2013 FORD FLEX ECU

•Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
•Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
•Restart the vehicle.
•Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness light in
the instrument cluster is no longer illuminated.
•If the airbag readiness light in the instrument cluster remains
illuminated, this may or may/not be a problem due to the front
passenger sensing system.
DO NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle
immediately to an authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer
Relationship Center at the phone number shown in theCustomer
Assistancesection of this owner’s manual.
SIDE AIRBAGS
WARNING:Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near
the airbag cover, on the side of the seatbacks (of the front seats),
or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying
airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING:Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of
accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side
airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING:Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING:Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an airbag.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
56Supplementary Restraints System
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)
The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your
vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when commanded (either by
touching the inside of the driver door or front passenger exterior door
handle, by activating the exterior power liftgate button, or a button on
the transmitter itself). If excessive radio frequency interface is present in
the area, or if the transmitter battery is low, it may be necessary to
mechanically unlock your door. The mechanical key blade in your
intelligent access key can be used to open the driver’s door in this
situation. Refer toRemote Controlin this chapter for more information
on the location and use of the mechanical key blade.
REMOTE CONTROL
Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs) (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
two integrated keyhead transmitters.
The key blade is used to start the
vehicle and unlock or lock the
driver’s door from outside the vehicle.
The transmitter portion functions as
the remote control.
Note:Your vehicle’s keys were
issued with a security label that
provides important vehicle key cut
information. Keep the label in a safe
place for future reference.
Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
two intelligent access keys which
operate the power locks and the
remote start system. The key must
be in the vehicle to activate the
push button start system.
CAUTIONTO BE REMOVED
BY CUSTOMER ONLY
Keys and Remote Control63
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The intelligent access key also
contains a removable mechanical key
blade that can be used to unlock the
driver door. Slide the release on the
back of the transmitter to release the
key blade, then pull the blade out.
Note:Your vehicle’s back-up keys
were issued with a security tag that
provides important vehicle key cut
information. Keep the tag in a safe
place for future reference.
Replacing the Battery
Note:Refer to local regulations when disposing of transmitter batteries.
Note:Do not wipe off any grease on the battery terminals or on the back
surface of the circuit board.
Note:Replacing the battery will not delete the transmitter from the
vehicle. The transmitter should operate normally.
The remote control uses one coin-type three-volt lithium battery CR2032
or equivalent.
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter
1. Twist a thin coin in the slot near the key
ring to remove the battery cover (1).
2. Carefully peel up the rubber gasket (2) from the transmitter if it does
not come off with battery cover.
3. Remove the old battery (3).
3
2
1
64Keys and Remote Control
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The ignition must be turned on and then back off or allow one hour to
pass before using remote start again if additional remote starts are
desired.
Turning the Engine Off After Remote Starting
Press the button once. The parking lamps will turn off.
You may have to be closer to the vehicle than when starting due to
ground reflection and the added noise of the running engine.
You can disable or enable the remote start system through the
information display. Refer to theInformation Displaychapter.
REPLACING A LOST KEY OR REMOTE CONTROL
Replacement or additional keys or remote controls can be purchased
from your authorized dealer. Your dealer can program the transmitters to
your vehicle or you may be able to program them yourself. Refer to the
Securitychapter for information on programming your transmitters.
Keys and Remote Control69
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

MYKEY TROUBLESHOOTING
Condition Potential Causes
I cannot program a key•The key in the ignition does not have admin
privileges.
•The key in the ignition is the only admin key
(there always has to be at least one admin
key).
•The intelligent access key is not in the
backup slot (vehicles with push button start).
•SecuriLock passive anti-theft system is
disabled or in unlimited mode.
•The vehicle has been started using a remote
start system that is not programmed with
admin privileges. Refer toUsing MyKey with
remote start systems.
I cannot program the
optional settings•The key in the ignition does not have admin
privileges.
•No keys are programmed to the vehicle.
Refer toCreating a MyKey.
•The vehicle has been started using a remote
start system that is not programmed with
admin privileges. Refer toUsing MyKey with
remote start systems.
I cannot clear the
restricted keys•Key in the ignition does not have admin
privileges.
•No restricted keys are programmed to the
vehicle. Refer toCreating a MyKey.
•The vehicle has been started using a remote
start system that is not programmed with
admin privileges. Refer toUsing MyKey with
remote start systems.
I lost the only admin
key•Purchase a new key from your authorized
dealer.
I lost a key•Program spare keys as outlined under
SecuriLockin theSecuritychapter.
74MyKey
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

