2013 FORD FLEX tow bar

Weight-Distributing Hitch
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender, this is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender a second time, this is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that
the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1 and
H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height
accordingly and repeat Steps 3–6.
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
Safety Chains
Always connect the safety chains to the vehicle’s hook retainers. To
connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the rental agency’s instructions.
Note:Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Towing271
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•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)

When you select: You can:
Traffic Preferences Choose how you want the system to handle
traffic problems along your route.
Automatic: Have the system reroute you to
avoid traffic incidents that develop and impact
the current route (no notification is
provided).
Manual: Have the system always provide a
traffic alert notification for traffic incidents
along the planned route. You have a choice to
accept or ignore the notification before the
route deviation is made.
Turn on certain, or all, traffic icons on the
map (road work, incidents, accidents, closed
roads, etc.).
Avoid Areas Choose areas which you want the system to
avoid when calculating a route for you. Press
Add to select a category.
Once you make a selection, the system tries
to avoid the area(s) if possible for all routes.
To delete a selection, choose the listing on the
screen; when the screen changes to Avoid
Areas Edit, press Delete at the bottom right
of the screen.
Map Mode
Press the green bar in the upper right area of the touchscreen to view
map mode. Map mode shows advanced viewing comprised of both 2D
city maps as well as 3D landmarks (when available).
2D city mapsshow detailed outlines of buildings, visible land use and
land elements and detailed railway infrastructure for the most essential
cities around the globe. These maps also contain features such as town
blocks, building footprints, and railways.
3D landmarksappear as clear, visible objects which are typically
recognizable and have a certain tourist value. The 3D landmarks appear
in 3D map mode only. Coverage varies, and improves with updated map
releases.
MyFord Touch™527
2013 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)