2013 FORD FLEX cruise control

INFORMATION MESSAGES
Note:Depending on the vehicle options equipped with your vehicle, not
all of the messages will display or be available. Certain messages may be
abbreviated or shortened depending upon which cluster type you have.
Press the OK button to acknowledge
and remove some messages from
the information display. Other
messages will be removed
automatically after a short time.
When a warning message appears,
you must wait two seconds before
being able to clear it. Certain
messages need to be confirmed before you can access the menus.
Message indicators:Some messages will be supplemented by a system
specific symbol.
Adaptive Cruise
Control MessagesAction / Description
Adaptive Cruise
MalfunctionDisplayed when a radar malfunction is
preventing the ACC from engaging.
Adaptive Cruise Not
AvailableDisplayed when conditions exist such that the
adaptive cruise cannot function properly.
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available Sensor
BlockedDisplayed when the radar is blocked because
of poor radar visibility due to bad weather or
ice/mud/water in front of radar. Driver can
typically clean the sensor to resolve.
AdvanceTrac/
Traction Control
MessagesAction / Description
Service AdvanceTrac Displayed when the AdvanceTracsystem has
detected a condition that requires service.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Traction control off Displayed when the traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Trailer Sway Reduce
SpeedDisplayed when the trailer sway control has
detected trailer sway.
Information Displays129
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot on
the accelerator pedal.
USING CRUISE CONTROL
WARNING:Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Note:Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up or down a
steep hill. Apply the brakes if the vehicle speed increases above the set
speed while driving downhill.
Note:Cruise control will disengage if the vehicle speed decreases more
than 10 mph (16 km/h) below your set speed while driving uphill.
The cruise controls are located on
the steering wheel.
Switching On Cruise Control
Press the ON control up and release.
The indicator will turn on in the instrument cluster.
Setting a Speed
1. Accelerate to the desired speed.
2. Press the SET control upward and release.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The indicator will change colors in the instrument cluster.
Cruise Control239
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Changing the Set Speed
•Press SET up or down and hold to increase or decrease the set speed.
Release the control when you reach the desired speed.
•Press SET up or down and release. The set speed will change in
approximately 1 mph (2 km/h) increments.
•Press the accelerator pedal or brake pedal until you reach the desired
speed. Press SET up and release.
Canceling a Set Speed
Press CNCL or tap the brake pedal. The set speed will not be erased.
Resuming a Set Speed
Press and release RES.
Switching Off Cruise Control
Note:The set speed is erased when you switch off cruise control.
Press the OFF control down and release or turn off the ignition.
USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Always pay close attention to changing road conditions,
especially when using adaptive cruise control. Adaptive cruise
control cannot replace attentive driving. Failing to follow any of the
warnings below or failing to pay attention to the road may result in a
collision, serious injury or death.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control is not a collision warning or
avoidance system. Additionally, adaptive cruise control will not
detect:
•Stationary or slow moving vehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
•Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
WARNING:Do not use the adaptive cruise control when entering
or leaving a highway, in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding,
slippery or unpaved.
240Cruise Control
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not use in poor visibility, specifically fog, rain, spray
or snow.
Note:It is the driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
The system is designed to automatically adjust your speed to maintain a
proper distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in the same
lane. The driver can select from one of four GAP settings, the controls
are located on the steering wheel.
At startup, the system sets the gap to the last selected setting. Once
activated, the driver can deactivate the system at any time by pressing
the brake pedal, pressing the steering wheel ON/OFF control or pressing
the RES/CNCL control. In addition, the driver can temporarily increase
the vehicle speed above the current speed by manually pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The controls for using your cruise
control are located on the steering
wheel.
SETRES
CNCL
ON
OFFGAP
Cruise Control241
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
1. Press and release ON.
The information display will show
the gray indicator light, current gap
setting and SET.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed.
3. Press SET upward and release. The vehicle speed will be stored in the
memory.
The information display will show a green indicator light,
current gap setting and desired set speed.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5. A lead vehicle graphic will
illuminate if there is a vehicle
detected in front of you.
