2014 FORD FLEX Owners Manual

With hands off the wheel (and nothing obstructing its movement) and
the transmission inR(Reverse), the vehicle steers itself as instructions
to safely move the vehicle back and forward in the space are displayed in
the touch screen. While reversing, the touch screen displays a message
instructing the driver to check their surroundings (for safety reasons)
and to back-up slowly, accompanied by a corresponding graphic.
When you think the vehicle has enough space in front and behind it, or
you hear a solid tone from the parking aid, bring the vehicle to a
complete stop.
When automatic steering is finished, the touch screen displays a message
indicating that the active park assist process is done. The driver is
responsible for checking the parking job and making any necessary
corrections before putting the transmission inP(Park).
216Parking Aids
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Deactivating the Park Assist Feature
The system can be deactivated manually by:
•pressing the active park assist button
•grabbing the steering wheel
•driving above approximately 20 mph (35 km/h) for 30 seconds during
an active park search
•driving above 6 mph (10 km/h) during automatic steering
•turning off the traction control system.
Certain vehicle conditions can also deactivate the system:
•Traction control has activated on a slippery or loose surface.
•Anti-lock brake system activation or failure.
•Any door (except the driver’s) opens.
•Something touches the steering wheel.
If a problem occurs with the system, a warning message is displayed,
followed by a chime. Occasional active park assist messages may occur in
normal operation. For recurring or frequent active park assist faults,
contact an authorized dealer to have your vehicle serviced.
Troubleshooting the System
The system does not look for a space
The traction control system may be off
Any door (except the driver’s) may not be completely closed
The system does not offer a particular space
Something may be contacting the front bumper or side sensors
There is not enough room on both sides of the vehicle in order to park
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on the opposite
side of the parking space
The vehicle is farther than 5 ft (1.5 m) from the parking space
The vehicle is closer than 16 in. (40 cm) from neighboring parked
vehicles
The transmission is in R (Reverse); the vehicle must be moving
forward to detect a parking space
Parking Aids217
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the
space
The vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (i.e.
rolling forward when R [Reverse] is selected)
The transmission is in R (Reverse); the vehicle must be moving
forward to detect a parking space
An irregular curb along the parking space prevents the system from
aligning the vehicle properly
Vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be positioned correctly
The vehicle was pulled too far past the parking space. The system
performs best when you drive the same distance past the parking
space
The tires may not be installed or maintained correctly (i.e. not inflated
correctly, improper size, or of different sizes)
A repair or alteration has changed detection capabilities
A parked vehicle has a high attachment (i.e. salt sprayer, snowplow,
moving truck bed, etc.)
The parking space length or position of parked objects changed after
your vehicle passed
The temperature around your vehicle changes quickly (i.e. driving from
a heated garage into the cold, or after leaving a car wash)
REAR VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:The rear view camera system is a reverse aid
supplement device that still requires the driver to use it in
conjunction with the interior and exterior mirrors for maximum
coverage.
WARNING:Objects that are close to either corner of the
bumper or under the bumper, might not be seen on the screen
due to the limited coverage of the camera system.
WARNING:Back up as slow as possible since higher speeds
might limit your reaction time to stop the vehicle.
218Parking Aids
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

