2017 FORD FLEX brakes

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load in the Load Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit (page 203).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight. Trailer Towing Connector
(Vehicles with a Trailer Towing
Package and 7
–Pin Connector) When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions. Some seven-position
connectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,
which confirms that it is the proper wiring
connector and works correctly with your
vehicle.
Function
Color
Left turn signal and stop lamp
Yellow
Ground (-)
White
Electric brakes
Blue
Right turn signal and stop
lamp
Green
Battery (+)
Orange
Running lights
Brown
Reverse lights
Grey
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Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
WARNING
Do not adjust a weight-distributing
hitch to any position where the rear
bumper of the vehicle is higher than
it was before attaching the trailer. Doing
so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result
in serious personal injury. When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer,
on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that the
height of the front fender is
approximately halfway between H1 and
H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height accordingly
and repeat Steps 3–6.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper. Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle
may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)
when loaded.
Trailer Brake Controller Connector
(If Equipped)
The connector is located under the
instrument panel above the brake pedal.
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Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working. Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position P to aid engine and
transmission cooling and to help A/C
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
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•
Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
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 WARNINGS
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. Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury. Always make sure that the floor
mats are properly attached to the
retention posts in the carpet that are
supplied with your vehicle. Floor mats must
be properly secured to both retention posts
to make sure mats do not shift out of
position. Never place floor mats or any other
covering in the vehicle foot well that
cannot be properly secured to
prevent them from moving and interfering
with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle. Never place floor mats or any other
covering on top of already installed
floor mats. Floor mats should always
rest on top of vehicle carpeting surface and
not another floor mat or other covering.
Additional floor mats or any other covering
will reduce the pedal clearance and
potentially interfere with pedal operation.
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•
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.
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A
A/C
See: Climate Control.......................................... 116
About This Manual...........................................7
ABS See: Brakes............................................................ 175
ABS driving hints See: Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes................................................................. 175
Accessories....................................................435 Exterior Style....................................................... 435
Interior Style........................................................ 435
Lifestyle................................................................. 435
Peace of Mind..................................................... 435
Accessories See: Replacement Parts
Recommendation............................................ 12
ACC See: Using Adaptive Cruise Control............189
Active Park Assist..........................................181 Automatic Steering into Parking
Space................................................................. 183
Deactivating the Park Assist Feature..........183
Troubleshooting the System.......................... 184
Using Active Park Assist................................... 182
Adaptive Headlamps
...................................85
Adjusting the Headlamps........................259
Horizontal Aim Adjustment.......................... 260
Vertical Aim......................................................... 259
Adjusting the Pedals
.....................................78
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column............................................................75
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column............................................................75
Easy Entry and Exit Feature.............................. 76
End of Travel Position......................................... 76
Memory Feature.................................................... 76
AFS See: Adaptive Headlamps................................ 85
Airbag Disposal................................................51
Air Conditioning See: Climate Control.......................................... 116
Air Filter See: Changing the Engine Air Filter.............265 Alarm
See: Anti-Theft Alarm......................................... 74
All-Wheel Drive.............................................168
Ambient Lighting
............................................87
Anti-Theft Alarm............................................74
Arming the Alarm................................................. 74
Disarming the Alarm........................................... 74
Appendices....................................................457
Apps
.................................................................407
........................................................................\
.......... 407
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.................. 409
At a Glance........................................................16
Audible Warnings and Indicators.............97 Headlamps On Warning Chime..................... 98
Key in Ignition Warning Chime......................... 97
Keyless Warning Alert........................................ 98
Parking Brake On Warning Chime.................98
Audio Control
...................................................76
MEDIA....................................................................... 76
Seek, Next or Previous........................................ 76
Audio System.................................................313 General Information.......................................... 313
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: AM/FM/CD/ SYNC/Satellite Radio
..............................314
Menu Structure.................................................... 316
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD...................................................318
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Sony AM/ FM/CD............................................................319
Autolamps
........................................................83
Windshield Wiper Activated
Headlamps........................................................ 83
Automatic Climate Control........................117
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD....................119
Automatic Transmission
...........................164
Automatic Transmission Adaptive
Learning............................................................. 167
Brake-Shift Interlock......................................... 166
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow................................................................... 167
SelectShift Automatic ™
Transmission................................................... 164
Understanding the Positions of Your Automatic Transmission............................ 164
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check
............................................................254
Adding Transmission Fluid ............................ 255
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Checking the Transmission Fluid
Level................................................................... 254
Autowipers........................................................79
Auxiliary Power Points................................145 110 Volt AC Power Point................................... 145
12 Volt DC Power Point..................................... 145
Locations............................................................... 145
AWD See: All-Wheel Drive......................................... 168
B
Battery See: Changing the 12V Battery..................... 256
Blind Spot Information System..............195
