child restraint FORD FLEX 2014 1.G Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: FORD, Model Year: 2014, Model line: FLEX, Model: FORD FLEX 2014 1.GPages: 554, PDF Size: 8.04 MB
Page 51 of 554

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
WARNING:Airbags do not inflate slowly or gently, and the risk
of injury from a deploying airbag is the greatest close to the trim
covering the airbag module.
WARNING:All occupants of your vehicle, including the driver,
should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an
airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. Failure to properly
wear your safety belt could seriously increase the risk of injury or
death.
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back
seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.
WARNING:Never place your arm over the airbag module, as a
deploying airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other
injuries.
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the
seat all the way back.
WARNING:Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag supplemental restraint systems or its fuses as you could be
seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING:Several airbag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation as this may result in
serious injury.
50Supplementary Restraints System
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 53 of 554

DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS
WARNING:Never place your arm or any objects over an airbag
module. Placing your arm over a deploying airbag can result in
serious arm fractures or other injuries. Objects placed on or over the
airbag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the
airbag into your face and torso causing serious injury.
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the
seat all the way back.
The driver and front passenger
airbags will deploy during significant
frontal and near-frontal crashes.
The driver and passenger front airbag system consists of:
•driver and passenger airbag modules
•crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness
indicator. SeeCrash Sensors and Airbag Indicatorlater in
this chapter.
•front passenger sensing system
Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment
WARNING:The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
recommends a minimum distance of at least 10 inches
(25 centimeters) between an occupant’s chest and the driver airbag
module. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or
death.
52Supplementary Restraints System
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 54 of 554

To properly position yourself away from the airbag:
•Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
•Recline the seat slightly (one or two degrees) from the upright
position.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it is
very important that they continue to sit properly. Properly seated
occupants sit upright, lean against the seat back, and center themselves
on the seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event.
For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits
forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the
chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.
Children and Airbags
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the
seat all the way back.
Children must always be properly
restrained. Accident statistics
suggest that children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front
seating position. Failure to follow
these instructions may increase the
risk of injury in a crash.
FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM
WARNING:Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12
and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating
position. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury
or death.
Supplementary Restraints System53
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 55 of 554

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 seat back, with your feet on the floor.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:
Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket 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.
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 or modification to the front passenger
seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing
system which could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.
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:When the ignition is first turned on, the passenger airbag status
indicator OFF and ON lamps will illuminate for a short period of time to
confirm it is functional.
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. Even with this technology,
54Supplementary Restraints System
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 56 of 554

parents areSTRONGLYencouraged to always properly restrain children
in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the passenger front airbag and
seat-mounted side airbag when the passenger seat is empty.
•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 seat back 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 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
Supplementary Restraints System55
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 61 of 554

The Safety Canopy will deploy during significant side crashes or when a
certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.
The Safety Canopy is mounted to the roof side-rail sheet metal, behind
the headliner, above each row of seats. In certain sideways crashes or
rollover events, the Safety Canopy will be activated, regardless of which
seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy is designed to inflate between the
side window area and occupants to further enhance protection provided
in side impact crashes and rollover events.
The system consists of:
•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. SeeCrash Sensors and Airbag Indicatorin this
chapter.
Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in
the rear 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).
60Supplementary Restraints System
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 325 of 554

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. Children and 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 System (If Equipped)
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of
all-wheel drive vehicles. Although an all-wheel drive vehicle may
accelerate better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in low-traction
situations, it will not stop any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles.
Always drive at a safe speed.
324Wheels and Tires
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 547 of 554

