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
348
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the service engine soon
indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
WARNING:Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal also lists engine displacement.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the
on-board diagnostics system (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When the service
engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected
a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause the service engine
soon
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been properly closed. SeeEasy Fuel
“no cap” fuel systemin this chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
353
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
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
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)
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................120
Park Assist ................................273
Parking brake ............................254
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........365
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................166
Power adjustable foot pedals ...103
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................291
Power door locks ......................125
Power liftgate ............................113
Power mirrors ...........................102
Power point .................................97
Power steering ..........................260
fluid, checking and adding ....355
fluid, refill capacity ................366
fluid, specifications .................366
Power Windows .........................100
R
Radio ............................................28
6-CD in dash .............................28
Rear heated seats .....................159
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................46
Rear-view camera system .........271
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................196
Refrigerator .................................96
Relays ........................................287Remote entry system .......128, 130
illuminated entry ....................133
locking/unlocking doors .........130
opening the trunk ...................131
panic alarm .............................130
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................133
replacing the batteries ...........132
Reverse sensing system ...........269
Roadside assistance ..................285
Roof rack ...................................118
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........168–170, 172–173
Safety Canopy ...........................190
Safety defects, reporting ..........315
Safety restraints 168–170, 172–173
Belt-Minder...........................174
extension assembly ................172
for adults .................169–170, 172
for children .............................193
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................166
warning light and
chime ...............................173–174
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................202
Safety seats for children ..........198
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................371
Satellite Radio .............................28
Satellite Radio Information ........42
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............387
Index
403
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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
405
2012 Flex(471)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)