Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
every month or at six month intervals.
Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
Windshield washer fluid level.
Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if
necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as
necessary.
548Scheduled Maintenance
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
Normal scheduled maintenance*
At every oil change
interval as indicated by
the information displayChange engine oil and filter.**
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure
tread depth.
Perform multi-point inspection
(recommended).
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if
equipped with dipstick). Consult dealer for
requirements.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums,
brake linings, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect engine cooling system strength and
hoses.
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect rear axle and U-joints. Lubricate if
equipped with grease fittings (All-wheel drive
vehicles).
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped).
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints,
suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft and
U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease
fittings.
Inspect wheels and related components for
abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag.
*Do not exceed one year or 10000 miles (16000 kilometers) between
service intervals.
**Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each engine oil and filter
change. See theInstrument Clusterchapter.
552Scheduled Maintenance
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
Booster seats ...............................33
Brakes ........................................211
anti-lock ...................................212
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................212
brake warning light ................212
fluid, checking and adding ....308
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
fluid, specifications .................362
lubricant specifications ..........362
parking ....................................212
shift interlock ..........................202
trailer .......................................261
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....362
Cargo net ...................................247
CD ..............................376, 381–382
CD player ..........................374, 467
CD voice commands .................468
Cell phone use ............................16
Changing a tire .........................353
Child safety restraints ..........26, 28
Child safety seats
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................41
LATCH .......................................26
Child safety seats -
booster seats ...............................33
Cleaning the touchscreen ........445
Cleaning your vehicle ...............320
engine compartment ..............322
instrument panel ....................324
interior .....................................324
plastic parts ............................321
washing ....................................320
waxing .....................................322wheels ......................................326
wiper blades ............................323
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........138
Climate voice commands .........509
Clock ..................................376, 495
Collision Warning System .........241
Compass Display .......................123
Console ......................................178
overhead ..................................180
rear ..........................................178
Coolant ......................................298
checking and adding ..............298
refill capacities ........................362
specifications ..........................362
Cooler ........................................179
Cross Traffic Alert ....................237
Cruise control ...........................227
Customer Assistance ................270
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................371
Getting roadside assistance ...270
Getting the service you
need .........................................276
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................282
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................280
D
Defrost .......................138, 140, 142
rear window ............................147
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................304
engine oil .................................297
564Index
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
Display settings .........................496
Drivebelt ....................................361
Driving under special
conditions ..................203, 205, 208
sand .........................................207
snow and ice ...........................209
through water .................207, 268
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) .................140, 142
E
Electronic message center .......120
Electronic stability control ......215
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................273
running out of fuel .................191
Emergency brake
(see Parking brake) ..................212
Emission control system ..........196
End user license agreement ....528
Engine ........................................361
cleaning ...................................322
coolant .....................................298
fail-safe cooling .......................302
idle speed control ...................309
lubrication specifications .......362
refill capacities ........................362
service points ..........................296
Engine block heater .................187
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............297
dipstick ....................................297
filter, specifications ................366
refill capacities ........................362
specifications ..........................362
Event data recording ..................13
Exhaust fumes ..........................187F
Fail safe cooling ........................302
Fleet MyKey programming ........70
Floor mats .................................268
Fluid capacities .........................362
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................205
Freezer ......................................179
Fuel
cap ...........................................194
capacity ...................................362
choosing the right fuel ...........190
filler funnel .............................191
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................................194
filter, specifications ........308, 366
fuel pump shut-off ..................272
octane rating ...................191, 361
quality ......................................190
running out of fuel .................191
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................189
Fuel and distance computer ....123
outside temperature
indicator ..................................123
to empty indicator ..................123
trip distance ............................123
trip/reset button .....................123
Fuses ..................................284–285
G
Garage door opener ..................170
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............194
Gauges ...............................112–113
odometer .................................123
trip odometer ..........................123
Index565
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M
Making and receiving calls .......477
MAP DVD - Loading and
Unloading ..................................477
Map icons ..................................518
Map mode ..................................516
Map preferences .......................514
Map updates ..............................519
Media Bluetooth menu options
(adding, connecting, deleting,
turning on/off) ..........................428
Message center .........................120
warning messages ...........123, 130
Mirrors ...............................106, 109
fold away .................................106
programmable memory ............66
side view mirrors (power) .....106
Moon roof ..................................110
Motorcraft® parts .............320, 366
MyFord Touch™ system ..........442
MyKey ..........................................70
N
Navigation features ...................510
Navigation voice commands ....520
Notifications ..............................490
O
Octane rating ............................191
P
Pairing other phones ........398, 477
Pairing your phone ...................476Pairing your phone for
the first time .....................397, 476
Parental MyKey programming ...70
Park Assist ................................218
Parking brake ............................212
Parts
(see Motorcraft® parts) ..........366
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................54
Phone Bluetooth menu options
(adding, connecting, deleting,
turning on/off) ..........................409
Phone redial ..............................402
Phone settings ..................480, 503
Phone voice commands ............482
Playing music (by artist,
album, genre, playlist,
tracks, similar) ..........................426
POI categories ...........................512
Point of Interest (POI) .............512
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................285
Power door locks ........................74
Power liftgate ..............................80
Power mirrors ...........................106
Powerpoint ................................175
Power steering ..........................245
fluid, checking and adding ....308
fluid, refill capacity ................362
fluid, specifications .................362
Power Windows .........................105
Privacy information ..........394, 448
Push button start system .........182
Putting a call on/off hold .........401
Index567
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)