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
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)