WARNING:Use caution when using the rear video camera and
the trunk is ajar. If the trunk is ajar, the camera will be out of
position and the video image may be incorrect. All guidelines
(if enabled) have been removed when the trunk is ajar.
WARNING:Use caution when turning camera features on or off
while in R (Reverse). Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
The rear view camera system
provides a video image of the area
behind the vehicle.
During operation, lines appear in
the display which represent your
vehicle’s path and proximity to
objects behind the vehicle.
The camera is located on the
liftgate.
Using the Rear View Camera System
The rear view camera system displays what is behind your vehicle when
you place the transmission inR. The system uses fixed guidelines which
show the actual path the vehicle is moving in while reversing in a
straight line. This can be helpful when backing into a parking space or
aligning the vehicle with another object behind the vehicle.
Note:Do not use the camera system if the trunk is ajar.
Note:If the image comes on while the transmission is not inR, have the
system inspected by your authorized dealer.
Parking Aids219
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Note:When towing, the camera only sees what is being towed behind
the vehicle. This might not provide adequate coverage as it usually
provides in normal operation and some objects might not be seen.
In some vehicles, the guidelines may disappear once the trailer tow
connector is engaged.
Note:The camera may not operate correctly under the following
conditions:
•Nighttime or dark areas if one or both reverse lamps are not
operating.
•The camera’s view is obstructed by mud, water or debris. Clean the
lens with a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
•The rear of the vehicle is hit or damaged, causing the camera to
become misaligned.
Guidelines and the Centerline
Note:Fixed guidelines and active guidelines (if equipped) are only
available when the transmission is in R (Reverse).
Note:The centerline is only available if Fixed or Active (if equipped)
guidelines are on.
A. Active guidelines (if equipped)
B. Centerline
C. Fixed guideline: Green zone
D. Fixed guideline: Yellow zone
E. Fixed guideline: Red zone
F. Rear bumper
ABCD
F
E
220Parking Aids
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

If your vehicle is equipped with active guidelines they are only shown
with fixed guidelines. To use active guidelines, turn the steering wheel to
point the guidelines toward an intended path. If the steering wheel
position is changed while reversing, the vehicle might deviate from the
original intended path.
The fixed and active guidelines fade in and out depending on the
steering wheel position. When the steering wheel position is straight, the
active guidelines are not shown.
Always use caution while reversing. Objects in the red zone are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the green zone are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green zone to
the yellow or red zones. Use the side view mirrors and rear view mirror
to get better coverage on both sides and rear of the vehicle.
Selectable settings for this feature are ACTIVE + FIXED, FIXED and
OFF.
Visual Park Aid Alert
Note:Visual park alert is only available when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
Note:The reverse sensing system is not effective at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angular or moving objects.
The visual park aid alert allows the driver to view the area that is being
detected by the reverse sensing system. The system uses red, yellow and
green highlights which appear on top of the video image when an object
is detected by the reverse sensing system. The alert highlights the
closest object detected. The reverse sensing alert can be disabled and if
visual park aid alert is enabled, highlighted areas are still displayed.
Selectable settings for this feature are ON and OFF.
Parking Aids221
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Manual Zoom
WARNING:When manual zoom is on, the full area behind the
vehicle is not shown. Be aware of your surroundings when using
the manual zoom feature.
Note:Manual zoom is only available when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
Note:When manual zoom is enabled, only the centerline is shown.
Allows the driver to get a closer view of an object behind the vehicle.
The zoomed image keeps the bumper in the image to provide a
reference. The zoom is only active while the transmission is in R
(Reverse), When the transmission is shifted out of R (Reverse), the
feature automatically turns off and must be reset when it is used again.
Selectable settings for this feature are OFF, Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.
Press the up and down arrows to change the view. The selection level
appears between the buttons (i.e. Level 1). The default setting for the
manual zoom is OFF.
Rear Camera Delay
When shifting the transmission out of R (Reverse) and into any gear
other than P (Park), the camera image remains in the display until the
vehicle speed reaches 6 mph (10 km/h). This occurs when the rear
camera delay feature is on, or until a radio button is selected.
Selectable settings for this feature are ON and OFF. The default setting
for the rear camera delay is OFF.
222Parking Aids
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot
on the accelerator pedal.
USING CRUISE CONTROL
WARNING:Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Note:Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up or down a
steep hill. Apply the brakes if your vehicle speed increases above the set
speed while driving downhill.
Note:Cruise control will disengage if your vehicle speed decreases more
than 10 mph (16 km/h) below your set speed while driving uphill.
The cruise controls are located on
the steering wheel.
Switching Cruise Control On
Press theONcontrol up and release.
The indicator will appear in the instrument cluster.
Setting a Speed
1. Accelerate to the desired speed.
2. Press theSETcontrol upward and release.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The indicator will change colors in the instrument cluster.
Changing the Set Speed
Note:If you accelerate by pressing the accelerator pedal, the set speed
will not change. When you release the accelerator pedal, you will return
to the speed that you previously set.
Cruise Control223
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)