FORD FLEX 2018 Owners Manual

2018 FLEX Owner’s Manual
February 2018
Second Printing
Owner’s Manual Flex
Litho in U.S.A.
JA8J 19A321 AA
owner.for d.com ford.ca
2018
FLEXOwner’s Manual

The information contained in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. In the interest of
continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications, design or equipment at any time
without notice or obligation. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a
retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by any means without our written permission.
Errors and omissions excepted.
© Ford Motor Company 2018
All rights reserved.
Part Number: 201801 20180105201236

Introduction
About This Manual
..........................................7
Symbols Glossary ............................................
7
Data Recording .................................................
9
California Proposition 65 .............................
11
Perchlorate ........................................................
11
Ford Credit .........................................................
11
Replacement Parts Recommendation ........................................................................\
....
12
Special Notices ...............................................
12
Mobile Communications Equipment ........................................................................\
....
13
Export Unique Options .................................
13
Environment
Protecting the Environment .......................
15
At a Glance
Instrument Panel Overview .......................
16
Child Safety
General Information ......................................
18
Installing Child Restraints ...........................
19
Booster Seats .................................................
29
Child Restraint Positioning .........................
31
Child Safety Locks .........................................
32
Seatbelts
Principle of Operation .................................
34
Fastening the Seatbelts ..............................
35
Seatbelt Height Adjustment .....................
38
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime ............................................................
39
Seatbelt Reminder .......................................
39
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance ................................................
41
Seatbelt Extension ........................................
41
Personal Safety System ™
Personal Safety System ™.........................
43 Supplementary Restraints
System
Principle of Operation .................................
44
Driver and Passenger Airbags ..................
45
Front Passenger Sensing System ...........
46
Side Airbags ....................................................
48
Safety Canopy ™...........................................
49
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator ......
50
Airbag Disposal ...............................................
51
Keys and Remote Controls
General Information on Radio Frequencies .................................................
52
Remote Control .............................................
53
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control ........................................................................\
..
56
MyKey ™
Principle of Operation ..................................
57
Creating a MyKey ..........................................
58
Clearing All MyKeys ......................................
59
Checking MyKey System Status .............
60
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems .........................................................
61
MyKey Troubleshooting ...............................
61
Doors and Locks
Locking and Unlocking ................................
63
Keyless Entry ..................................................
66
Liftgate
Manual Liftgate .............................................
69
Power Liftgate ................................................
70
Security
Passive Anti-Theft System ........................
73
Anti-Theft Alarm ...........................................
74
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Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles
With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column ..........................................................75
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column ..........................................................
76
Audio Control ..................................................
76
Voice Control ...................................................
77
Cruise Control ..................................................
77
Information Display Control .......................
77
Heated Steering Wheel ...............................
77
Pedals
Adjusting the Pedals ....................................
79
Wipers and Washers
Windshield Wipers .......................................
80
Autowipers ......................................................
80
Windshield Washers .....................................
81
Rear Window Wiper and Washers ...........
81
Lighting
General Information .....................................
82
Lighting Control .............................................
82
Autolamps .......................................................
83
Instrument Lighting Dimmer ....................
84
Headlamp Exit Delay ...................................
84
Daytime Running Lamps ...........................
84
Front Fog Lamps ...........................................
85
Direction Indicators ......................................
85
Interior Lamps ................................................
85
Ambient Lighting ..........................................
86
Windows and Mirrors
Power Windows .............................................
87
Exterior Mirrors ...............................................
88
Interior Mirror ..................................................
90
Sun Visors ........................................................
90
Moonroof .........................................................
90Instrument Cluster
Gauges
..............................................................
92
Warning Lamps and Indicators ................
93
Audible Warnings and Indicators ............
96
Information Displays
General Information .....................................
97
Information Messages ...............................
105
Climate Control
Manual Climate Control .............................
114
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD ..................
115
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Sony Audio System ......................
116
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate ........................................................................\
..
118
Rear Passenger Climate Controls .........
120
Heated Windows and Mirrors ...................
121
Cabin Air Filter ...............................................
122
Remote Start .................................................
122
Seats
Sitting in the Correct Position .................
123
Head Restraints ............................................
123
Manual Seats ................................................
126
Power Seats ...................................................
126
Memory Function ........................................
128
Rear Seats ......................................................
129
Heated Seats ................................................
136
Climate Controlled Seats ..........................
137
Universal Garage Door Opener
Universal Garage Door Opener ..............
138
Auxiliary Power Points
Auxiliary Power Points ...............................
143
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Storage Compartments
Center Console
.............................................145
Overhead Console ......................................
146
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 ....................................................
153
Fuel Filler Funnel Location .......................
154
Running Out of Fuel ...................................
154
Refueling .........................................................
156
Fuel Consumption ......................................
158
Engine Emission Control
Emission Law ................................................
160
Catalytic Converter ......................................
161
Transmission
Automatic Transmission ..........................
164
All-Wheel Drive
Using All-Wheel Drive ...............................
168
Brakes
General Information ....................................
175
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes ........................................................................\
.
176
Parking Brake .................................................
176
Traction Control
Principle of Operation .................................
177
Using Traction Control ................................
177Stability Control
Principle of Operation
................................
178
Using Stability Control ...............................
179
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation ...............................
180
Rear Parking Aid ..........................................
180
Active Park Assist .........................................
181
Rear View Camera ......................................
185
