2014 FORD FLEX heating

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
Engine fluid temperature management (EcoBoost engine only)
WARNING:To reduce the risk of collision and injury, be
prepared that the vehicle speed may reduce and the vehicle may
not be able to accelerate with full power until the fluid temperatures
reduce.
Your vehicle has been designed to pull a trailer, but because of the added
load, the vehicle’s engine may temporarily reach higher temperatures
during severe operating conditions such as ascending a long or steep
grade while pulling a trailer in hot ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice your engine coolant temperature gauge
needle move toward the H (hot) and the POWER REDUCED TO LOWER
TEMP message may appear on the message center.
You may notice a reduction in the vehicle’s speed caused by reduced
engine power. Your vehicle has been designed to enter this mode if
certain high temperature/high load conditions take place in order to
manage the engine’s fluid temperatures. The amount of speed reduction
will depend on the vehicle loading, towing, grade, ambient temperature,
and other factors. If this occurs, there is no need to pull off the road.
The vehicle can continue to be driven while this message is active.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect overheating of the engine. When the engine coolant
temperature decreases to a more normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If you notice any of the following:
•the engine coolant temperature gauge moves fully into the red (hot)
area
•the coolant temperature warning light illuminates
•the service engine soon indicator illuminates
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and place the vehicle in P
(Park).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
Maintenance295
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

High fluid level
If the fluid level is above the MAX
range of the dipstick, remove fluid to
reach the hashmark level.Note:
Fluid level above the MAX level may
cause shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition. If your
vehicle has been operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city
traffic during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off until normal operating temperatures are reached. Depending
on vehicle use, cooling times could take up to 30 minutes or longer.
Adjusting Automatic Transmission Fluid Levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in theTechnical
specificationssection in this chapter.
Note:Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint
(250 ml) increments through the
filler tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
Note:An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
For vehicles equipped with the EcoBoost engine, reinstall the air filter
assembly.
After the fluid level has been checked and adjusted as necessary, do the
following:
1. Shut the engine off.
2. Loosen the clamp holding the air filter assembly to the rubber hose.
3. Rotate the air filter assembly 90 degrees clockwise without
disconnecting the sensor.
MAX MIN
MAX MIN
Maintenance301
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
every month or at six month intervals.
Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
Windshield washer fluid level.
Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if
necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as
necessary.
Scheduled Maintenance531
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)

HD Radio™ ...............................447
Headlamps
aiming ......................................308
bulb specifications ..................314
flash to pass ..............................99
high beam .................................99
replacing bulbs .......................310
Head restraints .........................146
Heated steering wheel ..............495
Heating ......................135, 137–138
Help ............................................494
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................167
Hood ..........................................288
How to use voice commands ...441
I
Ignition ...............................179, 355
Illuminated visor mirror ...........108
Information displays .................117
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................194
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................319
cluster ......................................111
Intelligent Access Key ................64
J
Jack ............................................347
positioning ...............................347
storage .....................................347
Joining two calls
(multiparty/conference call) ....394
Jump-starting your vehicle ......267K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................77
keypad .......................................82
locking and unlocking doors ....84
programming entry code .........82
Keys .......................................64, 86
positions of the ignition .........179
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................314
headlamps, flash to pass ..........99
interior lamps .........................103
replacing bulbs .......................310
LATCH anchors ...........................30
Liftgate ........................................79
Lights, warning and indicator ..111
Listening to music ....................444
Load limits .................................243
Locks
autolock .....................................77
childproof ..................................36
doors ..........................................75
Lubricant specifications ...........356
Lug nuts ....................................353
M
Making and receiving calls .......467
MAP DVD - Loading and
Unloading ..................................467
Map icons ..................................505
Map mode ..................................504
Map preferences .......................502
Index549
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)