wiper blades FORD FLEX 2017 1.G Owners Manual

Transporting the Vehicle...........................224
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
...................................244
Opening and Closing the Hood..............244
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec........................................................246
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™................................................247
Engine Oil Dipstick
......................................248
Engine Oil Check..........................................248
Oil Change Indicator Reset......................249
Engine Coolant Check...............................250
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check...........................................................254
Brake Fluid Check........................................255
Power Steering Fluid Check.....................256
Washer Fluid Check....................................256
Changing the 12V Battery.........................256
Checking the Wiper Blades
.....................258
Changing the Wiper Blades
.....................258 Adjusting the Headlamps........................259
Removing a Headlamp.............................260
Changing a Bulb..........................................260
Bulb Specification Chart...........................263
Changing the Engine Air Filter
................265
Vehicle Care
General Information...................................266
Cleaning Products.......................................266
Cleaning the Exterior..................................266
Waxing
.............................................................267
Cleaning the Engine
...................................268
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades..........................................................268
Cleaning the Interior
...................................269
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens.......................269
Cleaning Leather Seats.............................270
Repairing Minor Paint Damage
...............270
Cleaning the Wheels..................................270
Vehicle Storage
..............................................271
Wheels and Tires
General Information....................................273
Tire Care..........................................................275
Using Snow Chains
.....................................289
Tire Pressure Monitoring System..........290
Changing a Road Wheel...........................293
Technical Specifications
..........................298
Capacities and Specific- ations
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Duratec........................................................299
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™................................................299
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Duratec............300
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Ecoboost™......301
Vehicle Identification Number
................302
Vehicle Certification Label.......................303
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Table of Contents

WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Note:
Fully defrost the windshield before
you switch the windshield wipers on.
Note: Make sure you switch the windshield
wipers off before entering a car wash.
Note: Clean the windshield and wiper
blades if they begin to leave streaks or
smears. If that does not resolve the issue,
install new wiper blades. See Changing
the Wiper Blades (page 258).
Note: Do not operate the wipers on a dry
windshield. This may scratch the glass,
damage the wiper blades or cause the wiper
motor to burn out. Always use the
windshield washers before wiping a dry
windshield. Rotate the end of the control:
•
Away from you to increase the wiper
speed.
• Toward you to decrease the wiper
speed.
Speed Dependent Wipers
When your vehicle speed increases, the
interval between wipes decreases.
AUTOWIPERS
(If Equipped)
Note: Fully defrost the windshield before
switching on the windshield wipers.
Note: Make sure you switch off the
windshield wipers before entering a car
wash. Note:
Clean the windshield and wiper
blades if they begin to leave streaks or
smears. If that does not resolve the issue,
install new wiper blades. See
Changing
the Wiper Blades (page 258).
Wet or winter driving conditions with ice,
snow or salty road mist can cause
inconsistent and unexpected wiping or
smearing. In these conditions, you can do
the following to help keep your windshield
clear:
• Lower the sensitivity of the autowipers
to reduce the amount of smearing.
• Switch to normal or high-speed wipe.
• Switch the autowipers off.
The autowipers feature uses a rain sensor,
located in the area around the interior
mirror. The rain sensor monitors the
amount of moisture on the windshield and
automatically turns on the wipers. It
adjusts the wiper speed by the amount of
moisture that the sensor detects on the
windshield.
Note: This autowiper feature is
automatically set to on and remains on until
you switch it off in the information display.
You can also switch the feature back on at
any time. 79
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Use the rotary control to adjust the
sensitivity of the rain sensor. Set the
control to low sensitivity, and the wipers
will turn on when the rain sensor detects
a large amount of moisture on the
windshield. Set the control to high
sensitivity, and the wipers will turn on when
the rain sensor detects a small amount of
moisture on the windshield.
Note:
When you set the wiper system to
intermittent wipe and the autowiper system
is on, the autowiper sensitivity setting
adjusts the wiper speed according to the
moisture on the windshield only. Use the
wiper lever to wipe the windshield
on-demand.
Keep the outside of the windshield clean.
The rain sensor is very sensitive. If the area
around the mirror is dirty, then the wipers
may operate if dirt, mist or insects hit the
windshield.
WINDSHIELD WASHERS
Note: Do not operate the wipers on a dry
windshield. This may scratch the glass,
damage the wiper blades or cause the wiper
motor to burn out. Always use the
windshield washers before wiping a dry
windshield.
Note: Do not operate the washers when
the washer reservoir is empty. This may
cause the washer pump to overheat. Press the end of the wiper lever to activate
the washer:
•
A brief press causes a single wipe
without washer fluid.
• A quick press and hold causes the
wipers to swipe the windshield three
times with washer fluid.
• A long press and hold activates the
wipers and washer fluid for up to 10
seconds.
A wipe occurs a few seconds after washing
to clear any remaining washer fluid. You
can switch this feature on and off through
the information display. See General
Information (page 99).
REAR WINDOW WIPER AND
WASHERS
Rear Window Wiper
Note: Make sure you switch off the wiper
system before using an automatic car wash. Rotate the control to select:
Intermittent operation - the
shortest pause between wipes.
2
Intermittent operation - the
longest pause between wipes.
1
Off.0
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Wipers and WashersE208497 E208498