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation ...............................
189
Using Cruise Control ..................................
189
Using Adaptive Cruise Control ...............
190
Driving Aids
Blind Spot Information System .............
196
Cross Traffic Alert ........................................
198
Steering ...........................................................
201
Collision Warning System ........................
201
Load Carrying
Cargo Nets ....................................................
204
Roof Racks and Load Carriers ...............
204
Load Limit .....................................................
204
Towing
Towing a Trailer ............................................
210
Trailer Sway Control .....................................
211
Recommended Towing Weights .............
211
Essential Towing Checks ..........................
213
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels ......
216
Driving Hints
Breaking-In .....................................................
218
Economical Driving .....................................
218
Driving Through Water ...............................
219
Floor Mats .......................................................
219
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Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance
..................................221
Hazard Flashers ...........................................
222
Fuel Shutoff ..................................................
222
Jump Starting the Vehicle ........................
223
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
225
Transporting the Vehicle ..........................
225
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need ..............
227
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
228
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) .....................
229
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
230
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
230
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
232
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only) ........................................................................\
232
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
232
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart .........................
234
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
243
Maintenance
General Information ..................................
245
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
245
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec ........................................................................\
246
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™ ........................................................................\
247
Engine Oil Dipstick .....................................
249
Engine Oil Check .........................................
249
Oil Change Indicator Reset .....................
250
Engine Coolant Check ..............................
250
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ........................................................................\
254 Brake Fluid Check
.......................................
256
Power Steering Fluid Check ....................
257
Washer Fluid Check ....................................
257
Changing the 12V Battery .........................
257
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
259
Changing the Wiper Blades ....................
259
Adjusting the Headlamps .......................
260
Removing a Headlamp ..............................
261
Changing a Bulb ...........................................
261
Bulb Specification Chart .........................
265
Changing the Engine Air Filter ................
267
Vehicle Care
General Information ..................................
268
Cleaning Products ......................................
268
Cleaning the Exterior .................................
268
Waxing ............................................................
270
Cleaning the Engine ...................................
270
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades ........................................................................\
270
Cleaning the Interior ....................................
271
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens ........................
271
Cleaning Leather Seats .............................
272
Repairing Minor Paint Damage ..............
273
Cleaning the Wheels ..................................
273
Vehicle Storage ............................................
273
Body Styling Kits .........................................
275
Wheels and Tires
General Information ..................................
276
Tire Care .........................................................
278
Using Snow Chains ....................................
292
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ..........
293
Changing a Road Wheel ..........................
296
Technical Specifications .........................
300
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Duratec
........................................................................\
302
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™ ........................................................................\
302
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Duratec ............
303
Motorcraft Parts - 3.5L Ecoboost™ .....
305
Vehicle Identification Number ..............
306
Vehicle Certification Label ......................
307
Transmission Code Designation ...........
307
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Duratec ......................................................
308
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™ ................................................
312
Audio System
General Information ....................................
317
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: AM/FM/CD/ SYNC/Satellite Radio ............................
318
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Premium AM/ FM/CD .........................................................
323
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Sony AM/FM/ CD .................................................................
324
USB Port .........................................................
325
SYNC™
General Information ..................................
326
Using Voice Recognition ..........................
328
Using SYNC™ With Your Phone ............
331
SYNC™ Applications and Services ......
344
SYNC™ AppLink ™....................................
346
Using SYNC™ With Your Media Player ........................................................................\
347
SYNC™ Troubleshooting .........................
357
SYNC™ 3
General Information ..................................
365
Home Screen ................................................
377
Using Voice Recognition ..........................
379
Entertainment .............................................
386Climate
...........................................................
396
Phone .............................................................
399
Navigation .....................................................
404
Apps ..................................................................
412
Settings ...........................................................
415
SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting ....................
430
Accessories
Accessories ...................................................
443
Ford Protect
Ford Protect .................................................
445
Scheduled Maintenance
General Maintenance Information .......
447
Normal Scheduled Maintenance .........
450
Special Operating Conditions Scheduled Maintenance ............................................
453
Scheduled Maintenance Record ..........
455
Appendices
Electromagnetic Compatibility .............
465
End User License Agreement .................
467
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for choosing Ford. We
recommend that you take some time to
get to know your vehicle by reading this
manual. The more that you know about
your vehicle, the greater the safety and
pleasure you will get from driving it.
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. Note:
This manual describes product
features and options available throughout
the range of available models, sometimes
even before they are generally available. It
may describe options not fitted to the
vehicle you have purchased.
Note: Some of the illustrations in this
manual may show features as used in
different models, so may appear different
to you on your vehicle.
Note: Always use and operate your vehicle
in line with all applicable laws and
regulations.
Note: Pass on this manual when selling
your vehicle. It is an integral part of your
vehicle.
This manual may qualify the location of a
component as left-hand side or right-hand
side. The side is determined when facing
forward in the seat. Right-hand side.
A
Left-hand side.
B
SYMBOLS GLOSSARY
These are some of the symbols you may
see on your vehicle. Air conditioning system
Air conditioning system lubricant
type
Anti-lock braking system
Avoid smoking, flames or sparks
Battery
Battery acid
Brake fluid - non petroleum
based
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