2013 FORD FLEX child lock

Pregnant women should always
wear their safety belt. The lap belt
portion of a combination lap and
shoulder belt should be positioned
low across the hips below the belly
and worn as tight as comfort will
allow. The shoulder belt should be
positioned to cross the middle of
the shoulder and the center of the
chest.
Safety Belt Locking Modes
WARNING:After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system at
all passenger seating positions must be checked by an authorized
dealer to verify that the automatic locking retractor feature for child
seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be
checked for proper function.
WARNING:BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE
REPLACED if the safety belt assembly automatic locking
retractor feature or any other safety belt function is not operating
properly when checked by an authorized dealer. Failure to replace the
belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in
collisions.
All safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts.
The driver safety belt has the first locking mode and the front outboard
passenger and rear seat safety belts have both types of locking modes
described as follows:
Vehicle sensitive mode:This is the normal retractor mode, which
allows free shoulder or lap belt length adjustment to your movements
and locking in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver
brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an
impact of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the combination safety
belts will lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and
passengers.
In addition, the retractor(s) is designed to lock if the webbing is pulled
out too quickly. If this occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull
webbing out again in a slow and controlled manner.
Safety Belts39
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Automatic locking mode:In this mode, the shoulder belt or lap belt is
automatically pre-locked. The belt will still retract to remove any slack in
the shoulder or lap belt. The automatic locking mode is not available on
the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode:This mode should be used
any timea child safety seat, except a booster, is installed in passenger
front or rear seating positions. Children 12 years old and under should be
properly restrained in a rear seating position whenever possible.
How to use the automatic locking mode
Non-inflatable safety belts
•Buckle the combination lap and shoulder
belt.
•Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until the entire belt is pulled
out. As the belt retracts, you will hear a
clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt
is now in the automatic locking mode.
Rear outboard inflatable safety belts (second row only–if equipped)
•Buckle the combination lap and shoulder
belt.
•Grasp the lap portion of the belt and pull
upward until the entire belt is pulled out.
•Allow the belt to retract. As the belt
retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This
indicates the safety belt is now in the
automatic locking mode.
How to disengage the automatic locking mode:Disconnect the
combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract completely to
disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode.
40Safety Belts
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•After Step 4, the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
5. Within approximately seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle
then unbuckle the safety belt.
•This will disable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it
is currently enabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash four times per second for three seconds.
•This will enable the Belt-Minderfeature for that seating position if it
is currently disabled. As confirmation, the safety belt warning light will
flash four times per second for three seconds, followed by three
seconds with the light off, then followed by the safety belt warning
light flashing four times per second for three seconds again.
REAR INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the rear
inflatable safety belt.
The rear inflatable safety belts are fitted in the shoulder portion of the
safety belts of the second-row outboard seating positions.
Note:The rear inflatable safety belts are compatible with most infant
and child safety car seats and belt positioning booster seats when
properly installed. This is because they are designed to fill with a cooled
gas at a lower pressure and at a slower rate than traditional airbags.
After inflation, the shoulder portion of the safety belt remains cool to the
touch.
The rear inflatable safety belt consists of the following:
•An inflatable bag located in the shoulder safety belt webbing.
•Lap safety belt webbing with automatic locking mode.
•Safety belt warning light and chime. SeeSafety belt warning
lights and indicatorsin this chapter.
•Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator. SeeCrash sensors and
Airbag Indicatorin theSupplemental Restraint System
chapter.
Safety Belts45
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)

Replacing headlamp bulbs
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and
do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Note:If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Locate the high beam/low beam headlamp bulb electrical connector
and remove it by squeezing the locking tab and pulling it straight out.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing HID headlamp bulbs (if equipped)
The headlamps on your vehicle use a “high intensity discharge” source.
These lamps operate at a high voltage. When the bulb is burned out, the
bulb and starter capsule assembly must be replaced by your authorized
dealer.
326Maintenance
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

