height FORD FLEX 2018 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: FORD, Model Year: 2018, Model line: FLEX, Model: FORD FLEX 2018Pages: 508, PDF Size: 6.31 MB
Page 44 of 508

3. For the seating position you are
switching off, buckle then unbuckle the
safety belt three times at a moderate
speed, ending in the unbuckled state.
After Step 3, the safety belt warning
light turns on.
4. While the safety belt warning light is on, buckle and then unbuckle the
safety belt. After Step 4, the safety belt
warning light flashes for confirmation.
• This will switch the feature off for that
seating position if it is currently on.
• This will switch the feature on for that
seating position if it is currently off.
CHILD RESTRAINT AND
SEATBELT MAINTENANCE
Inspect the vehicle seatbelts and child
safety seat systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not
damaged. Inspect the vehicle and child
restraint seatbelts to make sure there are
no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if
necessary. All vehicle seatbelt assemblies,
including retractors, buckles, front seatbelt
buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped),
shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), shoulder belt guide on seat
backrest (if equipped), child safety seat
LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after a
crash. Read the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions for additional
inspection and maintenance information
specific to the child restraint. We recommend that all seatbelt
assemblies in use in vehicles involved in a
crash be replaced. However, if the crash
was minor and an authorized dealer finds
that the belts do not show damage and
continue to operate properly, they do not
need to be replaced. Seatbelt assemblies
not in use during a crash should also be
inspected and replaced if either damage
or improper operation is noted.
Properly care for seatbelts. See Vehicle
Care (page 268).
SEATBELT EXTENSION WARNINGS
Persons who fit into the vehicle's
seatbelt should not use an extension.
Unnecessary use could result in
serious personal injury in the event of a
crash. Only use extensions provided free of
charge by Ford Motor Company
dealers. The dealer will provide an
extension designed specifically for this
vehicle, model year and seating position.
The use of an extension intended for
another vehicle, model year or seating
position may not offer you the full
protection of your vehicle ’s seatbelt
restraint system. Never use seatbelt extensions to
install child restraints.
Do not use a seatbelt extension with
an inflatable seatbelt.
Do not use extensions to change the
fit of the belt across the torso, over
the lap or to make the seatbelt
buckle easier to reach. 41
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Seatbelts
Page 217 of 508

Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
WARNING
Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than before attaching the trailer.
Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result
in serious personal injury. When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer,
on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that the
height of the front fender is
approximately halfway between H1 and
H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height accordingly
and repeat Steps 3–6.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper. Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle
may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 lb (680 kg) when loaded.
Trailer Brake Controller Connector
(If Equipped)
The connector is located under the
instrument panel above the brake pedal.
214
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Towing
Page 263 of 508

Rear Window Wiper Blade
1. Grab the wiper arm with one hand
close to the arm/blade joint and pull it
as far away from the glass as possible.
Do not use excessive force because it
can break the wiper arm at the heel.
Hold it there until the next step.
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. Grab the primary structure of the blade
with the other hand close to the
arm/blade joint. 3. The wiper arm has a snap retention
feature to receive a cross pin from the
wiper blade structure. Grip tightly and
press on the arm/blade joint from
beneath and separate the blade from
the arm. Avoid rotating the wiper blade
structure and trapping your left hand
between the arm and blade.
4. Attach the new wiper to the wiper arm
and press it into place.
Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place.
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
Vertical Aim
Headlamp Aim Target 8 ft (2.4 m).
A
Center height of lamp to ground.
B
25 ft (7.6 m).
C
Horizontal reference line.
D
Vertical Aim Adjustment
1. Park your vehicle on a level surface approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) away from
a vertical wall or screen.
2. Apply the parking brake.
260
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing MaintenanceE253247 E253248 E142592
Page 264 of 508

3. Measure the height from the center of
the headlamp to the ground.
Note: There may be an identifying mark on
the lens to help you locate the center of the
headlamp bulb.
4. Mark a horizontal reference line on the
vertical wall or screen that is a
minimum of 8 ft (2.4 m) long.
5. Switch the low beam headlamps on and open the hood. 6.
There is a distinct change from light to
dark in the right-hand portion of the
headlamp beam pattern. Position the
top edge of this cut-off at the
horizontal reference line. 7. To adjust the vertical aim, use a
suitable tool to rotate the adjuster
clockwise or counterclockwise.
Note: To see a clearer light pattern while
adjusting one headlamp, block the light
from the other headlamp.
8. Close the hood and switch the low beam headlamps off.
Horizontal Aim Adjustment
Horizontal aim is not adjustable on your
vehicle.
REMOVING A HEADLAMP
To gain access to the headlamp securing
bolts and to remove the headlamp
assembly, you must first remove the front
fascia and front bumper assemblies. We
recommend you see an authorized dealer. CHANGING A BULB
WARNINGS
Switch the lamps and the ignition off.
Failure to do so could result in
serious personal injury.
Bulbs can become hot. Let the bulb
cool down before removing it. Failure
to do so could result in personal
injury. 261
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing MaintenanceE142465 E220457 E220458
Page 284 of 508

Information Contained on the
Tire Sidewall
Both United States and Canada
Federal regulations require tire
manufacturers to place
standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and
describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides a U.S. DOT Tire
Identification Number for safety
standard certification and in case
of a recall.
Information on P Type Tires
P215/65R15 95H is an example of
a tire size, load index and speed
rating. The definitions of these
items are listed below. (Note that
the tire size, load index and speed
rating for your vehicle may be
different from this example.) A.
P: Indicates a tire, designated
by the Tire and Rim Association,
that may be used for service on
cars, sport utility vehicles,
minivans and light trucks. Note:
If
your tire size does not begin with
a letter this may mean it is
designated by either the European
Tire and Rim Technical
Organization or the Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association.
B. 215:
Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
C. 65:
Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of
height to width.
D. R:
Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 15:
Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
F. 95:
Indicates the tire's load
index. It is an index that relates to
how much weight a tire can carry.
You may find this information in
your owner ’s manual. If not,
contact a local tire dealer.
Note: You may not find this
information on all tires because it
is not required by federal law.
281
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Wheels and TiresH
I
J
KL
M
A
B
CDEFG
E142543
Page 288 of 508