Following a Vehicle
WARNING:When following a vehicle in front of you, the vehicle
will not decelerate automatically to a stop, nor will the vehicle
always decelerate quickly enough to avoid a collision without driver
intervention. Always apply the brakes when necessary. Failing to do so
may result in a collision, serious injury or death.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control only warns of vehicles
detected by the radar sensor. In some cases there may be no
warning or the warning may be delayed. The driver should always apply
the brakes when necessary. Failing to do so may result in a collision,
serious injury or death.
Note:The brakes may emit a sound when they are being modulated by
the adaptive cruise control system.
242Cruise Control
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

When a vehicle ahead of you enters the same lane or a slower vehicle is
ahead in the same lane, the vehicle speed will adjust automatically to
maintain a preset gap distance. The distance setting is adjustable.
The lead vehicle graphic will be illuminated.
The vehicle will maintain a constant distance between the vehicle ahead
until:
•the vehicle in front of you accelerates to a speed above the set speed
•the vehicle in front of you moves out of your lane or out of view
•the vehicle speed falls below 16 mph (26 km/h)
•a new gap distance is set.
The vehicle brakes will be automatically applied to slow the vehicle to
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The maximum braking
which is applied by the system is limited and can be overridden by the
driver applying the brakes.
If the system predicts that its maximum braking level will not be
sufficient, an audible warning will sound while the system continues to
brake. This is accompanied by a heads-up display; a red warning bar
illuminating on the windshield. The driver should take immediate action.
Setting the Gap Distance
Note:It is the driver’s responsibility to select a gap appropriate to the
driving conditions.
The distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you can
be decreased or increased by
pressing the GAP control up or
down. The selected gap will be
displayed in the message center as shown by the bars in the graphic.
Four gap distance settings are available.
Graphic
display (bars
between
vehicles)Following
distanceFollowing
distance at
60 mph
(100 km/h)Dynamic
behavior
1 bar 1 second 29 yards (28 m) Sporty
2 bars 1.5 seconds 44 yards (42 m) Normal
3 bars 1.9 seconds 56 yards (53 m) Normal
4 bars 2.3 seconds 66 yards (64 m) Comfort
Cruise Control243
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Each time the vehicle is restarted, the last chosen gap for the current
driver will be automatically selected.
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control
Press the brake pedal or press CNCL to disengage the system. The last
set speed will be displayed with a strikethrough.
Disengaging the system will not erase your previous set speed.
Overriding Adaptive Cruise Control
WARNING:Whenever the driver is overriding the ACC by
pressing the accelerator pedal, the ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes to maintain separation from any vehicle ahead.
The set speed and gap distance can be overridden by pressing the
accelerator pedal.
When the driver is overriding the system, the green indicator
light is illuminated, and the follow vehicle is not shown in the
information display. The system will resume operation when you
release the accelerator pedal. The vehicle speed will decrease to the set
speed, or a lower speed if following a slower vehicle.
Changing the Set Speed
There are three ways to change the set speed:
•Accelerate or brake to the desired speed and press SET upward and
release.
•Increase or decrease the speed by holding SET upward or downward
until the desired set speed is shown on the information display. The
vehicle speed will gradually change to the selected speed.
•Increase or decrease the speed in increments of 1 mph (2 km/h) by
briefly pressing the SET upward or downward.
The system may apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down to the new
set speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information
display while the system is active.
244Cruise Control
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Resuming the Set Speed
Note:Resume should only be used if the driver is aware of the set speed
and intends to return to it.
Press and release RES/CNCL. The vehicle will return to the previously
set speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information
display while the system is active.
Low Speed Automatic Cancellation
The system is not functional at vehicle speeds below 16 mph (26 km/h).
An audible alarm will sound and the automatic braking will be released if
the vehicle drops below this speed.
Hilly Condition Usage
Note:An audible alarm will sound and the system will shut down if it is
applying brakes for an extended period of time. This allows the brakes to
cool down. The system will function normally again when the brakes
have cooled down.
You should select a lower gear position when the system is active in
situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep grades (i.e.,
driving in mountainous areas). Additional engine braking is needed in
these situations to reduce the load on the vehicle’s regular brake system
to prevent them from overheating.
Switching Off Adaptive Cruise Control
Note:The set speed memory is erased when you turn off the system.
Press and release OFF or turn off the ignition.
Cruise Control245
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)