2015 FORD FLEX ESP

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment. If you
smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic converter and
other emission control components continue to work properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inScheduled Maintenance Information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inScheduled Maintenance
Informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft® or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Illumination of the service engine soon indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
196Fuel and Refueling
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage to
the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control™, it may be beneficial to disengage the AdvanceTrac® with Roll
Stability Control™ system while attempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
206All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2015 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)

After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
Note:Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (power transfer unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other public and private lands by
“treading lightly.”
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep slopes or hills. A
danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possibly rolling over.
Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand the route you will use.
Do not drive over the crest of a hill without seeing what conditions are
on the other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill without the aid of
an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
208All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:This system is designed to be a supplementary park
aid. It may not work in all conditions and is not intended to
replace the driver’s attention and judgment. The driver is responsible
for avoiding hazards and maintaining a safe distance and speed, even
when the system is in use.
Note:The driver is always responsible for controlling the vehicle,
supervising the system and intervening if required.
The system detects an available parallel parking space and automatically
steers the vehicle into the space (hands-free) while you control the
accelerator, gearshift and brakes. The system visually and/or audibly
instructs the driver to park the vehicle.
The system may not function correctly if something passes between the
front bumper and the parking space (i.e. a pedestrian or cyclist) or if the
edge of the neighboring parked vehicle is high from the ground (i.e. a
bus, tow truck or flatbed truck).
Note:The sensors may not detect objects in heavy rain or other
conditions that cause disruptive reflections.
Note:The sensors may not detect objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves.
Note:After a tire change the system will go through a relearning
procedure. During this time the system performance may deteriorate.
The system should not be used if:
•a foreign object (i.e. bike rack or trailer) is attached to the front or
rear of the vehicle or at another location close to the sensors.
•an overhanging object (i.e. surfboard) is attached to the roof.
•the front bumper or side sensors are damaged (i.e. in a collision) or
obstructed by a foreign object (i.e. front bumper cover).
•a mini-spare tire is in use.
218Parking Aids
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

Using Active Park Assist
Press the button; the touch screen
displays a message and a
corresponding graphic to indicate
it’s searching for a parking space.
Use the turn signal to indicate
which side of the vehicle you want
the system to search on.
Note:If the turn signal is not on, the system automatically searches on
the vehicle’s passenger side.
When a suitable space is found, the touch screen displays a message and
a chime sounds. Slow down and stop at approximately position (A), then
follow the instructions on the touch screen.
Note:You must observe that the selected space remains clear of
obstructions at all times in the maneuver.
Note:Vehicles with overhanging loads (e.g. a bus or a truck), street
furniture and other items may not be detected by active park assist. You
must ensure the selected space is suitable for parking.
Note:The vehicle should be driven as parallel to other vehicles as
possible while passing a parking space.
Note:The system always offers the last detected parking space (i.e. if
the vehicle detects multiple spaces while you are driving, it offers the
last one).
Note:If driven above approximately 20 mph (35 km/h), the touch
screen shows a message to alert the driver to reduce vehicle speed.
AUTO
P
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USA(fus)

Automatic Steering into Parking Space
Note:If vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph (10 km/h), the system turns off
and you need to take full control of the vehicle.
Note:If a maneuver is interrupted before completion, the system turns
off and you need to full take control of the vehicle. In some instances
after an interruption a message may appear that would allow you to
resume the maneuver.
With hands off the wheel (and nothing obstructing its movement) and
the transmission inR(Reverse), the vehicle steers itself as instructions
to safely move the vehicle back and forward in the space are displayed in
the touch screen. While reversing, the touch screen displays a message
instructing the driver to check their surroundings (for safety reasons)
and to back-up slowly, accompanied by a corresponding graphic.
When you think your vehicle has enough space in front and behind it, or
you hear a solid tone from the parking aid (accompanied by a touchscreen
display message and a chime), bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
When automatic steering is finished, the touch screen displays a message
indicating that the active park assist process is done. The driver is
responsible for checking the parking job and making any necessary
corrections before putting the transmission inP(Park).
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2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

Changing the Set Speed
Note:If you accelerate by pressing the accelerator pedal, the set speed
will not change. When you release the accelerator pedal, you will return
to the speed that you previously set.
•PressSETup or down and hold to increase or decrease the set speed.
Release the control when you reach the desired speed.
•PressSETup or down and release. The set speed will change in
approximately 1 mph (2 km/h) increments.
•Press the accelerator pedal or brake pedal until you reach the desired
speed. PressSETup and release.
Canceling the Set Speed
PressCNCLor tap the brake pedal. The set speed will not be erased.
Resuming the Set Speed
Press and releaseRES.
Switching Cruise Control Off
Note:The set speed is erased when you switch off cruise control.
Press theOFFcontrol down and release or turn off the ignition.
USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Always pay close attention to changing road
conditions, especially when using adaptive cruise control.
Adaptive cruise control cannot replace attentive driving. Failing to
follow any of the warnings below or failing to pay attention to the road
may result in a collision, serious injury or death.
WARNING:Adaptive cruise control is not a collision warning or
avoidance system. Additionally, adaptive cruise control will not
detect:
•stationary or slow moving vehicles below 6 mph (10 km/h)
•pedestrians or objects in the roadway
•oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
228Cruise Control
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not use the adaptive cruise control when
entering or leaving a highway, in heavy traffic or on roads that
are winding, slippery or unpaved.
WARNING:Do not use in poor visibility, specifically fog, rain,
spray or snow.
Note:It is your responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in control
of your vehicle at all times.
The system adjusts your speed to maintain a proper distance between
you and the vehicle in front of you in the same lane. You can select from
one of four GAP settings. The controls are located on the steering wheel.
At startup, the system sets the gap to the last selected setting. Once
activated, you can deactivate the system at any time by pressing the brake
pedal, pressing the steering wheelOFFcontrol or pressing theCNCL
control. In addition, you can temporarily increase the vehicle speed above
the current speed by manually pressing on the accelerator pedal.
The controls for using your cruise
control are located on the steering
wheel.
SETRES
CNCL
ON
OFFGAP
Cruise Control229
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)