2009 FORD FLEX run flat

Second row center console features (if equipped)
The second row center console
incorporates the following features:
•Flip forward armrest to provide a
flat load floor
•Utility compartment
•Cupholders
•Refrigerator unit (if equipped) in
the utility compartment. Refer to
Console refrigerator/freezer.
WARNING:Use only soft cups in the cupholder. Hard objects
can injure you in a collision.
Console refrigerator/freezer (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a refrigerator/freezer for keeping
items cool/frozen.
The refrigerator/freezer will operate when the vehicle is on or the
ignition is in the accessory mode. Ford recommends only using the
refrigerator/freezer when the vehicle’s engine is running.
If there is a need to use the refrigerator/freezer when the engine is off,
turn the ignition to the accessory mode and limit the time the
refrigerator is running to avoid draining the vehicle’s battery.
To open the refrigerator/freezer, flip
the console lid forward and then lift
off the refrigerator/freezer cover. Be
sure to replace the cover after you
are done using the
refrigerator/freezer. This will help it
maintain a more consistent cooling
temperature.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do
notrapidly spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and
cause an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five
seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance informationthat comes with your vehicle) will
help your tires wear more evenly, providing better tire performance and
longer tire life.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system, never hold the
steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than
a few seconds when the engine is running.
It is also important to maintain a proper power steering fluid level in the
power steering fluid reservoir:
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
SeePower steering fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the maximum
level, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir. SeePower
steering fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is off), you
can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless brake pedal is depressed.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
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4. Insert the straight end of the jack
retention bracket through the eyelet
of the angled bracket and swing the
retention bracket over the jack. With
the jack in place, place the looped
end of the retention bracket over
the threaded stud in the trunk floor
and secure it with the plastic wing
nut.
If you are stowing the flat tire,
remove the L-shaped bolt from from
the external pocket of the felt bag.
With the 3rd row seat in the raised
position, stand the flat tire in the
rear of the vehicle with the tire’s
valve stem facing the rear of the
vehicle. Fasten the flat tire to the
vehicle by inserting the L-shaped
bolt through one of the lug bolt
holes in the wheel and turning
clockwise into the threaded hole in the vehicle until the tire is secured.
If you are stowing the temporary spare tire,place the tire over the
jack and secure it with the large wing nut.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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General information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Do not attempt to repair punctures larger than
14inch (6.4 mm) or
damage to the tire’s sidewall. The tire may not completely seal.
Note:Do not use the temporary mobility kit if a tire has become
severely damaged by driving the vehicle with a tire that has insufficient
air pressure. Only punctured areas located within the tire tread can be
sealed with the temporary mobility kit.
Loss of air pressure may adversely affect tire performance. For this
reason:
•Do notdrive the vehicle above 50 mph (80 km/h).
•Do notdrive further than 120 miles (200 km). Drive only to the
closest Ford Motor Company authorized dealer or tire repair shop to
have your tire inspected.
•Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
•Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure in the affected tire; if the
tire is losing pressure, have the vehicle towed.
•Read the information in theTips for use of the temporary mobility
kitsection to ensure safe operation of the temporary mobility kit and
your vehicle.
Tips for use of the temporary mobility kit
Read the following list of tips to ensure safe operation of the temporary
mobility kit:
•Before operating the temporary mobility kit, make sure your vehicle is
safely off the road and away from moving traffic. Turn on the hazard
lights.
•Always set the parking brake to ensure the vehicle doesn’t move
unexpectedly.
•Do not remove any foreign objects, such as nails or screws, from the
tire.
•When using the temporary mobility kit, leave the engine running
(only if the vehicle is outdoors or in a well-ventilated area)so
the compressor doesn’t drain the vehicle’s battery.
•Do not allow the compressor to operate continuously for more than
15 minutes; this will help prevent the compressor from overheating.
2009 Flex(471)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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•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
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