octane FORD FLEX 2010 1.G Owners Manual

immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the check fuel fill inlet
lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message to turn off. A driving cycle
consists of an engine start-up (after four or more hours with the engine
off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing to drive with the check
fuel fill inlet lamp or CHECK FUEL FILL INLET message on may cause
the service engine soon lamp to turn on as well.
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If you hear
a hissing sound near the fuel filler door (Easy Fuel™ “no cap”
fuel system), do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85), diesel, methanol, leaded
fuel or any other fuel. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law and
could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives.
Note:Use of any fuel other than those recommended may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and repairs may not
be covered under warranty.
Octane recommendations
3.5L V6 engine
Your vehicle will run normally on 87 octane regular fuel. Premium fuel
will provide improved performance.
3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine
Your vehicle is designed to run on regular fuel with an octane rating of
87 or higher. For best overall performance, premium fuel with an octane
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rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using
premium fuel will be most noticeable in hot weather or in severe duty
applications such as towing a trailer.
Some stations offer fuels posted asRegularwith an octane rating below
87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87
are not recommended for either engine. Do not be concerned if your
engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily while you
are using fuel with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized
dealer to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. If the problems
persist, see your authorized dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the right
fuelsection.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
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ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.5L V6 engine 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine
Cubic inches 214 214
FuelSeeOctane
recommendations
earlier in this chapter.SeeOctane
recommendationsearlier
in this chapter.
Firing order 1–4–2–5–3–6 1–4–2–5–3–6
Spark plug gap0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42 mm)0.033–0.037 inch (.838–
.939 mm)
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression
ratio10.3:1 10.0:1
Engine drivebelt routing
3.5L V6 engine
1. Short drivebelt is on first pulley groove closest to engine (not
applicable to vehicles with electric power assisted steering).
2. Long drivebelt is on second pulley groove farthest from engine.
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Engine ........................................382
cleaning ...................................336
coolant .....................................354
fail-safe cooling .......................359
idle speed control ...................352
lubrication specifications .......379
refill capacities ........................379
service points ..................345–346
Engine block heater .................258
Engine oil ..................................349
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................349
checking and adding ..............349
dipstick ....................................349
filter, specifications ........351, 378
recommendations ...................351
refill capacities ........................379
specifications ..........................379
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................258
F
Fail safe cooling ........................359
Family entertainment system ....46
Fleet MyKey programming ......143
Fluid capacities .........................379
Fog lamps ....................................81
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................286
Freezer ........................................97
Fuel ............................................361
calculating fuel
economy ............................20, 367
cap ...........................................363
capacity ...................................379
choosing the right fuel ...........364comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................370
detergent in fuel .....................365
filler funnel .............................365
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................361, 363, 367
filter, specifications ........361, 378
fuel pump shut-off ..................294
improving fuel economy ........367
octane rating ...................364, 382
quality ......................................365
running out of fuel .........319, 365
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................361
Fuses ..........................................294
G
Garage door opener ..................109
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............363
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................367
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................293
Head restraints .................160, 162
Headlamps ...................................80
aiming ..................................82–83
autolamp system .......................80
bulb specifications ....................86
daytime running lights .............82
flash to pass ..............................81
high beam .................................81
replacing bulbs .........................87
turning on and off ....................80
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................68, 71, 74
Index
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O
Octane rating ............................364
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................349
Overdrive ...................................270
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................143
Park Assist ................................280
Parking brake ............................261
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........378
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................173
Power adjustable foot pedals ...104
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................298
Power door locks ......................127
Power liftgate ............................120
Power mirrors ...........................103
Power point .................................98
Power steering ..........................267
fluid, checking and adding ....373
fluid, refill capacity ................379
fluid, specifications .................379
Power Windows .........................101
R
Radio ............................................28
6-CD in dash .............................28
Rear heated seats .....................167
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................46
Rear-view camera system .........278Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................201
Refrigerator .................................97
Relays ........................................294
Remote entry system .......132–133
illuminated entry ....................137
locking/unlocking
doors ................................133–134
opening the trunk ...................134
panic alarm .............................135
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................136
replacing the batteries ...........136
Reverse sensing system ...........276
Roadside assistance ..................292
Roof rack ...................................125
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................171, 175–179
Safety Canopy ...................193, 195
Safety defects, reporting ..........333
Safety restraints ........171, 175–179
Belt-Minder...........................180
extension assembly ................179
for adults .........................176–178
for children .............................199
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................173
warning light and chime ........180
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................207
Safety seats for children ..........203
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................383
Satellite Radio (if equipped) .....28
Index
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