To avoid fluid contamination, the reservoir
cap must remain in place and fully tight,
unless you are adding fluid.
Only use fluid that meets Ford
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 299).
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering (EPS) system. There is no
fluid reservoir to check or fill.
WASHER FLUID CHECK WARNING
If you operate your vehicle in
temperatures below 40°F (5°C), use
washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid with
antifreeze protection in cold weather could
result in impaired windshield vision and
increase the risk of injury or accident. Note:
The front and rear washer systems
are supplied from the same reservoir.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level is
low. Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 299).
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use
of methanol, a common windshield washer
antifreeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without damaging
the vehicle ’s paint finish, wiper blades or
washer system.
CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY WARNINGS
Batteries normally produce explosive
gases which can cause personal
injury. Therefore, do not allow
flames, sparks or lighted substances to
come near the battery. When working near
the battery, always shield your face and
protect your eyes. Always provide correct
ventilation. When lifting a plastic-cased battery,
excessive pressure on the end walls
could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and
damage to the vehicle or battery. Lift the
battery with a battery carrier or with your
hands on opposite corners. Keep batteries out of reach of
children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or
clothing. Shield your eyes when working
near the battery to protect against possible
splashing of acid solution. In case of acid
contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of
15 minutes and get prompt medical
attention. If acid is swallowed, call a
physician immediately.
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7. While the engine is running, press the
brake pedal and shift into neutral (N).
8. Allow the engine to run for at least one
minute by pressing on the accelerator
pedal.
9. Drive the vehicle at least 12 mi (20 km)
to completely relearn the idle and fuel
trim strategy.
Note: If you do not allow the engine to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the engine computer
eventually relearns the idle trim and fuel
trim strategy.
Make sure that you dispose of old batteries
in an environmentally friendly way. Seek
advice from your local authority about
recycling old batteries.
CHECKING THE WIPER
BLADES Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of
the blade to check for roughness.
Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid
or water applied with a soft sponge or
cloth.
CHANGING THE WIPER
BLADES
You can improve poor wiper quality by
cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield. Replace the wiper blades at least annually
for optimum performance.
Front Wiper Blades
1. Lift the wiper arm and then press the
wiper blade locking buttons together.
Note: Do not hold the wiper blade when
lifting the wiper arm.
Note: Make sure that the wiper arm does
not spring back against the glass when the
wiper blade is not attached.
2. Slightly rotate the wiper blade.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Install in the reverse order.
Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place.
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1
1 2

•
Use a quality wax that does not contain
abrasives.
• Follow the manufacturer ’s instructions
to apply and remove the wax.
• Apply a small amount of wax in a
back-and-forth motion, not in circles.
• Do not allow wax to come in contact
with any non-body (low-gloss black)
colored trim. The wax will discolor or
stain the parts over time.
•Roof racks.
• Bumpers.
• Grained door handles.
• Side moldings.
• Mirror housings.
• Windshield cowl area.
• Do not apply wax to glass areas.
• After waxing, your car's paint should
feel smooth, and be free of streaks and
smudges.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are
clean because grease and dirt buildup keep
the engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
• Take care when using a power washer
to clean the engine. The high-pressure
fluid could penetrate the sealed parts
and cause damage.
• Do not spray a hot engine with cold
water to avoid cracking the engine
block or other engine components.
• Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and
Degreaser on all parts that require
cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Engine
Shampoo.
• Never wash or rinse the engine while it
is hot or running; water in the running
engine may cause internal damage. •
Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,
spark plug wire or spark plug well, or
the area in and around these locations.
• Cover the battery, power distribution
box, and air filter assembly to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES
Car wash chemicals and environmental
fallout can result in windshield and wiper
blade contamination. Dirty windshield and
wipers will result in poor windshield wiper
operation. Keep the windshield and wiper
blades clean to maintain windshield wiper
performance.
To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
• Clean the windshield with a
non-abrasive glass cleaner. When
cleaning the interior of the windshield,
avoid getting any glass cleaner on the
instrument panel or door panels. Wipe
any glass cleaner off these surfaces
immediately.
• For windshields contaminated with
tree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, clean
the entire windshield using steel wool
(no greater than 0000 grade) in a
circular motion and rinse with water.
• Clean the wiper blades with isopropyl
rubbing alcohol or windshield washer
concentrate.
Note: Do not use razor blades or other
sharp objects to clean or remove decals
from the inside of the heated rear window.
The vehicle warranty does not cover
damage caused to the heated rear window
grid lines.
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Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Vehicle Care

