2012 FORD FLEX automatic transmission

Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as
in heavy commercial use (i.e. delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Replace spark plugs
Perform the services in the preceding table when specified or within
3,000 miles (4,800 km) of the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
appearing in the message center.
Example #1:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message comes on at
28,751 miles (46,270 km); perform the 30,000 mile (48,000 km)
automatic transmission fluid replacement.
Example #2:The OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message hasnotcome on
but the odometer reads 30,000 miles (48,000 km); perform the engine air
filter replacement. (i.e., Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ was reset at
25,000 miles [40,000 km].)
Operating in dusty conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km)Inspect the wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag
Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and measure
tread depth
Every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) or
6 monthsChange engine oil and filter
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
Focus)
Every 50,000 miles
(80,000 km)Change manual transmission fluid
Reset your Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ after each engine oil and filter
change; refer to theInstrument Clusterchapter
Exclusive use of E85 (Flex Fuel Vehicles only)
Every oil change If ran exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full
with regular unleaded fuel
Scheduled Maintenance
394
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

A
Accessory delay ........................101
Active Park Assist .....................273
AdvanceTrac ..............................255
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................179, 188, 190
and child safety seats ............181
description ..............179, 188, 190
disposal ....................................193
driver airbag ............181, 189, 191
indicator light .................187, 193
operation .................181, 189, 191
passenger airbag .....181, 189, 191
side airbag ...............................188
Air cleaner filter ...............361, 365
Air conditioning ..............67, 70, 73
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................67
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................278
Ambient mood/lighting ...............85
AM/FM .........................................28
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................336
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................252
Anti-theft system ..............136, 140
arming the system ..................140
disarming a triggered
system .....................................141
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............366
fluid, specification ..................366Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................263, 266
fluid, adding ............................356
fluid, checking ........................356
Selectshift (SST) ....................268
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....37
B
Battery .......................................334
acid, treating emergencies .....334
jumping a disabled battery ....302
maintenance-free ....................334
replacement, specifications ...365
servicing ..................................334
Belt-Minder.............................174
Booster seats .............................208
Brakes ........................................252
anti-lock ...................................252
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................253
fluid, checking and adding ....356
fluid, refill capacities ..............366
fluid, specifications .................366
lubricant specifications ..........366
parking ....................................254
shift interlock ..........................262
Bulbs ............................................85
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....366
Cargo net ...................................117
CD ................................................28
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................294
Child safety seats ......................198
in front seat ............................198
Index
399
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

in rear seat ..............................198
LATCH .....................................202
recommendations ...................196
tether anchorage hardware ...205
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................208
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............317
instrument panel ....................320
interior .....................................321
plastic parts ............................319
washing ....................................316
waxing .....................................316
wheels ......................................317
wiper blades ............................319
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................67, 70, 73
Clock ......................................28, 93
Compass, electronic ....................93
calibration .................................94
set zone adjustment .................94
Console
overhead ....................................92
Controls
power seat ...............................147
steering column ......................105
Coolant
checking and adding ..............336
refill capacities ................339, 366
specifications ..........................366
Cooler ..........................................96
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................103
Customer Assistance ................285
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................377, 380Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................312
Getting roadside assistance ...285
Getting the service you
need .........................................308
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................314
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................312
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................82
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors .......................................73
windshield .................................73
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................356
engine oil .................................330
Driving under special
conditions ..........................280, 282
sand .........................................281
snow and ice ...........................283
through water .................281, 284
DVD region coding .....................63
DVD system .................................46
E
Electronic message center .........18
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................302
running out of fuel .........302, 348
Emission control system ..........352
Engine ........................................370
cleaning ...................................317
Index
400
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Seats ..........................................142
child safety seats ....................198
climate control ..........................73
easy access/easyout feature ..151
front seats ...............................145
heated ........................70, 149, 159
memory seat ...................131, 150
second row seats ............154, 157
third row seats ........157, 160–161
Second-row power fold seat ....157
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................134
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................136
Servicing your vehicle ..............324
Setting the clock .........................28
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............193
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........297
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................365, 370
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................366
Speed control ............................103
Starting your vehicle ........247–249
jump starting ..........................302
Steering wheel
controls ....................................105
tilting .........................................91
Stereo
CD-MP3 .....................................28
SYNC..........................................66
T
Third-row power fold seat .......162
Tilt steering wheel ......................91Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....229
Tires ...........................214–215, 294
alignment ................................222
care ..........................................218
changing ..................294, 297–298
checking the pressure ............218
inflating ...................................216
label .........................................228
replacing ..................................220
rotating ....................................222
safety practices .......................221
sidewall information ...............223
snow tires and chains ............233
spare tire .................................295
terminology .............................215
tire grades ...............................215
treadwear ........................214, 219
Towing .......................................241
recreational towing .................245
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............244
trailer towing ..........................241
wrecker ....................................306
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................244
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............366
lubricant specifications ..........366
Transmission .............................263
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....262
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................356
Turn signal ..................................84
U
Universal garage door opener ..108
USB port ......................................38
Index
404
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)