cooling FORD FLEX 2017 1.G User Guide

Protected components
Fuse amp rating
Fuse or relay number
Front climate controlled seats.
30A 1
28
Front heated seats.
20A 1
29
Rear heated seats.
20A 1
30
Electric fan relay 3.
25A 1
31
Auxiliary blower motor relay.
Relay
32
Cooling fan #1 relay.
Relay
33
Front blower motor relay.
Relay
34
Cooling fan (series) relay.
Relay
35
Not used.
-
36
Trailer tow right-hand stop/turn lamps
relay.
Relay
37
Trailer tow reverse lamps relay.
Relay
38
Auxiliary blower motor.
30A 1
39
Not used.
-
40
Not used.
-
41
Passenger power seat.
30A 1
42
Anti-lock brake system valves.
20A 1
43
Windshield washer relay.
Relay
44
Rain sensor.
5A 2
45
Canister vent solenoid (EcoBoost engines).
5A 2
46
Washer pump.
15A 2
47
Front park lamps.
10A 2
48
Not used.
-
49
Heated mirrors.
10A 2
50
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Fuses

ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
WARNINGS
Do not remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the cooling system is hot.
Wait 10 minutes for the cooling
system to cool down. Cover the coolant
reservoir cap with a thick cloth to prevent
the possibility of scalding and slowly
remove the cap. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury. Do not put coolant in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir. If sprayed on
the windshield, coolant could make
it difficult to see through the windshield. To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure
relief cap. The cooling system is under
pressure. Steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when you loosen the cap
slightly. Do not add coolant further than the
MAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at
the intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 439).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
coolant reservoir.
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration. Adding Coolant WARNING
Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
Note:
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Take care not to put
engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid reservoir or windshield washer fluid in
the engine coolant reservoir.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.
It is very important to use prediluted
coolant approved to the correct
specification in order to avoid plugging the
small passageways in the engine cooling
system. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 299). Do not mix
different colors or types of coolant in your
vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using
an incorrect coolant may harm the engine
or cooling system components and may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Note: If prediluted coolant is not available,
use the approved concentrated coolant
diluting it to 50/50 with distilled water. See
Capacities and Specifications (page 299).
Using water that has not been deionised
may contribute to deposit formation,
corrosion and plugging of the small cooling
system passageways.
Note: Coolants marketed for all makes and
models may not be approved to Ford
specifications and may cause damage to
the cooling system. Resulting component
damage may not be covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
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If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
To top up the coolant level do the
following:
1. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
escapes as you unscrew the cap.
2. Add prediluted coolant approved to the correct specification. See
Capacities and Specifications (page
299).
3. Add enough prediluted coolant to reach the correct level.
4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn
it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
5. Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.
If you have to add more than
1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.
Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.
In case of emergency, you can add a large
amount of water without engine coolant
in order to reach a vehicle service location.
In this instance, qualified personnel:
1. Must drain the cooling system.
2. Chemically clean the coolant system with Motorcraft Premium Cooling
System Flush. 3. Refill with engine coolant as soon as
possible.
Water alone, without engine coolant, can
cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
• Alcohol.
• Methanol.
• Brine.
• Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.
Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.
Recycled Coolant
We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process
is not yet available.
Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community's regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
• It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
• A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.
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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•
You can decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.
• Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted coolant for
optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
Coolant Change
At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 299).
Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works If the engine begins to overheat,
the coolant temperature gauge
moves toward the red zone:
A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating
cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the engine. When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
•
Engine power is limited.
• The air conditioning system turns off.
Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated WARNINGS
Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long
as necessary to bring your vehicle to rest
in a safe location and seek immediate
repairs. When in fail-safe mode, your
vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and
may completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine power,
power steering assist, and power brake
assist, which may increase the possibility
of a crash resulting in serious injury. Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or
hot.
Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine may operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and switch the engine off.
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Maintenance

