automatic transmission FORD FLEX 2016 1.G Owners Manual

Starting and Stopping the
Engine
General Information....................................147
Ignition Switch
...............................................147
Keyless Starting.............................................147
Starting a Gasoline Engine.......................148
Engine Block Heater
.....................................151
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions
.......................................153
Fuel Quality....................................................154
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................154
Running Out of Fuel....................................154
Refueling..........................................................155
Fuel Consumption........................................157
Emission Control System
..........................158
Transmission
Automatic Transmission
.............................161
All-Wheel Drive
Using All-Wheel Drive.................................165
Brakes
General Information.....................................172
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes............................................................172
Parking Brake..................................................173
Traction Control
Principle of Operation.................................174
Using Traction Control................................174
Stability Control
Principle of Operation
.................................175
Using Stability Control
................................176
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation..................................177 Rear Parking Aid.............................................177
Active Park Assist.........................................178
Rear View Camera
.......................................182
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation
.................................185
Using Cruise Control....................................185
Using Adaptive Cruise Control................186
Driving Aids
Blind Spot Information System..............192
Cross Traffic Alert
.........................................194
Steering............................................................197
Collision Warning System
.........................198
Load Carrying
Cargo Nets
......................................................201
Roof Racks and Load Carriers.................201
Load Limit.......................................................201
Towing
Towing a Trailer............................................209
Trailer Sway Control
....................................210
Recommended Towing Weights............210
Essential Towing Checks...........................212
Transporting the Vehicle
............................215
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels......216
Driving Hints
Breaking-In......................................................218
Economical Driving
......................................218
Driving Through Water................................219
Floor Mats........................................................219
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance
...................................221
Hazard Warning Flashers..........................222
Fuel Shutoff
...................................................222
Jump Starting the Vehicle.........................223
3
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Table of Contents

Post-Crash Alert System..........................225
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need...............226
In California (U.S. Only).............................227
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto
Line Program (U.S. Only)......................228
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only).......................229
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada........................................................229
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature....................................................230
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)..............................................................231
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)..............................................................231
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart...........................233
Changing a Fuse...........................................242
Maintenance
General Information
...................................243
Opening and Closing the Hood..............243
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec........................................................245
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™................................................246
Engine Oil Dipstick.......................................247
Engine Oil Check..........................................247
Oil Change Indicator Reset.......................247
Engine Coolant Check
...............................248
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ............................................................
252
Brake Fluid Check........................................253
Power Steering Fluid Check.....................254
Washer Fluid Check....................................254
Changing the 12V Battery.........................254
Checking the Wiper Blades.....................256
Changing the Wiper Blades.....................256 Adjusting the Headlamps.........................257
Removing a Headlamp.............................258
Changing a Bulb...........................................258
Bulb Specification Chart
............................261
Changing the Engine Air Filter................263
Vehicle Care
General Information
...................................264
Cleaning Products
.......................................264
Cleaning the Exterior..................................264
Waxing.............................................................265
Cleaning the Engine
...................................266
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades..........................................................266
Cleaning the Interior...................................267
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens........................267
Cleaning Leather Seats.............................268
Repairing Minor Paint Damage..............268
Cleaning the Alloy Wheels
.......................268
Vehicle Storage
............................................269
Wheels and Tires
General Information.....................................271
Tire Care
...........................................................273
Using Snow Chains.....................................287
Tire Pressure Monitoring System..........288
Changing a Road Wheel
............................291
Technical Specifications..........................296
Capacities and Specific- ations
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Duratec........................................................297
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™................................................297
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Duratec.............298
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Ecoboost™......299
Vehicle Identification Number...............300
Vehicle Certification Label........................301
4
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Table of Contents

