child seat FORD FLEX 2013 1.G Owner's Guide

FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM
WARNING:Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12
and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position.
WARNING:Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back
reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and
affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system, resulting in
serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:
Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket (if equipped) or hang
objects off seat back if a child is in the front passenger seat.
Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between the
seat and the center console (if equipped).
Check the “passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp for
proper airbag status.
Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the passenger seat
sensing system.
WARNING:Any alteration/modification to the front passenger seat
may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing system.
This system works with sensors that are part of the front passenger’s
seat and safety belt to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant
and determine if the front passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled
(may inflate) or not.
The front passenger sensing system
uses a passenger airbag status
indicator which will illuminate
indicating that the front passenger
frontal airbag is either ON (enabled)
or OFF (disabled). The indicator
lamp is located in the center stack
of the instrument panel.
Note:The passenger airbag status indicator OFF and ON lamps will
illuminate for a short period of time when the ignition is first turned on
to confirm it is functional.
Supplementary Restraints System53
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not
inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag when the front passenger seat
is unoccupied, or a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child
restraint, or a booster seat is detected.
•When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate) the
front passenger frontal airbag, the passenger airbag status indicator
will illuminate the OFF lamp and stay lit to remind you that the front
passenger frontal airbag is disabled.
•If the child restraint has been installed and the passenger airbag status
indicator illuminates the ON lamp, then turn the vehicle off, remove
the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint following
the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate)
the front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a
person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.
•When the front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger
frontal airbag (may inflate), the passenger airbag status indicator will
illuminate the ON lamp and remain illuminated.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the
passenger airbag status indicator OFF lamp is lit, it is possible that the
person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:
•Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the
full upright position.
•Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion,
with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
•Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for
about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person
and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
•If the passenger airbag status indicator OFF lamp remains lit even
after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.
OccupantPassenger Airbag
Status IndicatorPassenger Airbag
EmptyOFF: Lit
Disabled
ON: Unlit
ChildOFF: Lit
Disabled
ON: Unlit
AdultOFF: Unlit
Enabled
ON: Lit
54Supplementary Restraints System
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The system consists of the
following:
•Safety canopy curtain airbags
fitted above the trim panels over
the front and rear side windows
identified by a label or wording
on the headliner or roof-pillar
trim.
•A flexible headliner which opens above the side doors to allow air
curtain deployment.
•Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness
indicator. Refer toCrash sensors and Airbag Indicatorlater
in this chapter.
Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the second or third row seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere with
children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat
because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the
doors along the side window opening.
The design and development of the Safety Canopy included
recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including the Safety
Canopy).
Supplementary Restraints System59
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

GENERAL INFORMATION
Notice To Crossover Vehicle Owners
Crossover vehicles handle differently
than passenger cars in the various
driving conditions that are
encountered on streets, highways and
off-road. Crossover vehicles are not
designed for cornering at speeds as
high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions.
WARNING:Crossover vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of
serious injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use
appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study your owner’s manual for specific information about equipment
features, instructions for safe driving and additional precautions to
reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System (If Equipped)
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of AWD
vehicles. Although a AWD vehicle may accelerate better than
two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction situations, it won’t stop any
faster than two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive at a safe speed.
Wheels and Tires339
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

