Starting and Stopping the
Engine
General Information....................................149
Ignition Switch
...............................................149
Keyless Starting............................................149
Starting a Gasoline Engine.......................150
Engine Block Heater....................................153
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions
.......................................155
Fuel Quality
....................................................156
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................156
Running Out of Fuel....................................156
Refueling..........................................................157
Fuel Consumption
.......................................160
Emission Control System...........................161
Transmission
Automatic Transmission
...........................164
All-Wheel Drive
Using All-Wheel Drive................................168
Brakes
General Information
.....................................175
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes............................................................175
Parking Brake
.................................................176
Traction Control
Principle of Operation..................................177
Using Traction Control
.................................177
Stability Control
Principle of Operation.................................178
Using Stability Control
................................179
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation
................................180 Rear Parking Aid...........................................180
Active Park Assist..........................................181
Rear View Camera
.......................................185
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation................................188
Using Cruise Control...................................188
Using Adaptive Cruise Control................189
Driving Aids
Blind Spot Information System..............195
Cross Traffic Alert.........................................197
Steering..........................................................200
Collision Warning System........................200
Load Carrying
Cargo Nets
.....................................................203
Roof Racks and Load Carriers................203
Load Limit
......................................................203
Towing
Towing a Trailer............................................209
Trailer Sway Control
....................................210
Recommended Towing Weights............210
Essential Towing Checks...........................212
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels
......215
Driving Hints
Breaking-In......................................................217
Economical Driving.......................................217
Driving Through Water................................218
Floor Mats........................................................218
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance..................................220
Hazard Warning Flashers
...........................221
Fuel Shutoff
....................................................221
Jump Starting the Vehicle
.........................222
Post-Crash Alert System..........................224
3
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Table of Contents
Parking aid
Parking brake
Power steering fluid
Power windows front/rear
Power window lockout
Requires registered technician
Safety alert
See Owner's Manual
See Service Manual
Service engine soon
Side airbag
Shield the eyes
Stability control
Windshield wash and wipe DATA RECORDING
Service Data Recording
Service data recorders in your vehicle are
capable of collecting and storing
diagnostic information about your vehicle.
This potentially includes information about
the performance or status of various
systems and modules in the vehicle, such
as engine, throttle, steering or brake
systems. In order to properly diagnose and
service your vehicle, Ford Motor Company
(Ford of Canada in Canada), and service
and repair facilities may access or share
among them vehicle diagnostic
information received through a direct
connection to your vehicle when
diagnosing or servicing your vehicle.
Additionally, Ford Motor Company (Ford
of Canada, in Canada) may, where
permitted by law, use vehicle diagnostic
information for vehicle improvement or
with other information we may have about
you, (for example, your contact
information), to offer you products or
services that may interest you. Data may
be provided to our service providers such
as part suppliers that may help diagnose
malfunctions, and who are similarly
obligated to protect data. We retain this
data only as long as necessary to perform
these functions or to comply with law. We
may provide information where required
in response to official requests to law
enforcement or other government
authorities or third parties acting with
lawful authority or court order, and such
information may be used in legal
proceedings. For U.S. only (if equipped), if
you choose to use connected apps and
services, such as SYNC Vehicle Health
Report or MyFord Mobile App, you consent
that certain diagnostic information may
also be accessed electronically by Ford
Motor Company and Ford authorized
service facilities, and that the diagnostic
information may be used to provide
9
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing IntroductionE139213 E231159 E231158 E167012 E138639
Then...
If...
The Belt-Minder feature will not activate.
You and the front seat passenger buckle
your safety belts before you switch the
ignition on or less than 1– 2 minutes elapse
after you switch the ignition on...
The Belt-Minder feature activates, the
safety belt warning light illuminates and a
warning tone sounds for 6 seconds every
25 seconds, repeating for about 5 minutes
or until you and the front seat passenger
buckle your safety belts.
You or the front seat passenger do not
buckle your safety belts before your vehicle
reaches at least 6 mph (9.7 km/h) and 1–
2
minutes elapse after you switch the ignition
on...
