trailer FORD FLEX 2010 1.G User Guide

calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 -
540 = -103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least
240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then
the load calculation would be:
1,400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1,400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you
have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home.
In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x
45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the scheduled maintenance guide.
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1,000 miles (1,600 km).
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
Do not exceed the maximum loads listed on the Safety Compliance
Certification label. For load specification terms found on the label, refer
toVehicle loading – with and without a trailerin this chapter.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded vehicle when
figuring the total weight.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
249
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

FWD
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight
Class Maximum
GCWRTrailer weight Tongue load
Class I towing
(standard)6900 lb
(3131 kg)2000 lb
(907 kg)
*200 lb (91 kg)
Class III towing
(optional)9357 lb
(4245 kg)4500 lb
(2042 kg)
*450 lb (204 kg)
*For towing trailers up to 3500 lb (1588 kg), use a weight carrying
hitch and ball which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through
the vehicle’s underbody structure. For towing trailers over 3500 lb
(1588 kg), up to 4500 lb (2042 kg), it is recommended to use a weight
distributing hitch to increase front axle load while towing.
AW D
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight
Class Maximum
GCWRTrailer weight
rangeTongue load
Class I towing
(standard)7050 lb
(3199 kg)2000 lb
(907 kg)
*200 lb (91 kg)
Class III towing
(optional)9521 lb
(4320 kg)4500 lb
(2042 kg)
*450 lb (204 kg)
*For towing trailers up to 4500 lb (2042 kg), use a weight carrying
hitch and ball which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through
the vehicle’s underbody structure.
EcoBoost AWD
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weight
Class Maximum
GCWRTrailer weight
rangeTongue load
Class I towing
(standard)7072 lb
(3209 kg)2000 lb
(907 kg)
*200 lb (91 kg)
Class III towing
(optional)9622 lb
(4366 kg)4500 lb
(2042 kg)
*450 lb (204 kg)
*For towing trailers up to 4500 lb (2042 kg), use a weight carrying
hitch and ball which uniformly spreads the trailer tongue loads through
the vehicle’s underbody structure.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
250
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Weight distributing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within
12” (13 mm) of the reference point.
After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in
Step 2.
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of
the weight distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling,
and could result in serious personal injury.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
251
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe
if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Do not
connect trailer lamps directly to your vehicle’s tail lamps. This can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical system. Contact your authorized
dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•It is recommended to select the L (Low) gear position when additional
engine braking is needed. In situations such as prolonged downhill
driving on steep grades (i.e., driving in mountainous areas), additional
engine braking is needed to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular
brake system to prevent them from overheating.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
252
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift into the lowest gear
position. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
In case of roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles:
Tow your Front Wheel Drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground
or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are
using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment
provider.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
253
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles:
Tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or
with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer.Do
not tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with the front wheels off
the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the
ground.This will cause damage to your AWD system. If you are using a
vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the
equipment provider.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and at each fuel stop.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
254
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

During Electronic Stability Control events the “sliding car” iconin the
instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Electronic Stability
Control system, which include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter).
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)
Roll Stability Control (RSC) may help to maintain roll stability of the
vehicle during adverse maneuvers. RSCoperates by detecting the
vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which it changes and by applying the
brakes to one or more wheels individually.
During an event that activates the Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)the
“sliding car” icon
in the instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Roll Stability Control
system, which include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
Switching off Traction Control
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off the Traction Control feature of the AdvanceTrac
with RSCsystem may be beneficial because the wheels are allowed to
spin. This will restore full engine power and will enhance momentum
through the obstacle.
To switch off the Traction Control
press the AdvanceTracwith RSC
“Off” button. Full features of the
Traction Control can be restored by
pressing the AdvanceTracwith RSC“Off” button again or by turning
off and restarting the engine.
Driving
265
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If you switch off the Traction
Control, the “sliding car” icon
will illuminate steadily. Pressing the
AdvanceTracwith RSC“Off”
button again will turn off the
“sliding car” icon.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the Engine and Brake Traction Control features
will continue to function; however, ESC and RSCare disabled.
AdvanceTracFeatures
Control
switch
functionsMode“Slid-
ing
car”
icon
Message
Center Dis-
playESC/
RSCTrac-
tion
Con-
trol
Default at
start-upSystem Initial-
izationTurns
on dur-
ing bulb
checkNothing Dis-
playedEn-
abledEnabled
Control
switch
pressed
once mo-
mentarilyTraction Con-
trol OFFOnTRACTION
CONTROL
OFFEn-
abledDis-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
again after
deactiva-
tionAdvanceTrac
fully enabledOffADVANCE-
TRAC ONEn-
abledEnabled
Trailer sway control (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with trailer sway control. When properly
equipped, trailer sway control will use the vehicle’s AdvanceTracwith
RSCsystem to detect and mitigate trailer sway by applying brake force
at individual wheels and, if necessary, by reducing engine power.
Note:Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from swaying, it
mitigates the sway from increasing once it has occurred. TSC cannot
stop all trailers from swaying. If you are experiencing trailer sway it is
likely that the trailer is improperly loaded for the correct tongue weight
Driving
266
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

or the speed of the vehicle and trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer
over to a safe location to check the trailer weight distribution and tongue
load and reduce speed to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is
experienced, SLOW DOWN. Always use caution when towing a trailer
and follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer toTrailer towing
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information on
towing a trailer with your vehicle.
During trailer sway control events the
icon in the instrument cluster
will flash momentarily. The cluster message center will also display
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED. In some cases when trailer sway is
detected, the vehicle speed is too high and may be at or above a speed
at which trailer sway will grow continuously. This may cause the system
to activate multiple times, causing a gradual reduction in speed.
Disabling trailer sway control
Trailer sway control can be disabled during any key cycle. To disable
trailer sway control, refer to theMessage centerin theInstrument
Clusterchapter. Note that regardless of chosen enable state, trailer sway
control will be re-enabled each new key cycle.
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 (e.g., hill climbing), the driver has
significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and
maintain safe operation.
STEERING
3.5L EcoBoost engine:Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric Power
Steering (EPS) system. There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Extreme continuous steering may increase the effort it takes
for you to steer. This occurs to prevent internal overheating and
permanent damage to your steering system. If this should occur, you will
neither lose the ability to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause
permanent damage. Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the
system to cool and steering assist will return to normal.
Driving
267
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches,
bike or surfboard racks and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
The RSS detects obstacles up to six
feet (two meters) from the rear
bumper with a decreased coverage
area at the outer corners of the
bumper, (refer to the figures for
approximate zone coverage areas).
As you move closer to the obstacle,
the rate of the tone increases. When
the obstacle is less than 10 inches
(25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound
continuously. If the RSS detects a
stationary or receding object further
than 10 inches (25.0 cm) from the
side of the vehicle, the tone will
sound for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object
approaching, the tone will sound
again.
While receiving a warning the radio volume will be reduced to a
predetermined level. After the warning goes away, the radio will return
to the previous value.
The RSS automatically turns on when the gearshift lever is placed in R
(Reverse) and the ignition is on. A control in the message center allows
the driver to disable the system, refer toMessage centerin the
Instrument Clusterchapter for more information.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKey™in theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
Driving
277
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)