2014 FORD FLEX battery

Console Refrigerator and Freezer (If Equipped)
This feature will operate when the vehicle is on or in accessory mode.
Limit the time of use when the vehicle is in accessory mode to avoid
draining the vehicle’s battery. Ford recommends only using this feature
when the engine is running.
Flip the console lid forward, then
lift off the cover to open the cooling
compartment. Make sure to replace
the cover after you using it. This
helps maintain a more consistent
cooling temperature.
Refrigerator:Briefly press and hold
COOL. The indicator light on the
cool side of the switch will illuminate
and the indicator light on the freeze
side will glow when the refrigerator
is active. The temperature will cool
to approximately 41°F (5°C). Briefly
press and holdCOOLagain to turn
off the refrigerator. Briefly press and
holdFREEZEto change to freezer
mode.
Freezer:Briefly press and hold
FREEZE. Both indicator lights will
illuminate when the freezer is active.
The temperature will cool to
approximately 23°F (-5°C). Press
FREEZEagain to turn off the
freezer. PressCOOLto change to
refrigerator mode.
This feature turns off when you switch the vehicle off. It turns back on
to the last mode when you restart the vehicle.
FREEZE
COOL
176Storage Compartments
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle on dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer immediately. Do
not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) after you
connect it. This is because the engine management system must realign
itself with the engine. You may disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all Canadian interference-causing
equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
or radio noise.
Do not press the accelerator pedal while starting the engine. If you have
difficulty starting the engine, seeFailure to startlater in this section.
178Starting and Stopping the Engine
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IGNITION SWITCH (IF EQUIPPED)
A.Off:The ignition is off.
Note:When you switch the ignition off and leave your vehicle, do not
leave your key in the ignition. This could cause your vehicle battery to
lose charge.
B.Accessory:Allows the electrical accessories, such as the radio, to
operate while the engine is not running.
Note:Do not leave the ignition key in this position for too long. This
could cause your vehicle battery to lose charge.
C.On:All electrical circuits are operational and the warning lamps and
indicators illuminate.
D.Start:Cranks the engine.
KEYLESS STARTING (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:The keyless starting system may not function if the key is close to
metal objects or electronic devices such as cellular phones.
Note:A valid key must be located inside your vehicle to switch the
ignition on and start the engine.
Note:When locking your vehicle, any remote controls left inside the
vehicle may become disabled. A message may appear in the information
display indicating that there is no key detected if you try to start the
engine. Press the unlock button on the remote control to enable it, and
then start the engine.
C
D
B
A
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Before starting the engine check the following:
•Make sure all occupants have fastened their safety belts.
•Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Make sure the gearshift is in positionP.
•Turn the ignition key to the on position. If your vehicle is equipped
with a keyless ignition, see the following instructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position. Release the key when the engine
starts.
Note:The engine may continue cranking for up to 15 seconds or until it
starts.
Note:If you cannot start the engine on the first try, wait for a short
period and try again.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Press the button.
The system does not function if:
•The key frequencies are jammed.
•The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start your vehicle, do the following:
1. Locate the key backup slot in the
center console utility
compartment.
2. With the buttons facing the front
passenger and the key ring at the
rear of the console, place the key
into backup slot.
3. With the key in this position,
press the brake pedal, then the
button to switch the ignition on
and start your vehicle.
Fast Restart (Vehicles with Keyless Start)
The fast restart feature allows you to restart the engine within
20 seconds of switching it off, even if a valid key is not present.
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Within 20 seconds of switching the engine off, press the brake pedal and
press the button. After 20 seconds have expired, you can no longer start
the engine without the key present inside your vehicle.
Once the engine has started, it remains running until you press the
button, even if the system does not detect a valid key. If you open and
close a door while the engine is running, the system searches for a valid
key. You cannot start the engine if the system does not detect a valid key
within 20 seconds.
Failure to Start
If you cannot start the engine after three attempts, wait 10 seconds and
follow this procedure:
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal and hold it there.
3. Start the engine.
Automatic Engine Shutdown
If your vehicle is equipped with a keyless ignition, it has a feature that
automatically shuts down the engine if it has been idling for an extended
period. The ignition also turns off in order to save battery power. Before
the engine shuts down, a message appears in the information display
showing a timer counting down from 30 seconds. If you do not intervene
within 30 seconds, the engine shuts down. Another message appears in
the information display to inform you that the engine has shut down in
order to save fuel. Start your vehicle as you normally do.
Automatic Engine Shutdown Override
Note:You cannot permanently switch off the automatic engine shutdown
feature. When you switch it off temporarily, it turns on at the next
ignition cycle.
You can stop the engine shutdown, or reset the timer, at any point
before the 30-second countdown has expired by doing any of the
following:
•You can reset the timer by interacting with your vehicle (such as
pressing the brake pedal or accelerator pedal).
•You can temporarily switch off the shutdown feature any time the
ignition is on (for the current ignition cycle only). Use the
information display to do so.
•During the countdown before engine shutdown, you are prompted to
pressOKorRESET(depending on your type of information display)
to temporarily switch the feature off (for the current ignition cycle
only).
182Starting and Stopping the Engine
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state, provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. SeeOn-board
Diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway or highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once the
engine is started, do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle
is complete. If the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above
driving cycle will have to be repeated.
194Fuel and Refueling
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If your vehicle is equipped with paddles on the steering wheel:
•Pull the left paddle (–) to
downshift the transmission.
•Pull the right paddle (+) to upshift
the transmission.
Upshift to the recommended shift speeds according to the following
chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
The instrument cluster will show the selected gear you are currently in.
In order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which
may cause it to stall, SelectShift will automatically make some downshifts
if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time. It will still
allow you to downshift at any time as long as SelectShift determines that
the engine will not be damaged from over-revving.
Note:Return the gear shift lever from S (Sport) to D (Drive) when
manual control is no longer desired.
Note:Engine damage may occur if excessive engine revving is held
without shifting.
Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning
This feature is designed to increase durability and provide consistent
shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may
have firm shifts, soft shifts or both. This operation is considered normal
and will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time,
the adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
Additionally, whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the strategy must be relearned.
Transmission197
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Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of your
vehicle load when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicles with a Trailer Towing Package
and 7–Pin Connector)
When attaching the trailer wiring connector to
your vehicle, only use a proper fitting connector
that works with the vehicle and trailer functions. If
your vehicle has a trailer towing package, it may
have a 7–pin connector. Some connectors may
have the SAE J2863 logo, which confirms that it is
the proper wiring connector and works correctly
with your vehicle.
Color Function
1. Yellow Left turn signal and stop lamp
2. White Ground (-)
3. Blue Electric brakes
4. Green Right turn signal and stop lamp
5. Orange Battery (+)
6. Brown Running lights
7. Grey Reverse lights
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that clamps onto your vehicle’s bumper. Use a
load-carrying hitch.
You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10–15% of the total
weight of the trailer is on the tongue. Do not to exceed the maximum
tongue load of 500 pounds (227 kilograms) on a Class III receiver.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
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.
254Towing
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)