2014 FORD FLEX brake

5. A lead vehicle graphic will
illuminate if there is a vehicle
detected in front of you.
Note:When adaptive cruise control is active, the set speed displayed in
the information display may vary slightly from the speedometer.
Following a Vehicle
WARNING:When following a vehicle in front of you, the vehicle
will not decelerate automatically to a stop, nor will the vehicle
always decelerate quickly enough to avoid a collision without driver
intervention. Always apply the brakes when necessary. Failing to do so
may result in a collision, serious injury or death.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control only warns of vehicles
detected by the radar sensor. In some cases there may be no
warning or the warning may be delayed. The driver should always apply
the brakes when necessary. Failing to do so may result in a collision,
serious injury or death.
Note:The brakes may emit a sound when they are being modulated by
the adaptive cruise control system.
When a vehicle ahead of you enters the same lane or a slower vehicle is
ahead in the same lane, the vehicle speed adjusts to maintain a preset
gap distance. The distance setting is adjustable.
The lead vehicle graphic will be illuminated.
The vehicle will maintain a constant distance between the vehicle ahead
until:
•the vehicle in front of you accelerates to a speed above the set speed
•the vehicle in front of you moves out of your lane or out of view
•the vehicle speed falls below 16 mph (26 km/h)
•a new gap distance is set.
The vehicle brakes will be automatically applied to slow the vehicle to
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The maximum braking
which is applied by the system is limited and can be overridden by the
driver applying the brakes.
226Cruise Control
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

If the system predicts that its maximum braking level will not be
sufficient, an audible warning will sound while the system continues to
brake. This is accompanied by a heads-up display; a red warning bar
illuminating on the windshield. You should take immediate action.
Setting the Gap Distance
Note:It is your responsibility to select a gap appropriate to the driving
conditions.
You can decrease or increase the
distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you by
pressing theGAPcontrolupor
down. The selected gap will display
in the information display as shown by the bars in the graphic. Four gap
distance settings are available.
Graphic
display (bars
between
vehicles)Following
distanceFollowing
distance at
60 mph
(100 km/h)Dynamic
behavior
1 bar 1 second 31 yards (28 m) Sporty
2 bars 1.4 seconds 43 yards (39 m) Normal
3 bars 1.8 seconds 55 yards (50 m) Normal
4 bars 2.2 seconds 67 yards (61 m) Comfort
Each time you restart your vehicle, the system will select the last chosen
gap for the current driver.
Disengaging Adaptive Cruise Control
Press the brake pedal or pressCNCLto disengage the system. The last
set speed will display with a strikethrough.
Disengaging the system will not erase your previous set speed.
Overriding Adaptive Cruise Control
WARNING:Whenever the driver is overriding the ACC by
pressing the accelerator pedal, the ACC will not automatically
apply the brakes to maintain separation from any vehicle ahead.
You can override the set speed and gap distance by pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Cruise Control227
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

