2016 FORD FLEX traction control

U.S. Department of
Transportation Tire quality
grades: The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford
Motor Company to give you the
following information about tire
grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear 1½ times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C WARNING
The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics. The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire
’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Temperature A B C WARNING
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B and C,
representing the tire
’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
274
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

J.
Tire Ply Composition and
Material Used: Indicates the
number of plies or the number of
layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate
the ply materials in the tire and the
sidewall, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others.
K. Maximum Load: Indicates the
maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the
tire. See the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver's seating
position), for the correct tire
pressure for your vehicle.
L. Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades:
*Treadwear The treadwear grade
is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. *Traction: The traction grades,
from highest to lowest are AA, A,
B, and C. The grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
*
Temperature: The temperature
grades are A (the highest), B and
C, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
M. Maximum Inflation
Pressure:
Indicates the tire
manufacturers' maximum
permissible pressure or the
pressure at which the maximum
load can be carried by the tire. This
pressure is normally higher than
the vehicle manufacturer's
recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label which is
located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver ’s door. The cold
inflation pressure should never be
set lower than the recommended
pressure on the vehicle label.
278
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,
load index, and 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. It is also
strongly advised to follow the Ford
recommended tire inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post, next to the
driver ’s seating position), or Tire Label
which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and adversely
affect the way your vehicle handles. 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.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather
treads to provide traction in rain and snow.
However, in some climates, you may need
to use snow tires and cables. If you need
to use cables, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and
specifications) be used, as cables may chip
aluminum wheels. Follow these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
•
If possible, avoid fully loading your
vehicle.
• Use only SAE Class S snow chains,
snow cables or equivalent on the front
axle for P235/60R17, P235/60R18, and
P235/55R19 equipped vehicles. The
use of snow chains, snow cables or
other traction assist devices that are
larger than SAE Class S may cause
damage to your vehicle ’s wheel house,
suspension and/or body.
• Do not install tire chains, cables, or
optional traction devices on the rear
tires. This could cause damage to the
vehicle ’s wheel house or body.
• Do not use tire chains, cables, or
optional traction devices with
255/45R20 tires.
• Install cable chains securely, verifying
that the cables do not touch any wiring,
brake lines or fuel lines.
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with
tire cables on your vehicle.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables
rub or bang against your vehicle, stop
and retighten the cables. If this does
not work, remove the cables to prevent
damage to your vehicle.
• Remove the tire cables when they are
no longer needed. Do not use tire
cables on dry roads.
287
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires

TRADEMARKS: This EULA does not grant
you any rights in connection with any
trademarks or service marks of FORD
MOTOR COMPANY, its affiliates, and third
party software and service providers.
PRODUCT SUPPORT: Please refer to
FORD MOTOR COMPANY instructions
provided in the documentation for the
DEVICES product support, such as the
vehicle owner guide.
Should you have any questions concerning
this EULA, or if you desire to contact FORD
MOTOR COMPANY for any other reason,
please refer to the address provided in the
documentation for the DEVICES.
No Liability for Certain Damages:
EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, FORD
MOTOR COMPANY, ANY THIRD PARTY
SOFTWARE OR SERVICES SUPPLIERS,
AND THEIR AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO
LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE. THIS
LIMITATION SHALL APPLY EVEN IF ANY
REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL
PURPOSE. THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES
OTHER THAN THOSE THAT MAY BE
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR YOUR NEW
VEHICLE.
SYNC® Automotive Important Safety
Information Read and follow
instructions:
• Before using your SYNC® system, read
and follow all instructions and safety
information provided in this end user
manual ("Owner Guide".) Not
following precautions found in the
Owner Guide can lead to an accident
or other serious injuries. General Operation
•
Voice Command Control
: Certain
functions within the SYNC® system
may be accomplished using voice
commands. Using voice commands
while driving helps you to operate the
system without removing your hands
from the wheel or eyes from the road.
• Prolonged Views of Screen:
Do not
access any function requiring a
prolonged view of the screen while you
are driving. Pull over in a safe and legal
manner before attempting to access a
function of the system requiring
prolonged attention.
• Volume Setting:
Do not raise the
volume excessively. Keep the volume
at a level where you can still hear
outside traffic and emergency signals
while driving. Driving while unable to
hear these sounds could cause an
accident.
• Navigation Features:
Any navigation
features included in the system are
intended to provide turn by turn
instructions to get you to a desired
destination. Please make certain all
persons using this system carefully
read and follow instructions and safety
information fully.
• Distraction Hazard:
Any navigation
features may require manual
(non-verbal) setup. Attempting to
perform such set-up or insert data
while driving can distract your attention
and could cause an accident or other
serious injury. Stop the vehicle in a safe
and legal manner before attempting
these operations.
• Let Your Judgment Prevail:
Any
navigation features are provided only
as an aid. Make your driving decisions
based on your observations of local
conditions and existing traffic
regulations. Any such feature is not a
391
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Appendices