Less Cost to Properly Maintain Your
Vehicle
Ford Protect 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
the cost of your vehicle
’s maintenance.
Covered maintenance includes:
• Windshield wiper blades.
• Spark plugs.
• The clutch disc.
• Brake pads and linings.
• Shock absorbers.
• Struts.
• Engine Belts.
• Engine coolant hoses, clamps and
o-rings.
• Diesel exhaust fluid replenishment.
• Cabin air filter replacement every
20,000 mi (32,000 km) (electric
vehicles only).
Interest Free Finance Options
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 Protect
Extended Service Plan has to offer while
paying over time. You are pre-approved
with no credit check or hassles. To learn
more, call our Ford Protect Extended
Service Plan specialists at 800-367-3377.
Ford Protect Extended Service Plan
P.O. Box 321067
Detroit, MI 48232 Ford Protect Extended Service
Plan (CANADA ONLY)
You can get more protection for your
vehicle by purchasing a Ford Protect
Extended Service Plan. Ford Protect
Extended Service Plan is the only service
contract backed by Ford Motor Company
of Canada, Limited. Depending on the plan
you purchase, Ford Protect 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 Protect 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
Protect Extended Service Plan, you receive
added peace-of-mind protection
throughout Canada, the United States and
Mexico, provided by a network of
participating authorized Ford Motor
Company dealers.
Note: Repairs performed outside of
Canada, the United States and Mexico are
not eligible for Ford Protect 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 Protect Extended Service Plan that
is right for you.
438
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Ford Protect

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.
441
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance

Checking the Transmission Fluid
Level................................................................... 254
Autowipers........................................................79
Auxiliary Power Points................................145 110 Volt AC Power Point................................... 145
12 Volt DC Power Point..................................... 145
Locations............................................................... 145
AWD See: All-Wheel Drive......................................... 168
B
Battery See: Changing the 12V Battery..................... 256
Blind Spot Information System..............195
Switching the System Off and On...............196
System Errors....................................................... 196
System Limitations............................................ 196
Using the System............................................... 195
Bonnet Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........244
Booster Seats..................................................28 Types of Booster Seats...................................... 29
Brake Fluid Check........................................255
Brakes................................................................175 General Information........................................... 175
Breaking-In......................................................217
Bulb Specification Chart...........................263
C
Cabin Air Filter................................................124
California Proposition 65..............................11
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Duratec.........................................................304
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates........................................................... 307
Specifications..................................................... 304
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™.................................................308
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates............................................................ 312
Specifications..................................................... 309
Capacities and Specifications................299
Cargo Nets
.....................................................203
Car Wash See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 266Center Console
..............................................147
Console Refrigerator and Freezer.................147
Second Row Center Console.......................... 147
Changing a Bulb..........................................260 Brake and Rear Lamps, Rear Direction
Indicator and Reversing Lamp.................262
Front Direction Indicator and Front Parking Lamp.................................................................. 261
Front Fog Lamp.................................................. 262
Headlamp.............................................................. 261
Headlamp Low Beam and Headlamp High Beam.................................................................. 261
LED Lamps........................................................... 263
License Plate Lamp.......................................... 263
Changing a Fuse...........................................242 Fuses....................................................................... 242
Changing a Road Wheel
...........................293
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information..................................................... 293
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 294
Changing the 12V Battery.........................256
Changing the Engine Air Filter................265
Changing the Wiper Blades
.....................258
Front Wiper Blades........................................... 258
Rear Window Wiper Blade............................. 259
Checking MyKey System Status..............60
Checking the Wiper Blades
.....................258
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance..................................................41
Child Restraint Positioning
.........................30
Child Safety.......................................................18
General Information............................................. 18
Child Safety Locks..........................................32 Left-Hand Side...................................................... 33
Right-Hand Side................................................... 33
Cleaning Leather Seats
.............................270
Cleaning Products.......................................266 Materials............................................................... 266
Cleaning the Engine
...................................268
Cleaning the Exterior..................................266 Exterior Chrome Parts...................................... 267
Exterior Plastic Parts......................................... 267
Stripes or Graphics............................................ 267
Underbody............................................................ 267
Under Hood.......................................................... 267
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens........................269
Cleaning the Interior
...................................269
484
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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
485
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index