2014 FORD FLEX child lock

WARNING:When possible, all children 12 years old and under
should be properly restrained in a rear seating position. Failure
to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.
WARNING:Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle
that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a
small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child
anywhere near them.
WARNING:Front and rear seat occupants, including pregnant
women, should wear safety belts for optimum protection in an
accident.
All seating positions in this vehicle have lap and shoulder safety belts. All
occupants of the vehicle should always properly wear their safety belts,
even when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided.
The safety belt system consists of:
•lap and shoulder safety belts.
•shoulder safety belt with automatic locking mode (except driver and
rear inflatable safety belt).
•height adjuster at the front outboard seating positions
•safety belt pretensioner at the front outboard seating positions.
•belt tension sensor at the front outboard passenger seating position.
•Safety belt warning light and chime. SeeSafety Belt
Warning Light and Indicator Chimelater in this chapter.
•Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness
indicator. SeeCrash Sensors and Airbag Indicatorin the
Supplemental Restraint Systemchapter.
The safety belt pretensioners and rear inflatable safety belts are designed
to activate in frontal, near-frontal and side crashes, and in rollovers. The
safety belt pretensioners at the front seating positions are designed to
tighten the safety belts firmly against the occupant’s body when activated.
This helps increase the effectiveness of the safety belts. In frontal crashes,
the safety belt pretensioners can be activated alone or, if the crash is of
sufficient severity, together with the front airbags.
38Safety Belts
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Pregnant women should always
wear their safety belts. The lap belt
portion of a combination lap and
shoulder belt should be positioned
low across the hips below the belly
and worn as tight as comfort will
allow. The shoulder belt should be
positioned to cross the middle of
the shoulder and the center of the
chest.
Safety Belt Locking Modes
WARNING:After any vehicle crash, the safety belt system at all
passenger seating positions must be checked by an authorized
dealer to verify that the automatic locking retractor feature for child
seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be
checked for proper function.
WARNING:The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced if
the safety belt assembly automatic locking retractor feature or
any other safety belt function is not operating properly when checked
by an authorized dealer. Failure to replace the belt and retractor
assembly could increase the risk of injury in crashes.
All safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder
belts. The driver safety belt has the first locking mode and the front
outboard passenger and rear seat safety belts have both types of locking
modes described as follows:
Vehicle Sensitive Mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder or lap belt
length adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of about 5 mph (8 km/h) or
more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward
movement of the driver and passengers.
In addition, the retractor(s) is designed to lock if the webbing is pulled
out too quickly. If this occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull
webbing out again in a slow and controlled manner.
40Safety Belts
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Automatic Locking Mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt or lap belt is automatically pre-locked.
The belt will still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder or lap belt.
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to Use the Automatic Locking Mode
This mode should be used any time a child safety seat, except a booster,
is installed in passenger front or rear seating positions. Children 12 years
old and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position
whenever possible.
How to use the automatic locking mode
Non-inflatable safety belts
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder
belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until the entire belt is pulled
out.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt
retracts, you will hear a clicking sound.
This indicates the safety belt is now in the
automatic locking mode.
Rear outboard inflatable safety belts (second row only–if
equipped)
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder
belt.
2. Grasp the lap portion of the belt and pull
upward until the entire belt is pulled out.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt
retracts, you will hear a clicking sound.
This indicates the safety belt is now in the
automatic locking mode.
How to Disengage the Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap and shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
Safety Belts41
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

REAR INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the rear
inflatable safety belt as you could be seriously injured or killed.
Note:
The rear inflatable safety belts are compatible with most infant and
child safety car seats and belt positioning booster seats when properly
installed. This is because they are designed to fill with a cool gas at a lower
pressure and at a slower rate than traditional airbags. After inflation, the
shoulder portion of the safety belt remains cool to the touch.
The rear inflatable safety belts are located in the shoulder portion of the
safety belts of the second-row outboard seating positions.
The rear inflatable safety belt consists of the following:
•an inflatable bag located in the shoulder safety belt webbing
•lap safety belt webbing with automatic locking mode
•crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator
SeeCrash Sensors and Airbag Indicatorin theSupplemental
Restraint Systemchapter.
How Does the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt System Work?
WARNING:If the rear inflatable safety belt has deployed, it will
not function again. The rear inflatable safety belt system must be
replaced by an authorized dealer.
•The rear inflatable safety belts will function like standard restraints in
everyday usage.
•During a crash of sufficient force, the inflatable
belt will inflate from inside the webbing.
46Safety Belts
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

