2010 FORD FLEX manual transmission

The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle in P (Park).
When the liftgate is being power closed, a chime will sound three times
as the liftgate begins to power close. A single chime indicates a problem
with the close request, caused by:
•the ignition is in on and the transmission is not in Park
•or the battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage
•or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 km/h)
If the liftgate reverses and starts to close after a open request, a fast
continuous chime indicates excessive load on the gate or a possible strut
failure. If any excessive load is removed and you still have a faster
chime, have the system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Do not attempt to manually force the liftgate to travel faster than the
power system will permit. This will activate the obstacle detection
feature.
Note:Cycling the ignition prior to completely latching the liftgate could
result in damage to the liftgate and/or its power components. Make sure
the liftgate is fully latched before operating the vehicle.
Care should be exercised in starting the engine before the liftgate is fully
closed (latched). If the ignition is cycled during a liftgate power close
cycle and the liftgate is 6-10 inches (15–24 cm) from being latched, the
liftgate may reverse to the full open position. Verify that the gate is
closed before operating or moving the vehicle, especially in an enclosure,
like a garage or a parking structure. The liftgate or its components could
be damaged in an enclosure, if the liftgate is open.
When power operating the liftgate at temperatures below 32°F (0°C), the
liftgate may stop about five inches (12.7 cm) from the full open position.
The liftgate can be fully opened by pushing it upward to the maximum
open position.
The power liftgate feature can be enabled or disabled using the message
center. With the control in the OFF position, power operation is disabled
from the liftgate handle button and from the rear cargo area button. The
integrated keyhead transmitter and instrument panel switch will still
continue to operate the liftgate regardless of the position state of the
message center. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
Driver Controls
121
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

M (Manual) with Grade Assist
Initially, moving the lever to M (Manual) activates grade assist and
cancels Overdrive.
Grade Assist:
•Provides additional grade
(engine) braking and extends
lower gear operation on uphill
climbs for hilly terrain or
mountainous areas.
•Provides additional engine
braking through the automatic
transmission shift strategy which
reacts to vehicle inputs (vehicle
acceleration, accelerator pedal,
brake pedal and vehicle speed).
•Allows the transmission to select
gears that will provide the desired
engine braking based on the vehicle inputs mentioned above. This will
increase engine RPM during engine braking.
•The grade assist lamp in the
instrument cluster is illuminated.
Grade assist is designed to aid the
driver with optimal gear selection in
hilly terrain or mountainous areas
but is not intended for normal operation. It is recommended that you
return to O/D (overdrive mode) on flat terrain to provide the best fuel
economy and transmission function.
To return to normal D (Drive) position (with O/D), move the shift lever
back from M (Manual) to D (Drive).
•The grade assist lamp in the instrument cluster will not be illuminated.
•The transmission will operate in gears one through six.
Driving
274
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Understanding your SelectShift Automatic™ Transmission (SST)
This vehicle is equipped with a
SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) gearshift lever.
SST is an automatic transmission
with the ability for the driver to
change gears up or down (without a
clutch) as desired. By moving the
gearshift lever from drive position D
(Drive) to M (Manual) you now
have control of selecting the gear
you desire using the paddle shifters
on the steering wheel.
Paddle shifters
The paddle shifters allow you to shift gears quickly, without taking your
hands off the steering wheel.
1. To manually downshift the
transmission with the gearshift lever
in M (Manual), press the paddle
shifters forward.
2. To manually upshift the
transmission with the gearshift lever
in M (Manual), pull the paddle
shifters rearward.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
Driving
275
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transmission damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle
slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
Driving
290
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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).
Roadside Emergencies
326
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

A
Accessory delay ........................102
Active Park Assist .....................280
AdvanceTrac ..............................262
Air cleaner filter ...............376–378
Air conditioning ..............68, 71, 74
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................68
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................184–185, 193, 195
and child safety seats ............186
description ..............185, 193, 195
disposal ....................................199
driver airbag ............187, 194, 196
indicator light .................193, 198
operation .................187, 194, 196
passenger airbag .....187, 194, 196
side airbag ...............................193
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................285
Ambient mood/lighting ...............85
AM/FM .........................................28
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................354
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................260
Anti-theft system ..............140, 149
arming the system ..................149
disarming a triggered
system .....................................150
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............379
fluid, specification ..................379Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................271, 273
fluid, adding ............................374
fluid, checking ........................374
Selectshift (SST) ....................275
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
B
Battery .......................................352
acid, treating emergencies .....352
jumping a disabled battery ....319
maintenance-free ....................352
replacement, specifications ...378
servicing ..................................352
Belt-Minder.............................180
Booster seats .............................213
Brakes ........................................260
anti-lock ...................................260
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................261
fluid, checking and adding ....374
fluid, refill capacities ..............379
fluid, specifications .................379
lubricant specifications ..........379
parking ....................................261
shift interlock ..........................269
Bulbs ............................................86
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....379
Car2UHome Automation
System .......................................113
Cargo net ...................................124
CD ................................................28
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................302
Index
391
2010 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)