2015 FORD FLEX engine overheat

Alarm/Security
MessagesAction / Description
Vehicle Alarm To Stop
Alarm, Start VehicleDisplayed when the perimeter alarm system is
armed and the vehicle is entered using the key
on the driver’s side door. In order to prevent
the perimeter alarm system from triggering,
the ignition must be turned to start or on
before the 12 second chime expires.
Automatic Engine
Shutdown MessagesAction / Description
Engine Shuts Off in
XX SecondsDisplays when the engine is getting ready to
shut off.
Engine Shut Off for
Fuel EconomyDisplays when the engine has shut off to help
increase fuel economy.
Engine Shuts Off in
XX Seconds Press OK
to OverrideDisplays when the engine is getting ready to
shut off. You can press OK on the left steering
wheel button to override the shut down.
AWD Messages Action / Description
AWD Off Displayed when the AWD system has been
automatically disabled to protect itself. This is
caused by operating the vehicle with the
compact spare tire installed or if the system is
overheating. The AWD system will resume
normal function and clear this message after
driving a short distance with the road tire
re-installed or after the system is allowed to
cool.
Check AWD Displayed in conjunction with the Throttle
Control/Transmission/AWD light when the
AWD system is not operating properly. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Information Displays131
2015 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)

CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Heated Seats
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical conditions,
must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat heater may
cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may cause the seat
heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins, needles, or
other pointed objects because this may damage the heating element
which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat may
cause serious personal injury.
The heated seats will only function when the engine is running.
Note:Do not do the following:
•Place heavy objects on the seat
•Operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
To operate the heated seats:
Press the heated seat symbol to cycle through the various
heat settings and off. Warmer settings are indicated by
more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 RPM while the heated seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off. You will need to reactivate it.
Cooled Seats
The cooled seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the cooled seats:
Press the cooled seat symbol to cycle through the various
cooling settings and off. Cooler settings are indicated by
more indicator lights.
A/C
Seats159
2015 Flex(471)
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2. Remove the cup holder
insert.
3. Using a screwdriver (or
similar tool), release the
tab to the access door and
remove.
4. Locate the brake shift
interlock lever on the
passenger side of the
shifter assembly.
5. Apply the brake pedal.
Using a screwdriver (or
similar tool), press down
and hold the brake shift
interlock lever while
pulling the gearshift lever
out of the P (Park) and
into the N (Neutral).
6. Install the access door and cup holder inset in reverse order.
7. Apply brake pedal, start the vehicle, and release the parking brake.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow
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 minute 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.
Transmission203
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USING YOUR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
AWD uses all four wheels to power the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicles cannot. The AWD system is active
all the time and requires no input from the operator.
Note:Your AWD vehicle is not intended for off-road use. The AWD
feature gives your vehicle some limited off-road capabilities in which
driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruction-free and otherwise
similar to normal on-road driving conditions. Operating your vehicle
under other than those conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive
stress which might result in damage which is not covered under your
warranty.
Note:When an AWD system fault is present, the warning Check AWD
will display in the information display. The AWD system is not
functioning correctly and defaulted to front-wheel drive. When this
warning is displayed, have your vehicle serviced at an authorized dealer.
Note:The AWD Off message may also be displayed in the information
display if the AWD system has overheated and defaulted to front-wheel
drive. This condition may occur if the vehicle was operated in extreme
conditions with excessive wheel slip, such as deep sand. To resume
normal AWD function as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes. After the engine has
been restarted and the AWD system has adequately cooled, the AWD Off
message will turn off and normal AWD function will return. In the event
the engine is not stopped, the AWD Off message will turn off when the
system cools and normal AWD function returns.
Do not use a spare tire of a different size other than the tire provided. If
the mini-spare tire is installed, the AWD system may disable
automatically and enter front-wheel drive only mode to protect driveline
components. This condition may be indicated by an AWD Off message in
the information display. If there is an AWD Off message in the message
center from using the spare tire, this indicator should turn off after
reinstalling the repaired or replaced normal road tire and cycling the
ignition off and on. It is recommended to reinstall the repaired or
replaced road tire as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes between
the front and rear axles could cause the AWD system to stop functioning
and default to front-wheel drive or damage the AWD system.
204All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2015 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)

Driving In Special Conditions With All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD vehicles are equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and rough
roads and have operating characteristics that are somewhat different
from conventional vehicles, both on and off the highway.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside
temperatures, use a low gear when possible. Lower gear operation will
maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Basic operating principles in special conditions
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the Pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the lock
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)205
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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)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)

Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid excessive wheel slip.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for an extended period of time.
This could cause the AWD system to overheat and default to front-wheel
drive. If this occurs AWD Off will be displayed in the Information Display.
To resume normal AWD function as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in
a safe location and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes. After the
engine has been restarted and the AWD system has adequately cooled,
the AWD Off message will turn off and normal AWD function will return.
In the event the engine is not stopped, the AWD Off message will turn
off when the system cools and normal AWD function returns.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside
temperatures, use L (Low) gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation
will maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid driving at excessive speeds, this causes vehicle momentum to work
against you and your vehicle could become stuck to the point that
assistance may be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be
able to back out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of the hubs
(for trucks) (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)207
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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.
Cruise Control233
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