The horn sounds and the direction
indicators flash. We recommend you use
this method to locate your vehicle, rather
than using the panic alarm.
Note:
If any door or the liftgate is open, or
if the hood is open on vehicles with an
anti-theft alarm or remote start, the horn
will sound twice and the direction indicators
will not flash.
Sounding the Panic Alarm Press the button to sound the
panic alarm. Press the button
again or switch the ignition on to
turn it off.
Note: The panic alarm only operates when
the ignition is off.
Remote Start (If Equipped) WARNING
To avoid exhaust fumes, do not use
remote start if your vehicle is parked
indoors or in areas that are not well
ventilated. Note:
Do not use remote start if your fuel
level is low. The remote start button is on the
transmitter.
This feature allows you to start your
vehicle from the outside. The transmitter
has an extended operating range.
Vehicles with automatic climate control
can be configured to operate when the
vehicle is remote started. See Automatic
Climate Control
(page 115).
Many states and provinces have
restrictions for the use of remote start.
Check your local and state or provincial
laws for specific requirements regarding
remote start systems. The remote start system does not work if
any of the following occur:
•
The ignition is on.
• The anti-theft alarm triggers.
• You switch off the feature.
• The hood is open.
• The transmission is not in park (P).
• The battery voltage is below the
minimum operating voltage.
• The service engine soon indicator was
on the last time your vehicle was
driven.
Remote Starting Your Vehicle
Note: You must press each button within
three seconds of each other. If you do not
follow this sequence, your vehicle does not
start remotely, the direction indicators do
not flash twice and the horn does not sound. The label on your transmitter details the
starting procedure.
To start your vehicle remotely:
1. Press the lock button to lock all the
doors.
2. Press the remote start button twice. The exterior lamps flash twice.
The horn sounds if the system fails to start,
unless quiet start is on. Quiet start runs the
blower fan at a slower speed to reduce
noise. You can switch this feature on or off
in the information display. See
General
Information (page 97).
52
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Keys and Remote ControlsE138624 E138625 E138626

Opening a Rear Door From the
Inside
Pull the interior door handle twice to
unlock and open a rear door. The first pull
unlocks the door and the second pull
opens the door.
Activating Intelligent Access (If
Equipped)
The intelligent access key must be within
3 ft (1 m)
of your vehicle.
At a Door
Pull a front exterior door handle to unlock
and open the door. Do not touch the lock
sensor on the front of the handle. The locking sensors are on the front door
handles.
Touch the locking area on the front of the
door handle to lock your vehicle. There is
a brief delay before you can unlock your
vehicle again.
Note:
Keep the door handle clean to make
sure the system operates correctly.
Note: Your vehicle does not automatically
lock. If you do not touch a locking sensor
your vehicle will remain unlocked. At the Liftgate
Press the exterior liftgate release button
on the top of the liftgate pull-cup handle.
See
Manual Liftgate (page 63).
Smart Unlocks for Integrated
Keyhead Transmitter
(If Equipped)
This helps to prevent you from locking
yourself out of your vehicle if the key is still
in the ignition.
When you open one of the front doors and
lock your vehicle with the power door lock
control, all the doors will lock then unlock
and the horn will sound twice if the key is
still in the ignition.
You can still lock your vehicle with the key
in the ignition by either:
• Using the keyless entry keypad with the
driver door closed.
• Pressing the lock button on the remote
control even if the doors are not closed.
If both front doors are closed, you can lock
your vehicle by any method, regardless of
whether the key is in the ignition or not.
Smart Unlocks for Intelligent
Access Keys
(If Equipped)
This helps to prevent you from locking your
key inside the passenger compartment or
rear cargo area.
When you electronically lock your vehicle
with any door open, transmission in park
(P) and the ignition off, the system will
search for an intelligent access key in the
passenger compartment after you close
the last door. If the system finds a key, all
of the doors will immediately unlock and
the horn sounds twice, indicating that a
key is inside.
You can override the smart unlock feature
and intentionally lock the intelligent access
key inside your vehicle.
61
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing LocksE185863

