Locks and Security 125
Keys 125
Locks 127
Anti-theft system 142
Seating and Safety Restraints 148
Seating 148
Safety restraints 168
Airbags 181
Child restraints 196
Tires, Wheels and Loading 216
Tire information 218
Tire inflation 220
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 233
Vehicle loading 239
Trailer towing 244
Recreational towing 249
Driving 250
Starting 250
Brakes 255
Traction Control™/AdvanceTrac257
Transmission operation 262
Reverse camera 269
All wheel drive 271
Roadside Emergencies 278
Getting roadside assistance 278
Hazard flasher switch 279
Fuses and relays 280
Changing tires 289
Temporary mobility kit 296
Wheel lug nut torque 306
Jump starting 307
Wrecker towing 312
Table of Contents
2
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the coverage period listed on the Roadside Assistance Card
included in your Owner Guide portfolio.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•a flat tire change with a good spare (except vehicles that have been
supplied with a tire inflation kit)
•battery jump start
•lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
•fuel delivery – Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by
state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle. Fuel
delivery service is limited to two no-charge occurrences within a
12-month period.
•winch out – available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no recoveries.
•towing – Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to an authorized
dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a member requests to be towed to an
authorized dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56.3 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $200 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer is disabled,
but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
278
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
If you have run out of fuel and need to refill the vehicle with a portable
fuel container, seeRunning out of fuelin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter for proper fuel filling method using a portable
fuel container and the included fuel filler funnel.Do notinsert the
nozzle of portable fuel containers or any type of aftermarket funnels into
the Easy Fuel™no capfuel system as it can be damaged. You must use
the included funnel in such circumstances.
WARNING:Do not insert the nozzle of portable fuel containers
or aftermarket funnels into the Easy Fuel™ system. This could
damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto
the ground instead of filling the tank, all of which could result in
serious personal injury.
JUMP STARTING
WARNING:The gases around the battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING:Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin,
eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission
vehicle. Automatic transmissions do not have push-start
capability. Attempting to push-start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission may cause transmission damage.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
307
Jump starting
1. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run the engine at
moderately increased speed.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once the disabled vehicle has been started, run both engines for an
additional three minutes before disconnecting the jumper cables.
Removing the jumper cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were
connected.
1. Remove the jumper cable from thegroundmetal surface.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
2. Remove the jumper cable on the negative (-) connection of the
booster vehicle’s battery.
+–+–
+–+–
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
310
3. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the booster
vehicle’s battery.
4. Remove the jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal of the
disabled vehicle’s battery.
After the disabled vehicle has been started and the jumper cables
removed, allow it to idle for several minutes so the engine computer can
relearnits idle conditions.
+–+–
+–+–
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
311
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
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
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........291
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................361, 364
Specification chart, lubricants..362
Speed control ............................101
Starting your vehicle ........250–252
jump starting ..........................307
Steering wheel
controls ....................................104
tilting .........................................87
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................16
CD-MP3 .....................................16
SYNC ............................................63
T
Temporary mobility kit .............296
Tilt steering wheel ......................87
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....233
Tires ...................................218–219
alignment ................................226
care ..........................................222
changing ..........................291–292
checking the pressure ............222
inflating ...................................220
label .........................................232
replacing ..................................224
rotating ....................................226
safety practices .......................225
sidewall information ...............228
snow tires and chains ............238
spare tire .................................289
Temporary mobility kit ..........296
terminology .............................219
tire grades ...............................219treadwear ........................218, 223
Towing .......................................244
recreational towing .................249
trailer towing ..........................244
wrecker ....................................312
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
lubricant specifications ..........362
Transmission .............................262
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....262
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................358
Turn signal ..................................80
U
USB port ......................................27
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................365
Vehicle loading ..........................239
Ventilating your vehicle ...........253
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................332
Water, Driving through .............277
Windows
power .........................................96
rear wiper/washer .....................87
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................86
checking and adding fluid .....332
replacing wiper blades ...332–333
Wrecker towing .........................312
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
374