2018 FORD FLEX instrument panel

Introduction
About This Manual
..........................................7
Symbols Glossary ............................................
7
Data Recording .................................................
9
California Proposition 65 .............................
11
Perchlorate ........................................................
11
Ford Credit .........................................................
11
Replacement Parts Recommendation ........................................................................\
....
12
Special Notices ...............................................
12
Mobile Communications Equipment ........................................................................\
....
13
Export Unique Options .................................
13
Environment
Protecting the Environment .......................
15
At a Glance
Instrument Panel Overview .......................
16
Child Safety
General Information ......................................
18
Installing Child Restraints ...........................
19
Booster Seats .................................................
29
Child Restraint Positioning .........................
31
Child Safety Locks .........................................
32
Seatbelts
Principle of Operation .................................
34
Fastening the Seatbelts ..............................
35
Seatbelt Height Adjustment .....................
38
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime ............................................................
39
Seatbelt Reminder .......................................
39
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance ................................................
41
Seatbelt Extension ........................................
41
Personal Safety System ™
Personal Safety System ™.........................
43 Supplementary Restraints
System
Principle of Operation .................................
44
Driver and Passenger Airbags ..................
45
Front Passenger Sensing System ...........
46
Side Airbags ....................................................
48
Safety Canopy ™...........................................
49
Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator ......
50
Airbag Disposal ...............................................
51
Keys and Remote Controls
General Information on Radio Frequencies .................................................
52
Remote Control .............................................
53
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control ........................................................................\
..
56
MyKey ™
Principle of Operation ..................................
57
Creating a MyKey ..........................................
58
Clearing All MyKeys ......................................
59
Checking MyKey System Status .............
60
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems .........................................................
61
MyKey Troubleshooting ...............................
61
Doors and Locks
Locking and Unlocking ................................
63
Keyless Entry ..................................................
66
Liftgate
Manual Liftgate .............................................
69
Power Liftgate ................................................
70
Security
Passive Anti-Theft System ........................
73
Anti-Theft Alarm ...........................................
74
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Table of Contents

Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance
..................................221
Hazard Flashers ...........................................
222
Fuel Shutoff ..................................................
222
Jump Starting the Vehicle ........................
223
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
225
Transporting the Vehicle ..........................
225
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need ..............
227
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
228
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) .....................
229
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
230
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
230
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
232
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only) ........................................................................\
232
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
232
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart .........................
234
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
243
Maintenance
General Information ..................................
245
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
245
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Duratec ........................................................................\
246
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™ ........................................................................\
247
Engine Oil Dipstick .....................................
249
Engine Oil Check .........................................
249
Oil Change Indicator Reset .....................
250
Engine Coolant Check ..............................
250
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ........................................................................\
254 Brake Fluid Check
.......................................
256
Power Steering Fluid Check ....................
257
Washer Fluid Check ....................................
257
Changing the 12V Battery .........................
257
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
259
Changing the Wiper Blades ....................
259
Adjusting the Headlamps .......................
260
Removing a Headlamp ..............................
261
Changing a Bulb ...........................................
261
Bulb Specification Chart .........................
265
Changing the Engine Air Filter ................
267
Vehicle Care
General Information ..................................
268
Cleaning Products ......................................
268
Cleaning the Exterior .................................
268
Waxing ............................................................
270
Cleaning the Engine ...................................
270
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades ........................................................................\
270
Cleaning the Interior ....................................
271
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens ........................
271
Cleaning Leather Seats .............................
272
Repairing Minor Paint Damage ..............
273
Cleaning the Wheels ..................................
273
Vehicle Storage ............................................
273
Body Styling Kits .........................................
275
Wheels and Tires
General Information ..................................
276
Tire Care .........................................................
278
Using Snow Chains ....................................
292
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ..........
293
Changing a Road Wheel ..........................
296
Technical Specifications .........................
300
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Table of Contents

INSTRUMENT PANEL OVERVIEW
Air vent.
A
Wiper lever. See Windshield
Wipers (page 80).
B
Direction Indicators. See
Direction Indicators (page
85).
C
Information display control. See
Information Display Control
(page
77).
D
Instrument cluster.
See Gauges
(page 92).
E
Information display control. See
Information Display Control
(page
77).
F
Audio system. See
Audio
System (page 317).
G Hazard flasher switch. See
Hazard Flashers
(page 222).
H
Information and entertainment
display.
I
Passenger airbag indicator light.
See
Front Passenger Sensing
System (page 46).
J
Climate controls. See
Climate
Control (page 114).
K
Keyless start button. See
Keyless Starting
(page 147).
L
Audio control.
See Audio
Control (page 76).
M
Horn.
N
Steering wheel adjustment. See
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
(page
76).
O
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Cruise control switches. See
Using Cruise Control (page
189).
P
Hood release. See Opening and
Closing the Hood
(page 245).
Q
Instrument panel dimmer
control. See
Instrument
Lighting Dimmer (page 84).
R
Lighting control.
See Lighting
Control (page 82).
S
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing At a Glance