•
With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.
Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.
Brakes
• Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.
Tires
• Maintain recommended air pressure. Miscellaneous
•
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers
and pins under your vehicle are covered
with grease to prevent rust.
• Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)
every 15 days to lubricate working parts
and prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
• Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt
or grease film build-up on window
surfaces.
• Check windshield wipers for any
deterioration.
• Check under the hood for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage such as mice or squirrel
nests.
• Check the exhaust for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage.
• Check tire pressures and set tire
inflation per the Tire Label.
• Check brake pedal operation. Drive
your vehicle
15 ft (4.5 m) back and
forth to remove rust build-up.
• Check fluid levels (including coolant,
oil and gas) to make sure there are no
leaks, and fluids are at recommended
levels.
• If you remove the battery, clean the
battery cable ends and check for
damage.
Contact an authorized dealer if you have
any concerns or issues.
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Manual airflow distribution controls: Select these controls individually or
together to direct the air flow to the desired area.
K
Panel:
Distributes air through the instrument panel vents.
Floor:
Distributes air through the demister vents, floor vents and rear seat floor
vents.
A/C:
A pop-up appears on the screen to display the air conditioning options.
L
MAX A/C:
Touch to cool your vehicle with recirculated air. Touch again for
normal A/C operation. MAX A/C distributes air through instrument panel vents
and may help reduce odors from entering your vehicle. MAX A/C is more
economical and efficient than normal A/C mode.
A/C:
Touch to switch the air conditioning on or off. Use A/C with recirculated
air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. A/C engages automatically
in MAX A/C, defrost and footwell/defrost.
Recirculated air:
Touch to switch the recirculated air on or off which may
reduce the amount of time needed to cool down the interior and help reduce
odors from reaching the interior. Recirculated air also engages automatically
when you select MAX A/C. You can engage this manually in any airflow mode
except defrost. It may also turn off in all airflow modes except MAX A/C to
reduce fog potential.
Driver heated and climate controlled seats:
M
Touch the heated seat icon to adjust the heated seat off and on (if equipped).
Touch the climate-controlled seat icon to adjust the climate-controlled seat
off and on (if equipped).
PHONE WARNING
Driving while distracted can result in
loss of vehicle control, crash and
injury. We strongly recommend that
you use extreme caution when using any
device that may take your focus off the
road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of your vehicle. We recommend
against the use of any hand-held device
while driving and encourage the use of
voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable
local laws that may affect the use of
electronic devices while driving. Hands-free calling is one of the main
features of the system. Once you pair your
cell phone, you can access many options
using the touchscreen or voice commands.
While the system supports a variety of
features, many are dependent on your cell
phone
’s functionality.
Pairing Your Cell Phone for the
First Time
Pair your Bluetooth-enabled phone with
the system before using the functions in
hands-free mode.
Switch on Bluetooth on your device to
begin pairing. See your phone ’s manual if
necessary.
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing SYNC™ 3

Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level. Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-Point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,
it is important to have the systems on your
vehicle checked regularly. This can help
identify potential issues and prevent major
problems. We recommend having the
following multi-point inspection performed
at every scheduled maintenance interval
to help make sure your vehicle keeps
running great.
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance

When to expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
Vehicle use and example
Interval
Normal
7500-10000 miles
(12000-16000 km) Normal commuting with highway driving
No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads
No extended idling
Severe
5000-7499 miles
(8000-11999 km) Moderate to heavy load or towing
Mountainous or off-road conditions
Extended idling
Extended hot or cold operation
Extreme
3000-4999 miles
(4800-7999 km) Maximum load or towing
Extreme hot or cold operation
Normal Maintenance Intervals At every oil change interval as indicated by the information display
*
Change engine oil and filter. **
Rotate the tires.
Perform a multi-point inspection (recommended).
Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Consult your dealer for requirements.
Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the rear axle and U-joints (AWD only).
Inspect the half-shaft boots.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tire-rod ends, driveshaft and U-
joints.
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance

Cleaning the Wheels..................................270
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades...........................................................268
Clearing All MyKeys
.......................................59
Climate.............................................................391
Climate Control
..............................................116
Climate Controlled Seats..........................139 Cooled Seats........................................................ 139
Heated Seats........................................................ 139
Collision Warning System........................200 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION.......................... 200
Coolant Check See: Engine Coolant Check........................... 250
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator
.......50
Creating a MyKey...........................................58
Programming/Changing Configurable
Settings............................................................... 58
Cross Traffic Alert
.........................................197
False Alerts........................................................... 199
Switching the System Off and On...............199
System Errors....................................................... 199
System Lights, Messages and Audible Alerts.................................................................. 198
System Limitations............................................ 199
Using the System................................................ 197
Cruise Control
...................................................77
Principle of Operation...................................... 188
Type 1........................................................................\
. 77
Type 2........................................................................\
77
Cruise control See: Using Cruise Control................................188
Customer Assistance
.................................226
D
Data Recording
..................................................9
Event Data Recording.......................................... 10
Service Data Recording........................................ 9
Daytime Running Lamps............................85
Direction Indicators
.......................................86
Lane Change.......................................................... 86
Doors and Locks.............................................63
Driver and Passenger Airbags...................45 Children and Airbags...........................................45
Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating
Adjustment........................................................ 45
Driving Aids.....................................................195
Driving Hints
....................................................217 Driving Through Water................................218
DRL
See: Daytime Running Lamps......................... 85
E
Economical Driving.......................................217
Emission Control System...........................161 On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II).................... 162
Readiness for Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Testing.................................................... 162
End User License Agreement..................457 VEHICLE SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT (EULA) ................................. 457
Engine Block Heater....................................153 Using the Engine Block Heater...................... 154
Engine Coolant Check...............................250 Adding Coolant.................................................. 250
Coolant Change.................................................. 252
Engine Coolant Temperature Management.................................................. 253
Fail-Safe Cooling................................................ 252
Recycled Coolant................................................ 251
Severe Climates.................................................. 251
Engine Immobilizer See: Passive Anti-Theft System..................... 73
Engine Oil Check
..........................................248
Adding Engine Oil.............................................. 248
Engine Oil Dipstick......................................248
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Duratec
.........................................................299
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 299
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™
.................................................299
Drivebelt Routing.............................................. 300
Entertainment...............................................381 AM/FM Radio...................................................... 382
Apps....................................................................... 390
Bluetooth Stereo or USB................................ 389
CD (If equipped)................................................ 388
HD Radio ™ Information (If
Available)........................................................ 385
SIRIUS® Satellite Radio (If Activated)........................................................ 383
Sources................................................................... 381
Supported Media Players, Formats and Metadata Information................................ 390
USB Ports............................................................. 390
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index

Second Row Heated Seats.............................
138
Heated Steering Wheel................................77
Heated Windows and Mirrors...................123
Heated Exterior Mirror....................................... 124
Heated Rear Window........................................ 123
Heating See: Climate Control.......................................... 116
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate..........................................................120
Cooling the Interior Quickly.............................. 121
General Hints....................................................... 120
Heating the Interior Quickly............................. 121
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........122
Recommended Settings for Heating............121
Side Window Defogging in Cold Weather............................................................. 122
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes.............................................................175
Home Screen.................................................373
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........244
I
Ignition Switch
...............................................149
In California (U.S. Only).............................227
Information Display Control........................77
Information Displays....................................99 General Information........................................... 99
Information Messages................................107 Adaptive Cruise Control.................................. 108
AdvanceTrac ™.................................................... 108
Alarm...................................................................... 108
Automatic Engine Shutdown........................ 109
AWD........................................................................\
109
Battery and Charging System......................... 110
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System..................................................... 110
Brake System......................................................... 111
Collision Warning System.................................. 111
Doors and Locks.................................................... 111
Fuel........................................................................\
.... 112
Keys and Intelligent Access............................. 112
Maintenance.......................................................... 112
MyKey....................................................................... 113
Park Aid................................................................... 114
Power Steering..................................................... 114
Seats........................................................................\
. 114Tire Pressure Monitoring System...................
115
Towing...................................................................... 115
Traction Control................................................... 115
Transmission......................................................... 115
Installing Child Restraints............................19 Child Seats............................................................... 19
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts......................... 20
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)............................................ 25
Using Tether Straps............................................. 26
Instrument Cluster
.........................................93
Instrument Lighting Dimmer.....................84
Instrument Panel Overview........................16
Interior Lamps.................................................86 Front Row Map Lamps...................................... 86
Second Row Map Lamps.................................. 87
Interior Mirror
....................................................91
Auto-Dimming Mirror........................................... 91
Introduction.........................................................7
J
Jump Starting the Vehicle
.........................222
Connecting the Jumper Cables..................... 222
Jump Starting...................................................... 223
Preparing Your Vehicle..................................... 222
Removing the Jumper Cables....................... 223
K
Keyless Entry
....................................................70
SECURICODE™ Keyless Entry
Keypad................................................................. 70
Keyless Starting
............................................149
Ignition Modes..................................................... 150
Keys and Remote Controls.........................52
L
Lighting Control..............................................82 Headlamp Flasher............................................... 83
High Beams............................................................ 82
Lighting
..............................................................82
General Information............................................ 82
Load Carriers See: Roof Racks and Load Carriers............203
Load Carrying
................................................203
487
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index