Driving Aids 237
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert
(CTA) .............................................237
Collision warning system................................241
Steering............................................245
Load Carrying 247
Cargonet...........................................247
Roof racks and load carriers.............................247
Vehicle loading.......................................248
Towing 256
Trailertowing........................................256
Wrecker towing......................................264
Recreational towing...................................265
Driving Hints 267
Economical driving....................................267
Floormats..........................................268
Roadside Emergencies 270
Getting roadside assistance..............................270
Hazard warning flashers................................272
Fuel cut-off switch....................................272
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................273
Customer Assistance 276
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only).......................283
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................283
Fuses 284
Changing a fuse......................................284
Fuse specification chart................................285
6Table of Contents
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and wheel or tire size may change the handling
characteristics of your vehicle and may adversely affect the
performance of the AdvanceTrac® system. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac® system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far
as possible from the front center console, the tunnel, and the front
seats in order to minimize the risk of interfering with the
AdvanceTrac® sensors. Reducing the effectiveness of the
AdvanceTrac® system could lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It is always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac® system is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially resulting
in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If
your AdvanceTrac® system activates, SLOW DOWN.
214Stability Control
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ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:This system is designed to be a supplementary park
aid. It may not work in all conditions and is not intended to
replace the driver’s attention and judgment. The driver is responsible
for avoiding hazards and maintaining a safe distance and speed, even
when the system is in use.
Note:The driver is always responsible for controlling the vehicle,
supervising the system and intervening if required.
The system detects an available parallel parking space and automatically
steers the vehicle into the space (hands-free) while you control the
accelerator, gearshift and brakes. The system visually and/or audibly
instructs the driver to park the vehicle.
The system may not function correctly if something passes between the
front bumper and the parking space (i.e. a pedestrian or cyclist) or if the
edge of the neighboring parked vehicle is high from the ground (i.e. a
bus, tow truck or flatbed truck).
Note:The sensors may not detect objects in heavy rain or other
conditions that cause disruptive reflections.
Note:The sensors may not detect objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves.
Note:After a tire change the system will go through a relearning
procedure. During this time the system performance may deteriorate.
The system should not be used if:
•a foreign object (i.e. bike rack or trailer) is attached to the front or
rear of the vehicle or at another location close to the sensors.
•an overhanging object (i.e. surfboard) is attached to the roof.
•the front bumper or side sensors are damaged (i.e. in a collision) or
obstructed by a foreign object (i.e. front bumper cover).
•a mini-spare tire is in use.
218Parking Aids
2015 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)
CARGO NET (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:The cargo net is not designed to restrain objects
during a collision or heavy braking.
The cargo net secures lightweight
objects in the cargo area. Attach the
net to the anchors provided. Do not
put more than 50 pounds
(22 kilograms) in the net.
ROOF RACKS AND LOAD CARRIERS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:When loading the roof racks, we recommend you
evenly distribute the load, as well as maintain a low center of
gravity. Loaded vehicles, with higher centers of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Take extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, when driving a heavily
loaded vehicle.
Note:The maximum recommended load, evenly distributed on the
crossbars, is 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
Note:Never place loads directly on the roof panel. The roof panel is not
designed to directly carry a load.
Load Carrying247
2015 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)
For correct roof rack system function, you must place loads directly on
crossbars affixed to the roof rack side rails. We recommend you use Ford
Genuine Accessory crossbars designed specifically for your vehicle.
Make sure that you securely fasten the load. Check the tightness of the
load before driving and at each fuel stop.
LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading – With and Without a Trailer
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
248Load Carrying
2015 Flex(471)
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USA(fus)
ACCESSORIES
For a complete listing of the accessories that are available for your
vehicle, please contact an authorized dealer or visit our online store at
www.Accessories.Ford.com (United States only).
Ford Motor Company will repair or replace any properly authorized
dealer-installed Ford Genuine Accessory found to be defective in
factory-supplied materials or workmanship during the warranty period, as
well as any component damaged by the defective accessories.
Ford Motor Company will warrant your accessory through the warranty
that provides the greatest benefit:
•24 months, unlimited mileage.
•The remainder of your new vehicle limited warranty.
Contact an authorized dealer for details and a copy of the warranty.
Exterior style
•Bug shield•Splash guards
•Deflectors•Graphics
•Spoiler
Interior style
•Ambient lighting•Rear seat entertainment*
•Door sill plates with logo•Backlit door sill plates
•Floor mats
Lifestyle
•Ash cup / coin holder•Roof racks and carriers*
•Cargo organization and
management•Cargo net
•SUV camping tent*•Conversation mirror
•Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses
and accessories•Roof rails
Accessories369
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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
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Q
Quick touch buttons .................519
R
Radio ..........................376, 381–382
AM/FM .....................................456
Single CD ................376, 381–382
Radio reception .........................374
Radio voice commands .............461
Rear heated seats .....................158
Rear view camera
display ................................222, 498
Rear window
defroster ....................138, 140, 142
Receiving a text
message .............................404, 480
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ........................................20
Refrigerator ...............................179
Relays ................................284–285
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................78
locking/unlocking doors .....74–75
replacing the batteries .............65
Remote start climate
operation ...................................148
Reverse sensing system ...........217
Roadside assistance ..................270
Roof rack ...................................247
Route preferences ....................514
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............48Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........40, 43
Safety defects, reporting ..........283
Safety information ............393, 446
Safety restraints ..............40–41, 43
Belt-Minder® ............................44
extension assembly ..................43
for adults .............................40–41
for children ...............................20
inflatable safety belt .................46
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................54
safety belt maintenance ...........48
seat belt maintenance ..............48
warning light and chime ..........44
Safety restraints -
LATCH anchors ...........................26
Safety seats for children ............20
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................368
Satellite Radio ...................376, 462
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............551
SD card ......................391, 469, 510
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............40
Seats ..........................................161
child safety seats ......................20
climate control ........................160
easy access/easyout feature ..156
front seats ...............153–154, 159
heated ..............................157–158
memory seat .....................66, 156
second row seats ............161, 164
third row seats ........164, 166–167
Second-row power fold seat ....162
568Index
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)