Display Mode
XXX mi (km) to empty, Fuel gauge and Total odometer
Option 1
Round tachometer, Fuel gauge and Total odometer
Option 2
Round tachometer, Engine coolant temp gauge, Fuel gauge and Total
odometer
Option 3
Digital speedometer, Fuel gauge and Total odometer
Option 4
Regardless of display mode chosen, when you use the SelectShift Automatic ™ trans-
mission (SST), the cluster will change to the round tachometer if not already selected.
XXX mi (km) to empty
Shows approximate fuel level before the
fuel tank reaches empty. The value is
dynamic and can change (raise or lower)
depending on driving style.
Fuel gauge
Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge will
indicate approximately how much fuel is
in the fuel tank. The arrow next to the fuel
pump symbol shows the fuel filler door
side of your vehicle. When the fuel level
becomes low, the level indicator will
change to amber. When the fuel level
becomes critically low, the level indicator
will change to red.
Note: The fuel gauge level may vary slightly
when your vehicle is moving or when driving
on a slope.
Note: When a MyKey® is in use, low fuel
warnings will display earlier. Round tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute. Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine. During SelectShift
Automatic
™ transmission (SST) use, the
currently selected gear will appear in the
display.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates engine coolant temperature. At
normal operating temperature, the level
indicator will be in the normal range. If the
engine coolant temperature exceeds the
normal range, stop your vehicle as soon as
safely possible, switch off the engine and
let the engine cool.
Trip 1 & 2
Choose between the following trip
displays. Trip 1 & 2
Trip distance
Average fuel economy
Elapsed trip time
Hold OK to Reset
102
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Information Displays

Linking a PreSet Position to your
Remote Control or Intelligent
Access Key Fob
Your vehicle can save the preset memory
positions for up to two remote controls.
1.
With the ignition on, move the memory
positions to the desired positions.
2. Press and hold the desired preset button for about five seconds. A tone
sounds after about two seconds.
Continue holding until you hear a
second tone.
3. Within three seconds, press the lock button on the remote control you are
linking.
To unlink a remote control, follow the
same procedure – except in step 3, press
the unlock button on the remote control.
Note: If more than one linked remote
control or intelligent access key is in range,
the memory function moves to the settings
of the first key to initiate a memory recall.
Easy Entry and Exit Feature (If
Equipped)
This feature adjusts the position of the seat
and steering column to allow easier exit
and entry to the vehicle.
The driver seat automatically moves 2
inches (5 centimeters) rearward when the
transmission is in park (P) and you remove
the key from the ignition or you switch the
ignition off.
The driver seat and steering wheel return
to their previous positions when you put
the key in the ignition or switch the ignition
on.
You can enable or disable this feature in
the information display. See Information
Displays
(page 97). REAR SEATS
Adjusting the Rear Seats
Second Row Seats WARNINGS
Always drive and ride with your
seatback upright and the lap belt
snug and low across the hips.
Reclining the seatback can cause an
occupant to slide under the seatbelt,
resulting in severe personal injuries
in the event of a crash. Recline Adjustment
Note:
For the bench seat only, make sure
the center seatbelt is unbuckled before
folding the seatback.
Lift the handle to adjust the seatback
rearward or forward. You can also fold the
seatback forward until it is flat.
129
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing SeatsE209847

Ignition Modes
The keyless starting system has three
modes:
Off: Turns the ignition off.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode, or
when the engine is running but the
vehicle is not moving.
On:
All electrical circuits are operational
and the warning lamps and indicators
illuminate.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.
Note: You may have to press the push
button ignition switch twice to switch the
ignition on.
Start:
Starts the engine.
• Press the brake pedal, and then press
the button for any length of time. An
indicator light on the button illuminates
when then ignition is on and when the
engine starts. STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speed
increases. This helps to warm up the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, have your
vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Note:
You can crank the engine for a total
of 60 seconds without the engine starting
before the starting system temporarily
disables. The 60 seconds does not have to
be all at once. For example, if you crank the
engine three times for 20 seconds each
time, without the engine starting, you
reached the 60-second time limit. A
message appears in the information display
alerting you that you exceeded the cranking
time. You cannot attempt to start the
engine for at least 15 minutes. After 15
minutes, you are limited to a 15-second
engine cranking time. You need to wait 60
minutes before you can crank the engine for
60 seconds again.
Before starting your vehicle, check the
following:
• Make sure all occupants have fastened
their safety belts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Make sure the transmission is in park
(P).
• Switch the ignition on. For vehicles with
a keyless ignition, see the following
instructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position to start the engine.
148
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Starting and Stopping the EngineE191075