911 Assist™ ...................... 424, 506
A
ABS (see Brakes) ..................... 224
Accessing and using your USB
port ............................................ 483
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call ............. 412
Accessing your calendar .......... 506
Accessing your media menu
features ...................................... 436
Accessing your phone menu
features ...................................... 414
Accessory delay ........................ 104
Active call menu options ......... 412
Active Park Assist ..................... 230
Adaptive Cruise Control ........... 240
Adding (pairing) a phone ........ 492
Advanced menu options ... 422, 442
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) .............................. 422
Airbag supplemental restraint
system .......................................... 51
and child safety seats .............. 52
description ................................ 51
disposal ...................................... 61
driver airbag .............................. 51
passenger airbag ....................... 51
side airbag ........................... 51, 56
Air cleaner filter ....... 321–322, 375
Air conditioning ........................ 153
manual heating and air
conditioning system ............... 153All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road ......................... 216
Ambient mood/lighting ............. 511
AM/FM ....................................... 466
Anti-lock brake system (see
Brakes) ...................................... 224
Anti-theft system .................. 86, 89
arming the system .............. 86, 89
disarming a triggered system .. 89
Audio system
Single CD ................ 140, 144, 146
Audio system
(see Radio) ................ 140, 144, 146
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ................................. 210
fluid, adding ............................ 313
fluid, checking ........................ 313
fluid, refill capacities .............. 371
fluid, specification .................. 371
Selectshift (SST) .................... 212
Auxiliary Input Jack ................. 479
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) .. 147
Auxiliary powerpoint ................ 189
A/V inputs .......................... 149, 488
B
Battery ....................................... 318
acid, treating emergencies ..... 318
jumping a disabled battery .... 283
maintenance-free .................... 318
replacement, specifications ... 375
servicing .................................. 318
Blind Spot Information System 249
Blind spot mirror ...................... 519
Booster seats ............................... 22
Index551
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Brakes ........................................ 223
anti-lock ................................... 224
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ........................... 224
brake warning light ................ 224
fluid, checking and adding .... 317
fluid, refill capacities .............. 371
fluid, specifications ................. 371
lubricant specifications .......... 371
parking .................................... 224
shift interlock .......................... 214
trailer ....................................... 272
C
Capacities for refilling fluids .... 371
Cargo net ................................... 260
CD .............................. 140, 144, 146
CD player .......................... 138, 482
CD voice commands ................. 482
Cell phone use ............................ 16
Changing a tire ......................... 362
Child safety restraints .......... 29, 31
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps .... 31
automatic locking mode
(retractor) ................................. 39
LATCH ....................................... 29
Child safety seats - booster
seats ............................................. 22
Cleaning the touchscreen ........ 454
Cleaning your vehicle ............... 330
engine compartment .............. 332
instrument panel .................... 334
interior ..................................... 333
plastic parts ............................ 331
washing .................................... 330
waxing ..................................... 332wheels ...................................... 335
wiper blades ............................ 333
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) .......... 153
Climate voice commands ......... 520
Clock .................................. 140, 510
Collision Warning System ......... 254
Compass Display ....................... 121
Console ...................................... 192
overhead .................................. 194
rear .......................................... 192
Coolant
checking and adding .............. 308
refill capacities ........................ 371
specifications .......................... 371
Cooler ........................................ 193
Cross Traffic Alert .................... 249
Cruise control ........................... 239
Customer Assistance ................ 281
Ford Extended Service
Plan .................................. 380, 383
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada ..................... 290
Getting roadside assistance ... 281
Getting the service
you need ................................. 286
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ................................. 292
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ................................... 290
Customizing your
home screen .............................. 453
D
Defrost ....................... 153, 155, 157
rear window ............................ 161
552Index
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Gauges ............................... 110–111
odometer ................................. 121
trip odometer .......................... 121
H
Hazard flashers ......................... 282
HD Radio™ ............................... 469
Headlamps
aiming ...................................... 324
bulb specifications .................. 329
flash to pass .............................. 98
high beam ................................. 98
replacing bulbs ....................... 326
Head restraints ......................... 164
Heating ...................... 153, 155, 157
Help ............................................ 518
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................ 184
Home screen ............................. 453
Hood .......................................... 304
How to use voice commands ... 459
I
Ignition ............................... 196, 370
Illuminated visor mirror ... 107–108
Information displays ................. 117
Infotainment display ................. 457
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................ 209
Instrument panel
cleaning ................................... 334
cluster ...................................... 111
Intelligent Access Key ................ 63
J
Jack ............................................ 362positioning ............................... 362
storage ..................................... 362
Joining two calls
(multiparty/conference call) .... 412
Jump-starting your vehicle ...... 283
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ..................................... 78
keypad ....................................... 84
locking and unlocking doors .... 85
programming entry code ......... 84
Keys ....................................... 63, 86
positions of the ignition ......... 196
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................ 329
headlamps, flash to pass .......... 98
interior lamps ......................... 102
replacing bulbs ....................... 326
LATCH anchors ........................... 29
Liftgate .................................. 80–81
Lights, warning and indicator .. 111
Listening to music .................... 465
Loading pictures ....................... 510
Load limits ................................. 261
Locks
autolock ..................................... 78
childproof .................................. 35
doors .......................................... 76
Lubricant specifications ........... 371
Lug nuts .................................... 368
M
Making and receiving calls ....... 492
554Index
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)