traction control 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
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•
Various vehicle speed minders can be
set. Once you select a speed, it will be
shown in the display, followed by an
audible tone when the preselected
vehicle speed is exceeded.
• Audio system maximum volume of
45%. A message will be shown in the
display when you attempt to exceed
the limited volume. Also, the
speed-sensitive or compensated
automatic volume control will be
disabled.
• Always on setting. When this is
selected, you will not be able to turn
off Advance Trac or traction control,
911 Assist or Emergency Assistance, or
Do Not Disturb (if your vehicle is
equipped with these features). CREATING A MYKEY
Use the information display to create a
MyKey:
1. Insert the key you want to program into
the ignition. If your vehicle is equipped with
a push-button start, place the key fob into
the backup slot. The location of your
backup slot is in another chapter. See
Starting a Gasoline Engine (page 148).
2. Switch the ignition on.
3. Access the main menu on the
information display controls. Use the arrow
keys to get to the following menu
selections: Action and Description
Message
Press the OK button or the right arrow key.
Settings
Press the OK button or the right arrow key.
MyKey
Press the OK button or the right arrow key.
Create MyKey
When prompted, hold the OK button until
you see a message informing you to label
this key as a MyKey. The key will be
restricted at the next start.
MyKey is successfully created. Make sure
you label it so you can distinguish it from
the admin keys.
You can also program configurable
settings for the key(s). See
Programming/Changing Configurable
Settings
. Programming/Changing
Configurable Settings
Use the information display to access your
configurable MyKey settings.
1. Switch the ignition on using an admin
key or fob.
2. Access the main menu on the information display controls. Use the
arrow keys to get to the following menu
selections: Action and Description
Message
Press the OK button or the right arrow key.
Settings
Press the OK button or the right arrow key.
MyKey
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™

Information
Information
Intelligent AWD
MyKey® Distance (if key is programmed) — Distance traveled when a programmed key
is in use.
MyKey® Information — Number of MyKeys and admin keys programmed)
Coolant Temp. — The engine coolant indicator will change colors indicating: blue for
cool, gray for normal and red for hot. If the engine coolant temperature exceeds the
normal range, stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the engine and let
the engine cool.
Settings Settings
Traction Ctrl
Driver Assist
Blindspot High, Normal or
Low
Sensitivity
Collision Warn
Chimes
Warning
Cross Traffic Adaptive or Normal
Cruise Control
Front Park Aid
Rear Park Aid
Trailer Sway
Select your applicable language
Language
Display
Miles & GAL, l/
100km or km/l
Distance
Units
Fahrenheit (°F) or
Celsius (°C)
Temperature
Auto Engine Off
Convenience
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Settings
Auto Highbeam Autolamp Delay
Autolamp Delay
Display
Compass
Calibrate
Set Zone
Normal or Towing
DTE calculation
Easy Entry/Exit
Autolock
Locks
Autounlock All Doors or
Driver's First
Remote Unlock
Set to XXX%
Oil Life Reset
Switch Enabled or Switch Disabled
Power Liftgate
Auto or Last
Settings
Climate Control
Remote Start
Automatic or Off
Seats and Wheel or
Seats
5, 10 or 15 minutes
Duration
System
Remote Open
Windows
Courtesy Wipe
Wipers
Rain Sensing
1 Year, 2 Years, 3 Years or 4 Years
Tire Mobility Kit
Hold OK to Create MyKey
Create MyKey
MyKey
Always On or User Selectable
911 Assist
Traction Ctrl
Choose desired speed or Off
Max Speed
Speed Minder
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Note:
Press and hold OK to reset the
currently displayed trip information.
Trip distance
Shows the accumulated trip distance.
Average fuel economy
Shows the average fuel economy for a
given trip. Elapsed trip time
When you switch off your vehicle the timer
stops and restarts when you restart your
vehicle.
Fuel Economy
Use the left or right arrow buttons to
choose the desired fuel economy display.Fuel Economy
Inst Fuel Economy
30 Min Fuel History
Note: Press and hold OK to reset the
currently displayed fuel usage information.
Inst Fuel Economy
This display shows a visual graph of your
instantaneous fuel economy.
30 Min Fuel History
This display shows a bar chart of your fuel
history. Driver Assist
Use the up or down arrow buttons to
choose between the following display
options.
Note:
Some items are optional and may
not appear. Driver Assist
Traction Control
Blindspot High, Normal or Low
Sensitivity
Collision Warn
Cross Traffic
—
Adaptive or Normal
Cruise Control
Driver Alert
Front Park Aid
Rear Park Aid
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Settings
Hold OK to Create MyKey
Create
MyKey
Always On or User Selectable
911 Assist
Traction
Control
Choose desired speed or off
Max Speed
Speed Minder
On or Off
Volume
Limiter
Always On or User Selectable
Do Not
Disturb
On or Off
MyKey
Report
Hold OK to Clear All MyKeys
Clear
MyKeys
Miles & GAL, l/100km or km/l
Distance
Display Settings
Fuel Gauge or Fuel + Tach
Gauge
Display
Choose your applicable setting - Hold OK to Set
Language
Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C)
Temper-
ature
Note: Some MyKey items will only appear
if a MyKey is set.
