2012 FORD FLEX warning lights

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
Driving
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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.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. With keyless ignition, just start the engine. Crank time will
be longer than usual.
•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8L) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8L) may be required.
•The service engine soon
indicator may come on. For more
information on the service engine soon indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Refilling with a portable fuel container
With the Easy Fuel“no cap” fuel system, use the following directions
when filling from a portable fuel container:
WARNING:Do not insert the nozzle of portable fuel containers
or aftermarket funnels into the Easy Fuelsystem. This could
damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto
the ground instead of filling the tank, which could result in serious
personal injury.
WARNING:Do not try to pry open or push open the Easy Fuel
system with foreign objects. This could damage the fuel system
and its seal and cause injury to you or others.
When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from a portable fuel container, use the
funnel included with the vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oilAs indicated by the message center: do not
exceed one year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Scheduled Maintenance
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Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................198
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................354
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................320
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................82
J
Jack ............................................294
positioning ...............................294
storage .....................................294
Jump-starting your vehicle ......302
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................125
keypad .....................................134
locking and unlocking doors ..135
programming entry code .......134
Keys ...................................119, 138
positions of the ignition .........247
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................80
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................86
daytime running light ...............82
fog lamps ...................................81
headlamps .................................80
headlamps, flash to pass ..........81
instrument panel, dimming .....82
interior lamps .....................84, 86
replacing bulbs .........................86
LATCH anchors .........................202Liftgate ..............................113, 131
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........253
Load limits .................................234
Locks
autolock ...................................125
childproof ................................128
doors ........................................125
Lubricant specifications ...........366
Lug nuts ....................................301
Lumbar support, seats .....146, 148
M
Message center ...........................18
english/metric button ...............22
system check button ................22
warning messages .....................22
Mirrors ...............................101–102
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................101
heated ................................73, 102
programmable memory ..........131
side view mirrors (power) .....102
Moon roof ..................................107
Motorcraftparts ..............323, 365
MyKey ........................................120
N
Navigation system .......................66
O
Octane rating ............................347
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................330
Overdrive ...................................263
Index
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V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................372
Vehicle loading ..........................234
Ventilating your vehicle ...........250
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................328Water, Driving through .............284
Windows
power .......................................100
rear wiper/washer .....................91
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................90
checking and adding fluid .....328
liftgate reservoir .....................328
replacing wiper blades ...........329
Wrecker towing .........................306
Index
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2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)