Page 3 of 558

Front fog lamps......................................101
Turn signal control....................................101
Interior lamps........................................102
Windows and Mirrors 103
Power windows.......................................103
Exteriormirrors......................................104
Interiormirrors.......................................107
Sun visors..........................................107
Moonroof...........................................108
Instrument Cluster 110
Gauges.............................................110
Warning lamps and indicators............................111
Audible warnings and indicators..........................116
Information Displays 117
Controls............................................117
Trip computer........................................121
Information messages..................................129
Audio System 138
MyFord™ system.....................................140
Auxiliary input jack....................................147
USBport ...........................................149
Satellite radio information...............................150
Climate Control 153
Manual heating and air conditioning........................153
Dual automatic temperature control........................155
Auxiliary passenger climate control........................158
Rear window defroster.................................161
Cabin air filter.......................................161
Table of Contents3
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 6 of 558

Driving Hints 277
Economical driving....................................277
Floormats..........................................279
Roadside Emergencies 281
Getting roadside assistance..............................281
Hazard warning flashers................................282
Fuel cut-off switch....................................283
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................283
Customer Assistance 286
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)........................293
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................293
Fuses 294
Changing a fuse......................................294
Fuse specification chart.................................295
Maintenance 303
General information...................................303
Opening and closing the hood............................304
Under hood overview..................................305
Engine oil dipstick....................................307
Engine oil check......................................307
Engine coolant check..................................308
Automatic transmission fluid check........................313
Brake fluid check.....................................317
Power steering fluid check..............................317
Fuel filter...........................................317
Washer fluid check....................................318
Battery.............................................318
Checking the wiper blades...............................320
Changing the wiper blades...............................320
Air filter(s)..........................................321
6Table of Contents
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 10 of 558
SYMBOL GLOSSARY
WARNING:You risk death or serious injury to yourself and
others if you do not follow the instruction highlighted by the
warning symbol.
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Safety alertSee Owner’s
ManualAnti-lock
braking
system
Avoid
smoking,
flames, or
sparksBatteryBattery acid
Brake fluid –
non
petroleum
baseBrake systemCabin air
filter
Check fuel
capChild Safety
Door Lock
and UnlockChild seat
lower anchor
Child seat
tether anchorCruise
controlDo not open
when hot
Engine air
filterEngine
coolantEngine
coolant
temperature
Engine
oilExplosive
gasFan warning
Fasten safety
beltFront airbagFront fog
lamps
10Introduction
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 161 of 558

To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold or humid weather:
1. Select Floor/Panel.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
6. To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
HEATED REAR WINDOW
Note:The ignition must be on to use this feature.
Press the control to clear the rear window of thin ice and fog. Press the
control again within 10 minutes to switch it off. It turns off automatically
after 10 minutes, or when you switch the ignition off.
Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove decals from the inside of the
rear window. This may cause damage to the heated grid lines and
will not be covered by your warranty.
CABIN AIR FILTER
Note:A cabin air filter must be installed at all times to prevent foreign
objects from entering the system. Running the system without a filter in
place could result in degradation or damage to the system.
Your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air filter, which is located just in
front of the windshield under the cowl grille on the passenger side of the
vehicle.
The particulate air filtration system is designed to reduce the
concentration of airborne particles such as dust, spores and pollen in the
air being supplied to the interior of the vehicle. The particulate filtration
system gives the following benefits to customers:
•Improves the customer’s driving comfort by reducing particle
concentration
•Improves the interior compartment cleanliness
•Protects the climate control components from particle deposits
For more information regarding the interval at which you should replace
the cabin air filter, refer to theScheduled Maintenancechapter.
For additional cabin air filter information, or to replace the filter, see an
authorized dealer.
Climate Control161
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 173 of 558

If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the cooled seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
Note:When the heated/cooled front seat is active, you will be able to
hear the fan operating inside the seat. This is normal.
Heated and cooled seat air filter replacement (if equipped)
The climate controlled seat system includes air filters that must be
replaced periodically. Refer toScheduled maintenance information.
The filters are located under each front seat and can be accessed from
the 2nd row foot-well area. Move the front seats all the way forward and
to the full up positions to ease access.
To remove an air filter:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Push up on the outside rigid edge
of the filter and rotate
counterclockwise once the tabs are
released, then remove the filter.
To install a filter:
1. First, position the filter in its
housing making sure that the far
forward end is all the way up in the
housing.
2. Push in on the center of the
outside edge of the filter and rotate
up into the housing until it clips into
position.
Seats173
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 305 of 558
UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW
3.5L V6 engine
A. Engine coolant reservoir
B. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
C. Brake fluid reservoir
D. Battery
E. Power distribution box
F. Air filter assembly
G. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
H. Engine oil dipstick
I. Engine oil filler cap
A
IHGF
BCDE
Maintenance305
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 306 of 558
3.5L V6 EcoBoost™ engine
A. Engine coolant reservoir
B. Brake fluid reservoir
C. Battery
D. Power distribution box
E. Air filter assembly
F. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick (out of view)
G. Engine oil dipstick
H. Engine oil filler cap
I. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
ABCD
EFGHI
306Maintenance
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)