2015 FORD FLEX ECO mode

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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Front-wheel drive vehicles must have the front wheels placed on a tow
dolly when towing your vehicle from the rear using wheel lift equipment.
This prevents damage to the transmission.
Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle requires that all wheels be off the
ground, such as using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment. This
prevents damage to the transmission, all-wheel drive system and vehicle.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
If your vehicle becomes inoperable (without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be flat-towed (all
wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and transmission
configuration) under the following conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction.
•Place the transmission in positionN.SeeAutomatic transmissionin
theTransmissionchapter if you cannot move the transmission into
N.
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle. See theClimate
Controlchapter.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing, such
as towing your vehicle behind a motorhome or truck. We designed these
guidelines to prevent damage to your vehicle after it is hooked-up to the
recreational vehicle or tow dolly.
You can tow your front-wheel drive vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If
you are using a tow dolly, follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
see the following instructions.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 miles
(480 kilometers). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unique
driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers). Vary your speed frequently and change up through
the gears early. Do not labor the engine. Do not tow during the first
1000 miles (1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under and how you maintain your vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that may improve your fuel economy:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth, moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds without stopping.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
•Close the windows for high-speed driving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
There are also some things you may not want to do because they may
reduce your fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•Rev the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
•Use the air conditioner or front defroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
Driving Hints267
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The hazard flasher control is located on the instrument panel
by the radio. Use it when your vehicle is disabled and is
creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
•Press the flasher control and all front and rear direction signals will
flash.
•Press the flasher control again to turn them off.
Note:With extended use, the flashers may run down your 12–volt
battery.
FUEL SHUTOFF
WARNING:Failure to inspect and if necessary repair fuel leaks
after a collision may increase the risk of fire and serious injury.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the fuel system be inspected by
an authorized dealer after any collision.
In the event of a moderate to severe collision, this vehicle is equipped
with a fuel pump shut-off feature that stops the flow of fuel to the
engine. Not every impact will cause a shut-off.
Should your vehicle shut off after a collision, you may restart your
vehicle by doing the following:
1. Switch the ignition off and wait approximately 10 seconds.
2. Switch the ignition on.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to re-enable the fuel pump.
Note:When you try to restart your vehicle after a fuel shutoff, the
vehicle makes sure that various systems are safe to restart. Once our
vehicle determines that the systems are safe, then the vehicle will allow
you to restart.
Note:In the event that your vehicle does not restart after your third
attempt, contact an authorized dealer.
272Roadside Emergencies
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

Engine fluid temperature management (EcoBoost engine only)
WARNING:To reduce the risk of collision and injury, be
prepared that the vehicle speed may reduce and the vehicle may
not be able to accelerate with full power until the fluid temperatures
reduce.
Your vehicle has been designed to pull a trailer, but because of the added
load, the vehicle’s engine may temporarily reach higher temperatures
during severe operating conditions such as ascending a long or steep
grade while pulling a trailer in hot ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice your engine coolant temperature gauge
needle move toward the H (hot) and the POWER REDUCED TO LOWER
TEMP message may appear on the message center.
You may notice a reduction in the vehicle’s speed caused by reduced
engine power. Your vehicle has been designed to enter this mode if
certain high temperature/high load conditions take place in order to
manage the engine’s fluid temperatures. The amount of speed reduction
will depend on the vehicle loading, towing, grade, ambient temperature,
and other factors. If this occurs, there is no need to pull off the road.
The vehicle can continue to be driven while this message is active.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect overheating of the engine. When the engine coolant
temperature decreases to a more normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If you notice any of the following:
•the engine coolant temperature gauge moves fully into the red (hot)
area
•the coolant temperature warning light illuminates
•the service engine soon indicator illuminates
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and place the vehicle in P
(Park).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
Maintenance301
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MP3 Track and Folder Structure
Audio systems capable of recognizing and playing MP3 individual tracks
and folder structures work as follows:
•There are two different modes for MP3 disc playback: MP3 track
mode (system default) and MP3 folder mode.
•MP3 track mode ignores any folder structure on the MP3 disc. The
player numbers each MP3 track on the disc (noted by the .mp3 file
extension) from T001 to a maximum of T255.Note:The maximum
number of playable MP3 files may be less depending on the structure
of the CD and exact model of radio present.
•MP3 folder mode represents a folder structure consisting of one level
of folders. The CD player numbers all MP3 tracks on the disc (noted
by the .mp3 file extension) and all folders containing MP3 files, from
F001 (folder) T001 (track) to F253 T255.
•Creating discs with only one level of folders helps with navigation
through the disc files.
If you are burning your own MP3 discs, it is important to understand
how the system reads the structures you create. While various files may
be present, (files with extensions other than mp3), only files with the
.mp3 extension are played; other files are ignored by the system. This
enables you to use the same MP3 disc for a variety of tasks on your work
computer, home computer and your in-vehicle system.
In track mode, the system displays and plays the structure as if it were
only one level deep (all .mp3 files play, regardless of being in a specific
folder). In folder mode, the system only plays the .mp3 files in the
current folder.
Audio System375
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AM/FM/CD PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, crash and injury. We strongly recommend that you use
extreme caution when using any device that may take your focus off
the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation of your
vehicle. We recommend against the use of any hand-held device while
driving and encourage the use of voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable local laws that may affect the
use of electronic devices while driving.
Note:The MyFord Touch system controls most of the audio features.
See theMyFord Touchchapter for more information.
A.Eject:Press this button to eject a CD.
B.CD Slot:Insert a CD.
C.TUNE + and TUNE - :
•In radio mode, press these buttons to manually search through the
radio frequency band.
•In Sirius mode, press these buttons to find the next or previous
available satellite radio station.
D.Volume and Power:
•Press this button to switch the system off and on.
•Turn it to adjust the volume.
A
ED
BC
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E.SEEK, Reverse and Fast Forward:
•In radio mode, select a frequency band and press one of these
buttons. The system stops at the first station it finds in that direction.
•In Sirius mode, press these buttons to select the previous or next
channel. If a specific category is selected (such as Jazz, Rock or
News), use these buttons to find the previous or next channel in the
selected category.
•In CD mode, press these buttons to select the previous or next track.
AM/FM/CD SONY® AUDIO SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, crash and injury. We strongly recommend that you use
extreme caution when using any device that may take your focus off
the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation of your
vehicle. We recommend against the use of any hand-held device while
driving and encourage the use of voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable local laws that may affect the
use of electronic devices while driving.
Note:The MyFord Touch system controls most of the audio features.
See theMyFord Touchchapter for more information.
A.SOURCE:Press this button to access different audio modes, such as
AM, FM and A/V Input.
B
D
AC
E
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2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)