ECU FORD FLEX 2012 1.G Owners Manual
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Locks and Security 119
Keys 119
Locks 125
Anti-theft system 136
Seating and Safety Restraints 142
Seating 142
Personal Safety System™ 165
Safety belt system 168
Airbags 179
Child restraints 193
Tires, Wheels and Loading 212
Tire information 214
Tire inflation 216
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 229
Vehicle loading 234
Trailer towing 241
Recreational towing 245
Driving 247
Starting 247
Brakes 252
AdvanceTrac255
Transmission operation 263
Reverse sensing system 269
Rear-view camera system 271
All wheel drive 278
Roadside Emergencies 285
Getting roadside assistance 285
Hazard flasher control 286
Fuel pump shut-off 286
Fuses and relays 287
Changing tires 294
Wheel lug nut torque 301
Jump starting 302
Wrecker towing 306
Table of Contents
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Note: Including to the extent that any law pertaining to Event
Data Recorders applies to SYNCor its features, please note the
following: Once 911 Assist (if equipped) is enabled (set ON), 911
Assist may, through any paired and connected cell phone, disclose
to emergency services that the vehicle has been in a crash
involving the deployment of an airbag or, in certain vehicles, the
activation of the fuel pump shut-off. Certain versions or updates
to 911 Assist may also be capable of being used to electronically
or verbally provide to 911 operators the vehicle location (such as
latitude and longitude), and/or other details about the vehicle or
crash or personal information about the occupants to assist 911
operators to provide the most appropriate emergency services. If
you do not want to disclose this information, do not activate the
911 Assist feature. See your SYNCsupplement for more
information.
Additionally, when you connect to Traffic, Directions and
Information (if equipped, U.S. only) the service uses GPS
technology and advanced vehicle sensors to collect the vehicle’s
current location, travel direction, and speed (“vehicle travel
information”) only to help provide you with the directions, traffic
reports, or business searches your request. If you do not want
Ford or its vendors to receive this information, do not activate
the service. Ford Motor Company and the vendors it uses to
provide you with this information do not store your vehicle travel
information. For more information, see Traffic, Directions and
Information, Terms and Conditions. See your SYNCsupplement
for more information.
CELL PHONE USE
The use of Mobile Communications Equipment has become increasingly
important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However,
drivers must not compromise their own or others’ safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to, cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, text messaging devices and
portable two-way radios.
Introduction
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AdvanceTrac/traction control
off:Illuminates when the
AdvanceTrac/traction control has
been turned off. Refer to the
Drivingchapter for more
information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate for three
seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on or
begins to flash, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged. Turns
off when the speed control system
is disengaged.
Overdrive cancel and grade
assist (if equipped):Illuminates
when the overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off
and the grade assist function has
been turned on, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLockPassive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the on position and any
door is not completely closed.
OFF
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Tachometer:Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Odometer:Registers the total miles
(kilometers) of the vehicle. Refer to
Message centerin theInstrument
clusterchapter on how to switch
the display from Metric to English.
Trip odometer:SeeTRIP A/BunderMessage centerin this chapter.
MESSAGE CENTER
Your vehicle’s message center allows you to configure/personalize certain
vehicle options to suit your needs.
The message center is also capable of monitoring many vehicle systems
and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various conditions
with an informational message followed by a long indicator chime.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster.
Info
Press the INFO button repeatedly to
cycle through the following features:
TRIP A/B
Registers the distance of individual journeys. Press and release INFO
button until the A or B trip appears in the display (this represents the
trip mode). Press RESET until it resets.
Refer toUNITSlater in this section to switch the display from Metric to
English.
MYKEY MILES (km) (if programmed)
For more information, refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Security
chapter.
MILES (km) TO E
This displays an estimate of approximately how far you can drive with
the fuel remaining in your tank under normal driving conditions.
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TRAILER SWAY (if equipped)
This feature uses the electronic stability control to mitigate trailer sway,
Press RESET to turn it off or on.
CREATE MYKEY / MYKEY SETUP / CLEAR MYKEY
For more information refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Security
chapter.
LANGUAGE = ENGLISH / SPANISH / FRENCH
Allows you to choose which language the message center will display in.
Selectable languages are English, Spanish, or French.
Waiting four seconds or pressing the RESET button cycles the message
center through each of the language choices.
Press and hold RESET for two seconds to set the language choice.
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages.
Types of messages and warnings:
•Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you
may need to take action on or be informed of.
•Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is
restarted.
•Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem
or condition is still present and needs your attention.
•Some messages can be acknowledged and reset by pressing RESET.
This allows you to use the full message center functionality by clearing
the message.
Instrument Cluster
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LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle has low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT— The power steering system
has disabled power steering assist due to a system error; service is
required.
SERVICE POWER STEERING— The power steering system has
detected a condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition that requires service immediately.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 5% to 1%.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%.
INTKEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is
made to program a fifth integrated key to the remote key entry system.
For more information on integrated key, refer to theLocks and Security
chapter in this manual.
ADVANCETRAC OFF— Displayed briefly when the system has been
disabled.
ADVANCETRAC ON— Displayed briefly when the system has been
enabled.
TRACTION CONTROL ON— Displayed briefly when the system has
been enabled.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF— Displayed briefly when the system has
been disabled.