911 Assist™ ......................405, 479
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................208
Accessing and using your USB
port ............................................458
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call .............394
Accessing your calendar ..........479
Accessing your media menu
features ......................................417
Accessing your phone menu
features ......................................396
Accessory delay ........................105
Active call menu options .........394
Active Park Assist .....................213
Adaptive Cruise Control ...........224
Adding (pairing) a phone ........466
Advanced menu options ...404, 424
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) ..............................404
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................52
and child safety seats ..............53
description ................................52
disposal ......................................62
driver airbag ..............................52
passenger airbag .......................52
side airbag ...........................52, 57
Air cleaner filter .......306–307, 359
Air conditioning ........................135
manual heating and air
conditioning system ...............135
Air filter, cabin ..........................143All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................200
Ambient mood/lighting .............486
AM/FM .......................................446
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................292
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................208
Anti-theft system ..................86, 89
arming the system ..............86, 89
disarming a triggered system ..89
Audio system
Single CD ................369, 374–375
Audio system
(see Radio) ................369, 374–375
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................195
fluid, adding ............................298
fluid, checking ........................298
fluid, refill capacities ..............356
fluid, specification ..................356
Selectshift (SST) ....................196
Auxiliary Input Jack .................454
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ..382
Auxiliary powerpoint ................172
A/V inputs ..........................384, 462
B
Battery .......................................303
acid, treating emergencies .....303
jumping a disabled battery ....267
maintenance-free ....................303
replacement, specifications ...359
servicing ..................................303
Blind Spot Information
System .......................................232
546Index
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 548 of 554

Booster seats ...............................22
Brakes ........................................207
anti-lock ...................................208
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................208
brake warning light ................208
fluid, checking and adding ....302
fluid, refill capacities ..............356
fluid, specifications .................356
lubricant specifications ..........356
parking ....................................208
shift interlock ..........................198
trailer .......................................255
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....356
Cargo net ...................................242
CD ..............................369, 374–375
CD player ..........................367, 457
CD voice commands .................458
Cell phone use ............................15
Changing a tire .........................347
Child safety restraints ..........30, 32
Child safety seats
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................40
LATCH .......................................30
Child safety seats - booster
seats .............................................22
Cleaning the touchscreen ........436
Cleaning your vehicle ...............315
engine compartment ..............317
instrument panel ....................319
interior .....................................319
plastic parts ............................316
washing ....................................315
waxing .....................................317wheels ......................................321
wiper blades ............................318
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........135
Climate voice commands .........497
Clock ..................................369, 484
Collision Warning System .........237
Compass Display .......................120
Console ......................................175
overhead ..................................177
rear ..........................................175
Coolant ......................................292
checking and adding ..............292
refill capacities ........................356
specifications ..........................356
Cooler ........................................176
Cross Traffic Alert ....................232
Cruise control ...........................223
Customer Assistance ................265
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................364
Getting roadside assistance ...265
Getting the service you
need .........................................270
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................276
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................274
D
Defrost .......................135, 137–138
rear window ............................143
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................298
engine oil .................................291
Index547
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Page 550 of 554

HD Radio™ ...............................447
Headlamps
aiming ......................................308
bulb specifications ..................314
flash to pass ..............................99
high beam .................................99
replacing bulbs .......................310
Head restraints .........................146
Heated steering wheel ..............495
Heating ......................135, 137–138
Help ............................................494
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................167
Hood ..........................................288
How to use voice commands ...441
I
Ignition ...............................179, 355
Illuminated visor mirror ...........108
Information displays .................117
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................194
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................319
cluster ......................................111
Intelligent Access Key ................64
J
Jack ............................................347
positioning ...............................347
storage .....................................347
Joining two calls
(multiparty/conference call) ....394
Jump-starting your vehicle ......267K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................77
keypad .......................................82
locking and unlocking doors ....84
programming entry code .........82
Keys .......................................64, 86
positions of the ignition .........179
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................314
headlamps, flash to pass ..........99
interior lamps .........................103
replacing bulbs .......................310
LATCH anchors ...........................30
Liftgate ........................................79
Lights, warning and indicator ..111
Listening to music ....................444
Load limits .................................243
Locks
autolock .....................................77
childproof ..................................36
doors ..........................................75
Lubricant specifications ...........356
Lug nuts ....................................353
M
Making and receiving calls .......467
MAP DVD - Loading and
Unloading ..................................467
Map icons ..................................505
Map mode ..................................504
Map preferences .......................502
Index549
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)