2010 FORD FLEX towing

If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Emergency towing
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle (regardless of transmission powertrain configuration) can be flat
towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•Vehicle is facing forward so that it is being towed in a forward
direction.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral). Refer toBrake-shift interlock
in theDrivingchapter for specific instructions if you cannot move the
gear shift lever into N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is not to exceed 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
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•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
Engine fluid temperature management (EcoBoost engine only)
Your vehicle has been designed to pull a trailer, but because of the added
load, the vehicle’s engine may temporarily reach higher temperatures
during severe operating conditions such as ascending a long or steep
grade while pulling a trailer in hot ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice your engine coolant temperature gauge
needle move toward the H and the POWER REDUCED TO LOWER
TEMP message may appear on the message center.
You may notice a reduction in the vehicle’s speed caused by reduced
engine power. Your vehicle has been designed to enter this mode if
certain high temperature/high load conditions take place in order to
manage the engine’s fluid temperatures. The amount of speed reduction
will depend on the vehicle loading, towing, grade, ambient temperature,
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rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using
premium fuel will be most noticeable in hot weather or in severe duty
applications such as towing a trailer.
Some stations offer fuels posted asRegularwith an octane rating below
87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87
are not recommended for either engine. Do not be concerned if your
engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily while you
are using fuel with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized
dealer to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. If the problems
persist, see your authorized dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the right
fuelsection.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•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.
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FORD ESP EXTENDED SERVICE PLANS
More than 30 million Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury owners have discovered
the powerful protection of Ford ESP. It is the only extended service plan
backed by Ford Motor Company, and provides “peace of mind”
protection beyond the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage.
Up to 500+ Covered Vehicle Components
There are four, new-vehicle Extended Service Plans with different levels
of coverage. Ask you dealer for details.
PremiumCare –Our most comprehensive coverage. With over 500
covered components, this plan is so complete that we generally only
discuss what’s not covered!
ExtraCare –Covers 113 components, and includes many high-tech
items.
BaseCare –Covers 84 components.
PowertrainCare –Covers 29 critical components.
Ford ESP is honored by all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealers in
the U.S. and CanadaIt’s the only extended service plan authorized and
backed by Ford Motor Company. That means you get:
•Reliable, quality service anywhere you go.
•Factory-trained technicians.
•Genuine Ford and MotorcraftParts.
Rental car reimbursement
If your vehicle is kept overnight for covered repairs,you are
eligible for rental car coverage, including Bumper-to-Bumper warranty
repairs, or manufacturer’s recalls.
Transferable coverage
If you sell your vehicle before your Ford ESP coverage expires, you can
transfer any remaining coverage to the new owner. Whenever you’re
ready to sell your car, prospective buyers may feel better about taking a
risk on your used vehicle. Ford ESP may add resale value!
Plus,exclusive 24/7 roadside assistance,including:
•Towing, flat-tire change and battery jump starts.
•Out-of-fuel and lock-out assistance.
•Travel expense reimbursement for lodging, meals and rental car.
•Destination assistance for taxi, shuttle, rental car coverage and
emergency transportation.
Ford Extended Service Plan
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Satellite Radio Information ........43
Seats ..........................................151
child safety seats ....................203
climate control ..........................74
easy access/easyout feature ..159
front seats ...............................154
heated ........................71, 158, 167
memory seat ...................135, 159
second row seats ............162, 165
third row seats ........165, 168–169
Second-row power fold seat ....164
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................138
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................140
Servicing your vehicle ..............343
Setting the clock .........................29
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............198
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........304
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................378, 382
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................379
Speed control ............................104
Starting your vehicle ........255–257
jump starting ..........................319
Steering wheel
controls ....................................106
tilting .........................................92
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................28
CD-MP3 .....................................28
SYNC..........................................67
T
Temporary mobility kit .............309Tilt steering wheel ......................92
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....236
Tires ...........................220–221, 302
alignment ................................228
care ..........................................224
changing ..................302, 304–305
checking the pressure ............224
inflating ...................................222
label .........................................235
replacing ..................................226
rotating ....................................229
safety practices .......................228
sidewall information ...............230
snow tires and chains ............241
spare tire .................................302
Temporary mobility kit ..........309
terminology .............................221
tire grades ...............................221
treadwear ........................220, 225
Towing .......................................249
recreational towing .................253
trailer towing ..........................249
wrecker ....................................325
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............379
lubricant specifications ..........379
Transmission .............................270
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....269
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................374
Turn signal ..................................84
U
Universal garage door opener ..109
USB port ......................................39
Index
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V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................384
Vehicle loading ..........................242
Ventilating your vehicle ...........258
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................347Water, Driving through .............291
Windows
power .......................................101
rear wiper/washer .....................92
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................91
checking and adding fluid .....347
liftgate reservoir .....................347
replacing wiper blades ...........348
Wrecker towing .........................325
Index
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