5. To put the retractor in the
automatic locking mode, grasp the
shoulder portion of the belt and pull
downward until all of the belt is
pulled out.
6. Allow the belt to retract to remove slack. The belt will click as it
retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode.
7. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is
in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt
out). If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6.
8. Remove remaining slack from the
belt. Force the seat down with extra
weight, e.g., by pressing down or
kneeling on the child restraint while
pulling up on the shoulder belt in
order to force slack from the belt.
This is necessary to remove the
remaining slack that will exist once
the additional weight of the child is
added to the child restraint. It also
helps to achieve the proper
snugness of the child seat to the
vehicle. Sometimes, a slight lean
towards the buckle will additionally
help to remove remaining slack from the belt.
9. Attach the tether strap (if the child seat is equipped). Refer to
Attaching child safety seats with tether strapslater in this chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
202
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:Depending on where you secure a child restraint,
and depending on the child restraint design, you may block
access to certain safety belt buckle assemblies and/or LATCH lower
anchors, rendering those features potentially unusable. To avoid risk of
injury, occupants should only use seating positions where they are able
to be properly restrained.
Use of inboard lower anchors from the outboard seating positions
(center seating use)
The lower anchors at the center of the second row rear seat are spaced
520 mm (20.5 inches) apart. The standardized spacing for LATCH lower
anchors is 280 mm (11 inches) center to center. A child seat with rigid
LATCH attachments cannot be installed at the center seating position.
LATCH compatible child seats (with attachments on belt webbing) can
only be used at this seating position provided that the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions permit use with the anchor spacing stated.
Do not attach a child seat to any lower anchor if an adjacent child seat is
attached to that anchor.
WARNING:The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors
is 280 mm (11 inches) center to center. Do not use LATCH
lower anchors for the center seating position unless the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions permit and specify using anchors spaced at
least as far apart as those in this vehicle.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor, if applicable. Tug the
child seat from side to side and forward and back where it is secured to
the vehicle. The seat should move less than one inch when you do this
for a proper installation.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being
injured in a crash greatly increases.
Combining safety belt and LATCH lower anchors for attaching
child safety seats
When used in combination, either the safety belt or the LATCH lower
anchors may be attached first, provided a proper installation is achieved.
Attach the tether strap afterward, if included with the child seat. Refer
toRecommendations for attaching child safety restraints for children
in this chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
205
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
WARNING:Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Maintenance and Specifications
347
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
A
Accessory delay ........................102
Active Park Assist .....................276
AdvanceTrac ..............................257
Air cleaner filter .......373–374, 377
Air conditioning ..............68, 71, 74
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................68
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................180, 189, 191
and child safety seats ............182
description ..............180, 189, 191
disposal ....................................194
driver airbag ............182, 190, 192
indicator light .................188, 194
operation .................182, 190, 192
passenger airbag .....182, 190, 192
side airbag ...............................189
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................281
Ambient mood/lighting ...............86
AM/FM .........................................28
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................348
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................255
Anti-theft system ..............137, 140
arming the system ..................140
disarming a triggered
system .....................................142
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............378
fluid, specification ..................378Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................267, 269
fluid, adding ............................369
fluid, checking ........................369
Selectshift (SST) ....................271
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
B
Battery .......................................346
acid, treating emergencies .....346
jumping a disabled battery ....315
maintenance-free ....................346
replacement, specifications ...377
servicing ..................................346
Belt-Minder.............................175
Booster seats .............................209
Brakes ........................................255
anti-lock ...................................255
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................256
fluid, checking and adding ....368
fluid, refill capacities ..............378
fluid, specifications .................378
lubricant specifications ..........378
parking ....................................256
shift interlock ..........................265
Bulbs ............................................86
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....378
Cargo net ...................................117
CD ................................................28
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................298
Child safety seats ......................199
in front seat ............................199
Index
412
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
in rear seat ..............................199
LATCH .....................................203
recommendations ...................197
tether anchorage hardware ...206
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................209
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............328
instrument panel ....................331
interior .....................................332
plastic parts ............................330
washing ....................................327
waxing .....................................328
wheels ......................................328
wiper blades ............................330
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................68, 71, 74
Clock ............................................94
Clock adjust
AM/FM .......................................29
Compass, electronic ....................94
calibration .................................95
set zone adjustment .................95
Console
overhead ....................................93
Controls
power seat ...............................147
steering column ......................106
Coolant
checking and adding ..............348
refill capacities ................351, 378
specifications ..........................378
Cooler ..........................................97
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................104
Customer Assistance ................288Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................387, 390
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................324
Getting roadside assistance ...288
Getting the service you
need .........................................320
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................325
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................323
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................83
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................74
windshield .................................74
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................369
engine oil .................................342
Driving under special
conditions ..........................283, 285