The indicator lamp is in the center stack of
the instrument panel.
Note:
The passenger airbag status indicator
off and on indicator lamps illuminate for a
short period of time when you first switch
the ignition on to confirm it is functional.
The front passenger sensing system is
designed to disable (will not inflate) the
front passenger frontal airbag when the
front passenger seat is unoccupied, or a
rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing
child restraint, or a booster seat is
detected. Even with this technology,
parents are strongly encouraged to
always properly restrain children in the rear
seat. The sensor also turns off the
passenger front airbag and seat-mounted
side airbag when the passenger seat is
empty.
• When the front passenger sensing
system disables (will not inflate) the
front passenger frontal airbag, the
passenger airbag status indicator
illuminates the off lamp and stays lit
to remind you that the front passenger
frontal airbag is disabled.
• If you have installed the child restraint
and the passenger airbag status
indicator illuminates the on lamp, then
switch the vehicle off, remove the child
restraint from the vehicle and reinstall
the restraint following the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions. The front passenger sensing system is
designed to enable (may inflate) the front
passenger frontal airbag anytime the
system senses that a person of adult size
is sitting properly in the front passenger
seat.
•
When the front passenger sensing
system enables the front passenger
frontal airbag (may inflate), the
passenger airbag status indicator
illuminates the on lamp and remains
illuminated.
If a person of adult size is sitting in the front
passenger seat, but the airbag off indicator
lamp is lit, it is possible that the person is
not sitting properly in the seat. If this
happens:
• Switch the vehicle off and ask the
person to place the seatback in the full
upright position.
• Have the person sit upright in the seat,
centered on the seat cushion, with the
person ’s legs comfortably extended.
• Restart the vehicle and have the person
remain in this position for about two
minutes. This allows the system to
detect that person and enable the
passenger frontal airbag.
• If the indicator off lamp remains lit
even after this, advise the person to
ride in the rear seat. Passenger airbag
Passenger airbag status
indicator
Occupant
Disabled
OFF: Lit
Empty
ON: Unlit Disabled
OFF: Lit
Child
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Supplementary Restraints System

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 97).
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 97).
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 128).
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).
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Keys and Remote ControlsE138625

POWER LIFTGATE (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a
vehicle. In a crash, people riding in
these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seatbelts. Make
sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat
and properly using a seatbelt. Failure to
follow this warning could result in serious
personal injury or death. Make sure that you fully close the
liftgate to prevent exhaust fumes
from entering your vehicle. If you are
unable to fully close the liftgate, open the
air vents or the windows to allow fresh air
to enter your vehicle. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. Keep keys out of reach of children.
Do not allow children to operate or
play near an open or moving power
liftgate. You should supervise the
operation of the power liftgate at all times. Note:
Make sure that you close the liftgate
before operating or moving your vehicle,
especially in an enclosure, like a garage or
a parking structure. This could damage the
liftgate and its components.
Note: Do not hang anything, for example
a bike rack, from the glass or liftgate. This
could damage the liftgate and its
components.
The liftgate only operates with the
transmission in park (P).
If there is a problem with the open or close
request, a tone sounds for one of the
following reasons: •
The ignition is on and the transmission
is not in park (P).
• The battery voltage is below the
minimum operating voltage.
• The liftgate is not fully closed and your
vehicle speed is at or above
3 mph
(5 km/h).
If the liftgate starts to close after it has
fully opened, this indicates there may be
excessive weight on the liftgate or a
possible strut failure. A repetitive tone
sounds and the liftgate closes under
control. Remove any excessive weight from
the liftgate. If the liftgate continues to
close after opening, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Opening and Closing the Liftgate WARNING
Make sure all persons are clear of the
power liftgate area before using the
power liftgate control.
Note:
Make sure the area behind your
vehicle is free from obstruction and that
there is enough room for you to operate the
liftgate. Objects too close to your vehicle,
for example a wall, garage door or another
vehicle may come into contact with the
moving liftgate. This could damage the
liftgate and its components.
Note: Be careful when opening or closing
the liftgate in a garage or other enclosed
area to avoid damaging the liftgate.
Note: Do not leave the liftgate open when
you are driving. This could damage the
liftgate and its components.
From the Instrument Panel With the transmission in park
(P), press the button on the
instrument panel.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing LiftgateE138633

Remote Control
Press the button twice within
three seconds.
Outside Control Button
Opening the Liftgate
1. Unlock the liftgate with the remote control or power door unlock control.
If an intelligent access key is within 3 ft
(1 m) of the liftgate, the liftgate unlocks
when you press the liftgate release
button. 2. Press the button located in the top of
the liftgate pull-cup handle.
Note: Allow the power system to open the
liftgate. Manually pushing or pulling the
liftgate may activate the system ’s obstacle
detection feature and stop the power
operation or reverse its direction, replicate
a strut failure, or damage mechanical
components.
Closing the Liftgate WARNING
Keep clear of the liftgate when using
the rear switch. Press and release the liftgate control
button in the rear cargo area.
Stopping the Liftgate Movement
Note:
Do not apply sudden excessive force
to the liftgate while it is in motion. This
could damage the power liftgate and its
components.
You can stop the liftgate movement by
doing any of the following:
• Pressing the liftgate control button.
• Pressing the liftgate button on the
remote control twice.
• Pressing the liftgate button on the
instrument panel.
Obstacle Detection
When Closing
The system stops when it detects an
obstacle. A tone sounds and the system
reverses to open. Once your remove the
obstacle, you can power close the liftgate.
Note: Entering your vehicle while the
liftgate is closing can cause your vehicle to
bounce and activate obstacle detection. To
prevent this, let the power liftgate close
completely before you enter your vehicle.
Before driving off, check the instrument
cluster for a liftgate or door ajar message or
warning indicator. Failure to do this could
result in unintentionally leaving the liftgate
open while driving.
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