911 Assist™ ...................... 424, 506
A
ABS (see Brakes) ..................... 224
Accessing and using your USB
port ............................................ 483
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call ............. 412
Accessing your calendar .......... 506
Accessing your media menu
features ...................................... 436
Accessing your phone menu
features ...................................... 414
Accessory delay ........................ 104
Active call menu options ......... 412
Active Park Assist ..................... 230
Adaptive Cruise Control ........... 240
Adding (pairing) a phone ........ 492
Advanced menu options ... 422, 442
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) .............................. 422
Airbag supplemental restraint
system .......................................... 51
and child safety seats .............. 52
description ................................ 51
disposal ...................................... 61
driver airbag .............................. 51
passenger airbag ....................... 51
side airbag ........................... 51, 56
Air cleaner filter ....... 321–322, 375
Air conditioning ........................ 153
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............... 153All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road ......................... 216
Ambient mood/lighting ............. 511
AM/FM ....................................... 466
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ...................................... 224
Anti-theft system .................. 86, 89
arming the system .............. 86, 89
disarming a triggered system .. 89
Audio system
Single CD ................ 140, 144, 146
Audio system
(see Radio) ................ 140, 144, 146
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ................................. 210
fluid, adding ............................ 313
fluid, checking ........................ 313
fluid, refill capacities .............. 371
fluid, specification .................. 371
Selectshift (SST) .................... 212
Auxiliary Input Jack ................. 479
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) .. 147
Auxiliary powerpoint ................ 189
A/V inputs .......................... 149, 488
B
Battery ....................................... 318
acid, treating emergencies ..... 318
jumping a disabled battery .... 283
maintenance-free .................... 318
replacement, specifications ... 375
servicing .................................. 318
Blind Spot Information System 249
Blind spot mirror ...................... 519
Booster seats ............................... 22
Index551
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Brakes ........................................ 223
anti-lock ................................... 224
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ........................... 224
brake warning light ................ 224
fluid, checking and adding .... 317
fluid, refill capacities .............. 371
fluid, specifications ................. 371
lubricant specifications .......... 371
parking .................................... 224
shift interlock .......................... 214
trailer ....................................... 272
C
Capacities for refilling fluids .... 371
Cargo net ................................... 260
CD .............................. 140, 144, 146
CD player .......................... 138, 482
CD voice commands ................. 482
Cell phone use ............................ 16
Changing a tire ......................... 362
Child safety restraints .......... 29, 31
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps .... 31
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ................................. 39
LATCH ....................................... 29
Child safety seats - booster
seats ............................................. 22
Cleaning the touchscreen ........ 454
Cleaning your vehicle ............... 330
engine compartment .............. 332
instrument panel .................... 334
interior ..................................... 333
plastic parts ............................ 331
washing .................................... 330
waxing ..................................... 332wheels ...................................... 335
wiper blades ............................ 333
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) .......... 153
Climate voice commands ......... 520
Clock .................................. 140, 510
Collision Warning System ......... 254
Compass Display ....................... 121
Console ...................................... 192
overhead .................................. 194
rear .......................................... 192
Coolant
checking and adding .............. 308
refill capacities ........................ 371
specifications .......................... 371
Cooler ........................................ 193
Cross Traffic Alert .................... 249
Cruise control ........................... 239
Customer Assistance ................ 281
Ford Extended Service
Plan .................................. 380, 383
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada ..................... 290
Getting roadside assistance ... 281
Getting the service
you need ................................. 286
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ................................. 292
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................................... 290
Customizing your
home screen .............................. 453
D
Defrost ....................... 153, 155, 157
rear window ............................ 161
552Index
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

R
Radio .......................... 140, 144, 146
AM/FM ..................................... 466
Single CD ................ 140, 144, 146
Radio reception ......................... 138
Radio voice commands ............. 474
Rear heated seats ..................... 171
Rear view camera
display ................................ 234, 511
Rear window
defroster .................... 153, 155, 157
Receiving a text
message ............................. 416, 495
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ........................................ 24
Refrigerator ............................... 193
Relays ................................ 294–295
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ...................... 79
locking/unlocking doors ........... 76
replacing the batteries ............. 64
Reverse sensing system ........... 229
Roadside assistance .................. 281
Roof rack ................................... 261
Route preferences .................... 526
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............ 47
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) .............................. 38, 41
Safety defects, reporting .......... 293
Safety information ............ 404, 454
Safety restraints .............. 38–39, 41Belt-Minder............................. 42
extension assembly .................. 41
for adults ............................. 38–39
for children ......................... 19, 24
inflatable safety belt ................. 45
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................ 53
safety belt maintenance ........... 47
seat belt maintenance .............. 47
warning light and chime .......... 42
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ........................................ 29
Safety seats for children ...... 19, 24
Safety Compliance
Certification Label .................... 376
Satellite Radio ................... 140, 475
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log ............. 389
SD card ...................... 149, 483, 521
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .................................... 38
Seats .......................................... 174
child safety seats ................ 19, 24
climate control ........................ 173
easy access/easyout
feature ..................................... 170
front seats ............... 167–168, 172
heated .............................. 170–171
memory seat ..................... 66, 169
second row seats ............ 174, 178
third row seats ........ 178, 180–181
Second-row power fold seat .... 175
SecuriCode keyless entry
system .......................................... 83
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system .......................................... 86
556Index
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)