Switching the System Off and On...............196
System Errors....................................................... 196
System Limitations............................................ 196
Using the System............................................... 195
Bonnet Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........244
Booster Seats..................................................28 Types of Booster Seats...................................... 29
Brake Fluid Check........................................255
Brakes................................................................175 General Information........................................... 175
Breaking-In......................................................217
Bulb Specification Chart...........................263
C
Cabin Air Filter................................................124
California Proposition 65..............................11
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Duratec.........................................................304
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates........................................................... 307
Specifications..................................................... 304
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™.................................................308
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates............................................................ 312
Specifications..................................................... 309
Capacities and Specifications................299
Cargo Nets
.....................................................203
Car Wash See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 266Center Console
..............................................147
Console Refrigerator and Freezer.................147
Second Row Center Console.......................... 147
Changing a Bulb..........................................260 Brake and Rear Lamps, Rear Direction
Indicator and Reversing Lamp.................262
Front Direction Indicator and Front Parking Lamp.................................................................. 261
Front Fog Lamp.................................................. 262
Headlamp.............................................................. 261
Headlamp Low Beam and Headlamp High Beam.................................................................. 261
LED Lamps........................................................... 263
License Plate Lamp.......................................... 263
Changing a Fuse...........................................242 Fuses....................................................................... 242
Changing a Road Wheel
...........................293
Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information..................................................... 293
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 294
Changing the 12V Battery.........................256
Changing the Engine Air Filter................265
Changing the Wiper Blades
.....................258
Front Wiper Blades........................................... 258
Rear Window Wiper Blade............................. 259
Checking MyKey System Status..............60
Checking the Wiper Blades
.....................258
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance..................................................41
Child Restraint Positioning
.........................30
Child Safety.......................................................18
General Information............................................. 18
Child Safety Locks..........................................32 Left-Hand Side...................................................... 33
Right-Hand Side................................................... 33
Cleaning Leather Seats
.............................270
Cleaning Products.......................................266 Materials............................................................... 266
Cleaning the Engine
...................................268
Cleaning the Exterior..................................266 Exterior Chrome Parts...................................... 267
Exterior Plastic Parts......................................... 267
Stripes or Graphics............................................ 267
Underbody............................................................ 267
Under Hood.......................................................... 267
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens........................269
Cleaning the Interior
...................................269
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Environment......................................................15
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
Exterior Mirrors
................................................89
Blind Spot Information System...................... 90
Fold-Away Exterior Mirrors............................... 89
Heated Exterior Mirrors ..................................... 90
Integrated Blind Spot Mirror............................ 90
Memory Mirrors ................................................... 90
Power Exterior Mirrors........................................ 89
Power-Folding Mirrors....................................... 89
Puddle Lamps....................................................... 90
F
Fastening the Seatbelts...............................35 Rear Inflatable Seatbelt..................................... 37
Seatbelt Locking Modes.................................... 36
Using Seatbelts During Pregnancy................35
Floor Mats........................................................218
Fog Lamps - Front See: Front Fog Lamps........................................ 85
Foot Pedals See: Adjusting the Pedals................................. 78
Ford Credit
..........................................................11
US Only...................................................................... 11
Ford Protect
...................................................437
Ford Protect Extended Service Plan
(CANADA ONLY).......................................... 438
Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (U.S. Only).................................................................. 437
Front Fog Lamps
............................................85
Front Passenger Sensing System............46
Fuel and Refueling.......................................155 Fuel Consumption.......................................160
Calculating Fuel Economy.............................. 160
Filling the Fuel Tank.......................................... 160
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................156
Fuel Quality
....................................................156
Choosing the Right Fuel................................... 156
Fuel Shutoff
....................................................221
Fuses.................................................................233
Fuse Specification Chart...........................233 Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel.................................................................. 238
Power Distribution Box.................................... 233
G
Garage Door Opener See: Universal Garage Door Opener...........140
Gauges...............................................................93
General Information on Radio Frequencies...................................................52
Intelligent Access................................................. 52
General Maintenance Information.......439 Multi-Point Inspection...................................... 441
Owner Checks and Services......................... 440
Protecting Your Investment........................... 439
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?......................... 439
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?..................................................... 439
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada.........................................................229
Getting the Services You Need...............226 Away From Home.............................................. 226
H
Handbrake See: Parking Brake.............................................. 176
Hazard Warning Flashers
...........................221
Headlamp Adjusting See: Adjusting the Headlamps..................... 259
Headlamp Exit Delay....................................84
Headlamp Removal See: Removing a Headlamp......................... 260
Head Restraints
.............................................125
Adjusting the Head Restraint......................... 126
Tilting Head Restraints ..................................... 127
Heated Seats
.................................................138
Front Seats............................................................ 138
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