
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this
section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving on a flat surface at parking speeds.
Certain objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves, surrounding vehicle's
parking aid systems, traffic control
systems, fluorescent lamps, inclement
weather, air brakes, and external motors
and fans may also affect the function of
the sensing system; this may include
reduced performance or a false activation. To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in reverse (R) and
when using the sensing system.
This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to
provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging your vehicle. The system may
not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground. Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps. Note:
Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system ’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms. Note:
The sensing system cannot be turned
off when a MyKey is present. See Principle
of Operation (page 54).
Note: If you attach certain add-on devices
such as a trailer or bike rack, the rear sensing
system may detect that add-on device and
therefore provide warnings. It is suggested
that you disable the rear sensing system
when you attach an add-on device to your
vehicle to prevent these warnings.
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.
The system can be switched off through
the information display menu or from the
pop-up message that appears once you
shift the transmission into reverse (R). See
General Information
(page 97).
If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display. See
Information Messages
(page 105).
REAR PARKING AID
The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in reverse (R). As your
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is less than
10 in
(25 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If the system detects a
stationary or receding object farther than
10 in (25 cm)
from the corners of the
bumper, the tone sounds for only three
seconds. Once the system detects an
object approaching, the warning sounds
again.
177
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Parking Aids

For maximum vehicle performance, keep
the following information in mind when
adding accessories or equipment to your
vehicle:
•
When adding accessories, equipment,
passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight
capacity of the vehicle or of the front
or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as
indicated on the Safety Compliance
Certification label). Ask an authorized
dealer for specific weight information.
• The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Canadian
Radio Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) regulate the use
of mobile communications systems
that are equipped with radio
transmitters, for example, two-way
radios, telephones and theft alarms.
Any such equipment installed in your
vehicle should comply with Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) regulations and should be
installed only by an authorized dealer.
• An authorized dealer needs to install
mobile communications systems.
Improper installation may harm the
operation of your vehicle, particularly
if the manufacturer did not design the
mobile communication system
specifically for automotive use.
• If you or an authorized Ford dealer add
any non-Ford electrical or electronic
accessories or components to your
vehicle, you may adversely affect
battery performance and durability. In
addition, you may also adversely affect
the performance of other electrical
systems in the vehicle.
366
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Accessories

A
A/C
See: Climate Control.......................................... 114
About This Manual...........................................7
ABS See: Brakes............................................................ 172
ABS driving hints See: Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes................................................................. 172
Accessories....................................................365 Exterior Style....................................................... 365
Interior Style........................................................ 365
Lifestyle................................................................. 365
Peace of Mind..................................................... 365
Accessories See: Replacement Parts
Recommendation............................................. 11
ACC See: Using Adaptive Cruise Control............186
Active Park Assist
.........................................178
Automatic Steering into Parking
Space................................................................. 180
Deactivating the Park Assist Feature.........180
Troubleshooting the System........................... 181
Using Active Park Assist................................... 179
Adaptive Headlamps
....................................83
Adjusting the Headlamps.........................257
Horizontal Aim Adjustment........................... 258
Vertical Aim.......................................................... 257
Adjusting the Pedals
.....................................75
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column
............................................................72
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column
............................................................72
Easy Entry and Exit Feature.............................. 73
End of Travel Position......................................... 73
Memory Feature.................................................... 73
AFS See: Adaptive Headlamps................................ 83
Airbag Disposal..............................................48
Air Conditioning See: Climate Control.......................................... 114
Air Filter See: Changing the Engine Air Filter.............263 Alarm
See: Anti-Theft Alarm.......................................... 71
All-Wheel Drive.............................................165
Ambient Lighting...........................................85
Anti-Theft Alarm.............................................71 Arming the Alarm.................................................. 71
Disarming the Alarm............................................ 71
Appendices....................................................388
Audible Warnings and Indicators.............95 Headlamps On Warning Chime..................... 96
Key in Ignition Warning Chime........................ 95
Keyless Warning Alert........................................ 96
Parking Brake On Warning Chime.................96
Audio Control
...................................................73
MEDIA....................................................................... 73
Seek, Next or Previous........................................ 73
Audio System.................................................310 General Information.......................................... 310
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: AM/FM/CD/ SYNC/Satellite Radio
................................311
Menu Structure.................................................... 313
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD...................................................315
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Sony AM/ FM/CD............................................................316
Autolamps.......................................................80 Windshield Wiper Activated
Headlamps........................................................80
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD....................115
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Sony Audio System........................117
Automatic High Beam Control..................82 Activating the System........................................ 83
Manually Overriding the System.................... 83
Automatic Transmission
.............................161
Automatic Transmission Adaptive
Learning............................................................ 164
Brake-Shift Interlock......................................... 163
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow.................................................................. 164
SelectShift Automatic ™
Transmission.................................................... 161
Understanding the Positions of Your Automatic Transmission.............................. 161
405
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index