T type tires have some additional
information beyond those of P
type tires; these differences are
described below:
A.
T: Indicates a type of tire,
designated by the Tire and Rim
Association, that is intended for
temporary service on cars, sport
utility vehicles, minivans and light
trucks.
B. 145:
Indicates the nominal
width of the tire in millimeters
from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the
number, the wider the tire. C.
80:
Indicates the aspect ratio
which gives the tire's ratio of
height to width. Numbers of 70 or
lower indicate a short sidewall.
D. D:
Indicates a diagonal type tire.
R:
Indicates a radial type tire.
E. 16:
Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change
your wheel size, you will have to
purchase new tires to match the
new wheel diameter.
Recommended Tire Pressures
and Inflating Your Tires
Safe operation of your vehicle
requires that your tires are
properly inflated. Remember that
a tire can lose up to half of its air
pressure without appearing flat.
Every day before you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to
check the pressure of all tires and
adjust if required.
At least once a month and before
long trips, inspect each tire and
check the tire pressure with a tire
gauge (including spare, if
equipped). Inflate all tires to the
inflation pressure recommended
by Ford Motor Company.
285
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Wheels and TiresA
BCDE
E142545
Page 290 of 508

is suspected, have the tire
demounted and inspected in case
it needs to be repaired or replaced.
For your safety, tires that are
damaged or show signs of
excessive wear should not be used
because they are more likely to
blow out or fail.
Improper or inadequate vehicle
maintenance can cause tires to
wear abnormally. Inspect all your
tires, including the spare,
frequently, and replace them if
one or more of the following
conditions exist:
Tire Wear
When the tread is worn down to
one sixteenth of an inch (2 mm),
tires must be replaced to help
prevent your vehicle from skidding
and hydroplaning. Built-in
treadwear indicators, or wear bars,
which look like narrow strips of
smooth rubber across the tread
will appear on the tire when the
tread is worn down to one
sixteenth of an inch (2 mm). When the tire tread wears down
to the same height as these wear
bars, the tire is worn out and must
be replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads
and sidewalls for damage (such
as bulges in the tread or sidewalls,
cracks in the tread groove and
separation in the tread or
sidewall). If damage is observed
or suspected, have the tire
inspected by a tire professional.
Tires can be damaged during
off-road use, so inspection after
off-road use is also
recommended.
287
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Wheels and TiresE142546
Page 505 of 508

Vehicles Sold in Canada: Using Roadside
Assistance........................................................ 222
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Getting Roadside Assistance.................................... 221
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Using Roadside Assistance.................................... 221
Roadside Emergencies...............................221
Roof Racks and Load Carriers................204
Running-In See: Breaking-In.................................................. 218
Running Out of Fuel....................................154 Adding Fuel From a Portable Fuel
Container.......................................................... 155
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.................. 154
S
Safety Canopy ™............................................49
Safety Precautions.......................................153
Scheduled Maintenance Record...........455
Scheduled Maintenance
...........................447
Seatbelt Extension.........................................41
Seatbelt Height Adjustment
......................38
Seatbelt Reminder........................................39 Belt-Minder™........................................................ 39
Seatbelts...........................................................34 Principle of Operation........................................ 34
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime
..............................................................39
Conditions of operation..................................... 39
Seats
..................................................................123
Security...............................................................73
Settings............................................................415 911 Assist............................................................... 420
Ambient Lighting................................................ 427
Bluetooth............................................................... 417
Clock........................................................................\
417
Display................................................................... 428
General.................................................................. 425
Media Player......................................................... 416
Mobile Apps......................................................... 424
Navigation............................................................. 422
Phone...................................................................... 417
Radio....................................................................... 421
SiriusXM................................................................ 422
Sound...................................................................... 415
Valet Mode........................................................... 429
Vehicle................................................................... 428Voice Control.......................................................
429
Wi-Fi & Hotspot................................................. 426
Side Airbags
.....................................................48
Sitting in the Correct Position..................123
Snow Chains See: Using Snow Chains................................. 292
Spare Wheel See: Changing a Road Wheel....................... 296
Special Notices................................................12 New Vehicle Limited Warranty......................... 12
On Board Diagnostics Data Link Connector............................................................ 13
Special Instructions.............................................. 12
Special Operating Conditions Scheduled Maintenance..............................................453
Exceptions............................................................ 454
Speed Control See: Cruise Control............................................ 189
Stability Control
............................................178
Principle of Operation....................................... 178
Starter Switch See: Ignition Switch............................................ 147
Starting a Gasoline Engine.......................148 Automatic Engine Shutdown........................ 150
Failure to Start..................................................... 150
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes.................151
Important Ventilating Information................151
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving................................................................. 151
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary......................................................... 150
Vehicles with an Ignition Key......................... 148
Vehicles with Keyless Start............................. 149
Starting and Stopping the Engine..........147 General Information........................................... 147
Steering............................................................201 Electric Power Steering.................................... 201
Steering Wheel................................................75
Storage Compartments
.............................145
Sunroof See: Moonroof...................................................... 90
Sun Visors.........................................................90 Illuminated Vanity Mirror.................................. 90
Supplementary Restraints System.........44 Principle of Operation........................................ 44
Symbols Glossary
.............................................7
SYNC™ 3........................................................365
General Information......................................... 365
502
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index