warning FORD FLEX 2009 1.G Owners Manual

•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA fuel economy estimates
Every new vehicle should have a window sticker containing EPA fuel
economy estimates. Contact your authorized dealer if the window sticker
is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA fuel economy estimates
should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons with other
vehicles. Your fuel economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of theService engine soon
indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
WARNING:Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal also lists engine displacement.
Please consult yourWarranty Guide/Customer Information Guidefor
complete emission warranty information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When theService
engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected
a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause theService engine
soon
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been properly closed. SeeEasy Fuel™
“no cap” fuel systemin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water—the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill inlet or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, theService engine soon
indicator should stay off the next time the engine is started. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is required.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or
personal burn injuries do not start your engine with the air
cleaner removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
Changing the air filter element
1. Release the clamps that secure
the air filter housing cover.
2. Carefully separate the two halves
of the air filter housing.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the air filter housing.
4. Wipe the air filter housing and
cover clean to remove any dirt or
debris and to ensure good sealing.
5. Install a new air filter element. Be
careful not to crimp the filter element edges between the air filter
housing and cover. This could cause filter damage and allow unfiltered
air to enter the engine if not properly seated.
6. Replace the air filter housing
cover and secure the clamps. Be
sure that the air cleaner cover tabs
are engaged into the slots of the air
cleaner housing.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be void for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................98
AdvanceTrac ..............................257
Air cleaner filter ...............359–361
Air conditioning ..............64, 67, 70
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................64
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................181–182, 190, 192
and child safety seats ............183
description ..............182, 190, 192
disposal ....................................196
driver airbag ............184, 191, 194
indicator light .................190, 195
operation .................184, 191, 194
passenger airbag .....184, 191, 194
side airbag ...............................190
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................271
Ambient mood/lighting ...............81
AM/FM .........................................16
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................339
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................255
Anti-theft system ..............142, 145
arming the system ..................145
disarming a triggered
system .....................................147
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
fluid, specification ..................362
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................264
fluid, adding ............................358fluid, checking ........................358
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....25
B
Battery .......................................336
acid, treating emergencies .....336
jumping a disabled battery ....307
maintenance-free ....................336
replacement, specifications ...361
servicing ..................................336
Belt-Minder
.............................177
Booster seats .............................212
Brakes ........................................255
anti-lock ...................................255
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................256
fluid, checking and adding ....357
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
fluid, specifications .................362
lubricant specifications ..........362
parking ....................................256
shift interlock ..........................262
Bulbs ............................................82
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....362
Cargo net ...................................123
CD ................................................16
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety seats ......................201
in front seat ............................202
in rear seat ..............................202
LATCH .....................................205
recommendations ...................199
tether anchorage hardware ...207
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................212
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
369

Engine block heater .................253
Engine oil ..................................333
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................333
checking and adding ..............333
dipstick ....................................333
filter, specifications ........335, 361
recommendations ...................335
refill capacities ........................362
specifications ..........................362
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................253
F
Fail safe cooling ........................343
Family entertainment system ....34
Fluid capacities .........................362
Foglamps .....................................77
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................272
Freezer ........................................92
Fuel ............................................345
calculating fuel
economy ..........................112, 351
cap ...........................................347
capacity ...................................362
choosing the right fuel ...........348
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................354
detergent in fuel .....................349
filler funnel .............................349
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................345, 347, 351
filter, specifications ........344, 361
improving fuel economy ........351
octane rating ...................348, 364
quality ......................................349
running out of fuel .........307, 349safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................345
Fuses ..........................................280
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............347
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................351
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................279
Head restraints .................157, 159
Headlamps ...................................76
aiming ........................................78
autolamp system .......................76
bulb specifications ....................82
daytime running lights .............78
flash to pass ..............................77
high beam .................................77
replacing bulbs .........................83
turning on and off ....................76
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................64, 67, 70
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................107
Hood ..........................................330
I
Ignition ...............................250, 364
Illuminated visor mirror .............88
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................201
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
371

