change air filter FORD FLEX 2011 1.G Owners Manual

Page 3 of 418

Customer Assistance 320
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 326
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 326
Cleaning 327
Maintenance and Specifications 336
Engine compartment 338
Engine oil 342
Battery 346
Engine coolant 348
Fuel information 355
Air filter(s) 373
Part numbers 377
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 378
Engine data 381
Accessories 385
Ford Extended Service Plan 387
Scheduled Maintenance Guide 391
Normal scheduled maintenance and log 397
Index 412
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company. Ford may change the contents without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright © 2010 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 340 of 418

Engine shield
Some vehicles may be equipped
with an aero-shield under the
engine. This shield needs to be
removed for service, including oil
and filter changes. It is secured with
four quick release fasteners.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specifications. Do not use any
special washer fluid such as
windshield water repellent type fluid
or bug wash. They may cause
squeaking, chatter noise, streaking
and smearing. Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
WARNING:If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below
40°F (5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure
to use washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could
result in impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or
accident.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
Maintenance and Specifications
340
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 369 of 418

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off until normal operating temperatures are reached to
allow the fluid to cool before checking. Depending on vehicle use,
cooling times could take up to 30 minutes or longer.
WARNING:The dipstick cap and surrounding components may
be hot; gloves are recommended.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow a minimum of 10 seconds for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick. (For vehicles with the
EcoBoost™ engine, move the air filter assembly aside to access the
transmission dipstick).
WARNING:Use gloves when moving the air filter assembly;
components will be hot.
For vehicles equipped with the EcoBoost™ engine, do the
following:
A. Shut the engine off.
Maintenance and Specifications
369
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 376 of 418

•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contain contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add MotorcraftGas Stabilizer or
equivalent meeting Ford material specification ESE-M99C112-A to the
vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage periods exceed
30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label. The vehicle should
then be operated at idle speed to circulate the additive throughout the
fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Maintenance and Specifications
376
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 391 of 418

GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Why maintain your vehicle?
This guide describes the scheduled maintenance required for your
vehicle. Carefully following this schedule helps protect against major
repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance and
may also help to increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or
trade it.
It is your responsibility to see that all scheduled maintenance is
performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering
specifications. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance specific in this
guide will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of
maintenance. Be sure receipts for completed maintenance are kept with
the vehicle and confirmation of the work performed is always recorded in
this guide.
Your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer has factory-trained technicians who
can perform the required maintenance using genuine Ford parts. They
are committed to meeting your service needs and to assuring your
continuing satisfaction.
Protecting your investment
Maintenance is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of
improved reliability, durability and resale value. To ensure the proper
performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, it is
imperative that scheduled maintenance be completed at the designated
intervals.
For your convenience, your vehicle is equipped with a message center
which determines the proper oil change service interval. You should
perform the engine oil change as indicated by the instrument cluster
message center. The message center will display ENGINE OIL CHANGE
SOON or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED to indicate when an oil change is
needed. The engine oil change service needs to be completed within two
weeks or 500 miles (800 km) after the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED
message is displayed. Your oil change service interval can be up to one
year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km). Reset your Intelligent Oil Life
Monitor™ after each engine oil and filter change; refer to the
Instrument Clusterchapter.
If your message center is prematurely reset or becomes inoperative, you
should perform the oil change interval at six months or 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) from your last oil change.
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
391
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 398 of 418

Oil Change Service Interval* 1 2 345678910
Change engine oil and filter• •••••••••
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure tread
depth• •••••••••
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag• •••••••••
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended)• •••••••••
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if
equipped with a dipstick); consult dealer for
requirements• •••••••••
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake
linings, hoses and parking brake• •••••••••
Inspect engine cooling system for strength, and
hoses• •••••••••
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields• •••••••••
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped)• •••••••••
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension,
tie-rod ends, driveshaft and U-joints; lubricate if
equipped with grease fittings• •••••••••
Inspect cabin air filter (if equipped)• ••••
*Oil change service intervals should be completed as indicated by the instrument cluster message center
Reset your Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ after each engine oil and filter change; refer to theInstrument Clusterchapter
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
398
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 399 of 418