The Belt-Minder feature activates, the
safety belt warning light illuminates and a
warning tone sounds for 6 seconds every
25 seconds, repeating for about 5 minutes
or until you and the front seat passenger
buckle your safety belts.
The safety belt for the driver or front
passenger is unbuckled for about 1 minute
while the vehicle is traveling at least 6 mph
(9.7 km/h) and more than 1–
2 minutes
elapse after you switch the ignition on...
Deactivating and Activating the
Belt-Minder Feature WARNING
While the system allows you to
switch this feature off, the intent of
the system is to remind you to wear
your safety belt to improve your chance to
survive an accident. We recommend you
leave the system switched on for yourself
and others who may use the vehicle. Note:
The driver and front passenger
warnings switch on and off independently.
When you perform this procedure for one
seating position, do not buckle the other
position as this will terminate the process.
Note: If you are using MyKey, you cannot
disable the Belt-Minder. Also, if you have
previously disabled the Belt-Minder, it will
be re-enabled during the use of MyKey. See
MyKey ™ (page 57). . Read Steps 1–4 thoroughly before
proceeding with the programming
procedure.
Before following the procedure, make sure
that:
•
The parking brake is set.
• The transmission is in park (P).
• The ignition is off.
• The driver and front passenger safety
belts are unbuckled.
1. Switch the ignition on. Do not start the
vehicle.
2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off (about 1 minute). After Step
2, wait an additional 5 seconds before
proceeding with Step 3. Once you start
Step 3, you must complete the
procedure within 20 seconds.
40
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Seatbelts
2. Press the remote start button twice.
The exterior lamps flash twice.
The horn sounds if the system fails to start,
unless quiet start is on. Quiet start runs the
blower fan at a slower speed to reduce
noise. You can switch this feature on or off
in the information display. See General
Information (page 99).
Note: If you remote start your vehicle with
an integrated keyhead transmitter, you must
switch the ignition on before driving your
vehicle. If you remote start your vehicle with
an intelligent access transmitter, you must
press the push button ignition switch on the
instrument panel once while applying the
brake pedal before driving your vehicle.
The power windows do not work during
remote start and the radio does not turn
on automatically.
The parking lamps remain on and the
vehicle runs for 5, 10 or 15 minutes,
depending on the setting.
Extending the Engine Running Time
To extend the engine running time duration
of your vehicle during remote start, repeat
steps 1 and 2 while the engine is running.
If the duration is set to 10 minutes, the
duration extends by another 10 minutes.
For example, if your vehicle had been
running from the first remote start for 5
minutes, your vehicle continues to run now
for a total of 20 minutes. You can extend
the remote start up to a maximum of 35
minutes.
Wait at least five seconds before remote
starting after the engine stops running.
Turning Your Vehicle Off After Remote
Starting Press the button once. The
parking lamps turn off. You may have to be closer to your vehicle
to remotely switch off your vehicle after
remote starting. This is due to the added
noise of your running vehicle.
You can switch this feature on or off in the
information display. See
General
Information (page 99).
Memory Feature
(If Equipped)
You can use the remote control to recall
memory settings for the driver seat, power
mirrors, power steering column and power
adjustable foot pedals. Press the unlock
button on the remote control or unlock
your vehicle with the intelligent access key
to recall the memory positions. You can
program the remote control or intelligent
access key to recall memory positions. See
Memory Function
(page 130).
REPLACING A LOST KEY OR
REMOTE CONTROL
Replacement keys or remote controls can
be purchased from an authorized dealer.
Authorized dealers can program remote
controls for your vehicle. See
Passive
Anti-Theft System (page 73).
56
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Keys and Remote ControlsE138625
Airbag Readiness
If this light fails to illuminate
when you switch the ignition on,
continues to flash or remains on,
it indicates a malfunction. Have the system
checked by your authorized dealer. A tone
sounds when there is a malfunction.
Anti-Lock Braking System If it illuminates when you are
driving, this indicates a
malfunction. You will continue
to have the normal braking system
(without ABS) unless the brake system
warning lamp is also illuminated. Have the
system checked by your authorized dealer.