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................356
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................326
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................78
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......307
K
Keyless entry system ...............140
autolock ...................................127
keypad .....................................140
locking and unlocking doors ..141
programming entry code .......140
Keys ...................................125, 143
positions of the ignition .........250
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................76
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................82
daytime running light ...............78
fog lamps ...................................77
headlamps .................................76
headlamps, flash to pass ..........77
instrument panel, dimming .....78
interior lamps .....................81, 83
replacing bulbs .........................83
LATCH anchors .........................205
Liftgate ..............................119, 134
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........256
Load limits .................................239Locks
autolock ...................................127
childproof ................................131
doors ........................................127
Lubricant specifications ...........362
Lug nuts ....................................306
Luggage rack .............................124
Lumbar support, seats .....152, 155
M
Message center .................110–111
english/metric button .............114
system check button ..............113
warning messages ...................116
Mirrors ...................................98–99
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................99
heated ................................70, 100
programmable memory ..........135
side view mirrors (power) .......99
Moon roof ..................................106
Motorcraft parts ........328, 344, 361
N
Navigation system .......................63
O
Octane rating ............................348
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................333
Overdrive ...................................264
P
Parking brake ............................256
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....361
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................169
Power adjustable foot pedals ...100
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................284
Power door locks ......................127
Power liftgate ............................119
Power mirrors .............................99
Power point .................................93
Power steering ..........................262
fluid, checking and adding ....357
fluid, refill capacity ................362
fluid, specifications .................362
Power Windows ...........................96
R
Radio ............................................16
6-CD in dash .............................16
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................34
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................199
Refrigerator .................................92
Relays ........................................280
Remote entry system .......132–133
illuminated entry ............137, 139
locking/unlocking
doors ................................133–134
opening the trunk ...................134
panic alarm .............................135
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................137
replacing the batteries ...........136
Reverse camera .........................269
Reverse sensing system ...........266Roadside assistance ..................278
Roof rack ...................................124
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................168, 171–175
Safety Canopy ...................190, 192
Safety defects, reporting ..320–321
Safety restraints ........168, 171–175
Belt-Minder
...........................177
extension assembly ................176
for adults .........................172–175
for children .............................196
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................169
warning light and chime ........176
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................205
Safety seats for children ..........201
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................365
Satellite Radio (if equipped) .....16
Satellite Radio Information ........31
Seats ..........................................148
child safety seats ....................201
climate control ..........................70
easy access/easyout feature ..156
front seats ...............................151
heated ........................67, 155, 164
memory seat ...................135, 156
second row seats ............159, 162
third row seats ........162, 165–166
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................142
Servicing your vehicle ..............329
Setting the clock .........................17
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
373

Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........291
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................361, 364
Specification chart, lubricants..362
Speed control ............................101
Starting your vehicle ........250–252
jump starting ..........................307
Steering wheel
controls ....................................104
tilting .........................................87
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................16
CD-MP3 .....................................16
SYNC ............................................63
T
Temporary mobility kit .............296
Tilt steering wheel ......................87
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....233
Tires ...................................218–219
alignment ................................226
care ..........................................222
changing ..........................291–292
checking the pressure ............222
inflating ...................................220
label .........................................232
replacing ..................................224
rotating ....................................226
safety practices .......................225
sidewall information ...............228
snow tires and chains ............238
spare tire .................................289
Temporary mobility kit ..........296
terminology .............................219
tire grades ...............................219treadwear ........................218, 223
Towing .......................................244
recreational towing .................249
trailer towing ..........................244
wrecker ....................................312
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
lubricant specifications ..........362
Transmission .............................262
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....262
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................358
Turn signal ..................................80
U
USB port ......................................27
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................365
Vehicle loading ..........................239
Ventilating your vehicle ...........253
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................332
Water, Driving through .............277
Windows
power .........................................96
rear wiper/washer .....................87
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................86
checking and adding fluid .....332
replacing wiper blades ...332–333
Wrecker towing .........................312
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
374