flat tire FORD FLEX 2014 1.G Owner's Manual

•Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with
255/45R20 tires.
•Install cable chains securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables on your vehicle.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and retighten the cables. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire cables on dry roads.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
WARNING:The tire pressure monitoring system is NOT a
substitute for manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure
should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge.
SeeInflating Your Tiresin this chapter. Failure to properly maintain
your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss of control,
vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling
and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
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Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator
to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
The tire pressure monitoring system complies with part 15 of the FCC
rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changing Tires with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Note:Each road tire is equipped
with a tire pressure sensor located
inside the tire and wheel assembly
cavity. The pressure sensor is
attached to the valve stem. The
pressure sensor is covered by the
tire and is not visible unless the tire
is removed. Take care when
changing the tire to avoid damaging
the sensor.
You should always have your tires serviced by an authorized dealer.
Check the tire pressure periodically (at least monthly) using an accurate
tire gauge. SeeInflating Your Tiresin this chapter.
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Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system measures pressure in your four road
tires and sends the tire pressure readings to your vehicle. The low tire
pressure warning light will turn on if the tire pressure is significantly low.
Once the light is illuminated, your tires are under-inflated and need to be
inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Even if the
light turns on and a short time later turns off, your tire pressure still
needs to be checked.
When Your Temporary Spare Tire Is Installed
When one of your road tires needs to be replaced with the temporary
spare, the system will continue to identify an issue to remind you that
the damaged road wheel and tire assembly needs to be repaired and put
back on your vehicle.
To restore the full function of the tire pressure monitoring system, have
the damaged road wheel and tire assembly repaired and remounted on
your vehicle.
When You Believe Your System Is Not Operating Properly
The main function of the tire pressure monitoring system is to warn you
when your tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is
no longer capable of functioning as intended. See the following chart for
information concerning your tire pressure monitoring system:
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Low tire
pressure
warning lightPossible cause Customer action required
Solid warning
lightTire(s)
under-inflated1. Make sure tires are at the proper
pressure. SeeInflating Your Tires
in this chapter.
2.
After inflating your tires to the
manufacturer’s recommended
pressure as shown on the Tire Label
(located on the edge of driver’s door
or the B-Pillar), the vehicle must be
driven for at least two minutes over
20 mph (32 km/h) before the light
turns off.
Spare tire in use Repair the damaged road wheel
and tire and reinstall it on the
vehicle to restore system function.
For a description on how the
system functions, seeWhen Your
Temporary Spare Tire is Installed
in this section.
TPMS
malfunctionIf the tires are properly inflated
and the spare tire is not in use but
the light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
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Low tire
pressure
warning lightPossible cause Customer action required
Flashing
warning lightSpare tire in use Repair the damaged road wheel
and tire assembly and reinstall it on
the vehicle to restore system
function. For a description on how
the system functions, seeWhen
Your Temporary Spare Tire is
Installedin this section.
TPMS
malfunctionIf the tires are properly inflated
and the spare tire is not in use but
the light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
When Inflating Your Tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the tire pressure monitoring system may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the
light to turn off after you have filled your tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
How Temperature Affects Your Tire Pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors tire pressure in each
pneumatic tire. While driving in a normal manner, a typical passenger
tire inflation pressure may increase about 2 to 4 psi (14 to 28 kPa) from
a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary overnight with the
outside temperature significantly lower than the daytime temperature,
the tire pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop
of 30°F (17°C) in ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may
be detected by the tire pressure monitoring system as being significantly
lower than the recommended inflation pressure and activate the system
warning light for low tire pressure. If the low tire pressure warning light
is on, visually check each tire to verify that no tire is flat. If one or more
tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check the air pressure in the road
tires. If any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the
nearest location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires
to the recommended inflation pressure.
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CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL
WARNING:The use of tire sealants may damage your tire
pressure monitoring system and should not be used. However, if
you must use a sealant, the tire pressure monitoring system sensor and
valve stem on the wheel must be replaced by an authorized Ford
dealer.
