Page 274 of 558

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor
Company has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure. If the vehicle is
towed incorrectly, or by any other means, vehicle damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed from the front if proper
wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front wheels off the ground. The
rear wheels can be left on the ground when towed in this fashion.
FWD vehicles can also be towed from the rear using wheel lift
equipment; however, the front wheels must be placed on a dolly to
prevent damage to the transmission.
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles must be towed with a wheel lift and
dollies or flatbed equipment, with all the wheels off the ground, to
prevent damage to the transmission, AWD system or vehicle.
274Towing
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 275 of 558

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
In the event your vehicle becomes disabled (without access to wheel
dollies, car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission configuration) under the following conditions:
•The vehicle is facing forward so that it is towed in a forward direction.
•The transmission is placed in N (Neutral). Refer toAutomatic
transmissionin theTransmissionchapter if you cannot move the
transmission into N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlchapter.
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a
truck). These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle
after it is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on
the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly.
If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
refer to the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
Towing275
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 276 of 558

All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the
ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport
trailer. Do not tow your AWD vehicle with the front wheels off the
ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground; this
will cause damage to your AWD system. If you are using a vehicle
transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the equipment
provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground, refer to
the towing instructions found at the end of this section.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running
and your foot on the brake, shift into D (Drive) and then into R
(Reverse) before shifting back into N (Neutral).
276Towing
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 278 of 558
![FORD FLEX 2013 1.G Owners Manual •Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to y FORD FLEX 2013 1.G Owners Manual •Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to y](/manual-img/11/5112/w960_5112-277.png)
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Drive through water in an emergency only, and not
as part of normal driving.
WARNING:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air
filter.
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
or air intake and can cause internal vehicle damage or cause it to stall.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom
of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be
limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely
damage your engine or your vehicle
may stall.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle
as quickly as dry brakes.
278Driving Hints
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 298 of 558
Fuse/Relay
NumberFuse Amp
RatingProtected Components
60 10A* Trailer tow back-up lamps
61 — Not used
62 10A* A/C clutch
63 15A* Trailer tow stop/turn lamps
64 15A* Rear wipers
65 — Not used
66 — Not used
67 20A* Vehicle power #2 – Oxygen
sensor heater, Mass airflow
sensor, Variable camshaft timing
solenoid, Canister vent solenoid,
Canister purge solenoid
68 20A* Vehicle power #4 (ignition coils)
69 20A* Vehicle power #1 (PCM)
70 15A* Vehicle power #3 (coil) – A/C
clutch relay, Fan control relays,
Variable air conditioning
compressor, Auxiliary
transmission warmup, Turbo
charge waste-gate control,
Electronic compressor bypass
valve (for turbo charger),
All-wheel drive module, Positive
crackcase ventilation heater
71 — Not used
72 — Not used
73 — Not used
74 — Not used
75 — Not used
76 — Not used
77 — Not used
298Fuses
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 300 of 558
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
300Fuses
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 301 of 558
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)
Fuses301
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 303 of 558

GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to help maintain its roadworthiness
and resale value. There is a large network of Ford authorized dealers that
are there to help you with their professional servicing expertise. We
believe that their specially trained technicians are best qualified to
service your vehicle properly and expertly. They are supported by a wide
range of highly specialized tools developed specifically for servicing your
vehicle.
To help you service your vehicle, we providescheduled maintenance
informationwhich makes tracking routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your authorized dealer can
provide the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guideto
find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraftparts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
Precautions
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning material (such as cigarettes)
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key (if equipped).
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
WARNING:To reduce the risk of vehicle damage and/or personal
burn injuries, do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the engine is running.
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
Maintenance303
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)