2012 FORD FLEX check engine

Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
Devices and their location
3. Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Maintenance and Specifications
372
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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
384
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Multi-point inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the
systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify
potential issues and prevent major problems. Ford Motor Company
recommends the following multi-point inspection be performed at every
scheduled maintenance interval to help ensure your vehicle keeps
running great.
Multi-point inspection – Recommended each visit
Accessory drive belt(s) Half-shaft dust boots (if equipped)
Battery performance Horn operation
Clutch operation (if equipped) Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
Engine air filter Suspension component for leaks or
damage
Exhaust system Steering and linkage
Exterior lamps and hazard
warning system operationTires for wear and proper pressure,
including spare
Fluid levels*; fill if necessary Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
For oil and fluid leaks Washer spray and wiper operation
*Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, manual and automatic transmission
(with an underhood dipstick), power steering (if equipped) and
window washer
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the
multi-point vehicle inspection. It’s a comprehensive way to perform a
thorough inspection of your vehicle. It’s your checklist that gives you
immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle. You’ll know
what’s been checked, what’s okay, as well as those things that may
require future or immediate attention. The multi-point vehicle inspection
is one more way to keep your vehicle running great!
Scheduled Maintenance
385
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
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2012 Flex(471)
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)

coolant .....................................336
fail-safe cooling .......................342
idle speed control ...................334
lubrication specifications .......366
refill capacities ........................366
service points ..................326–327
Engine block heater .................250
Engine oil ..................................330
checking and adding ..............330
dipstick ....................................330
filter, specifications ................365
refill capacities ........................366
specifications ..........................366
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................250
F
Fail safe cooling ........................342
Family entertainment system ....46
Fleet MyKey programming ......120
Floor mats .........................112–113
Fluid capacities .........................366
Fog lamps ....................................81
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................279
Freezer ........................................96
Fuel ............................................343
calculating fuel
economy ............................20, 349
cap ...........................................345
capacity ...................................366
choosing the right fuel ...........346
detergent in fuel .....................348
filler funnel .............................348
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................343, 345, 349
filter, specifications ........343, 365fuel pump shut-off ..................286
improving fuel economy ........349
octane rating ...................347, 370
quality ......................................347
running out of fuel .........302, 348
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................343
Fuses ..........................................287
G
Garage door opener ..................108
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............345
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................349
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................286
Headlamps ...................................80
aiming ..................................82–83
autolamp system .......................80
bulb specifications ....................86
daytime running lights .............82
flash to pass ..............................81
high beam .................................81
replacing bulbs .........................86
turning on and off ....................80
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................67, 70, 73
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................108
Hood ..........................................325
I
Ignition ...............................247, 370
Illuminated visor mirror .............92
Index
401
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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
402
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)