tow FORD FLEX 2018 Owner's Manual

Traction Control
Action
Message
Displays the status of the traction control system. See UsingTraction Control (page 177).
Traction Control Off
Transmission Action
Message
You switched the engine off and shift select lever is in anyposition other than P (Park).
Shift to Park
Towing Action
Message
The system detects trailer sway, so you need to reduce your speed.
Trailer Sway Reduce
Speed
113
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Information Displays

The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve unlock and remove
buttons.
C
The outermost head restraints are
non-adjustable, but they can be removed.
Removing the Head Restraint
1. Pull the head restraint up until it reaches its highest position.
2. Press and hold the C buttons.
3. Pull the head restraint up.
Installing the Head Restraint
1. Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves.
2. Press and hold the C buttons.
3. Push the head restraint down until it locks.
Third Row Head Restraints (If
Equipped) The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Fold strap.
C
Folding the Head Restraint
Pull the fold strap (C). Pull the head
restraint back up to reset.
Note: Press the stow or fold button on the
power folding seats to fold the head
restraint.
Tilting Head Restraints (If Equipped) The front head restraints tilt for extra
comfort.
1. Adjust the seat backrest to an upright
driving or riding position.
2. Pivot the head restraint forward toward
your head to the desired position.
After the head restraint reaches the
forward-most tilt position, pivot it forward
again to release it to the rearward, un-tilted
position.
125
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE190836 E144727

Fold and tumble the second-row seat to
access the third row.
1. Lift the handle on the side of the seat.
The seatback folds flat. 2. Lift the handle all the way up until the
seat releases from the floor. Rotate the
seat forward to allow access to the
third row. Note: The seatback must be
folded flat in order to release the floor
latches. Make sure that there are no
objects on the seat cushion that may
restrict the seatback from folding flat. 3.
To return the seatback to the floor from
the tumbled position, rotate the seat
down until you hear it latching to the
floor. 4.
Lift the seatback toward the rear of the
vehicle, and rotate the seatback until
you hear a click, locking it in the upright
position.
Note: The seatback will not raise if the rear
latch hooks are not properly engaged to the
floor striker. If the seatback does not raise,
then repeat Step 4.
131
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE209848 E190844 E190845 E209849

Third Row Seat Exit
1. Pull on the strap on the back of the
second row seat. This folds the
seatback forward. Pull the strap a
second time to tumble the seat
forward, allowing easy exit from the
third row seat. Note: You must fold the
seatback flat in order to release the
floor latches. Make sure that there are
no objects on the seat cushion that
may restrict the seatback from folding
flat. 2.
To return the seatback to the floor from
the tumbled position, rotate the seat
down until you hear it latching to the
floor. 3.
Lift the seatback toward the rear of the
vehicle, and rotate the seatback until
you hear a click, locking it in the upright
position. Note:
The seatback will not
raise if the rear latch hooks are not
properly engaged to the floor striker. If
the seatback does not raise, then
repeat steps 3 and 4. 4.
Make sure that the rear latch hooks are
properly engaged with the floor striker.
Note: Make sure that the seat and seatback
are latched securely in position. Keep floor
area free of objects that would prevent
proper seat engagement.
132
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE209850 E190850 E209849 E190847

Stowing the Third Row Seat
Note:
Remove all objects from the seat and
stowage tub. Objects in the seat or stowage
tub may cause serious damage to the seat
upholstery and cause improper seat
function. 1. From the rear of the vehicle, stow the
head restraints by pulling the strap on
the middle of the seatback just below
the head restraint. Then, fold the
seatback by pulling and holding the red
strap while pushing the seatback
forward. Release the strap once the
seatback starts rotating forward. 2. Release the cushion latches by pulling
the short black strap while pulling on
the strap at the top of the seatback.
This tumbles the seat all the way into
the floor tub. Note:
Do not use the seat anchors as cargo
tie downs. Note:
Do not use the third row seat back as
a load floor when the seatback is folded.
Sharp objects may result in damage to seat
upholstery.
Note: Make sure that the area under the
seat is free of objects before stowing it.
Unstowing the Third Row Seat WARNING
Make sure the seat fully locks into
place by rocking it backward and
forward. Not securing the seat into
the locked position can be dangerous in a
crash and could cause serious personal
injury or death. Note:
Make sure that there are no objects
such as books, purses or brief cases on the
load floor before unstowing the seat. Failure
to remove all objects from the top of the
load floor prior to unstowing it may cause
damage to the seat.
Note: Make sure the area under the forward
portion of the load floor is free of objects
before unstowing the third row seat.
133
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE210069 E209852 E209853

