2015 FORD FLEX Owners Manual

GENERAL INFORMATION
Your Ford or Lincoln authorized dealer has many quality products
available to clean your vehicle and protect its finishes.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
For best results, use the following products or products of equivalent
quality:
Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover (ZC-42)
Motorcraft Custom Bright Metal Cleaner (ZC-15)
Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3-A)
Motorcraft Dusting Cloth (ZC-24)
Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (United States only) (ZC-20)
Motorcraft Engine Shampoo (Canada only) (CXC-66-A)
Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Cleaner (Canada only) (CXC-101)
Motorcraft Premium Glass Cleaner (Canada only) (CXC-100)
Motorcraft Premium Quality Windshield Washer Fluid (Canada only)
[CXC-37-(A, B, D or F)]
Motorcraft Premium Windshield Wash Concentrate with Bitterant (United
States only) (ZC-32-B2)
Motorcraft Professional Strength Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54)
Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-56)
Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (United States only) (ZC-14)
Motorcraft Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (ZC-23)
Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37-A)
CLEANING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
pH shampoo, such as Motorcraft® Detail Wash.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is hot to the touch or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
320Vehicle Care
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time. Use Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.
•Note:Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle, wash it
off as soon as possible.
•Remove any exterior accessories before entering a car wash.
Stripes or Graphics (if equipped)
Do not use a commercial or high-pressure wand on the surface or edge
of stripes and graphics. This can cause damage to the film and cause the
edge of the film to peel away from the vehicle surface.
Exterior Chrome
Note:Never use abrasive materials such as steel wool or plastic pads as
they can scratch the chrome surface.
Note:Do not use chrome cleaner, metal cleaner or polish on wheels and
wheel covers.
•Wash the vehicle first, using cool or lukewarm water and a neutral pH
shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash.
•Use Motorcraft Custom Bright Metal Cleaner. Apply the product as
you would a wax to clean bumpers and other chrome parts; allow the
cleaner to dry for a few minutes, then wipe off the haze with a clean,
dry rag.
•Do not apply cleaning product to hot surfaces and do not leave
cleaning product on chrome surfaces for a period of time exceeding
that which is recommended.
•Note:Using other non-recommended cleaners can result in severe
and permanent cosmetic damage.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
Cleaning Plastic Exterior Parts
Use only approved products to clean plastic parts.
•For routine cleaning, use Motorcraft Detail Wash.
•If tar or grease spots are present, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar
Remover.
Vehicle Care321
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

WAXING
Regular waxing is necessary to protect the paint on your car from the
elements. We recommend that you wash and wax the painted surface
once or twice a year.
When washing and waxing, park your vehicle in a shaded area out of
direct sunlight. Always wash your vehicle before applying wax.
•
Use a quality wax that does not contain abrasives.
•Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply and remove the wax.
•Apply a small amount of wax in a back-and-forth motion, not in circles.
•Do not allow wax to come in contact with any non-body (low-gloss
black) colored trim. The wax discolors or stains the parts over time,
such as:
•Bumpers
•Grained door handles
•Side mouldings
•Mirror housings
•Windshield cowl area.
•Do not apply wax to glass areas.
•After waxing, your car’s paint should feel smooth, and be free of streaks
and smudges.
REPAIRING MINOR PAINT DAMAGE
Your authorized dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb) to
an authorized dealer to make sure you get the correct color.
•Before repairing minor paint damage, use a cleaner such as Motorcraft
Bug and Tar Remover to remove particles such as bird droppings, tree
sap, insect deposits, tar spots, road salt and industrial fallout before
repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
•
Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
322Vehicle Care
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser on all parts that
require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada, use Motorcraft
Engine Shampoo.
•Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
•Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug
well, or the area in and around these locations.
•Cover the battery, power distribution box, and air filter assembly to
prevent water damage when cleaning the engine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
The windows and wiper blades should be cleaned regularly. If the wipers
do not wipe properly, substances on the vehicle’s glass or the wiper
blades may cause squeaking or chatter noise from the blades, and
streaking and smearing of the windshield. To clean these items, follow
these tips:
•The windows may be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner such as
Motorcraft® Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (U.S.) or Motorcraft
Premium Glass Cleaner (Canada).
•The wiper blades can be cleaned with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol or
Motorcraft Premium Windshield Washer Concentrates in the U.S., or
Motorcraft Premium Quality Windshield Washer Fluid in Canada.
Replace your wiper blades when they appear worn or do not function
properly.
•Do not use abrasive materials, as they may cause scratches.
•Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint thinner to clean any parts.
If you cannot remove those streaks after cleaning with the glass cleaner
or if the wipers chatter and move in a jerky motion, clean the outer
surface of the windshield and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft
cloth with a neutral detergent or mild-abrasive cleaning solution. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper blades with clean water. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the windshield
with water.
Note:Do not use sharp objects, such as a razor blade, to clean the
inside of the rear window or to remove decals, as it may cause damage
to the rear window defroster’s heated grid lines.
Vehicle Care323
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

