2009 FORD FLEX check oil

•Do not overfill the engine
with oil. Oil levels above this
mark may cause engine
damage.If the engine is
overfilled, some oil must be
removed from the engine by an
authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal operating range, add
only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the
engine oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until it stops.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
335

ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” level or within the “COLD
FILL RANGE” in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Proper function of calibrated gauges.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “FULL COLD” level or within the
“COLD FILL RANGE” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
2009 Flex(471)
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Maintenance and Specifications
339

•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
353

Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine oil 5.5 quarts (5.2L)Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
4
XO-5W20-QSP (US)
CXO-5W20-LSP12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C930-A and API
Certification Mark
Engine coolant (with
rear heater)13.2 quarts
(12.5L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
3
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Power steering fluidBetween MAX and
MIN on reservoirMotorcraft
MERCON
VATFXT-5-QM /
MERCON
V
Fuel tank18.6 gallons
(70.4 L)——
Windshield washer fluidTop- off fluid as
neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCON
V should only use MERCON
V fluid. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid
other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.4Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
363

Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............324
instrument panel ....................326
interior .....................................326
plastic parts ............................325
washing ....................................322
waxing .....................................323
wheels ......................................323
wiper blades ............................325
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................64, 67, 70
Clock ............................................88
Clock adjust
AM/FM .......................................17
Compass, electronic ....................89
calibration .................................90
set zone adjustment .................90
Console
overhead ..............................88–89
Controls
power seat ...............................153
steering column ......................104
Coolant
checking and adding ..............339
refill capacities ................342, 362
specifications ..........................362
Cooler ..........................................92
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................101
Customer Assistance ................278
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................318
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................319
Getting roadside assistance ...278
Getting the service you
need .........................................314Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................320
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................318
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................78
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................70
windshield .................................70
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................358
engine oil .................................333
Driving under special
conditions ..........................272, 275
sand .........................................274
snow and ice ...........................276
through water .................274, 277
DVD system .................................34
E
Electronic message center .......110
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................307
running out of fuel .........307, 349
Emission control system ..........354
Engine ........................................364
cleaning ...................................324
coolant .....................................339
fail-safe cooling .......................343
idle speed control ...................336
lubrication specifications .......362
refill capacities ........................362
service points ..................331–332
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
370

Engine block heater .................253
Engine oil ..................................333
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................333
checking and adding ..............333
dipstick ....................................333
filter, specifications ........335, 361
recommendations ...................335
refill capacities ........................362
specifications ..........................362
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................253
F
Fail safe cooling ........................343
Family entertainment system ....34
Fluid capacities .........................362
Foglamps .....................................77
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................272
Freezer ........................................92
Fuel ............................................345
calculating fuel
economy ..........................112, 351
cap ...........................................347
capacity ...................................362
choosing the right fuel ...........348
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................354
detergent in fuel .....................349
filler funnel .............................349
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................345, 347, 351
filter, specifications ........344, 361
improving fuel economy ........351
octane rating ...................348, 364
quality ......................................349
running out of fuel .........307, 349safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................345
Fuses ..........................................280
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............347
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................351
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................279
Head restraints .................157, 159
Headlamps ...................................76
aiming ........................................78
autolamp system .......................76
bulb specifications ....................82
daytime running lights .............78
flash to pass ..............................77
high beam .................................77
replacing bulbs .........................83
turning on and off ....................76
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................64, 67, 70
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................107
Hood ..........................................330
I
Ignition ...............................250, 364
Illuminated visor mirror .............88
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................201
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
371

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................356
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................326
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................78
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......307
K
Keyless entry system ...............140
autolock ...................................127
keypad .....................................140
locking and unlocking doors ..141
programming entry code .......140
Keys ...................................125, 143
positions of the ignition .........250
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................76
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................82
daytime running light ...............78
fog lamps ...................................77
headlamps .................................76
headlamps, flash to pass ..........77
instrument panel, dimming .....78
interior lamps .....................81, 83
replacing bulbs .........................83
LATCH anchors .........................205
Liftgate ..............................119, 134
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........256
Load limits .................................239Locks
autolock ...................................127
childproof ................................131
doors ........................................127
Lubricant specifications ...........362
Lug nuts ....................................306
Luggage rack .............................124
Lumbar support, seats .....152, 155
M
Message center .................110–111
english/metric button .............114
system check button ..............113
warning messages ...................116
Mirrors ...................................98–99
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................99
heated ................................70, 100
programmable memory ..........135
side view mirrors (power) .......99
Moon roof ..................................106
Motorcraft parts ........328, 344, 361
N
Navigation system .......................63
O
Octane rating ............................348
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................333
Overdrive ...................................264
P
Parking brake ............................256
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....361
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
372