2015 FORD FLEX Owners Manual

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.
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.
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.
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•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 your 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. Your 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 your
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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Cause Action
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.
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BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS®) WITH CROSS
TRAFFIC ALERT (CTA) (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLIS® as a
replacement for using the interior and exterior mirrors and
looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. BLIS® is not a
replacement for careful driving.
BLIS® aids the driver in detecting
vehicles that may have entered the
blind spot zone (A). The detection
area is on both sides of the vehicle,
extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to approximately
10 feet (3 meters) beyond the
bumper. The system alerts you if
certain vehicles enter the blind spot
zone while driving.
CTA warns the driver of vehicles approaching from the sides when the
transmission is in R (Reverse).
Note:BLIS® is not designed to prevent contact with other vehicles or
objects; or to detect parked vehicles, people, animals or infrastructure
(fences, guardrails, trees, etc.). It is designed to alert the driver to
vehicles in the blind zones.
Note:When a vehicle passes quickly through the blind zone (typically
fewer than two seconds), the system does not trigger.
Using the Systems
BLIS® turns on when the engine is started and the vehicle is driven
forward above 3 mph (5 km/h); it remains on while the transmission is in
D (Drive) or N (Neutral). If shifted out of D (Drive) or N (Neutral), the
system enters CTA mode. Once shifted back into D (Drive), BLIS® turns
back on when the vehicle is driven above 3 mph (5 km/h).
Note:BLIS® does not function in R (Reverse) or P (Park) or provide
any additional warning when a turn signal is on.
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CTA detects approaching vehicles from up to 45 feet (14 meters) away
though coverage decreases when the sensors are blocked. Reversing
slowly helps increase the coverage area and effectiveness.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, NEVER use the CTA
system as a replacement for using the interior and exterior
mirrors and looking over your shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. CTA is not a replacement for careful driving.
In this first example, the left sensor is only partially obstructed; zone
coverage is nearly maximized.
Zone coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage on that side is severely limited.
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System Lights and Messages
The BLIS® and CTA systems
illuminate a yellow alert indicator in
the outside mirror on the side of
the vehicle the approaching vehicle
is coming from.
Note:The alert indicator dims when nighttime darkness is detected.
CTA also sounds an audible alarm and a message appears in the
information display indicating a vehicle is coming from the right or left.
CTA works with the reverse sensing system which sounds its own
audible alarm; see theParking Aidschapter.
System Sensors
WARNING:Just prior to the system recognizing a blocked
condition and alerting the driver, the number of missed objects
will increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLIS® as a
replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors and looking over
your shoulder before changing lanes. BLIS® is not a replacement for
careful driving.
Note:It is possible to get a blockage warning with no blockage present;
this is rare and known as a false blockage warning. A false blocked
condition either self-corrects or clears after a key cycle.
The system uses radar sensors
which are located behind the
bumper fascia on each side of the
vehicle. Do not allow these areas to
become obstructed by mud, snow or
bumper stickers, as this can cause
degraded system performance.
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