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED (if equipped)— Displayed when
the trailer sway control has detected trailer sway. For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
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BACK UP USE CAUTION (if equipped)— May display when using
the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin theDriving
chapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK FINISHED (if equipped)— May display when using
the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin theDriving
chapter for more information.
REMOVE HANDS PUT IN REVERSE (if equipped)— May display
when using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK NOT AVAILABLE (if equipped)— May display when
using the active park assist system. SeeActive park assistin the
Drivingchapter for more information.
ACTIVE PARK DEACTIVATED (if equipped)— Displayed when the
active park feature has been turned off. Refer toActive park assistin
theDrivingchapter for more information.
MYKEY ACTIVE DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed at startup when MyKey
is in use. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
KEY COULD NOT PROGRAM— Displayed when an attempt is made
to program a spare key using two existing MyKeys. Refer toMyKeyin
theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
VEHICLE SPEED 80 MPH MAX— Displayed when a MyKey is in use
and the admin has enabled the MyKey speed limit and the vehicle speed
is 80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Security
chapter for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MPH— Displayed when starting the vehicle
and MyKey is in use and the MyKey speed limit is on. Refer toMyKeyin
theLocks and Securitychapter for more information.
CHECK SPEED DRIVE SAFELY— Displayed when a MyKey is in use
and the optional setting is on and the vehicle exceeds a preselected
speed. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
VEHICLE NEAR TOP SPEED— Displayed when a MyKey is in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is approaching
80 mph (130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter
for more information.
TOP SPEED MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when a MyKey is in use
and the MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed is 80 mph
(130 km/h). Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
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BUCKLE UP TO UNMUTE AUDIO— Displayed when a MyKey is in
use and Belt-Minderis activated. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and
Securitychapter for more information.
ADVTRAC ON MYKEY SETTING— Displayed when a MyKey is in
use when trying to disable the AdvanceTracsystem and the optional
setting is on. Refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for
more information.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service.
TO STOP ALARM START VEHICLE— Displayed when the perimeter
alarm system is armed and the vehicle is entered using the key on the
driver’s side door. In order to prevent the perimeter alarm system from
triggering, the ignition must be turned to start or on with a valid key
before the 12-second chime expires. SeePerimeter alarm systemin the
Locks and Securitychapter.
POWER REDUCED TO LOWER TEMP— Displayed when vehicle
performance is reduced due to high engine fluid temperatures. See
Engine fluid temperature managementandWhat you should know
about fail-safe coolingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
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6. Press AUX on the vehicle radio repeatedly until LINE, LINE IN or
SYNC LINE IN appears in the display.
You should hear audio from your portable music player although it may
be low.
7. Adjust the sound on your portable music player until it reaches the
level of the FM station or CD by switching back and forth between the
AUX and FM or CD controls.
Troubleshooting:
1. Do not connect the audio input jack to a line level output. Line level
outputs are intended for connection to a home stereo and are not
compatible with the AIJ. The AIJ will only work correctly with devices
that have a headphone output with a volume control.
2. Do not set the portable music player’s volume level higher than is
necessary to match the volume of the CD or FM radio in your audio
system as this will cause distortion and will reduce sound quality. Many
portable music players have different output levels, so not all players
should be set at the same levels. Some players will sound best at full
volume and others will need to be set at a lower volume.
3. If the music sounds distorted at lower listening levels, turn the
portable music player volume down. If the problems persists, replace or
recharge the batteries in the portable music player.
4. The portable music player must be controlled in the same manner
when it is used with headphones as the AIJ does not provide control
(play, pause, etc.) over the attached portable music player.
5. For safety reasons, connecting or adjusting the settings on your
portable music player should not be attempted while the vehicle is
moving. Also, the portable music player should be stored in a secure
location, such as the center console or the glove box, when the vehicle is
in motion. The audio extension cable must be long enough to allow the
portable music player to be safely stored while the vehicle is in motion.
USB port (if equipped)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that
drivers use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may
take their focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of the vehicle. We recommend against the use of any
handheld device while driving, encourage the use of voice-operated
systems when possible and that you become aware of applicable state
and local laws that may affect use of electronic devices while driving.
Entertainment Systems
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Security override
To override a bounce-back condition, within two seconds after the
window reaches the bounce-back position, pull and hold the switch up
andthe window will travel up with no bounce-back or pinch
protection.If the switch is released before the window is fully closed,
the window will stop. For example, this can be used to overcome the
resistance of ice on the window or seals.
Window lock
The window lock feature allows only
the driver to operate the power
windows.
To lock out all the window controls
(except for the driver’s) press the
right side of the control. Press the
left side to restore the window
controls.
Accessory delay
With accessory delay, the window switches, audio system and moon roof
(if equipped) may be used for up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off or until either front door is opened.
INTERIOR MIRROR
The interior rearview mirror has two pivot points on the support arm
which lets you adjust the mirror up or down and from side to side.
WARNING:Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror
The interior rear view mirror has an auto-dimming function. The
electronic day/night mirror will change from the normal (high reflective)
state to the non-glare (darkened) state when bright lights (glare) reach
the mirror. When the mirror detects bright light from behind the vehicle,
it will automatically adjust (darken) to minimize glare.
The mirror will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the interior rear
view mirror since this may impair proper mirror performance.
Driver Controls
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