Hints on Controlling the Interior
Climate...........................................................118
Cooling the Interior Quickly............................. 119
General Hints........................................................ 118
Heating the Interior Quickly............................. 119
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........120
Recommended Settings for Heating...........119
Side Window Defogging in Cold Weather............................................................. 120
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes.............................................................172
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........243
I
Ignition Switch...............................................147
In California (U.S. Only).............................227
Information Display Control.......................74
Information Displays.....................................97 General Information............................................ 97
Information Messages................................105
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................. 106
AdvanceTrac ™.................................................... 106
Alarm...................................................................... 106
Automatic Engine Shutdown......................... 107
AWD........................................................................\
. 107
Battery and Charging System....................... 108
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System................................................... 108
Brake System....................................................... 109
Collision Warning System............................... 109
Doors and Locks................................................. 109
Fuel........................................................................\
... 110
Keys and Intelligent Access............................. 110
Maintenance......................................................... 110
MyKey........................................................................\
111
Park Aid.................................................................... 112
Power Steering...................................................... 112
Seats........................................................................\
. 112
Tire Pressure Monitoring System................... 113
Towing...................................................................... 113
Traction Control.................................................... 113
Transmission......................................................... 113Installing Child Restraints
............................16
Child Seats............................................................... 16
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts.......................... 17
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)............................................ 22
Using Tether Straps............................................. 23
Instrument Cluster
..........................................91
Instrument Lighting Dimmer......................81
Interior Lamps
.................................................84
Front Row Map Lamps...................................... 85
Second Row Map Lamps.................................. 85
Interior Mirror...................................................89 Auto-Dimming Mirror......................................... 89
Introduction.........................................................7
J
Jump Starting the Vehicle.........................223 Connecting the Jumper Cables.................... 223
Jump Starting...................................................... 224
Preparing Your Vehicle..................................... 223
Removing the Jumper Cables....................... 224
K
Keyless Entry
....................................................67
SECURICODE™ Keyless Entry
Keypad................................................................. 67
Keyless Starting
.............................................147
Ignition Modes..................................................... 148
Keys and Remote Controls.........................49
L
Lighting Control
..............................................79
Headlamp Flasher............................................... 80
High Beams............................................................ 79
Lighting
...............................................................79
General Information............................................ 79
Load Carriers See: Roof Racks and Load Carriers.............201
Load Carrying
.................................................201
Load Limit.......................................................201 Special Loading Instructions for Owners of
Pick-up Trucks and Utility-type
Vehicles............................................................ 208
Vehicle Loading - with and without a Trailer.................................................................. 201
409
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index

Power Liftgate.................................................64
Hands-Free Feature............................................ 67
Obstacle Detection............................................. 66
Opening and Closing the Liftgate.................. 65
Setting the Liftgate Open Height.................. 66
Stopping the Liftgate Movement.................. 66
Power Seats
....................................................127
Power Lumbar..................................................... 128
Power Steering Fluid Check.....................254
Power Windows
.............................................86
Accessory Delay................................................... 86
Bounce-Back......................................................... 86
One-Touch Down................................................ 86
One-Touch Up...................................................... 86
Window Lock......................................................... 86
Protecting the Environment........................14
R
Rear Parking Aid
.............................................177
Rear Passenger Climate Controls............121
Rear Seats
.......................................................129
Adjusting the Rear Seats................................. 129
Rear View Camera
.......................................182
Using the Rear View Camera System.........182
Rear View Camera See: Rear View Camera.................................... 182
Rear Window Wiper and Washers............77 Rear Camera Washer.......................................... 78
Rear Window Washer......................................... 78
Rear Window Wiper............................................. 77
Recommended Towing Weights............210
Refueling..........................................................155
Remote Control
..............................................49
Car Finder................................................................. 51
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter.................... 49
Intelligent Access Key........................................ 50
Memory Feature................................................... 53
Remote Start......................................................... 52
Replacing the Battery......................................... 50
Sounding the Panic Alarm................................ 52
Remote Start
..................................................122
Automatic Settings............................................ 122
Removing a Headlamp.............................258
Repairing Minor Paint Damage..............268 Replacement Parts
Recommendation.........................................11
Collision Repairs..................................................... 11
Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs................................................................... 11
Warranty on Replacement Parts..................... 12
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control.............................................................53
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)...............................................................231
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)...............................................................231
Roadside Assistance
...................................221
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Getting Roadside
Assistance......................................................... 221
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Roadside Assistance Program Coverage.................222
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Using Roadside Assistance........................................................ 222
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Getting Roadside Assistance.................................... 221
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Using Roadside Assistance.................................... 221
Roadside Emergencies...............................221
Roof Racks and Load Carriers.................201
Running-In See: Breaking-In.................................................. 218
Running Out of Fuel....................................154 Adding Fuel From a Portable Fuel
Container.......................................................... 155
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.................. 155
S
Safety Canopy ™
............................................46
Safety Precautions.......................................153
Scheduled Maintenance Record............377
Scheduled Maintenance..........................369
Seatbelt Height Adjustment......................36
Seatbelt Reminder.........................................37 Belt-Minder™......................................................... 37
Seatbelts............................................................31 Principle of Operation.......................................... 31
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime..............................................................36
Conditions of operation..................................... 37
Seats
..................................................................123
Security..............................................................70
411
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index