2014 FORD FLEX tow bar

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Note:For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuseschapter.
Your vehicle’s load capacity designation is by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extra load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects your vehicle when
driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centered between the left and right side
trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or
slightly angled down toward your vehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. You can
find more information about proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter
and in theRV & Trailer Towing Guide,available at an authorized
dealer.
Towing251
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening
on the fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle’s front wheel opening
on the fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that
the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1
and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height
accordingly and repeat Steps 3–6.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if you install them properly and adjust them to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle’s braking system operation is at
the gross vehicle weight rating, not the gross combined weight
rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds
(680 kilograms) when loaded.
Towing255
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)

Map Mode
Press the green bar in the upper right area of the touchscreen to view
map mode. Map mode shows advanced viewing comprised of both 2D
city maps as well as 3D landmarks (when available).
2D city mapsshow detailed outlines of buildings, visible land use and
land elements and detailed railway infrastructure for the most essential
cities around the globe. These maps also contain features, such as town
blocks, building footprints, and railways.
3D landmarksappear as clear, visible objects that are typically
recognizable and have a certain tourist value. The 3D landmarks appear
in 3D map mode only. Coverage varies, and improves with updated map
releases.
Change the appearance of the map
display by repeatedly pressing the
arrow button in the upper left
corner of the screen. It toggles
between three different map modes:
Heading up, North up, and 3D.
Heading up (2D map)always shows the direction of forward
travel to be upward on the screen. This view is available for map
scales up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). The system remembers this
setting for larger map scales, but shows the map in North up
only. If the scale returns below this level, the system restores
Heading up.
North up (2D map)always shows the northern direction to be
upward on the screen.
3D map modeprovides an elevated perspective of the map.
This viewing angle can be adjusted and the map can be rotated
180 degrees by touching the map twice, and then dragging your
finger along the shaded bar with arrows at the bottom of the map.
Vi e wswitches between full map, street list and exit view in route
guidance.
504MyFord Touch® (If Equipped)
2014 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)