Page 211 of 405

Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat.
WARNING:Never place, or allow a child to place, the shoulder
belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it reduces
the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk
of injury or death in a collision.
Child restraint and safety belt maintenance
Inspect the vehicle safety belts and child safety seat systems periodically
to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. Inspect the
vehicle and child seat safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, tears
or cuts. Replace if necessary. All vehicle safety belt assemblies, including
retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), child safety
seat LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Refer to the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions for additional inspection and maintenance information
specific to the child restraint. Ford Motor Company recommends that all
safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in a collision be
replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an authorized dealer
finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate
properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in
use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
For proper care of soiled safety belts, refer toInteriorin theCleaning
chapter.
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the
safety belt assembly or child restraint system under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries in the event of a
collision.
Seating and Safety Restraints
211
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 290 of 405

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
23 15A High beam headlamps
24 20A Horn
25 10A Demand lamps/Interior lamps,
Power fold seats
26 10A Instrument panel cluster
27 20A Ignition Switch
28 5A Radio/navigation
29 5A Instrument panel cluster
30 5A Transmission shifter
31 10A Not used (spare)
32 10A Restraint control module
33 10A TT battery charge relay coil
34 5A Roll stability control, Refrigerator
relay coil, Electric power assist
steering
35 10A Steering angle sensor, Reverse
sensing system, Active park assist,
Heated seat, AWD, DC/AC
inverter, Rearview camera
36 5A Passive anti-theft system module
37 10A Not used (spare)
38 20A TT park lamps
39 20A Radio/navigation
40 20A Rear heated seats
41 15A Switch illumination, Auto dimming
mirror, Moon roof, Mood lighting
42 10A Not used (spare)
43 10A Auxiliary climate control relay,
Rear window defroster relay, Rear
wiper
44 10A Not used (spare)
45 5A Wiper relay, climate control relay
Roadside Emergencies
290
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 294 of 405

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
41 G8VA relay TT park lamp
42 G8VA relay TT stop/turn lamp (left)
43 G8VA relay TT stop/turn lamp (right)
44 G8VA relay Backup lamps relay
45 — Not used
46 15A** Vehicle power 2, Vehicle power 3
47 20A** Vehicle power 1 – PCM power
48 15A** Vehicle power – coils on plugs
49 10A** Heated mirrors
50 HC micro relay Blower motor
51 HC micro relay Rear wiper
52 HC micro relay Starter
53 HC micro relay 3rd row power seats
54 — Not used
55 HC micro relay Front wiper relay
56 HC micro relay Rear window defroster
57 — Not used
58 — Not used
59 HC micro relay Auxiliary blower motor
60 HC micro relay TT battery charge
61 — Not used
62 G8VA relay Refrigerator
63 — Not used
64 HC micro relay PCM
65 G8VA relay A/C clutch
66 G8VA relay Fuel pump
* Cartridge Fuses ** Mini Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Roadside Emergencies
294
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 318 of 405
•Spray MotorcraftEngine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all
parts that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada, use
MotorcraftEngine Shampoo (CXC-66-A).
•Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
•Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug
well, or the area in and around these locations.
•Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
3.5L V6 engine
Cleaning
318
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 321 of 405

•Do not allow air fresheners and hand sanitizers to spill on interior
surfaces. If a spill occurs,wipe off immediately.Damage may not be
covered by your warranty.
WARNING:Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents
when cleaning the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid
contamination of the airbag system.
If a staining liquid like coffee/juice has been spilled on the instrument
panel or on interior trim surfaces, clean as follows:
1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean, white, cotton cloth.
2. Wipe the surface with a damp, clean, white cotton cloth. For more
thorough cleaning, use a mild soap and water solution. If the spot cannot
be completely cleaned by this method, the area may be cleaned using a
commercially available cleaning product designed for automotive
interiors.
3. If necessary, apply more soap and water solution or cleaning product
to a clean, white, cotton cloth and press the cloth onto the soiled
area–allow this to set at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the soaked cloth, and if it is not soiled badly, use this cloth to
clean the area by using a rubbing motion for 60 seconds.
5. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with MotorcraftProfessional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with MotorcraftSpot and Stain Remover (ZC-14). In Canada, use
MotorcraftMulti-Purpose Cleaner (CXC-101).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Cleaning
321
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 322 of 405

WARNING:Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the
vehicle’s safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt
webbing.
WARNING:On vehicles equipped with seat-mounted airbags, do
not use chemical solvents or strong detergents. Such products
could contaminate the side-airbag system and affect performance of
the side airbag in a collision.
LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Clean spills and stains as quickly as possible.
•For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For
more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap and water
solution. In Canada, use MotorcraftVinyl Cleaner (CXC-93). Dry the
area with a soft cloth.
•If the leather cannot be completely cleaned using a mild soap and
water solution, the leather may be cleaned using a commercially
available leather cleaning product designed for automotive interiors.
•To check for compatibility, first test any cleaner or stain remover on
an inconspicuous part of the leather.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing or
damage to the leather.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
Cleaning
322
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 326 of 405
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.5L V6 engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Battery
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
326
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 327 of 405
3.5L V6 EcoBoost™ engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Battery
4. Power distribution box
5. Air filter assembly
6. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick (out of view)
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Engine oil filler cap
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
Maintenance and Specifications
327
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)