2013 FORD FLEX power steering

Your vehicle is equipped with an electric power-assisted steering system.
There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Extreme continuous steering may increase the effort it takes
for you to steer. This occurs to prevent internal overheating and
permanent damage to your steering system. If this should occur, you will
neither lose the ability to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause
permanent damage. Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the
system to cool and steering assist will return to normal.
When a steering system error is detected, the following messages may
appear in the information display:
•Service Power Steering
•Service Power Steering Now
•Power Steering Assist Fault
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper vehicle alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
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2013 Flex(471)
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Fuse/Relay
NumberFuse Amp
RatingProtected Components
78 20A* Right high-intensity discharge
headlamps
79 10A* Adaptive cruise control
80 — Not used
81 — Not used
82 15A* Rear washer
83 — Not used
84 20A* Trailer tow park lamps
85 — Not used
86 5A* Powertrain control module —
keep-alive power, Powertrain
control module relay, Canister
vent solenoid (non-EcoBoost
engines)
87 5A* Run/start
88 — Not used
89 10A* Anti–lock brake system module
90 10A* Powertrain control module
run/start
91 10A* Adaptive cruise control
92 5A* Front blower relay coil, Power
steering module
93 5A* Auxiliary blower, Rear defroster,
Battery charge relays
94 30A** Body control module run/start
95 5A* Front passenger window switch
96 — Not used
97 — Not used
98 — Not used
*Mini Fuses **Cartridge Fuses
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Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel
The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
NumberFuse Amp
RatingProtected Components
1 30A Driver side front window
2 15A Memory seat, Second row seats
3 30A Not used (spare)
4 10A Battery saver relay (interior demand
lamps and seat power)
5 20A Smart amplifier
6 5A Not used (spare)
7 7.5A Power mirror switch, Driver door
module, Driver seat module, Keypad
8 10A Power liftgate
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
223341
42
43
44
45
34
35
36
37
23
24
25
26
27
283846
394729
32
40
31
30
48
49
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2013 Flex(471)
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Fuse/Relay
NumberFuse Amp
RatingProtected Components
9 10A SYNC, Electronic finish panel, Radio
transceiver module
10 10A Run/accessory relay, Front wiper
motor relay
11 10A Intelligent access module, Heads-up
display
12 15A Interior lighting, Puddle lamps,
Backlighting
13 15A Right turn signals
14 15A Left turn signals
15 15A Center high mounted stop lamp,
Backup lamp
16 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
17 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
18 10A
Third row power seats, Start button run
indicator, Keypad illumination, Brake
shift interlock, Powertrain control
module wake-up, Anti-theft system
19 20A Not used (spare)
20 20A Locks
21 10A Not used (spare)
22 20A Horn relay
23 15A Steering wheel control module,
Instrument cluster
24 15A Datalink connector, Steering wheel
control module
25 15A Liftgate release
26 5A Ignition switch, Push button start
switch
27 20A Intelligent access module
28 15A Not used (spare)
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What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat, the engine coolant temperature gauge
will move to the red (hot) area and:
The coolant temperature warning light will illuminate.
The service engine soon indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine will
automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
WARNING:Fail-safe mode is for use during emergencies only.
Operate the vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long as necessary to
bring the vehicle to rest in a safe location and seek immediate repairs.
When in fail-safe mode, the vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and may completely shut down
without warning, potentially losing engine power, power steering assist,
and power brake assist, which may increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury.
312Maintenance
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Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission operation and
result in damage to internal transmission components.
For vehicles equipped with the EcoBoost engine, reinstall the air filter
assembly.
After the fluid level has been checked and adjusted as necessary, do the
following:
1. Shut the engine off.
2. Loosen the clamp holding the air filter assembly to the rubber hose.
3. Rotate the air filter assembly 90 degrees clockwise without
disconnecting the sensor.
4. Seat the air filter assembly back into the grommets by pushing down
on the air filter assembly.
5. Tighten the clamp.
6. Install and tighten two bolts that attach air filter assembly to the front
of the vehicle.
7. Install the bolt cover (if equipped).
8. Reinstall the harness retaining clip into the front of the air filter
assembly.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
Fluid levels between the MIN and MAX lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating range, the performance of the system
could be compromised; seek service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric power steering (EPS) system.
There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
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Note:Your AWD vehicle is not intended for off-road use. This feature
gives your vehicle some limited off-road capabilities in which driving
surfaces are relatively level, obstruction-free and otherwise similar to
normal on-road driving conditions. Operating your vehicle under other
than those conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive stress which
might result in damage which is not covered under your warranty.
With the AWD option, power will be delivered to the front wheels and
distributed to the rear wheels as needed. This increases traction which
may enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot. The system is active all the
time and requires no input from the operator.
For AWD vehicles, a spare tire of a different size other than the tire
provided should never be used. A dissimilar spare tire size (other than
the spare tire provided) or major dissimilar tire sized between the front
and rear axles could cause the system to stop functioning and default to
front-wheel drive.
How Your Vehicle Differs from Other Vehicles
Crossover vehicles can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering
inputs than a vehicle with a
longer wheelbase.
•Narrower – to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces.
As a result of the above dimensional differences, crossover vehicles often
will have a higher center of gravity and a greater difference in center of
gravity between the loaded and unloaded condition.
These differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
340Wheels and Tires
2013 Flex(471)
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Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide a safe ride and
handling capability.
WARNING:Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the
same size, load index, speed rating and type (such as P-metric
versus LT-metric or all-season versus all-terrain) as those originally
provided by Ford. The recommended tire and wheel size may be found on
either the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver’s seating position), or the Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or edge of the driver’s door. If this information is
not found on these labels then you should contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. Use of any tire or wheel not recommended by Ford
can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result
in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death. Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and
wheels could cause steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power
transfer unit failure. If you have questions regarding tire replacement,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Wheels and Tires353
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