INFORMATION MESSAGES
Note: Depending on the vehicle options
equipped with your vehicle, not all of the
messages will display or be available.
Certain messages may be abbreviated or
shortened depending upon which cluster
type you have. Press the OK button to acknowledge and
remove some messages from the
information display. Other messages will
be removed automatically after a short
time.
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Certain messages need to be confirmed before you can access the menus.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Action
Message
A radar malfunction is preventing the adaptive cruise from
engaging. See Using Adaptive Cruise Control (page 186).
Adaptive Cruise
Malfunction
Conditions exist such that the adaptive cruise cannot functionproperly. See
Using Adaptive Cruise Control (page 186).
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available
The radar is blocked because of poor radar visibility due tobad weather or ice/mud/water in front of radar. Driver can
typically clean the sensor to resolve. See
Using Adaptive
Cruise Control (page 186).
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available Sensor
Blocked See Manual
AdvanceTrac ™ Action
Message
The system detects a malfunction due to a blocked sensor.
Service AdvanceTrac
The traction control has been disabled or enabled by thedriver.
AdvanceTrac Off On
Alarm Action
Message
The alarm has been triggered due to unauthorized entry. SeeAnti-Theft Alarm
(page 71).
Vehicle Alarm To Stop
Alarm, Start Vehicle.
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Action
Message
One or more tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. SeeTire Pressure Monitoring System (page 288).
Tire Pressure Low
The tire pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If thewarning stays on or continues to come on, contact an
authorized dealer.
See Tire Pressure Monitoring System (page 288).
Tire Pressure Monitor
Fault
A tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire isin use. For more information on how the system operatesunder these conditions, See
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (page 288). If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Sensor
Fault
Traction Control Action
Message
Displays the status of the traction control system. See UsingTraction Control
(page 174).
Traction Control Off
Transmission Action
Message
You switched the engine off and shift select lever is in anyposition other than P (Park).
Shift to Park
Towing Action
Message
The system detects trailer sway, so you need to reduce your speed.
Trailer Sway Reduce
Speed
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Note:
Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur or the
engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it
may be rocked out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control ™, it may be beneficial to
disengage the AdvanceTrac® with Roll
Stability Control ™ system while
attempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
• In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be
made, remember to avoid
"over-driving" your vehicle (that is, turn
the steering wheel only as rapidly and
as far as required to avoid the
emergency). Excessive steering will
result in less vehicle control, not more.
Additionally, smooth variations of the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
pressure should be utilized if changes
in vehicle speed are called for. Avoid
abrupt steering, acceleration or braking
which could result in an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury. Use all
available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
• In the event of an emergency stop,
avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel
movements.
• If the vehicle goes from one type of
surface to another (that is, from
concrete to gravel) there will be a
change in the way the vehicle responds
to a maneuver (steering, acceleration
or braking). Again, avoid these abrupt
inputs. Sand
Most of the time traction control improves
tire traction by managing wheel slip
through Brake, Engine, and AWD
calibrations. However, during low speed
driving, disabling traction control in deep
sand can help keep the wheels moving to
maintain vehicle momentum.
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily through
the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for
an extended period of time. This could
cause the AWD system to overheat and
default to front-wheel drive. If this occurs,
an AWD OFF message displays in the
information display. To resume normal
AWD function as soon as possible, stop
the vehicle in a safe location and stop the
engine for at least 10 minutes. After the
engine has been restarted and the AWD
system has adequately cooled, the
AWD
OFF message turns off and normal AWD
function returns. In the event the engine is
not stopped, the AWD OFF message turns
off when the system cools and normal
AWD function returns.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use L
(Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear
operation will maximize the engine and
transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C
may cycle on and off to protect
overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle
momentum can work against you and
cause the vehicle to become stuck to the
point that assistance may be required from
another vehicle. Remember, you may be
able to back out the way you came if you
proceed with caution.
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(If Equipped)

Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited.
When driving through water, determine the
depth; avoid water higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom
of the hubs (for trucks) (if possible) and
proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly
while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction
in slick mud. As when you are driving over
sand, apply the accelerator slowly and
avoid spinning your wheels. If the vehicle
does slide, steer in the direction of the slide
until you regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Note:
Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in
water, have the power transfer unit (PTU)
or rear axle serviced by an authorized
dealer. “Tread Lightly
” is an educational program
designed to increase public awareness of
land-use regulations and responsibilities
in our nations wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and
the Bureau of Land Management in
encouraging you to help preserve our
national forest and other public and private
lands by “treading lightly. ”
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note: Avoid driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing
traction, slipping sideways and possibly
rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill,
determine beforehand the route you will
use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill
without seeing what conditions are on the
other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should always
try to drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
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