towing FORD FLEX 2015 1.G Owner's Guide

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 your vehicle is in
motion, resulting in loss of control.
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles
(160 kilometers) after any wheel disturbance (such as rotation, flat tire,
wheel removal).
Wheels and Tires359
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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 Properly Maintaining Your Vehicle!
Ford Extended Service Plan also offers a Premium Maintenance Plan
that covers all scheduled maintenance, and selected wear items. The
coverage is prepaid, so you never have to worry about affording your
vehicle’s maintenance. It covers regular checkups, routine inspections,
preventive care and replacement of select 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 authorized Ford or Lincoln dealership today so they
can customize a Ford Extended Service Plan that fits your driving
lifestyle and budget.
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Interest Free Finance Options Available
Take advantage of our interest free installment payment plan. Just a 10%
down payment will provide you with an affordable, no interest, no fee
payment program allowing you all the security and benefits Ford ESP
has to offer while paying over time. You are pre-approved with no credit
checks, no hassles! To learn more, call our Ford ESP specialists at
800-367-3377.
Ford ESP
P.O. Box 8072
Royal Oak, MI 48068-0039
SERVICE PLANS (CANADA ONLY)
You can get more protection for your vehicle by purchasing a Ford
Extended Service Plan. Ford Extended Service Plan is the only service
contract backed by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. Depending
on the plan you purchase, Ford Extended Service Plan provides benefits
such as:
•Rental reimbursement
•Coverage for certain maintenance and wear items
•Protection against repair costs after your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty Coverage expires
•Roadside Assistance benefits
There are several Ford Extended Service Plans available in various time,
distance and deductible combinations. Each plan is tailored to fit your
own driving needs, including reimbursement for towing and rental. When
you purchase Ford Extended Service Plan, you receive added
peace-of-mind protection throughout Canada and the United States,
provided by a network of participating authorized Ford Motor Company
dealers.
Note:Repairs performed outside of Canada and the United States are
not eligible for Ford Extended Service Plan coverage.
This information is subject to change. For more information, visit your
local Ford of Canada dealer or www.ford.ca to find the Ford Extended
Service Plan that is right for you.
Extended Service Plan373
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NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND LOG
Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor®
Your vehicle is equipped with an Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor that
determines when the engine oil needs to be changed based on how your
vehicle is used. By using several important factors in its calculations, the
monitor helps reduce the cost of owning your vehicle and reduce
environmental waste at the same time. This means you won’t have to
remember to change the oil on a mileage-based schedule; the vehicle lets
you know when an oil change is due by displaying ENGINE OIL
CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED in the information display.
The following table is intended to provide examples of vehicle use and
its impact on engine oil change intervals; it is provided as a guideline
only. Actual engine oil change intervals depend on several factors and
generally decrease with severity of use.
When to expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
Interval Vehicle use and examples
7500-10000 miles
(12000-16000 km)Normal
– Normal commuting with highway driving
– No, or moderate, load or towing
– Flat to moderately hilly roads
– No extended idling
5000-7499 miles
(8000-11999 km)Severe
– Moderate to heavy load or towing
– Mountainous or off-road conditions
– Extended idling
– Extended hot or cold operation
3000-4999 miles
(4800-7999 km)Extreme
– Maximum load or towing
– Extreme hot or cold operation
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SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
If you operate your vehicleprimarilyin any of the following conditions,
you need to perform additional maintenance as indicated. If you
occasionallyoperate your vehicle under any of these conditions, it is
not necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or technician.
Perform the services shown in the following tables when specified or
within 3000 miles (4800 kilometers) of the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED
message appearing in the information display.
Example #1:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at
28751 miles (46270 kilometers); perform the 30000 mile (48000
kilometer) automatic transmission fluid replacement.
Example #2:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message hasnotcome on,
but the odometer reads 30000 miles (48000 kilometers); perform the
engine air filter replacement. (For example, the Intelligent Oil-Life
Monitor was reset at 25000 miles [40000 kilometers].)
Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier
As required Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
the information display and perform services
listed in the Normal Scheduled Maintenance
chart.
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredInspect and lubricate U-joints.
See axle maintenance items under
Exceptions.
Every 30000 miles
(48000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid.
Scheduled Maintenance557
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EXCEPTIONS
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They are listed
below:
Normal vehicle axle maintenance:Rear axles and power take-off
units with synthetic fluid and light-duty trucks equipped with
Ford-design axles are lubricated for life; do not check or change fluid
unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the assembly has been
submerged in water. During long periods of trailer towing with outside
temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and at wide-open throttle for long
periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should
be changed every 3000 miles (4800 kilometers) or three months,
whichever comes first. This interval can be waived if the axle is filled
with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification
WSL-M2C192-A, part number F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add friction
modifier XL-3 (EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of
Traction-Lok rear axles (seeTechnical specificationsin theCapacities
and Specificationschapter for details).
Police, Taxi and Livery vehicle axle maintenance:Change rear axle
fluid every 100000 miles (160000 kilometers). Rear axle fluid change
may be waived if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid
meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B
or equivalent. Add four ounces (118 mL) of additive friction modifier
XL-3 (EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok
rear axles. The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been
submerged in water.
California fuel filter replacement:If the vehicle is registered in
California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all
recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals
and to record all vehicle service.
Hot climate oil change intervals:Vehicles operating in the Middle
East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates
using an American Petroleum Institute (API) Certified for Gasoline
Engines (Certification mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal oil
change interval is 5000 miles (8000 kilometers).
If the available API SM or SN oils are not available, then the oil change
service interval is 3000 miles (4800 kilometers).
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Towing .......................256, 264–265
recreational towing .................265
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............261
trailer towing ..........................256
wrecker ....................................264
Traction control ........................213
Traffic, Directions and
Information ................................417
Traffic preferences ...................514
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................261
Trailer sway control ..................257
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
lubricant specifications ..........362
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....202
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................304
Turn signal ................................103
U
USB port ............................391, 469
Using privacy mode ..................401V
Vehicle health report ........415, 493
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................367
Vehicle loading ..........................248
Ventilating your vehicle ...........187
Voice commands in media
mode ..........................................421
Voice commands in phone
mode ..........................................398
Voice recognition ......................450
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .....114
Washer fluid ......................308–309
Water, Driving through .............268
Windows
power .......................................105
rear wiper/washer .....................97
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................96
checking and adding
fluid ..................................308–309
replacing wiper blades ...........311
Wrecker towing .........................264
570Index
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