traction control FORD FLEX 2013 1.G Owners Manual

Brakes 223
Brakes.............................................223
Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes......................224
Parking brake........................................224
Traction Control 225
TractionControl™ ....................................225
Stability Control 226
AdvanceTrac........................................227
Parking Aids 228
Sensing system.......................................228
Active park assist.....................................230
Rear-view camera system...............................234
Cruise Control 239
Using cruise control...................................239
Using Adaptive Cruise Control............................240
Driving Aids 249
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert
(CTA) .............................................249
Collision warning system................................254
Steering............................................258
Load Carrying 260
Cargo net...........................................260
Roof racks and load carriers.............................261
Vehicle loading.......................................261
Towing 269
Trailertowing........................................269
Wrecker towing.......................................274
Recreational towing....................................275
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•Engaged (green light): Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control
system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is
disengaged.
Stability Control System
Displays when the AdvanceTrac/Traction control is active. If
the light remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Stability Control System Off
Illuminates when AdvanceTrac/Traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Airbag readiness
If this light fails to illuminate when the ignition is turned on,
continues to flash or remains on, contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. A chime will sound when there is a
malfunction in the indicator light.
Anti-lock brake system
If the ABS light stays illuminated or continues to flash, a
malfunction has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. Normal braking is still functional unless the
brake warning light also is illuminated.
Brake system warning light
To confirm the brake system warning light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the on
position when the engine is not running, or in a position
between on and start, or by applying the parking brake when the ignition
is turned to the on position.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check that the parking brake is not
engaged. If the parking brake is not engaged, this indicates low brake
fluid level or a brake system malfunction. Have the system checked
immediately by your authorized dealer.
11 2Instrument Cluster
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Settings
Driver Assist Traction Control
Blind Spot
Collision
WarningSensitivity High, Normal or
Low
Chimes (not selectable if using a
MyKey)
Warning (not selectable if using a
MyKey)
Cross Traffic
Cruise Control Adaptive or Normal
Rear Park Aid
Trailer Sway
Display Language Select your applicable language
Units Distance Miles and
Gallons or km/L
or L/100km
Temperature Fahrenheit (°F)
or Celsius (°C)
Information Displays11 9
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Settings
MyKey Create MyKey Hold OK to Create MyKey
911 Assist Always On or User Selectable
Traction Control Always On or User Selectable
Max Speed 80 MPH (130 km/h) or Off
Speed Minder 45 mph (75 km/h), 55 mph
(90 km/h), 65 mph (105 km/h) or
Off
Volume Limiter
Clear MyKeys Hold OK to Clear MyKeys
System Reset Hold OK to Reset to Factory Default
System Check
All active warnings will display first if applicable. The system check
menu may appear different based upon equipment options and current
vehicle status. Use the up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the list.
TRIP AND FUEL ECONOMY COMPUTER
Resetting the Trip Computer
Press and hold OK on the current screen to reset the respective trip,
distance, time and fuel information.
Odometer
Registers the total accumulated distance for the lifetime of the vehicle.
This value cannot be reset.
Trip Odometer
Registers the distance of individual journeys.
Total Time
Registers the total time of a trip.
Information Displays121
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Fuel Economy
Use the left/right arrow buttons to choose the desired fuel
economy display.
Fuel EconomyInst Fuel
EconomyXX. Min Fuel
History
Instantaneous fuel usage X
†Fuel usage over a 5, 10, or
30 minute time spanX
Total odometer (lower left corner)
Press and hold OK to reset the currently displayed fuel usage
information.
†To configure the fuel usage time span, press the right arrow button
when in this screen.
•Inst. Fuel Economy: This display shows a visual graph of your
instantaneous fuel economy.
•XX. Min Fuel History: This display shows a bar chart of your fuel
history.
Settings
In this mode, you can configure different driver setting choices.
Note:Some items are optional and may not appear.