Battery If it illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction. Switch
off all unnecessary electrical
equipment and have the system checked
by your authorized dealer immediately.
Brake System It will illuminate when you
engage the parking brake with
the ignition on.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check
that the parking brake is not engaged. If
the parking brake is not engaged, this
indicates low brake fluid level or a brake
system malfunction. Have the system
checked immediately by your authorized
dealer. WARNING
Driving your vehicle with the warning
lamp on is dangerous. A significant
decrease in braking performance
may occur. It will take you longer to stop
your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked by
your authorized dealer immediately. Driving
extended distances with the parking brake
engaged can cause brake failure and the
risk of personal injury. Charging System
It illuminates when the battery
is not charging properly.
If it stays on while the engine is
running , there may be a malfunction with
the charging system. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible. This
indicates a problem with the electrical
system or a related component.
Cruise Control (If Equipped) It will illuminate when you switch
this feature on.
Door Ajar Displays when the ignition is on
and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine Coolant Temperature Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high.
Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible, switch off the engine and let cool.
See
Engine Coolant Check (page 250).
95
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Instrument ClusterE67017 E144522 E71340
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)
Sounds the horn twice when you exit your
vehicle with the intelligent access key, after
the last door is closed and your keyless
vehicle is in RUN, indicating your vehicle is
still on.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when you remove the key from the
ignition and open the driver's door and you
have left the headlamps or parking lamps
on.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking
brake on and drive your vehicle. If the
warning chime remains on after you have
released the parking brake, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer
immediately.
98
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Instrument Cluster
Brake System
Action
Message
The brake fluid level is low and the brake system should be
inspected immediately. See Brake Fluid Check (page 255).
Brake Fluid Level Low
The brake system needs servicing. Stop the vehicle in a safeplace. Contact an authorized dealer.
Check Brake System
The parking brake is set, the engine is running and you drive
your vehicle more than 3 mph (5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Park Brake Engaged
Collision Warning System Action
Message
There is a system malfunction with the collision warning
system. The system will be disabled. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Collision Warning
Malfunction
The collision warning system radar is blocked because of poorradar visibility due to bad weather or ice/mud/water in frontof the radar. Driver can typically clean the sensor to resolve. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Collision Warning Not
Available Sensor
Blocked See Manual
There is a system malfunction with the collision warning
system. The system will be disabled. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Collision Warning Not
Available
Doors and Locks Action
Message
The door listed is not completely closed.
X Door Ajar
The luggage compartment is not completely closed.
Trunk Ajar
The driver’s door is opened, your vehicle is in park and the
engine is on.
Engine ON
111
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Information Displays
Ignition Modes
The keyless starting system has three
modes:
Off: Turns the ignition off.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode, or
when the engine is running but the
vehicle is not moving.
On:
All electrical circuits are operational
and the warning lamps and indicators
illuminate.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.
Note: You may have to press the push
button ignition switch twice to switch the
ignition on.
Start:
Starts the engine.
• Press the brake pedal, and then press
the button for any length of time. An
indicator light on the button illuminates
when then ignition is on and when the
engine starts. STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speed
increases. This helps to warm up the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, have your
vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Note:
You can crank the engine for a total
of 60 seconds without the engine starting
before the starting system temporarily
disables. The 60 seconds does not have to
be all at once. For example, if you crank the
engine three times for 20 seconds each
time, without the engine starting, you
reached the 60-second time limit. A
message appears in the information display
alerting you that you exceeded the cranking
time. You cannot attempt to start the
engine for at least 15 minutes. After 15
minutes, you are limited to a 15-second
engine cranking time. You need to wait 60
minutes before you can crank the engine for
60 seconds again.
Before starting your vehicle, check the
following:
• Make sure all occupants have fastened
their safety belts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Make sure the transmission is in park
(P).
• Switch the ignition on. For vehicles with
a keyless ignition, see the following
instructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position to start the engine.
150
Flex (), enUSA, First Printing Starting and Stopping the EngineE191075