Oil Change Service Interval* 11 12 13 14 15
Change engine oil and filter•••••
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth•••••
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear,
looseness or drag•••••
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended)•••••
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped with a
dipstick); consult dealer for requirements•••••
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and
parking brake•••••
Inspect engine cooling system for strength, and hoses•••••
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields•••••
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped)•••••
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends,
driveshaft and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with grease fittings•••••
Inspect cabin air filter (if equipped)•••
*Oil change service intervals should be completed as indicated by the instrument cluster message center
Reset your Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ after each engine oil and filter change; refer to theInstrument Clusterchapter
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
399
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 400 of 418

Perform the services noted in the following table at the specified
time/mileage (km) period either within 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of the
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing in the message center or
when the time/mileage (km) reading indicates service is due.
Example #1:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at
28,751 miles (46,270 km); perform the 30,000 mile (48,000 km)
automatic transmission fluid replacement.
Example #2:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message hasnotcome on
but the odometer reads 30,000 miles (48,000 km); perform the engine air
filter replacement. (i.e., Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ was reset at
25,000 miles [40,000 km].)
Every 20,000 miles
(32,000 km)Replace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Replace climate-controlled seat filter (if
equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 100,000 miles
(160,000 km)Change engine coolant
1
Replace spark plugs
Inspect accessory drive belt(s)2
Every 150,000 miles
(240,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter
(filter not required on 6F35, 6F50, DPS6 and
AWF-21 transmissions); consult dealer for
requirements
Change manual transmission fluid
Change rear axle fluid on all rear-wheel drive
(RWD) vehicles
Replace accessory drive belt(s) if not replaced
within the last 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Replace timing belt (Fiesta).Failure to replace
timing belt can cause internal engine
damage.
1Initial replacement at 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 72 months; every
50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 36 months thereafter
2Perform a follow-up inspection at 120,000 miles (192,000 km)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
400
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 404 of 418

SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
If you operate your Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicleprimarilyin one of the
more demandingSpecial Operating Conditionslisted below, you will
need to have some items maintained more frequently. If you only
occasionallyoperate your vehicle under these conditions, it is not
necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership service
advisor or technician.
Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier
As required– Change engine oil and replace oil filter as indicated by
message center and perform services as listed in the
Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart.
Inspect frequently, service as
required.– See axle maintenance items under
Exceptions.
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)– Change automatic transmission fluid (not required on
6R80 transmission).
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km)– Change manual transmission fluid.
Perform the services noted in the preceding table at the specified
time/mileage (km) period either within 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of the
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing in the message center or
when the time/mileage (km) reading indicates service is due.
Example #1:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at
28,751 miles (46,270 km); perform the 30,000 mile (48,000 km)
automatic transmission fluid replacement.
Example #2:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message hasnotcome on
but the odometer reads 30,000 miles (48,000 km); perform the engine air
filter replacement. (i.e., Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ was reset at
25,000 miles [40,000 km].)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
404
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page 405 of 418

Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as in heavy
commercial use such as delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery
As required– Change engine oil and replace oil filter as indicated by
message center and perform services as listed in the
Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart (except Fiesta).
Inspect frequently, service as
required– Replace cabin air filter (if equipped).
– Replace engine air filter.
Every 300 hours of engine
operation*– Change engine oil and replace oil filter (Fiesta).
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)– Change automatic transmission fluid (not required on
Fiesta or vehicles equipped with a 6R80 transmission).
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km)– Replace spark plugs.
* Engine hour meter installation is recommended for these operating
conditions.
Perform the services noted in the preceding table at the specified
time/mileage (km) period either within 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of the
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing in the message center or
when the time/mileage (km) reading indicates service is due.
Example #1:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at
28,751 miles (46,270 km); perform the 30,000 mile (48,000 km)
automatic transmission fluid replacement.
Example #2:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message hasnotcome on
but the odometer reads 30,000 miles (48,000 km); perform the engine air
filter replacement. (i.e., Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ was reset at
25,000 miles [40,000 km].)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
405
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Page:   1-10 11-20 next >