When you are overriding the system, the green indicator light
illuminates and the follow vehicle does not show in the
information display. The system will resume operation when
you release the accelerator pedal. The vehicle speed will decrease to the
set speed, or a lower speed if following a slower vehicle.
Changing the Set Speed
There are three ways to change the set speed:
•Accelerate or brake to the desired speed and pressSETupward and
release.
•Increase or decrease the speed by holdingSETupward or downward
until the desired set speed is shown on the information display. The
vehicle speed will gradually change to the selected speed.
•Increase or decrease the speed in increments of 1 mph (2 km/h) by
briefly pressingSETupward or downward.
The system may apply the brakes to slow the vehicle down to the new
set speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information
display while the system is active.
Resuming the Set Speed
Note:Resume should only be used if you are aware of the set speed and
intend to return to it.
Press and releaseRES. The vehicle will return to the previously set
speed. The set speed will display continuously in the information display
while the system is active.
Low Speed Automatic Cancellation
The system is not functional at vehicle speeds below 16 mph (26 km/h).
An audible alarm sounds and the automatic braking released if the
vehicle drops below this speed.
Hilly Condition Usage
Note:An audible alarm sounds and the system shuts down if it is
applying brakes for an extended period of time. This allows the brakes to
cool down. The system will function normally again when the brakes
have cooled down.
You should select a lower gear position when the system is active in
situations such as prolonged downhill driving on steep grades, for
example driving in mountainous areas. Your vehicle needs additional
engine braking in these situations to reduce the load on the vehicle’s
regular brake system to prevent them from overheating.
228Cruise Control
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Switching Off Adaptive Cruise Control
Note:The set speed memory will erase when you switch the system off.
Press and releaseOFFor turn off the ignition.
Detection Issues
The radar sensor has a limited field of vision. It may not detect vehicles
at all or detect a vehicle later than expected in some situations. The lead
vehicle graphic will not illuminate if the system does not detect a vehicle
in front of you.
Detection issues can occur:
A. When driving on a different line
than the vehicle in front.
B. With vehicles that edge into your
lane. The system can only detect
these vehicles once they move fully
into your lane.
C. There may be issues with the
detection of vehicles in front when
driving into and coming out of a
bend or curve in the road.
In these cases the system may brake late or unexpectedly. You should
stay alert and intervene when necessary.
If the front end of your vehicle is hit or damaged, the radar sensing zone
may be altered causing missed or false vehicle detections. See your
authorized dealer to have the radar checked for proper coverage and
operation.
Cruise Control229
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Several conditions exist which can cause the system to deactivate or
prevent the system from activating when requested. These conditions
include:
•a blocked sensor
•high brake temperature
•a failure in the system or a related system.
Blocked Sensor
WARNING:Do not use ACC when towing a trailer with brake
controls. Aftermarket trailer brakes will not function properly
when ACC is activated because the brakes are electronically controlled.
Failing to do so may result in loss of vehicle control, which could result
in serious injury.
WARNING:Do not use tires sizes other than those
recommended because this can affect the normal operation of
ACC. Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which
could result in serious injury.
A message regarding a blocked
sensor is displayed if the radar
signals from the sensor have been
obstructed. The sensor is located
behind a fascia cover near the
driver side of the lower grille. A
vehicle ahead cannot be detected
and the system will not function
when the radar signals are obstructed. The following table lists possible
causes and actions for this message being displayed.
230Cruise Control
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the
grille is dirty or obstructed in
some way.Clean the grille surface in front of
the radar or remove the object
causing the obstruction.
The surface of the radar in the
grille is clean but the message
remains in the display.Wait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer
obstructed.
Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar signals.Do not use the system in these
conditions because it may not
detect any vehicle ahead.
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signals.Do not use system in these
conditions because it may not
detect any vehicle ahead.
You are in a desert or remote area
with no other vehicles and no
roadside objects.Wait a short time or switch to
normal cruise control.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blockage
warning and not be blocked. This can happen, for example, when driving
in sparse rural or desert environments. A false blocked condition will
either self-clear or clear after a key cycle.
Switching to Normal Cruise Control
WARNING:Normal cruise control will not brake due to slower
vehicles. Always be aware of which mode is selected and apply
the brakes when necessary.
You can manually change from adaptive cruise control to normal cruise
control through the information display.
The cruise control indicator light will replace the adaptive
cruise control indicator light if normal cruise control is selected.
The gap setting will not be displayed, the system will not
automatically respond to lead vehicles and automatic braking will not be
activated. The system will default to adaptive cruise control when the
engine is started.
Cruise Control231
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

System Errors
If either system senses a problem with the left or right sensor, the
BLIS® indicator in the information display will illuminate and remain on.
Also,BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULTorCROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM
FAULTmessage will appear. When problems that may cause the left or
right indicator not to illuminate, only the information display message
faults appear.
Switching the Systems Off and On
One or both systems can be switched off temporarily by using the
information display control; refer to theInformation Displaychapter.
When the BLIS® is switched off, the driver does not receive alerts and
the information display shows BLIND SPOT SYS OFF and/or CTA
SYSTEM OFF. The system switches back on whenever the ignition is
switched on.
One or both systems can also be switched off permanently at your
authorized dealer. Once switched off, switching it back on must also be
done at the dealership.
COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:This system is designed to be a supplementary
driving aid. It is not intended to replace the driver’s attention,
and judgment, or the need to apply the brakes. This system does NOT
activate the brakes automatically. Failure to press the brake pedal to
activate the brakes may result in a collision.
WARNING:The collision warning system with brake support
cannot help prevent all collisions. Do not rely on this system to
replace driver judgment and the need to maintain distance and speed.
Note:The system does not detect, warn or respond to potential
collisions with vehicles to the rear or sides of the vehicle.
Note:The collision warning system is active at speeds above
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
Driving Aids237
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

This system is designed to alert the
driver of certain collision risks.
A radar detects if your vehicle is
rapidly approaching another vehicle
traveling in the same direction as
yours.
If it is, a red warning light
illuminates and an audible warning
chime sounds.
The brake support system assists the driver in reducing the collision
speed by charging the brakes. If the risk of collision further increases
after the warning light illuminates, the brake support prepares the brake
system for rapid braking. This may be apparent to the driver. The system
does not automatically activate the brakes but, if the brake pedal is
pressed, full force braking is applied even if the brake pedal is lightly
pressed.
Using the Collision Warning System
WARNING:The collision warning system’s brake support can
only help reduce the speed at which a collision occurs if the
driver applies the vehicle’s brakes. The brake pedal must be pressed
just like any typical braking situation.
The warning system and chime can be turned on and off separately; the
warning system sensitivity can be adjusted to one of three possible
settings by using the information display control. Refer to the
Information Displayschapter.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off in a vehicle equipped with
MyKey®, refer to theMyKey®chapter.
Note:If collision warnings are perceived as being too frequent or
disturbing then the warning sensitivity can be reduced, though the
manufacturer recommends using the highest sensitivity setting where
possible. Setting lower sensitivity would lead to fewer and later system
warnings. Refer to theInformation Displayschapter for instructions on
reducing the sensitivity.
238Driving Aids
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)