2012 FORD FLEX Owners Manual

SPECIAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
If you operate your vehicleprimarilyin any of the following conditions,
you need to perform additional maintenance as indicated. If you
occasionallyoperate your vehicle under any of these conditions, it is
not necessary to perform the additional maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership service advisor or technician.
Towing a trailer or using a camper or car-top carrier
As required Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
message center and perform services listed in the
Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredInspect and lubricate U-joints
See axle maintenance items underExceptions
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
Focus)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change manual transmission fluid
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].)
Extensive idling and/or low-speed driving for long distances as
in heavy commercial use (i.e. delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery)
As required Change engine oil and filter as indicated by
message center and perform services listed in the
Normal Scheduled Maintenance chart
Inspect frequently,
service as requiredReplace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid (except
Focus)
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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
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Special operating condition log
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EXCEPTIONS
There are several exceptions to the Normal Schedule. They are listed
below:
Normal vehicle axle maintenance:Rear axles and power take-off
(PTO) units with synthetic fluid and light-duty trucks equipped with
Ford-design axles are lubricated for life; do not check or change fluid
unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the assembly has been
submerged in water. During long periods of trailer towing with outside
temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and at wide-open throttle for long
periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), non-synthetic rear axle fluids should
be changed every 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or three months, whichever
comes first. This interval can be waived if the axle is filled with 75W140
synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford specification WSL-M2C192-A, part
number F1TZ-19580-B or equivalent. Add friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles (refer toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for details).
Police/Taxi/Livery vehicle axle maintenance:Change rear axle fluid
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Rear axle fluid change may be waived
if the axle was filled with 75W140 synthetic gear fluid meeting Ford
specification WSL-M2C192-A, part number FITZ-19580-B or equivalent.
Add four ounces (118 mL) of additive friction modifier XL-3
(EST-M2C118-A) or equivalent for complete refill of Traction-Lok rear
axles. The axle fluid should be changed anytime the axle has been
submerged in water
California fuel filter replacement:If the vehicle is registered in
California, the California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion of the vehicle’s
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however, urges you to have all
recommended maintenance services performed at the specified intervals
and to record all vehicle service.
Class A Motorhome:Change brake fluid every two years.
Hot climate oil change intervals:If operating conditions are normal
and you drive your vehicle under typical, everyday conditionsandyou
are using an API performance category oil of SL or later (for example
SM, etc.) then you can follow the 7,500 mile (12,000 km) normal service
oil change intervals schedule. Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with similar climates must
follow the oil change interval of 3,000 mile (4,800 km) if the owner is
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using oils defined by the American Petroleum Institute (API)
performance category of API SK or earlier (for example SJ, etc).
Edge/MKX AWD only – vehicles operating off-road in sand during high
ambient temperatures must replace the AWD PTU (All-wheel drive
Power Transfer Unit) lube every 20,000 miles (32,000 km).
Engine air filter & cabin air filter replacement:Engine air filter and
cabin air filter life is dependent on exposure to dusty and dirty
conditions. Vehicles operated in these conditions will require frequent
inspection and replacement of the engine air filter and cabin air filter.
ENGINE COOLANT CHANGE RECORD
Initial change 6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
After initial change Every 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Engine coolant change log
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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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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
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