sand .........................................284
snow and ice ...........................286
through water .................284, 287
DVD system .................................47
E
Electronic message center .........18
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................315
running out of fuel .........314, 360
Emission control system ..........365
Engine ........................................381
Index
413
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Illuminated visor mirror .............93
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................199
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................367
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................331
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................83
J
Jack ............................................298
positioning ...............................298
storage .....................................298
Jump-starting your vehicle ......315
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................124
keypad .....................................135
locking and unlocking doors ..136
programming entry code .......135
Keys ...................................118, 138
positions of the ignition .........250
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................81
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................87
daytime running light ...............83
fog lamps ...................................82
headlamps .................................81
headlamps, flash to pass ..........83
instrument panel, dimming .....83
interior lamps .....................85, 88
replacing bulbs .........................88LATCH anchors .........................203
Liftgate ......................112–113, 131
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........256
Load limits .................................237
Locks
autolock ...................................124
childproof ................................128
doors ........................................124
Lubricant specifications ...........378
Lug nuts ....................................313
Lumbar support, seats .....147, 149
M
Message center ...........................18
english/metric button ...............22
system check button ................22
warning messages .....................22
Mirrors ...............................102–103
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................102
heated ................................74, 103
programmable memory ..........132
side view mirrors (power) .....103
Moon roof ..................................107
Motorcraftparts ..............335, 377
MyKey ........................................119
N
Navigation system .......................67
O
Octane rating ............................359
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................342
Overdrive ...................................266
Index
415
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................119
Park Assist ................................276
Parking brake ............................256
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........377
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................167
Power adjustable foot pedals ...103
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................294
Power door locks ......................124
Power liftgate ............................113
Power mirrors ...........................103
Power point .................................98
Power steering ..........................263
fluid, checking and adding ....368
fluid, refill capacity ................378
fluid, specifications .................378
Power Windows .........................100
R
Radio ............................................28
6-CD in dash .............................28
Rear heated seats .....................159
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................47
Rear-view camera system .........274
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................197
Refrigerator .................................97
Relays ........................................290Remote entry system .......129–130
illuminated entry ....................134
locking/unlocking
doors ................................130–131
opening the trunk ...................131
panic alarm .............................131
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................134
replacing the batteries ...........133
Reverse sensing system ...........272
Roadside assistance ..................288
Roof rack ...................................117
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..165, 169–171, 173–174
Safety Canopy ...................189, 191
Safety defects, reporting ..........326
Safety
restraints ...165, 169–171, 173–174
Belt-Minder...........................175
extension assembly ................173
for adults .................170–171, 173
for children .............................195
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................167
warning light and
chime ...............................174–175
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................203
Safety seats for children ..........199
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................382
Satellite Radio .............................28
Satellite Radio Information ........43
Index
416
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............397
What Maintenance Schedule
Should You Follow? ................393
Seats ..........................................143
child safety seats ....................199
cleaning ...................................333
climate control ..........................74
easy access/easyout feature ..152
front seats ...............................146
heated ........................71, 150, 159
memory seat ...................132, 150
second row seats ............154, 157
third row seats ........157, 160–161
Second-row power fold seat ....157
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................135
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................137
Servicing your vehicle ..............336
Setting the clock .........................29
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............194
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........300
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................377, 381
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................378
Speed control ............................104
Starting your vehicle ........250–252
jump starting ..........................315
Steering wheel
controls ....................................106
tilting .........................................92
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................28CD-MP3 .....................................28
SYNC..........................................67
T
Temporary mobility kit .............305
Third-row power fold seat .......163
Tilt steering wheel ......................92
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....231
Tires ...........................216–217, 298
alignment ................................224
care ..........................................220
changing ..................298, 300–301
checking the pressure ............220
inflating ...................................218
label .........................................230
replacing ..................................222
rotating ....................................224
safety practices .......................223
sidewall information ...............226
snow tires and chains ............236
spare tire .................................298
Temporary mobility kit ..........305
terminology .............................217
tire grades ...............................217
treadwear ........................216, 221
Towing .......................................244
recreational towing .................249
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............247
trailer towing ..........................244
wrecker ....................................318
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................247
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............378
lubricant specifications ..........378
Transmission .............................266
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....265
Index
417
2011 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)