Driver Assist
Traction Control On (default setting) / Off
Blindspot On (default on key cycle) / Off
Collision Warning Sensitivity High / Normal / Low
Chimes On (default on key cycle) / Off
Warn-ON On (default on key cycle) / Off
Cross Traffic On (default on key cycle) / Off
Cruise Control Adaptive or Normal
Driver Alert On (default on key cycle) / Off
Rear Park Aid On (default on key cycle) / Off
Trailer Sway On (default on key cycle) / Off
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Vehicle
Auto Highbeam On / Off
Autolamp Delay Off or number of seconds
Easy Entry/Exit On / Off
DTE Calculation Normal / Towing
Locks Autolock On / Off
Autounlock On / Off
Remote
UnlockingAll doors / Driver’s door
Oil Life Reset Set to XXX %
Power Liftgate Enable / Disable
Remote StartClimate Control
(using this
feature allows
you to select
different climate
control modes
when the vehicle
is started using
the remote start
feature)Heater – A/C Auto / Last
Settings
Front Defrost Auto / Off
Rear Defrost Auto / Off
Driver Seat Auto / Off
Passenger Seat Auto / Off
Duration 5 / 10 /15 minutes
Quiet Start On / Off
System Enable / Disable
W ipersCourtesy Wipe On / Off
Rain Sensing On / Off
Reverse Wiper On / Off
*MyKey
Create MyKey Press and hold OK to create MyKey
911 Assist Always On / User Selectable
Traction Control Always On / User Selectable
Max Speed Set to 80 MPH (130 km/h) / Off
Speed Minder 45 mph (72 km/h), 55 mph (89 km/h), 65 mph
(105 km/h), Off
Information Displays127
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INFORMATION MESSAGES
Note:Depending on the vehicle options equipped with your vehicle, not
all of the messages will display or be available. Certain messages may be
abbreviated or shortened depending upon which cluster type you have.
Press the OK button to acknowledge
and remove some messages from
the information display. Other
messages will be removed
automatically after a short time.
When a warning message appears,
you must wait two seconds before
being able to clear it. Certain
messages need to be confirmed before you can access the menus.
Message indicators:Some messages will be supplemented by a system
specific symbol.
Adaptive Cruise
Control MessagesAction / Description
Adaptive Cruise
MalfunctionDisplayed when a radar malfunction is
preventing the ACC from engaging.
Adaptive Cruise Not
AvailableDisplayed when conditions exist such that the
adaptive cruise cannot function properly.
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available Sensor
BlockedDisplayed when the radar is blocked because
of poor radar visibility due to bad weather or
ice/mud/water in front of radar. Driver can
typically clean the sensor to resolve.
AdvanceTrac/
Traction Control
MessagesAction / Description
Service AdvanceTrac Displayed when the AdvanceTracsystem has
detected a condition that requires service.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Traction control off Displayed when the traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Trailer Sway Reduce
SpeedDisplayed when the trailer sway control has
detected trailer sway.
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Do not drive your AWD vehicle in deep sand for an extended period of
time. This will cause the AWD system to overheat. After the system has
cooled down, normal AWD function will return. When driving at slow
speeds in deep sand under high outside temperatures, use L (Low) gear
when possible. L (Low) gear operation will maximize the engine and
transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs
(for trucks) (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
Note:Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (power transfer unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
All-Wheel Drive219
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“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other public and private lands by
“treading lightly.”
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep slopes or hills. A danger
lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possibly rolling over. Whenever
driving on a hill, determine beforehand the route you will use. Do not drive
over the crest of a hill without seeing what conditions are on the other side.
Do not drive in reverse over a hill without the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much power
will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
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PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss of
traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system applies the brakes to individual
wheels and, when needed, reduces engine power at the same time. If the
wheels spin when accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces, the system
reduces engine power in order to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with MyKey, it is possible to prevent
turning the TCS off. Refer to theMyKeychapter.
In certain situations (e.g. stuck in snow or mud), turning the traction
control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin with full
engine power. Turn off the traction control system through the
information display.
System indicator lights and messages
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the Traction
Control System, the stability control light will illuminate steadily.
Verify that the Traction Control System was not manually disabled using
the information display control. If the stability control light still
illuminates steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with Traction Control disabled
could lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and death.
The stability control light temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and flashes when a driving condition activates the
stability system.
The stability control off light temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and stays on when the traction control system is
turned off or if a problem occurs in the stability system.
When the traction control system is turned off or on, a message appears
in the information display showing system status.
Traction Control225
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