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully
and latch the gearshift in park (P).
Turn the ignition to the off position
and remove the key whenever you leave
your vehicle. Do not apply the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal simultaneously.
Applying both pedals simultaneously
for more than three seconds will limit
engine rpm, which may result in difficulty
maintaining speed in traffic and could lead
to serious injury. Understanding the Positions of
Your Automatic Transmission
Putting your vehicle in gear:
1. Fully press down the brake pedal.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
3. Come to a complete stop.
4. Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in park (P). Park (P)
This position locks the transmission and
prevents the wheels from turning. Reverse (R)
With the gearshift lever in reverse (R), your
vehicle moves backward. Always come to
a complete stop before shifting into and
out of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the gearshift lever in neutral (N), your
vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position for
the best fuel economy. The overdrive
function allows automatic upshifts and
downshifts through gears one through six.
Sport (S)
Moving the gearshift lever to sport (S):
•
Provides additional grade (engine)
braking and extends lower gear
operation to enhance performance for
uphill climbs, hilly terrain or
mountainous areas. This increases
engine RPM during engine braking.
• Provides additional lower gear
operation through the automatic
transmission shift strategy.
• Gears are selected more quickly and
at higher engine speeds.
SelectShift Automatic ™
Transmission (If Equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with a SelectShift
Automatic transmission gearshift lever.
The SelectShift Automatic transmission
gives you the ability to change gears up or
down (without a clutch) as desired.
161
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing TransmissionPRNDS
E142628

In order to prevent the engine from running
at too low an RPM, which may cause it to
stall, SelectShift still automatically makes
some downshifts if it has determined that
you have not downshifted in time.
Although SelectShift makes some
downshifts for you, it still allows you to
downshift at any time as long as the
SelectShift determines that damage will
not be caused to the engine from
over-revving.
Note:
Engine damage may occur if you
maintain excessive engine revving without
shifting.
SelectShift does not automatically upshift,
even if the engine is approaching the RPM
limit. It must be shifted manually by
pressing the + button.
If equipped with the toggle on the
gearshift lever:
• Press the (+) button to upshift.
• Press the (-) button to downshift. If equipped with steering wheel
paddles:
With your vehicle in drive (D), the paddle
shifters provide temporary manual control.
They allow you the ability to shift gears
quickly, without taking your hands off the
steering wheel. You can achieve extensive manual control
by moving the gearshift lever to the sport
(S) position.
•
Pull the right paddle (+) to upshift.
• Pull the left paddle (–) to downshift. The system determines when temporary
manual control is no longer in use and
returns to automatic control.
Upshift to the recommended shift speeds
according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recom-
mended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:15 mph (24 km/h)
1 - 2
25 mph (40 km/h)
2 - 3
40 mph (64 km/h)
3 - 4
45 mph (72 km/h)
4 - 5
50 mph (80 km/h)
5 - 6
The instrument cluster displays your
currently selected gear.
Note: The system stays in manual control
until you make another shift selection (for
example, drive [D]).
162
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing TransmissionE142629 E144821

Automatic Transmission Adaptive
Learning
This feature may increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life
of your vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm shifts, soft
shifts or both. This operation is considered
normal and does not affect function or
durability of the transmission. Over time,
the adaptive learning process fully updates
transmission operation.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud
or Snow
Note:
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a minute or damage to the transmission and
tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,
you may rock it out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
164
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Transmission