2011 FORD FLEX tow

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck).
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
In case of roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles:
Tow your FWD vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with the
front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow
dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider.
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles:
Tow your AWD vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with all four
wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer.Do not tow your
AWD vehicle with the front wheels off the ground (by using a tow
dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground; this will cause damage
to your AWD system.If you are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow
the instruction specified by the equipment provider.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and at each fuel stop.
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How to use the engine block heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater will use .4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use. Your
factory installed block heater system does not have a thermostat;
however, maximum temperature is attained after approximately three
hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than three hours will
not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use additional
electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
P!
BRAKE
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If the TCS is activated excessively in a short period of time, the braking
portion of the system may become temporarily disabled to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, TCS will use only engine power
reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain all features.
Anti-lock braking, RSC, and ESC will continue to function during the
cool-down period.
The engine traction control and brake traction control system may be
deactivated in certain situations. See theSwitching off traction control
section following.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.
During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC system, which
include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter).
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC)
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC) may help to maintain roll stability of the
vehicle during adverse maneuvers. RSCoperates by detecting the
vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which it changes and by applying the
brakes to one or more wheels individually.
During an event that activates the RSCsystem, the stability control
light in the instrument cluster will flash.
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AdvanceTracFeatures
Control
switch
functionsModeStability
control
off
light
Message
center dis-
playESC/
RSCTCS
Default at
start-upSystem Ini-
tializationTurns on
during
bulb
checkNothing Dis-
playedEn-
abledEn-
abled
Control
switch
pressed once
momentarilyTraction
control OFFOnTRACTION
CONTROL
OFFEn-
abledDis-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
again after
deactivationAdvance-
Tr a cfully
enabledOffADVANCE-
TRAC ONEn-
abledEn-
abled
Trailer sway control (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with trailer sway control. When properly
equipped, trailer sway control will use the vehicle’s AdvanceTracwith
RSCsystem to detect and mitigate trailer sway by applying brake force
at individual wheels and, if necessary, by reducing engine power.
Note:Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from swaying, it
mitigates the sway from increasing once it has occurred. TSC cannot
stop all trailers from swaying. If you are experiencing trailer sway it is
likely that the trailer is improperly loaded for the correct tongue weight
or the speed of the vehicle and trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer
over to a safe location to check the trailer weight distribution and tongue
load and reduce speed to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is
experienced, SLOW DOWN. Always use caution when towing a trailer
and follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer toTrailer towing
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information on
towing a trailer with your vehicle.
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During trailer sway control events, the stability control light in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily. The cluster message center
will also displayTRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED. In some cases
when trailer sway is detected, the vehicle speed is too high and may be
at or above a speed at which trailer sway will grow continuously. This
may cause the system to activate multiple times, causing a gradual
reduction in speed.
Disabling trailer sway control
Trailer sway control can be disabled during any key cycle. To disable
trailer sway control, refer to theMessage centerin theInstrument
Clusterchapter. Note that regardless of chosen enable state, trailer sway
control will be re-enabled each new key cycle.
WARNING:Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of
loss of vehicle control, serious injury, or death. Ford does not
recommend disabling this feature except in situations where speed
reduction may be detrimental (e.g., hill climbing), the driver has
significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and
maintain safe operation.
STEERING
3.5L EcoBoost™ engine:Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric
Power Steering (EPS) system. There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Extreme continuous steering may increase the effort it takes
for you to steer. This occurs to prevent internal overheating and
permanent damage to your steering system. If this should occur, you will
neither lose the ability to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause
permanent damage. Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the
system to cool and steering assist will return to normal.
The EPS system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the
EPS system to ensure proper operation. When a system error is
detected, the following message SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE
POWER STEERING NOW or POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT may
display in the message center, refer to theMessage centerin the
Instrument Clusterchapter for more information.
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•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
•(5) Center line of vehicle
Always use caution while backing.
Objects in the red zone are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the
green zone are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green zone to
the yellow or red zones.
Use the side mirrors and rearview mirror to get better coverage on both
sides and rear of the vehicle. When shifting out of reverse and into any
other gear, the image will remain on for a few seconds before it shuts off
to assist in parking or trailer hookup.
After shifting out of R (Reverse) and into any gear other than P (Park),
the image will remain until the vehicle speed reaches 5 mph (8 km/h),
only if the rear camera delay feature is on, or until any navigation radio
button is pressed.
Note:The default setting for the rear camera delay is off. Press the
“Settings” button found on the navigation screen to set the rear camera
delay feature to on or off.
When towing, the camera system will only see what is being towed
behind the vehicle; this might not provide adequate coverage as it
usually provides in normal operation and some objects might not be
seen.
The camera lens for the camera is located on the liftgate. Keep the lens
clean so the video image remains clear and undistorted. Clean the lens
with a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
Note:If the camera system image is not clear or seems distorted, it may
be covered with water droplets, snow, mud or any other substance. If
this occurs, clean the camera lens before using the camera system.
WARNING:The camera system is a reverse aid supplement
device that still requires the driver to use it in conjunction with
the rearview mirror and the side mirrors for maximum coverage.
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Conditions in which the system may not work:
•Something passes between the front bumper and the space such as a
pedestrian or cyclist
•The edge of the neighboring parked vehicle is high from the ground
such as a bus, tow truck or flat bed truck
Automatic search for parking space
To start, press the APA control
switch (on the console in front of
the gearshift). The message center
will display ACTIVE PARK
SEARCHING. To designate what
side of the street to search on, use
the turn signal. The arrow symbols
>> and << in the message center
indicate on which side of the vehicle
APA will park. (If the turn signal is
not on, the system will automatically
search the passenger side.)
For best performance, the driver should drive the vehicle as parallel as
possible while passing a parking space. If driven too fast (above 18 mph
[30 km/h]) for the system to measure parking spaces, the message center
will display ACTIVE PARK REDUCE SPEED.
When the system has found a space, the message center will display
SPACE FOUND PULL FORWARD followed by a chime. Drive forward
until the message center displays SPACE FOUND STOP followed by a
chime. When you stop the vehicle in position to begin parking, the
message center displays REMOVE HANDS PUT IN REVERSE. The driver
should always come to a complete stop before changing gears.
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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 5.0 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 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 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56 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.
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