CLEANING THE INTERIOR
WARNING:Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the
vehicle’s safety belts, as these actions may weaken the belt
webbing.
WARNING:On vehicles equipped with seat-mounted airbags, do
not use chemical solvents or strong detergents. Such products
could contaminate the side airbag system and affect performance of the
side airbag in a collision.
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Apply a layer of high quality foam cleaner designed for automotive
interiors, such as Motorcraft Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, to the
dry stained area(s) of the item you are cleaning and let it soak in for
one minute.
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. In Canada, use Motorcraft
Multi-Purpose Cleaner.
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring can set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING:Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents
when cleaning the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid
contamination of the airbag system.
Note:Follow the same procedure as cleaning leather seats for cleaning
leather instrument panels and leather interior trim surfaces. See
Cleaning Leather Seatsin this chapter.
Clean the instrument panel and cluster lens with a clean, damp, white,
cotton cloth, then use a clean and dry, white, cotton cloth to dry these
areas.
324Vehicle Care
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase the gloss of the upper portion
of the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products, such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion, in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish of the instrument panel, interior trim and cluster lens.
•Do not allow air fresheners and hand sanitizers to spill on interior
surfaces. If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately. Damage may not be
covered by your warranty.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice has been spilled on the instrument
panel or on interior trim surfaces, clean as follows:
1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean, white, cotton cloth.
2. Use Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for automotive interiors. Test any
cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous area.
3. Alternatively, wipe the surface with a damp, clean, white, cotton cloth
and a mild soap and water solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
4. If necessary, apply more soap and water solution or cleaning product
to a clean, white, cotton cloth and press the cloth onto the soiled area.
Allow this to set at room temperature for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the soaked cloth, then with a clean, damp cloth, use a rubbing
motion for 60 seconds on the soiled area.
6. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:Follow the same procedure as cleaning leather seats for cleaning
leather instrument panels and leather interior trim surfaces.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild
soap and water solution. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
For cleaning and removing spots and stains such as dye transfer, use
Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or a commercially
available leather cleaning product for automotive interiors.
Note:Test any cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous area.
Vehicle Care325
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

You should:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Clean and treat spills and stains as soon as possible.
Do not use the following products as these may damage the leather:
•Oil and petroleum or silicone-based leather conditioners.
•Household cleaners.
•Alcohol solutions.
•Solvents or cleaners intended specifically for rubber, vinyl and
plastics.Motorcraft
Note:Do not use Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner ZC-56
on Lincoln Black Label, Presidential or Reserve Leathers because it can
damage these and other semi-aniline leather seating fabrics. It can also
damage surrounding microfiber accent surfaces. To clean Lincoln Black
Label, Presidential or Reserve Leather, first vacuum the seats to remove
loose dirt. Then wipe the leather with a clean soft cloth dampened with
lukewarm water and a mild soap. Wipe the leather again with a slightly
damp cloth to remove soap residue, and dry with a soft cloth. To
maintain the leather’s resiliency, it should be cleaned whenever soiled.
CLEANING THE ALLOY WHEELS
Note:Do not use chrome cleaner, metal cleaner or polish on wheels and
wheel covers.
A clearcoat paint finish coats aluminum wheels and wheel covers. In
order to maintain their condition:
•Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Use a sponge to
remove heavy deposits of dirt and brake dust accumulation. Rinse
thoroughly with a strong stream of water when you have completed
the cleaning process.
•To remove tar and grease, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover.
•Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
•Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers.
•Industrial-strength (heavy-duty) cleaners, or cleaning chemicals, in
combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust and dirt, could
wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
326Vehicle Care
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

•Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
•If you intend on parking your vehicle for an extended period after
cleaning the wheels with a wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle for a few
minutes before doing so. This reduces the risk of increased corrosion
of the brake discs.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended period of time
(30 days or more), read the following maintenance recommendations to
make sure your vehicle stays in good operating condition.
All motor vehicles and their components were engineered and tested for
reliable, regular driving. Long-term storage under various conditions may
lead to component degradation or failure unless specific precautions are
taken to preserve the components.
General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular maintenance to
protect against rust and damage.
Body
•Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed locations.
•Touch up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto wax
to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
•Lubricate hood latch, all door latches and trunk lid hinges with a light
grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Vehicle Care327
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)