2017 FORD FLEX towing

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
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During a crash of sufficient force, the
inflatable belt inflates from inside the
webbing.
The fully inflated belt's increased diameter
more effectively holds the occupant in the
appropriate seating position, and spreads
crash forces over more area of the body
than regular seatbelts. This helps reduce
pressure on the chest and helps control
head and neck motion for passengers.
The rear inflatable seatbelts are designed
to inflate in frontal or near-frontal crashes,
some side impact crashes and rollovers.
The fact that the rear inflatable seatbelt
did not inflate in a crash does not mean
that something is wrong with the system.
Rather, it means the forces were not of the
type sufficient to cause activation. Stowing the Rear Inflatable Seatbelt
The rear inflatable seatbelt has a snap
retainer for stowing the seatbelt against
the quarter trim panel when it is not in use.
This prevents the seatbelt tongue from
rattling against the side of the seat and
keeps it out of the way when folding or
tumbling the second row seats.
Press the retainer on the seatbelt onto the
mating snap to stow. To use the seatbelt,
pull it away from the quarter trim panel.
SEATBELT HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
WARNING
Position the safety belt height
adjuster so that the belt rests across
the middle of your shoulder. Failure
to adjust the safety belt properly could
reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt
and increase the risk of injury in a crash. Adjust the height of the shoulder belt so
the belt rests across the middle of your
shoulder.
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Settings
Auto Highbeam Autolamp Delay
Autolamp Delay
Display
Compass
Calibrate
Set Zone
Normal or Towing
DTE calculation
Easy Entry/Exit
Autolock
Locks
Autounlock All Doors or
Driver's First
Remote Unlock
Set to XXX%
Oil Life Reset
Switch Enabled or Switch Disabled
Power Liftgate
Auto or Last
Settings
Climate Control
Remote Start
Automatic or Off
Seats and Wheel or
Seats
5, 10 or 15 minutes
Duration
System
Remote Open
Windows
Courtesy Wipe
Wipers
Rain Sensing
Hold OK to Create MyKey
Create MyKey
MyKey
Always On or User Selectable
911 Assist
Traction Ctrl
Choose desired speed or Off
Max Speed
Speed Minder
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Settings
In this mode, you can configure different
driver setting choices.
Note:
Some items are optional and may
not appear. Settings
Sport, Normal or Comfort
Handling in D
Drive
Control
Vehicle
Sport or Normal
Handling in S
Auto Engine Off Normal or Towing
DTE Calcula-
tion
Easy Entry / Exit
Right Hand or Left
Hand Traffic
Traffic Set Up
Adaptive Head
Lamps
Lighting
On or Off
Auto Highbeam
Select time interval
Autolamp Delay
Autolock
Locks
Autounlock All doors or Driver door
Remote Unlocking
Remaining Life XXX% - Hold OK to Reset
Oil Life
Reset
Auto or Last Settings
Climate Control
Remote
Start
Auto Heated or Off
Seats and Wheel or
Seats
5, 10 or 15 minutes
Duration
System
Remote Open
Windows
Remote Close
Courtesy Wipe
Wipers
Rain Sensing
MyKeys and Admin Keys
Mykey
Status
MyKey
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Action
Message
One or more tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. SeeTire Pressure Monitoring System (page 290).
Tire Pressure Low
The tire pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If thewarning stays on or continues to come on, contact an
authorized dealer.
See Tire Pressure Monitoring System (page 290).
Tire Pressure Monitor
Fault
A tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire isin use. For more information on how the system operatesunder these conditions, See
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (page 290). If the warning stays on or continues to
come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Sensor
Fault
Traction Control Action
Message
Displays the status of the traction control system. See UsingTraction Control
(page 177).
Traction Control Off
Transmission Action
Message
You switched the engine off and shift select lever is in anyposition other than P (Park).
Shift to Park
Towing Action
Message
The system detects trailer sway, so you need to reduce your speed.
Trailer Sway Reduce
Speed
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Stowing the Third Row Seat
Note:
Remove all objects from the seat and
stowage tub. Objects in the seat or stowage
tub may cause serious damage to the seat
upholstery and cause improper seat
function. 1. From the rear of the vehicle, stow the
head restraints by pulling the strap on
the middle of the seatback just below
the head restraint. Then, fold the
seatback by pulling and holding the red
strap while pushing the seatback
forward. Release the strap once the
seatback starts rotating forward. 2. Release the cushion latches by pulling
the short black strap while pulling on
the strap at the top of the seatback.
This tumbles the seat all the way into
the floor tub. Note:
Do not use the seat anchors as cargo
tie downs. Note:
Do not use the third row seat back as
a load floor when the seatback is folded.
Sharp objects may result in damage to seat
upholstery.
Note: Make sure that the area under the
seat is free of objects before stowing it.
Unstowing the Third Row Seat WARNING
Make sure the seat fully locks into
place by rocking it backward and
forward. Not securing the seat into
the locked position can be dangerous in a
crash and could cause serious personal
injury or death. Note:
Make sure that there are no objects
such as books, purses or brief cases on the
load floor before unstowing the seat. Failure
to remove all objects from the top of the
load floor prior to unstowing it may cause
damage to the seat.
Note: Make sure the area under the forward
portion of the load floor is free of objects
before unstowing the third row seat.
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Press to return the seat to the normal seating position.
A
Press to stow the seat into the tub floor.
B
Press the top of the button to fold down the seatback. Press the bottom portion
of the button to put the seat into the tailgate position.
C
Press to select either right-hand seat, the left-hand seat or both.
D
Note: The third row seat includes obstacle
detection that allows the seat to stop and
reverse direction if it hits an obstacle so that
the obstacle can be removed.
Note: Pressing a different button while the
power seat feature is already being
performed may cause the first selected seat
movement to be cancelled. Allow the first
seat movement to be completed before
pressing a button for another function.
Note: Make sure that there are no objects
such as books, purses or briefcases on the
load floor before unstowing the seat. Failure
to remove all objects from the top of the
load floor prior to unstowing it may cause
damage to the seat. Note:
In order to allow the seat to complete
the stowed position, do not place objects
under the seat before stowing. Remove all
objects from the seat and stowage tub.
Note: In the unlikely event that the third
row power seat stops prematurely or travels
to an unexpected position, press the FOLD
button (C) to reset the seat and return it to
a normal position. WARNING
Do not sit in seats that are rearward
facing when your vehicle is moving.
This is not a correct seating position
and the seatbelts do not properly function
this way. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury or death in
a sudden stop or crash. 137
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FUEL QUALITY
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. We do not recommend
these fuels.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 209).
Do not use any fuel other than those
recommended because they could lead to
engine damage that will not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.
Note: Use of any fuel other than those
recommended can impair the emission
control system and cause a loss of vehicle
performance.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol. •
Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law).
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is located in the spare
wheel storage tray.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
If your vehicle runs out of fuel:
• Add a minimum of
1.3 gal (5 L) of fuel
to restart the engine. If your vehicle is
out of fuel and on a steep slope, more
fuel may be required.
• You may need to switch the ignition
from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to
pump the fuel from the tank to the
engine. When restarting, cranking time
takes a few seconds longer than
normal.
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