1.
Unlatch and lift the seat out of the floor
tub by squeezing and pulling up on the
handle. Once the seat is at a vertical
position, push the seat over, letting it
fall onto the latches. 2. To return the seatback to the upright
position, pull the red strap. Then, while
holding the red strap, pull the long
strap on the seatback to raise the
seatback.
3. Pull the head restraints up to their normal positions.
PowerFold™Third Row Seats (If
equipped)
The third row seat features a power
one-touch operation that allows you to
adjust the left, right, or both seats into a
NORMAL, STOW, FOLD, or TAILGATE
position with just one touch of a button.
Note: The power fold seats work only when
the transmission is in park (P) and the
tailgate is open. If the ignition is off and the
feature is still running, the battery saver
turns it off after 10 minutes. You can
reactivate the power seats by pressing the
unlock button on the remote entry key fob
or by using the unlock procedure on the
keyless entry keypad. See Keyless Entry
(page 66). Keep the key in the accessory or
run position to prevent the feature from
timing out.
The third row power seat buttons are
behind the third row seats on the left-hand
quarter trim panel.
134
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE209854 E209852

Press to return the seat to the
normal seating position.
A
Press to stow the seat into the
tub floor.
B
Press the top of the button to
fold down the seatback. Press
the bottom portion of the button
to put the seat into the tailgate
position.
C
Press to select either right-hand
seat, the left-hand seat or both.
D
Note: The third row seat includes obstacle
detection that allows the seat to stop and
reverse direction if it hits an obstacle so that
the obstacle can be removed.
Note: Pressing a different button while the
power seat feature is already being
performed may cause the first selected seat
movement to be cancelled. Allow the first
seat movement to be completed before
pressing a button for another function. Note:
Make sure that there are no objects
such as books, purses or briefcases on the
load floor before unstowing the seat. Failure
to remove all objects from the top of the
load floor prior to unstowing it may cause
damage to the seat.
Note: In order to allow the seat to complete
the stowed position, do not place objects
under the seat before stowing. Remove all
objects from the seat and stowage tub.
Note: In the unlikely event that the third
row power seat stops prematurely or travels
to an unexpected position, press the FOLD
button (C) to reset the seat and return it to
a normal position. WARNING
Do not sit in seats that are rearward
facing when your vehicle is moving.
This is not a correct seating position
and the seatbelts do not properly function
this way. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury or death in
a sudden stop or crash. 135
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE209855

CENTER CONSOLE
Stow items in the cup holder carefully as
items may become loose during hard
braking, acceleration or crashes, including
hot drinks which may spill.
Available console features include:
Front storage compartment.
A
Cup holder.
B
Center storage compartment
with auxiliary power point and
USB ports.
C
Auxiliary power point or cigar
lighter.
D
Rear storage compartment.
E
Auxiliary power point.
F
Rear climate controls.
G Second Row Center Console (If
Equipped) Cup holder.
A
Armrest.
B
Utility compartment and
refrigerator unit.
C
Console Refrigerator and Freezer
(If Equipped)
This feature operates when the vehicle is
on or in accessory mode. Limit the time of
use when the vehicle is in accessory mode
to avoid the vehicle battery running out of
charge. You should only use this feature
when the vehicle is running. 145
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Storage CompartmentsE210728 E211667 E211653

We recommend that you do the following
for a safe and correct operation:
•
Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord
that is product certified by
Underwriter ’s Laboratory (UL) or
Canadian Standards Association
(CSA). This extension cord must be
suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly marked
Suitable for Use with Outdoor
Appliances. Do not use an indoor
extension cord outdoors. This could
result in an electric shock or become a
fire hazard.
• Use as short an extension cord as
possible.
• Do not use multiple extension cords.
• Make sure that when in operation, the
extension cord plug and heater cord
plug connections are free and clear of
water. This could cause an electric
shock or fire.
• Make sure your vehicle is parked in a
clean area, clear of combustibles.
• Make sure the heater, heater cord and
extension cord are firmly connected.
• Check for heat anywhere in the
electrical hookup once the system has
been operating for approximately 30
minutes.
• Make sure the system is unplugged and
properly stowed before starting and
driving your vehicle. Make sure the
protective cover seals the prongs of the
block heater cord plug when not in use.
• Make sure the heater system is
checked for proper operation before
winter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals are
clean and dry prior to use. Clean them with
a dry cloth if necessary. The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours
of energy per hour of use. The system does
not have a thermostat. It achieves
maximum temperature after
approximately three hours of operation.
Using the heater longer than three hours
does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.
152
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Starting and Stopping the Engine

Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 210).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law. The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is in the spare wheel
storage tray.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
If your vehicle runs out of fuel:
•
Add a minimum of
1.3 gal (5 L) of fuel
to restart the engine.
• You may need to switch the ignition
from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to
pump the fuel from the tank to the
engine. When restarting, cranking time
takes a few seconds longer than
normal.
Note: If your vehicle is on a steep slope,
more fuel may be required.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container WARNING
Flow of fuel through a fuel pump
nozzle can produce static electricity.
This can cause a fire if you are filling
an ungrounded fuel container. 154
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Fuel and Refueling