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)	201
USING YOUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)	201
Driving In Special Conditions With All-Wheel Drive (AWD)	201
Basic operating principles in special conditions	202
If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the Pavement	202
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck	202
Emergency Maneuvers	203
Sand	203
Mud and Water	204
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain	205
Driving on Snow and Ice	206
Maintenance and Modifications	207
Brakes	208
GENERAL INFORMATION	208
Brake Over Accelerator	208
Brake Assist	208
Anti-Lock Brake System	209
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES	209
PARKING BRAKE	209
Traction Control	210
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	210
USING TRACTION CONTROL	210
System Indicator Lights and Messages	210
Stability Control	211
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	211
USING ADVANCETRAC® WITH RSC®	212
Parking Aids	213
SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)	213
Using the Rear Sensing System	214
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF EQUIPPED)	214
Using Active Park Assist	215
Automatic Steering into Parking Space	216
Deactivating the Park Assist Feature	218
Troubleshooting the System	218
REAR VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)	219
Using the Rear View Camera System	220
Guidelines and the Centerline	221
Visual Park Aid Alert	222
Manual Zoom	223
Rear Camera Delay	223
Cruise Control	224
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION	224
USING CRUISE CONTROL	224
Switching Cruise Control On	224
Setting a Speed	224
Changing the Set Speed	224
Canceling the Set Speed	225
Resuming the Set Speed	225
Switching Cruise Control Off	225
USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)	225
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control	226
Following a Vehicle	227
Setting the Gap Distance	228
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control	228
Overriding Adaptive Cruise Control	228
Changing the Set Speed	229
Resuming the Set Speed	229
Low Speed Automatic Cancellation	229
Hilly Condition Usage	229
Switching Off Adaptive Cruise Control	230
Detection Issues	230
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available	231
Blocked Sensor	231
Switching to Normal Cruise Control	232
Driving Aids	233
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS®) WITH CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT (CTA) (IF EQUIPPED)	233
Using the Systems	234
System Lights and Messages	235
System Sensors	236
System Limitations	237
False Alerts	237
System Errors	238
Switching the Systems Off and On	238
COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)	238
Using the Collision Warning System	239
Blocked Sensors	240
System Limitations	241
STEERING	241
Electric Power Steering	241
Steering Tips	242
Load Carrying	243
CARGO NET (IF EQUIPPED)	243
ROOF RACKS AND LOAD CARRIERS (IF EQUIPPED)	243
LOAD LIMIT	244
Vehicle Loading – With and Without a Trailer	244
Towing	252
TOWING A TRAILER	252
Load Placement	252
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)	253
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS	253
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS	254
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicles with a Trailer Towing Package and 7–Pin Connector)	255
Hitches	255
Weight-Distributing Hitch	255
Safety Chains	256
Trailer Brakes	256
Trailer Brake Controller Connector (If Equipped)	257
Trailer Lamps	257
Before Towing a Trailer	257
When Towing a Trailer	257
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)	258
TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE	259
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS	260
Emergency Towing	260
Recreational Towing	260
Driving Hints	262
BREAKING-IN	262
ECONOMICAL DRIVING	262
DRIVING THROUGH WATER	263
FLOOR MATS	264
Roadside Emergencies	266
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE	266
Vehicles Sold in the U.S.: Getting Roadside Assistance	266
Vehicles Sold in the U.S.: Using Roadside Assistance	266
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Getting Roadside Assistance	267
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Using Roadside Assistance	267
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS	267
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH	267
JUMP-STARTING THE VEHICLE	268
Preparing Your Vehicle	268
Connecting the Jumper Cables	269
Jump Starting	269
Removing the Jumper Cables	270
Customer Assistance	271
GETTING THE SERVICES YOU NEED	271
Away from Home	271
Additional Assistance	272
IN CALIFORNIA (U.S. ONLY)	273
THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) AUTO LINE PROGRAM (U.S. ONLY)	274
UTILIZING THE MEDIATION or ARBITRATION PROGRAM (CANADA ONLY)	275
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA	275
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER’S LITERATURE	277
Obtaining a French Owner’s Manual	277
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (U.S. ONLY)	278
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (CANADA ONLY)	278
Fuses	279
CHANGING A FUSE	279
Fuses	279
Standard Fuse Amperage Rating and Color	279
FUSE SPECIFICATION CHART	280
Power Distribution Box	280
Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel	285
Maintenance	288
GENERAL INFORMATION	288
Precautions	288
Working with the Engine Off	288
Working with the Engine On	288

Match case Limit results 1 per page

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)

WARNING:

Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of

loss of vehicle control, serious injury or death. Ford does not

recommend disabling this feature except in situations where speed

reduction may be detrimental (such as hill climbing), the driver has

significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and

maintain safe operation.

Note:

This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it once it

begins.

Note:

This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying.

Note:

In some cases, if vehicle speed is too high, the system may turn

on multiple times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.

This feature applies your vehicle brakes at individual wheels and, if

necessary, reduces engine power. If the trailer begins to sway, the

stability control light flashes. The first thing to do is slow your vehicle

down, then pull safely to the side of the road and check for proper

tongue load and trailer load distribution. See the

Load Carrying

chapter

for specific loading information.

RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS

Note:

Do not exceed the trailer weight for your vehicle configuration

listed in the chart below.

Note:

Make sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area. Do not

exceed:

•

20 feet

(1.86 meters

) trailer frontal area if your vehicle can tow a

Class I trailer.

•

40 feet

(3.72 meters

) trailer frontal area if your vehicle can tow a

Class III trailer.

Note:

For high altitude operation, reduce the gross combined weight by

2% per 1000 feet (300 meters) starting at the 1000 foot (300 meter)

elevation point.

Note:

Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers over a

specified weight. Be sure to check state regulations for this specified

weight. The maximum trailer weights listed may be limited to this

specified weight, as your vehicle’s electrical system may not include the

wiring connector needed to use electric trailer brakes.

Your vehicle may tow a Class I or III trailer provided the maximum trailer

weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed for your

vehicle configuration on the following chart.

252

Towing

2014 Flex

(471)

Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013

USA

(fus)