WARNING:SeeTire Pressure Monitoring Systemin this
chapter for important information. If the tire pressure monitoring
sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer function.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system indicator light will illuminate
when the spare tire is in use. To restore the full function of the
monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on this vehicle.
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the system sensors. SeeTire Pressure Monitoring Systemearlier in
this chapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
During repairing or replacing of the flat tire, have the authorized dealer
inspect the tire pressure monitoring system sensor for damage.
Dissimilar Spare Tire and Wheel Assembly Information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly, then it is intended
for temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire and wheel that is the same
size and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided
by Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as a spare tire and
wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires
and wheels and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter T for tire
size and may have Temporary Use Only molded in the sidewall.
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8. Remove the wheel cover with the lug wrench tip and loosen each
wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them
until the wheel is raised off the ground.
9. The vehicle jacking points are
shown here, and are depicted on the
yellow warning label on the jack.
Note:Jack at the specific locations
to avoid damage to the vehicle.
10. Put the jack in the jack notch next to
the tire you are changing. Turn the jack
handle clockwise until the wheel is
completely off the ground.
11. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
12. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem
is facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against
the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been
lowered.
13. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
14. Remove the jack and fully tighten the
lug nuts in the order shown. SeeWheel Lug
Nut Torque Specificationslater in this
chapter for the proper lug nut torque
specification.
15. Install the wheel cover.
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If you are stowing the flat tire,
remove the L-shaped bolt from the
external pocket of the felt bag. With
the third row seat in the raised
position, stand the flat tire in the
rear of the vehicle with the tire’s
valve stem facing the rear of the
vehicle. Fasten the flat tire to the
vehicle by inserting the L-shaped
bolt through one of the lug bolt
holes in the wheel. Turn it
clockwise into the threaded hole in the vehicle until the tire is secured.
If you are stowing the temporary spare tire, place the tire over the jack
and secure it with the large wing nut.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specifications
WARNING:When a wheel is installed, always remove any
corrosion, dirt or foreign materials present on the mounting
surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub, brake drum or
brake disc that contacts the wheel. Make sure that any fasteners that
attach the rotor to the hub are secured so they do not interfere with
the mounting surfaces of the wheel. Installing wheels without correct
metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the
wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in
motion, resulting in loss of control.
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Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles
(160 kilometers) after any wheel disturbance (such as rotation, flat tire,
wheel removal).
Lug nut socket
size/Bolt sizeWheel lug nut torque*
ft-lb N•m
12x 20 100 135
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
Note:Inspect the wheel pilot hole
and mounting surface prior to
installation. Remove any visible
corrosion or loose particles.
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Roadside Assistance
Exclusive 24/7 roadside assistance, including:
•Towing, flat-tire change and battery jump starts
•Out of fuel and lock-out assistance
•Travel Expense reimbursement for lodging, meals and rental car
•Destination assistance for taxi, shuttle, rental car coverage and
emergency transportation
Transferable Coverage
If you sell your vehicle before your Ford Extended Service Plan coverage
expires, you can transfer any remaining coverage to the new owner.
Whenever you sell your vehicle, prospective buyers may have a higher
degree of confidence that vehicle was properly maintained with Ford
ESP, thereby improving resale value!
Avoid the Rising cost of vehicle maintenance
Ford ESP also offers a Premium Maintenance Plan that covers all
scheduled maintenance, and select items that routinely wear out.
The coverage is prepaid, so you never have to worry about affording
vehicle maintenance. It covers regular checkups, routine inspections,
preventative care and replacement items that require periodic attention
for normal wear:
•Windshield Wiper Blades
•Spark Plugs (except in California)
•The clutch Disc
•Brake pads and linings
•Shock Absorbers
•Belts and Hoses
•Diesel Exhaust Fluid Replenishment
Contact your selling dealership today so they can customize a Genuine
Ford Extended Service Plan that fits your driving lifestyle and budget.
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