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Stowing the tire and jack
1. Fully collapse the jack, fold the
lug wrench socket into the handle
and place the jack and wrench into
the felt bag as shown. Place the
extension bolt or L-shaped bolt into
the external pocket of the felt bag.
Take care to position the jack as
shown to make sure that the
locating holes in the jack base can
be placed on the locating tabs of
the jack mounting bracket in the
spare tire tub.
2. Securely close the wrench compartment and the jack bag using the
Velcro® straps.
3. Place the jack kit on the angled bracket in the spare tire tub, using
the locating tabs to position the jack correctly.
4. Insert the straight end of the jack retention
bracket through the eyelet of the angled bracket
and swing the retention bracket over the jack.
With the jack in place, place the looped end of
the retention bracket over the threaded stud in
the trunk floor and secure it with the plastic
wing nut.
352Wheels and Tires
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USA(fus)
Page 354 of 554

If you are stowing the flat tire,
remove the L-shaped bolt from the
external pocket of the felt bag. With
the third row seat in the raised
position, stand the flat tire in the
rear of the vehicle with the tire’s
valve stem facing the rear of the
vehicle. Fasten the flat tire to the
vehicle by inserting the L-shaped
bolt through one of the lug bolt
holes in the wheel. Turn it
clockwise into the threaded hole in the vehicle until the tire is secured.
If you are stowing the temporary spare tire, place the tire over the jack
and secure it with the large wing nut.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specifications
WARNING:When a wheel is installed, always remove any
corrosion, dirt or foreign materials present on the mounting
surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub, brake drum or
brake disc that contacts the wheel. Make sure that any fasteners that
attach the rotor to the hub are secured so they do not interfere with
the mounting surfaces of the wheel. Installing wheels without correct
metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the
wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in
motion, resulting in loss of control.
Wheels and Tires353
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USA(fus)
Page 532 of 554

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
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USA(fus)
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Multi-point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the
systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify
potential issues and prevent major problems. Ford Motor Company
recommends the following multi-point inspection be performed at every
scheduled maintenance interval to help make sure your vehicle keeps
running great.
Multi-point inspection
Accessory drive belt(s) Hazard warning system operation
Battery performance Horn operation
Engine air filter Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
Exhaust system Suspension components for leaks or
damage
Exterior lamps operation Steering and linkage
Fluid levels
*; fill if necessary Tires (including spare) for wear and
proper pressure**
For oil and fluid leaks Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
Half-shaft dust boots Washer spray and wiper operation
*Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission (with an
underhood dipstick) and window washer.
**If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire
sealant expiration Use By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the
multi-point vehicle inspection. It is a comprehensive way to perform a
thorough inspection of your vehicle. It is your checklist that gives you
immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle. You will
know what has been checked, what is okay, as well as those things that
may require future or immediate attention. The multi-point vehicle
inspection is one more way to keep your vehicle running great!
532Scheduled Maintenance
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USA(fus)
Page 553 of 554

Settings ......................................484
Setting the clock ...............369, 484
Side air curtain ...........................59
Side-curtain airbags system .......59
SIRIUS® satellite radio ....369, 452
SIRIUS satellite radio voice
commands .................................453
SIRIUS Travel Link ...................476
SIRIUS Travel Link voice
commands .................................477
SOS Post Crash Alert .................51
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........349
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................355, 359
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................356
Stability system .........................211
Starting your vehicle ................180
jump starting ..........................267
push button start system .......179
Steering wheel ............................91
controls ......................................93
tilting .........................................91
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................52
Supported media file types ......461
Supported player, media
formats and metadata
information ................................461
SYNC® customer support ........386
SYNC® Services ................410, 473
System settings .........................487T
Temperature control
(see Climate
control) ..............135, 137–138, 495
Text messaging .................397, 468
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....398, 400
Third-row power fold seat .......164
Tilt steering wheel ......................91
Tires ...................................326, 347
alignment ................................340
care ..........................................326
changing ..........................347, 349
checking the pressure ............336
inflating ...................................334
label .........................................333
replacing ..................................338
rotating ....................................340
safety practices .......................339
sidewall information ...............328
snow tires and chains ............341
spare tire .................................347
terminology .............................327
tire grades ...............................327
treadwear ........................326, 336
Touchscreen features
(climate) ....................................495
Towing .......................251, 258–259
recreational towing .................259
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............256
trailer towing ..........................251
wrecker ....................................258
Traction control ........................209
Traffic, Directions and
Information ................................410
Traffic preferences ...................502
552Index
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)