In order to override the smart unlock feature and intentionally lock the
intelligent access key inside the vehicle, you can lock your vehicle after
all doors are closed by using the keyless entry keypad, pressing the lock
button on another intelligent access key or touching the locking area on
the handle with another intelligent access key in your hand. Refer to
SecuriCode™ keyless entry keypadin this chapter for more information
on keyless entry keypad operation.
When you open one of the front doors and lock the vehicle using the
power door lock control, all doors will lock then unlock if:
•the ignition is on, or
•the ignition is off and the vehicle is not in P (Park).
Autolock Feature (If Enabled)
The autolock feature will lock all the doors when:
•all the doors are closed,
•the ignition is on,
•you shift into any gear putting the vehicle in motion, and
•the vehicle attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The autolock feature repeats when:
•any door is opened then closed while the ignition is on and the vehicle
speed is 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower, and
•the vehicle then attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Autounlock Feature (If Enabled)
The autounlock feature will unlock all the doors when:
•the ignition is on, all the doors are closed, and the vehicle has been in
motion at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h);
•the vehicle has then come to a stop and the ignition is turned off or to
accessory; and
•the driver door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being
turned off or to accessory.
Note:The doors will not autounlock if the vehicle has been electronically
locked after the ignition is turned off and before the driver door is
opened.
78Locks
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Power Liftgate (If Equipped)
WARNING:Make sure all persons are clear of the power liftgate
area before using the power liftgate control.
WARNING:Keep keys out of the reach of children. Do not allow
children to operate the power liftgate, or to play near to an open
or moving power liftgate.
Note:Cycling the ignition while the liftgate is power closing and is near
the latch may cause the liftgate to reverse to full open position. Make
sure that the liftgate is closed before operating or moving the vehicle,
especially in an enclosure, like a garage or a parking structure. The
liftgate or its components could be damaged.
Note:Do not drive with the liftgate open without first disabling the
power function and securing the liftgate to the vehicle.
Note:In case of operation in extreme cold -40°F (-40°C), or on extreme
inclines, manual operation of the liftgate is suggested.
The power liftgate can be enabled or disabled using the information
display. The remote control and instrument panel button will still operate
the liftgate regardless of the setting.
Opening and Closing the Power Liftgate
Note:The liftgate movement direction can be reversed with a second
press of the instrument panel, or the control button on the liftgate, or a
second double press of the transmitter button.
The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle in P (Park).
A chime will sound three times as the liftgate begins to power close. A
single chime indicates a problem with the close request, caused by:
•the ignition is on and the transmission is not in P (Park);
•or the battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage;
•or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 km/h).
If the liftgate reverses and starts to close after an open request, a fast
continuous chime indicates excessive load on the gate or a possible strut
failure. See your authorized dealer if you still have a fast chime after the
load is removed.
Locks81
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Resetting the Power Liftgate
The liftgate may not operate properly and may need to be reset if any of
these conditions occur:
•a low voltage or dead battery
•disconnected battery
•the liftgate is manually closed and left ajar (unlatched)
To reset the power liftgate:
1. Disconnect the battery for 20 seconds then, reconnect the battery.
2. Manually close and fully latch the liftgate.
3. Power open the liftgate by using the transmitter, or the instrument
panel control button.
SECURICODE™ KEYLESS ENTRY KEYPAD (IF EQUIPPED)
The keypad, located near the driver’s window, is invisible until touched
and then it lights up so you can see and touch the appropriate buttons.
Note:If you enter your entry code too fast on the keypad, the unlock
function may not work. Re-enter your entry code more slowly.
You can use the keypad to:
•lock or unlock the doors
•recall memory features (if
equipped)
•enable or disable the autolock
and autounlock
•arm and disarm the anti-theft
alarm (if equipped)
The keypad can be operated with the factory set 5-digit entry code; this
code is located on the owner’s wallet card in the glove box and is
available from your authorized dealer. You can also create up to three of
your own 5-digit personal entry codes.
Locks83
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)