WARNING:Keep keys out of the reach of children. Do not allow
children to operate the power liftgate, or to play near to an open
or moving power liftgate.
Note:Cycling the ignition while the liftgate is power closing and is near
the latch may cause the liftgate to reverse to full open position. Make
sure that the liftgate is closed before operating or moving the vehicle,
especially in an enclosure, like a garage or a parking structure. The
liftgate or its components could be damaged.
Note:Do not drive with the liftgate open without first disabling the
power function and securing the liftgate to the vehicle.
Note:In case of operation in extreme cold -40°F (-40°C), or on extreme
inclines, manual operation of the liftgate is suggested.
You can enable or disable the power liftgate using the information
display. The remote control and instrument panel button will still operate
the liftgate regardless of the setting.
Opening and Closing the Power Liftgate
Note:The liftgate movement direction can be reversed with a second
press of the instrument panel, or the control button on the liftgate, or a
second double press of the transmitter button.
The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle inP.
A chime will sound three times as the liftgate begins to power close.
A single chime indicates a problem with the close request, caused by:
•the ignition is on and the transmission is not inP;
•or the battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage;
•or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 km/h).
If the liftgate reverses and starts to close after an open request, a fast
continuous chime indicates excessive load on the gate or a possible strut
failure. See your authorized dealer if you still have a fast chime after the
load is removed.
To open or close from the instrument panel:Press the
instrument panel button.
To open or close with the remote control:Press the remote
control button twice within three seconds.
80Locks
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
These are examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp
water leak):
•Water puddle inside the lamp.
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Note:If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Locate the high beam/low beam headlamp bulb electrical connector
and remove it by squeezing the locking tab and pulling it straight out.
310Maintenance
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

911 Assist™ ......................405, 479
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................208
Accessing and using your USB
port ............................................458
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call .............394
Accessing your calendar ..........479
Accessing your media menu
features ......................................417
Accessing your phone menu
features ......................................396
Accessory delay ........................105
Active call menu options .........394
Active Park Assist .....................213
Adaptive Cruise Control ...........224
Adding (pairing) a phone ........466
Advanced menu options ...404, 424
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) ..............................404
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................52
and child safety seats ..............53
description ................................52
disposal ......................................62
driver airbag ..............................52
passenger airbag .......................52
side airbag ...........................52, 57
Air cleaner filter .......306–307, 359
Air conditioning ........................135
manual heating and air
conditioning system ...............135
Air filter, cabin ..........................143All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................200
Ambient mood/lighting .............486
AM/FM .......................................446
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................292
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................208
Anti-theft system ..................86, 89
arming the system ..............86, 89
disarming a triggered system ..89
Audio system
Single CD ................369, 374–375
Audio system
(see Radio) ................369, 374–375
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................195
fluid, adding ............................298
fluid, checking ........................298
fluid, refill capacities ..............356
fluid, specification ..................356
Selectshift (SST) ....................196
Auxiliary Input Jack .................454
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ..382
Auxiliary powerpoint ................172
A/V inputs ..........................384, 462
B
Battery .......................................303
acid, treating emergencies .....303
jumping a disabled battery ....267
maintenance-free ....................303
replacement, specifications ...359
servicing ..................................303
Blind Spot Information
System .......................................232
546Index
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Booster seats ...............................22
Brakes ........................................207
anti-lock ...................................208
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................208
brake warning light ................208
fluid, checking and adding ....302
fluid, refill capacities ..............356
fluid, specifications .................356
lubricant specifications ..........356
parking ....................................208
shift interlock ..........................198
trailer .......................................255
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....356
Cargo net ...................................242
CD ..............................369, 374–375
CD player ..........................367, 457
CD voice commands .................458
Cell phone use ............................15
Changing a tire .........................347
Child safety restraints ..........30, 32
Child safety seats
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................40
LATCH .......................................30
Child safety seats - booster
seats .............................................22
Cleaning the touchscreen ........436
Cleaning your vehicle ...............315
engine compartment ..............317
instrument panel ....................319
interior .....................................319
plastic parts ............................316
washing ....................................315
waxing .....................................317wheels ......................................321
wiper blades ............................318
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........135
Climate voice commands .........497
Clock ..................................369, 484
Collision Warning System .........237
Compass Display .......................120
Console ......................................175
overhead ..................................177
rear ..........................................175
Coolant ......................................292
checking and adding ..............292
refill capacities ........................356
specifications ..........................356
Cooler ........................................176
Cross Traffic Alert ....................232
Cruise control ...........................223
Customer Assistance ................265
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................364
Getting roadside assistance ...265
Getting the service you
need .........................................270
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................276
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................274
D
Defrost .......................135, 137–138
rear window ............................143
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................298
engine oil .................................291
Index547
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)