2016 FORD FLEX cooling

•
With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.
Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.
Brakes
• Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.
Tires
• Maintain recommended air pressure. Miscellaneous
•
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers
and pins under your vehicle are covered
with grease to prevent rust.
• Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)
every 15 days to lubricate working parts
and prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
• Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt
or grease film build-up on window
surfaces.
• Check windshield wipers for any
deterioration.
• Check under the hood for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage such as mice or squirrel
nests.
• Check the exhaust for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage.
• Check tire pressures and set tire
inflation per the Tire Label.
• Check brake pedal operation. Drive
your vehicle
15 ft (4.5 m) back and
forth to remove rust build-up.
• Check fluid levels (including coolant,
oil and gas) to make sure there are no
leaks, and fluids are at recommended
levels.
• If you remove the battery, clean the
battery cable ends and check for
damage.
Contact an authorized dealer if you have
any concerns or issues.
270
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Vehicle Care

Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level. Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-Point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,
it is important to have the systems on your
vehicle checked regularly. This can help
identify potential issues and prevent major
problems. We recommend having the
following multi-point inspection performed
at every scheduled maintenance interval
to help make sure your vehicle keeps
running great.
371
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance

When to expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message
Vehicle use and example
Interval
Normal
7500-10000 miles
(12000-16000 km) Normal commuting with highway driving
No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads
No extended idling
Severe
5000-7499 miles
(8000-11999 km) Moderate to heavy load or towing
Mountainous or off-road conditions
Extended idling
Extended hot or cold operation
Extreme
3000-4999 miles
(4800-7999 km) Maximum load or towing
Extreme hot or cold operation
Normal Maintenance Intervals At every oil change interval as indicated by the information display
*
Change engine oil and filter. **
Rotate the tires.
Perform a multi-point inspection (recommended).
Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Consult your dealer for requirements.
Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the rear axle and U-joints (AWD only).
Inspect the half-shaft boots.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tire-rod ends, driveshaft and U-
joints.
373
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance

Climate Controlled Seats...........................137
Cooled Seats......................................................... 137
Heated Seats........................................................ 137
Collision Warning System.........................198 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION........................... 198
Coolant Check See: Engine Coolant Check........................... 248
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator........47
Creating a MyKey............................................55
Programming/Changing Configurable
Settings............................................................... 55
Cross Traffic Alert.........................................194 False Alerts............................................................ 197
Switching the System Off and On................197
System Errors....................................................... 197
System Lights, Messages and Audible Alerts.................................................................. 196
System Limitations............................................ 196
Using the System............................................... 194
Cruise Control
..................................................74
Principle of Operation....................................... 185
Type 1........................................................................\
. 74
Type 2........................................................................\
74
Cruise control See: Using Cruise Control................................ 185
Customer Assistance
.................................226
D
Data Recording
..................................................9
Event Data Recording........................................... 9
Service Data Recording........................................ 9
Daytime Running Lamps
.............................82
Direction Indicators.......................................84 Lane Change.......................................................... 84
Driver and Passenger Airbags....................42 Children and Airbags........................................... 42
Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment........................................................ 42
Driving Aids
.....................................................192
Driving Hints...................................................218
Driving Through Water................................219
DRL See: Daytime Running Lamps......................... 82
E
Economical Driving
......................................218 Emission Control System
..........................158
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)................... 159
Readiness for Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Testing................................................... 160
End User License Agreement
.................388
VEHICLE SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT (EULA) ................................ 388
Engine Block Heater
.....................................151
Using the Engine Block Heater...................... 152
Engine Coolant Check...............................248 Adding Engine Coolant.................................... 249
Checking the Engine Coolant....................... 248
Recycled Engine Coolant................................ 249
Severe Climates................................................. 250
What You Should Know About Fail-Safe Cooling............................................................. 250
Engine Immobilizer See: Passive Anti-Theft System..................... 70
Engine Oil Check
...........................................247
Adding Engine Oil............................................... 247
Engine Oil Dipstick.......................................247
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Duratec..........................................................297
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 297
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™..................................................297
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 298
Environment......................................................14
Essential Towing Checks...........................212 Before Towing a Trailer..................................... 214
Hitches.................................................................... 213
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)......................................... 215
Safety Chains....................................................... 213
Trailer Brake Controller Connector...............213
Trailer Brakes........................................................ 213
Trailer Lamps........................................................ 214
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicles with a Trailer Towing Package and 7 –Pin
Connector)....................................................... 212
When Towing a Trailer...................................... 214
Event Data Recording See: Data Recording.............................................. 9
Export Unique Options..................................13
407
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

Vehicle Storage............................................269
Battery................................................................... 270
Body....................................................................... 269
Brakes..................................................................... 270
Cooling system................................................... 270
Engine.................................................................... 269
Fuel system.......................................................... 270
General.................................................................. 269
Miscellaneous..................................................... 270
Removing Vehicle From Storage.................. 270
Tires........................................................................\
. 270
Ventilation See: Climate Control.......................................... 114
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number...........300
Voice Control
....................................................74
W
Warning Lamps and Indicators
.................92
Adaptive Cruise Control..................................... 92
Airbag Readiness................................................. 93
Anti-Lock Braking System................................ 93
Battery...................................................................... 93
Brake System......................................................... 93
Charging System.................................................. 93
Cruise Control........................................................ 93
Directional Indicator............................................ 95
Door Ajar.................................................................. 93
Engine Coolant Temperature.......................... 93
Engine Oil................................................................ 94
Fasten Seatbelt.................................................... 94
Front Airbag........................................................... 94
Front Fog Lamps.................................................. 94
Head Up Display................................................... 94
High Beam.............................................................. 94
Liftgate Ajar............................................................ 94
Low Fuel Level...................................................... 94
Low Tire Pressure Warning............................... 94
Low Washer Fluid................................................. 94
Parking Lamps...................................................... 94
Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power................................................................... 95
Service Engine Soon........................................... 95
Stability Control.................................................... 95
Stability Control Off............................................ 95
Washer Fluid Check....................................254 Washers
See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 264
See: Wipers and Washers................................. 76
Waxing
.............................................................265
Wheel Nuts See: Changing a Road Wheel........................ 291
Wheels and Tires...........................................271 General Information........................................... 271
Technical Specifications................................. 296
Windows and Mirrors
...................................86
Windshield Washers......................................77
Windshield Wipers.........................................76 Speed Dependent Wipers................................. 76
Wiper Blades See: Checking the Wiper Blades.................. 256
Wipers and Washers.....................................76
Wrecker Towing See: Transporting the Vehicle........................ 215
414
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index