snow chains FORD FLEX 2015 1.G Owners Manual

Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application and
brake overheating. Do not descend in
neutral; instead, disengage overdrive
or manually shift to a lower gear.
When descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle
slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transmission damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)209
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Tire Rotation
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire and
wheel assembly. A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as
a spare tire or wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from
the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel
assembly, it is intended for temporary use only and should not be used
in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in your
scheduled maintenance information) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
•Front-wheel drive /All-wheel
drive vehicles (front tires at left
of diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the use
of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause steering, suspension,
axle, transfer case or power transfer unit failure.
Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
Wheels and Tires347
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The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and cables. If you need to use cables, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as cables may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Use only SAE Class S snow chains, snow cables or equivalent on the
front axle for P235/60R17, P235/60R18, and P235/55R19 equipped
vehicles. The use of snow chains, snow cables or other traction assist
devices that are larger than SAE Class S may cause damage to your
vehicle’s wheel house, suspension and/or body.
•Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the
rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or
body.
•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
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2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above, do not:
•exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
•load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label.
•tow a trailer.
•use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire.
•use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time.
•use commercial car washing equipment.
•try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly,
do not:
•exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
•use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time.
•use commercial car washing equipment.
•use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire and wheel.
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly can lead
to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
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SecuriCode keyless entry
system ..........................................82
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................85
Selecting your media source
(USB, Line in, BT audio) .........423
Sending new text messages .....479
Setting a destination ................510
Setting a destination by
voice ...........................................511
Settings ......................................495
Setting the clock ...............376, 495
Side air curtain ...........................59
Side-curtain airbags system .......59
SIRIUS® satellite radio ....376, 462
SIRIUS satellite radio voice
commands .................................464
SIRIUS Travel Link ...................487
SIRIUS Travel Link voice
commands .................................488
SOS Post Crash Alert .................51
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........355
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................361, 366
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................362
Stability system .........................215
Starting your vehicle ................183
jump starting ..........................273
push button start system .......182
Steering wheel ............................90
controls ......................................92
tilting ...................................90–91
Sun visor ....................................110Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................52
Supported media file types ......472
Supported player, media
formats and metadata
information ................................472
SYNC® customer support ........393
SYNC® Services ................417, 483
System settings .........................498
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ..............138,
140, 142, 507
Text messaging .................404, 479
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....405, 407
Third-row power fold seat .......167
Tilt steering wheel ................90–91
Tires ...........................332–333, 353
alignment ................................346
care ..........................................332
changing ..........................353, 355
checking the pressure ............342
inflating ...................................340
label .........................................339
replacing ..................................344
rotating ....................................347
safety practices .......................346
sidewall information ...............335
snow tires and chains ............347
spare tire .................................353
terminology .............................333
tire grades ...............................333
treadwear ........................332, 342
Touchscreen features
(climate) ....................................507
Index569
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USA(fus)