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

Side Airbags.....................................................45
Sitting in the Correct Position..................123
Snow Chains See: Using Snow Chains................................. 287
Special Notices................................................12 New Vehicle Limited Warranty......................... 12
On-board Diagnostics (OBD-II)....................... 12
Special Instructions.............................................. 12
Special Operating Conditions Scheduled Maintenance...............................................375
Exceptions............................................................ 376
Speed Control See: Cruise Control............................................ 185
Stability Control
.............................................175
Principle of Operation....................................... 175
Starter Switch See: Ignition Switch............................................ 147
Starting a Gasoline Engine.......................148 Automatic Engine Shutdown........................ 150
Failure to Start..................................................... 150
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes.................151
Important Ventilating Information................151
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving................................................................. 151
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary......................................................... 150
Vehicles with an Ignition Key......................... 148
Vehicles with Keyless Start............................. 149
Starting and Stopping the Engine..........147 General Information........................................... 147
Steering............................................................197 Electric Power Steering..................................... 197
Steering Wheel
................................................72
Storage Compartments.............................145
Sunroof See: Moonroof...................................................... 89
Sun Visors.........................................................89 Illuminated Vanity Mirror................................... 89
Supplementary Restraints System..........41 Principle of Operation......................................... 41
Symbols Glossary
.............................................7 SYNC™ Applications and
Services........................................................336
911 Assist............................................................... 336
SYNC Services: Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI) (If Equipped, United
States Only)................................................... 340
Vehicle Health Report (If Equipped, United States Only).................................................... 338
SYNC™ AppLink ™
.....................................344
SYNC Mobile Apps............................................ 344
SYNC™............................................................318 General Information.......................................... 318
SYNC™ Troubleshooting
.........................356
T
Tailgate See: Manual Liftgate........................................... 63
See: Power Liftgate............................................. 64
Technical Specifications See: Capacities and Specifications............297
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only)
.......................228
Tire Care...........................................................273 Glossary of Tire Terminology......................... 275
Information About Uniform Tire Quality Grading.............................................................. 273
Information Contained on the Tire Sidewall............................................................ 276
Temperature A B C............................................. 274
Traction AA A B C............................................... 274
Treadwear............................................................. 274
Tire Pressure Monitoring System..........288 Changing Tires With a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System....................................... 289
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................... 289
Tires See: Wheels and Tires....................................... 271
Towing a Trailer
............................................209
Load Placement................................................ 209
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels...........................................................216
Emergency Towing............................................. 216
Recreational Towing.......................................... 216
Towing.............................................................209
Traction Control.............................................174 Principle of Operation....................................... 174
412
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index

Trailer Sway Control....................................210
Transmission Code Designation.............301
Transmission...................................................161
Transmission See: Transmission............................................... 161
Transporting the Vehicle
............................215
U
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec.........................................................245
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™.................................................246
Universal Garage Door Opener...............138 HomeLink Wireless Control System...........138
USB Port
...........................................................317
Using Adaptive Cruise Control................186 Automatic Cancellation................................... 189
Blocked Sensor................................................... 190
Canceling the Set Speed................................. 188
Changing the Set Speed................................. 189
Detection Issues................................................. 189
Following a Vehicle............................................ 187
Hilly Condition Usage....................................... 189
Overriding the System...................................... 188
Resuming the Set Speed................................. 189
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Speed..............187
Setting the Gap Distance................................ 188
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control Off....................................................................... 189
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On........................................................................\
186
Switching to Normal Cruise Control.............191
System Not Available....................................... 190
Using All-Wheel Drive.................................165 Driving In Special Conditions With
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)............................... 167
Operating AWD Vehicles With Mismatched Tires.................................................................... 166
Operating AWD Vehicles With Spare Tires.................................................................... 166
Using Cruise Control....................................185 Switching Cruise Control Off......................... 186
Switching Cruise Control On.......................... 185
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems..........................................................58
Using Snow Chains.....................................287
Using Stability Control................................176 Using SYNC™ With Your Media
Player............................................................346
Accessing Your Play Menu............................... 351
Connecting Your Digital Media Player to the USB Port.......................................................... 346
Media Menu Features...................................... 349
Media Voice Commands................................ 348
System Settings................................................. 353
What's Playing?................................................. 347
Using SYNC™ With Your Phone............323 Accessing Features Through the Phone
Menu.................................................................. 327
Accessing Your Phone Settings.................... 332
Making a Call....................................................... 326
Pairing a Cell Phone for the First Time................................................................... 323
Pairing Subsequent Cell Phones.................324
Phone Options during an Active Call.........326
Phone Voice Commands................................ 324
Receiving Calls.................................................... 326
System Settings................................................. 333
Text Messaging................................................... 330
Using Traction Control................................174 Switching the System Off................................ 174
System Indicator Lights and Messages........................................................... 174
Using a Switch...................................................... 174
Using the Information Display Controls..............................................................174
Using Voice Recognition
...........................320
Initiating a Voice Session................................ 320
System Interaction and Feedback...............321
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)........................229
V
Vehicle Care
...................................................264
General Information......................................... 264
Vehicle Certification Label........................301
Vehicle Identification Number...............300
413
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Index