Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes......................208
Parking brake........................................208
Traction Control 209
TractionControl™ ....................................209
Stability Control 210
AdvanceTrac®.......................................211
Parking Aids 212
Sensing system.......................................212
Active park assist.....................................213
Rear-view camera system...............................218
Cruise Control 223
Using cruise control...................................223
Using Adaptive Cruise Control............................224
Driving Aids 232
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert
(CTA) .............................................232
Collision warning system................................237
Steering............................................240
Load Carrying 242
Cargo net...........................................242
Roof racks and load carriers.............................242
Vehicle loading.......................................243
Towing 251
Trailertowing........................................251
Wrecker towing......................................258
Recreational towing...................................259
Driving Hints 261
Economical driving....................................261
Driving through water..................................262
Floormats..........................................263
Table of Contents5
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Fuel pump
resetFuse
compartmentHazard
warning
flasher
Heated rear
windowInterior
luggage
compartment
releaseJack
Lighting
controlLow tire
pressure
warningMaintain
correct fluid
level
Panic alarmParking aid
systemParking
brake system
Power
steering fluidPower
windows
front and
rearPower
window
lockout
Service
engine soonSide airbagStability
control
Windshield
defrost and
demistWindshield
washer and
wiper
DATA RECORDING
Service Data Recording
Service data recorders in your vehicle are capable of collecting and
storing diagnostic information about your vehicle. This potentially
includes information about the performance or status of various systems
and modules in the vehicle, such as engine, throttle, steering or brake
systems. In order to properly diagnose and service your vehicle, Ford
Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may
access or share among them vehicle diagnostic information received
through a direct connection to your vehicle when diagnosing or servicing
your vehicle. Additionally, when your vehicle is in for service or repair,
Ford Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities
Introduction11
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Note:The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder are deactivated and
activated independently. When deactivating or activating one seating
position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the
process.
Read Steps1-5thoroughly before proceeding with the programming
procedure.
Note:If you are using MyKey®, the Belt-Minder cannot be disabled.
Also, if the Belt-Minder has been previously disabled, it will be
re-enabled during the use of MyKey®. See theMyKey®chapter.
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder features can be deactivated
or activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•the parking brake is set
•the transmission selector lever is in positionP
•the ignition is off
•the driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
1. Turn the ignition on. Do not start the engine.
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off (about one minute).
3. Wait 10 seconds after the safety belt warning light turns off.
•Step 4 must be completed within 20 seconds after the completion of
Step 3.
4. For the seating position being disabled buckle then unbuckle the
safety belt three times at a moderate speed, ending in the unbuckled
state.
•After Step 4, the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
5. Within about seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle then
unbuckle the safety belt.
•This will disable the Belt-Minder feature for that seating position if it
is currently enabled.
•This will enable the Belt-Minder feature for that seating position if it is
currently disabled.
Safety Belts45
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Remote Starting the Vehicle
Note:You must press each button within three seconds of each other.
Your vehicle will not remote start and the horn will not sound if you do
not follow this sequence.
The label on your transmitter
details the starting procedure.
To remote start your vehicle:
1. Press the lock button to lock all the doors.
2. Press the remote start button twice. The exterior lamps will flash
twice.
The horn will sound if the system fails to start.
Note:If you remote start your vehicle with an integrated keyhead
transmitter, you must switch the ignition on before driving your vehicle.
If you remote start your vehicle with an intelligent access transmitter,
you must have a programmed intelligent access key inside your vehicle
and press theSTART/STOPbutton on the instrument panel once while
applying the brake pedal before driving your vehicle.
The power windows will be inhibited during the remote start and the
radio will not turn on automatically.
The parking lamps will remain on and your vehicle will run for 5, 10, or
15 minutes, depending on the setting. See theInformation Displays
chapter to select the duration of the remote start system.
Extending the Vehicle Run Time
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with your vehicle still running to extend the run
time for another remote start duration. If the duration is set to last
10 minutes, the duration will extend by another 10 minutes beginning
after what is left of the first activation time. For example, if your vehicle
had been running from the first remote start for five minutes, your
vehicle will continue to run now for a total of 15 minutes.
Wait at least five seconds before remote starting after a vehicle
shutdown.
Keys and Remote Control69
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
3. Turn the lighting control to the off position.
4. Turn the ignition on.
5. Turn the ignition off.
6. Turn the lighting control to the autolamp position. The headlamps and
parking lamps will turn on.
7. Turn the lighting control to the off position when the desired delay
time has been reached. The headlamps and parking lamps will turn off.
You can set the headlamp exit delay to one of the following settings:
•Off
•10 seconds
•20 seconds
•30 seconds
•60 seconds
•90 seconds
•120 seconds
•180 seconds.
Note:You can also adjust the time delay using the display controls in
the instrument cluster. See theInformation Displayschapter.
DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
The system switches the headlamps on with a reduced output (vehicles
equipped with halogen headlamps) or turns the front fog lamps on
(vehicles equipped with HID headlamps) in low light situations.
To switch the system on:
1. Switch the ignition on.
2. Switch the lighting control to the off, autolamp or parking lamp
position.
3. Make sure the transmission selector lever is not in position P.
4. Make sure the parking brake is disengaged.
Lighting101
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
•Engaged (green light): Illuminates when the adaptive cruise control
system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control system is
disengaged.
Stability Control System
Displays when the AdvanceTrac®/Traction control is active. If
the light remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Stability Control System Off
Illuminates when AdvanceTrac®/Traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Airbag readiness
If this light fails to illuminate when the ignition is turned on,
continues to flash or remains on, contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. A chime will sound when there is a
malfunction in the indicator light.
Anti-lock brake system
If the ABS light stays illuminated or continues to flash, a
malfunction has been detected. Contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. Normal braking is still functional unless the
brake warning light also is illuminated.
Brake system warning light
To confirm the brake system warning light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the ignition is turned to the on
position when the engine is not running, or in a position
between on and start, or by applying the parking brake when the ignition
is turned to the on position.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check that the parking brake is not
engaged. If the parking brake is not engaged, this indicates low brake
fluid level or a brake system malfunction. Have the system checked
immediately by your authorized dealer.
11 2Instrument Cluster
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Driving extended distances with the parking brake engaged can cause
brake failure and the risk of personal injury.
Charging system (RTT)
Illuminates when the battery is not charging properly. If it stays
on while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction with
the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Door ajar (RTT)
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine oil pressure (RTT)
Illuminates when the oil pressure falls below the normal range.
Engine coolant temperature (RTT)
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
Fog lamps (if equipped)
Illuminates when the fog lamps are turned on.
Instrument Cluster11 3
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)
Speed control (if equipped) (RTT)
The speed control system indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system is in:
•On (gray light-type 1, white light-type 2): Illuminates when the speed
control system is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system
is turned off.
•Engaged (white light-type 1, green light-type 2): Illuminates when the
speed control system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control
system is disengaged.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
Key In Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the off or accessory
position and the driver’s door is opened.
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)
Sounds when the keyless vehicle is in RUN and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(the key is not in the ignition) and the driver’s door is opened.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking brake on and drive your vehicle.
If the warning chime remains on after you have released the parking
brake, have the system checked by your authorized dealer immediately.
11 6Instrument Cluster
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)