•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING:Do not drive through flowing or deep water as you
may lose control of your vehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water can cause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water, check the depth. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the front rocker area of
your vehicle.
When driving through standing
water, drive very slowly and do not
stop your vehicle. Your brake
performance and traction may be
limited. After driving through water
and as soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to
dry the brakes and to check that
they work.
•Check that the horn works.
•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check that the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING:Always use floor mats that are designed to fit the
foot well of your vehicle. Only use floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed. Only use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
WARNING:Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injury.
268Driving Hints
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
Safety Practices
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand, do not
rapidly spin the tires. Spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause
an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits.
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking.
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive, there is always the possibility that
you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you are driving, the wheels may
be out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel
alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front-wheel drive vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
346Wheels and Tires
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
Tire Rotation
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire and
wheel assembly. A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as
a spare tire or wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from
the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel
assembly, it is intended for temporary use only and should not be used
in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in your
scheduled maintenance information) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
•Front-wheel drive /All-wheel
drive vehicles (front tires at left
of diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the use
of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause steering, suspension,
axle, transfer case or power transfer unit failure.
Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
Wheels and Tires347
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ..........................................82
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................85
Selecting your media source
(USB, Line in, BT audio) .........423
Sending new text messages .....479
Setting a destination ................510
Setting a destination by
voice ...........................................511
Settings ......................................495
Setting the clock ...............376, 495
Side air curtain ...........................59
Side-curtain airbags system .......59
SIRIUS® satellite radio ....376, 462
SIRIUS satellite radio voice
commands .................................464
SIRIUS Travel Link ...................487
SIRIUS Travel Link voice
commands .................................488
SOS Post Crash Alert .................51
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........355
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................361, 366
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................362
Stability system .........................215
Starting your vehicle ................183
jump starting ..........................273
push button start system .......182
Steering wheel ............................90
controls ......................................92
tilting ...................................90–91
Sun visor ....................................110Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................52
Supported media file types ......472
Supported player, media
formats and metadata
information ................................472
SYNC® customer support ........393
SYNC® Services ................417, 483
System settings .........................498
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ..............138,
140, 142, 507
Text messaging .................404, 479
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....405, 407
Third-row power fold seat .......167
Tilt steering wheel ................90–91
Tires ...........................332–333, 353
alignment ................................346
care ..........................................332
changing ..........................353, 355
checking the pressure ............342
inflating ...................................340
label .........................................339
replacing ..................................344
rotating ....................................347
safety practices .......................346
sidewall information ...............335
snow tires and chains ............347
spare tire .................................353
terminology .............................333
tire grades ...............................333
treadwear ........................332, 342
Touchscreen features
(climate) ....................................507
Index569
2015 Flex(471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014
USA(fus)