2018 FORD FLEX tow

When to Expect the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED Message
Vehicle Use and Example
Interval
Normal
7,500– 10,000 mi
(12,000– 16,000 km) Normal commuting with highway driving
No, or moderate, load or towing
Flat to moderately hilly roads
No extended idling
Severe
5,000– 7,500 mi
(8,000– 12,000 km) Moderate to heavy load or towing
Mountainous or off-road conditions
Extended idling
Extended hot or cold operation
Extreme
3,000–5,000 mi
(5,000–8,000 km) Maximum load or towing
Extreme hot or cold operation
Normal Maintenance Intervals At Every Oil Change Interval as Indicated by the Information Display
1
Change engine oil and filter. 2
Rotate the tires.
Perform a multi-point inspection recommended.
Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Consult your dealer for requirements.
Inspect the brake pads, rotors, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the rear axle and U-joints all wheel drive only.
Inspect the half-shaft boots.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tire-rod ends, driveshaft and U-
joints.
451
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Scheduled Maintenance

SPECIAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in any
of the following conditions, you need to perform extra maintenance as indicated.
If you operate your vehicle
occasionally
under any of these conditions, it is not
necessary to perform the extra
maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership
service advisor or technician. Towing a trailer or using a car-top carrier
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information
display and perform services listed in the Normal Sched-
uled Maintenance chart.
As required
Inspect rear axle and U-joints (AWD only).
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Inspect half-shaft boots.
See axle maintenance items under
Exceptions.
Change automatic transmission fluid.
30,000 mi (48,000 km)
Replace spark plugs.
60,000 mi (96,000 km) Extensive idling or low-speed driving for long distances, as in heavy commercial use
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the information
display and perform services listed in the Normal Sched-
uled Maintenance chart.
As required
Replace cabin air filter.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Replace engine air filter.
Change automatic transmission fluid.
30,000 mi (48,000 km)
Replace spark plugs.
60,000 mi (96,000 km) Extended Hot and Cold climate operation
Change engine oil and filter. *
5,000 mi (8,000 km)
* Hot Climates only
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Scheduled Maintenance

A
A/C
See: Climate Control.......................................... 114
About This Manual...........................................7
ABS See: Brakes............................................................ 175
ABS driving hints See: Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes................................................................. 176
Accessories....................................................443 Exterior Style....................................................... 443
Interior Style........................................................ 443
Lifestyle................................................................. 443
Peace of Mind..................................................... 443
Accessories See: Replacement Parts
Recommendation............................................ 12
ACC See: Using Adaptive Cruise Control............190
Active Park Assist..........................................181 Automatic Steering into Parking
Space................................................................. 183
Deactivating the Park Assist Feature..........184
Troubleshooting the System.......................... 184
Using Active Park Assist................................... 182
Adjusting the Headlamps........................260 Horizontal Aim Adjustment............................ 261
Vertical Aim......................................................... 260
Adjusting the Pedals.....................................79
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Manual Adjustable Steering
Column............................................................76
Adjusting the Steering Wheel - Vehicles With: Power Adjustable Steering
Column............................................................75
End of Travel Position......................................... 75
Airbag Disposal................................................51
Air Conditioning See: Climate Control.......................................... 114
Air Filter See: Changing the Engine Air Filter.............267
Alarm See: Anti-Theft Alarm......................................... 74
All-Wheel Drive.............................................168
Ambient Lighting
...........................................86
Anti-Theft Alarm............................................74
Arming the Alarm................................................. 74Disarming the Alarm...........................................
74
Appendices....................................................465
Apps...................................................................412 ........................................................................\
........... 412
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.................... 414
At a Glance........................................................16
Audible Warnings and Indicators.............96 Headlamps On Warning Chime..................... 96
Key in Ignition Warning Chime........................ 96
Keyless Warning Alert........................................ 96
Parking Brake On Warning Chime.................96
Audio Control
...................................................76
MEDIA....................................................................... 76
Seek, Next or Previous......................................... 77
Audio System.................................................317 General Information........................................... 317
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: AM/FM/CD/ SYNC/Satellite Radio
..............................318
Menu Structure.................................................. 320
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD..................................................323
Audio Unit - Vehicles With: Sony AM/ FM/CD...........................................................324
Autolamps
........................................................83
Windshield Wiper Activated
Headlamps........................................................ 83
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Premium AM/FM/CD....................115
Automatic Climate Control - Vehicles With: Sony Audio System........................116
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
Checking the Transmission Fluid Level................................................................... 255
Autowipers.......................................................80
Auxiliary Power Points................................143 110 Volt AC Power Point................................... 143
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index

Supported Media Players, Formats and
Metadata Information................................ 395
USB Ports............................................................. 395
Environment......................................................15
Essential Towing Checks...........................213 Before Towing a Trailer..................................... 215
Hitches.................................................................... 214
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)......................................... 216
Safety Chains....................................................... 214
Trailer Brake Controller Connector...............214
Trailer Brakes........................................................ 214
Trailer Lamps........................................................ 215
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicles with a Trailer Towing Package and 7 –Pin
Connector)....................................................... 213
When Towing a Trailer...................................... 215
Event Data Recording See: Data Recording.............................................. 9
Export Unique Options..................................13
Exterior Mirrors
................................................88
Blind Spot Information System...................... 89
Direction Indicator Mirrors................................ 89
Fold-Away Exterior Mirrors............................... 88
Heated Exterior Mirrors ..................................... 89
Integrated Blind Spot Mirror............................ 89
Memory Mirrors .................................................... 89
Power Exterior Mirrors........................................ 88
Power-Folding Mirrors....................................... 88
Puddle Lamps....................................................... 89
F
Fastening the Seatbelts...............................35 Rear Inflatable Seatbelt..................................... 37
Seatbelt Locking Modes.................................... 36
Using Seatbelts During Pregnancy................35
Flat Tire See: Changing a Road Wheel....................... 296
Floor Mats
........................................................219
Fog Lamps - Front See: Front Fog Lamps........................................ 85
Foot Pedals See: Adjusting the Pedals................................. 79
Ford Credit
..........................................................11
US Only...................................................................... 11Ford Protect...................................................445
Ford Protect Extended Service Plan
(CANADA ONLY).......................................... 446
Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (U.S. Only).................................................................. 445
Front Fog Lamps
............................................85
Front Passenger Sensing System............46
Fuel and Refueling.......................................153
Fuel Consumption
.......................................158
Advertised Capacity.......................................... 158
Fuel Economy...................................................... 158
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................154
Fuel Quality
.....................................................153
Choosing the Right Fuel................................... 153
Fuel Shutoff
...................................................222
Fuses................................................................234
Fuse Specification Chart..........................234 Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel.................................................................. 239
Power Distribution Box.................................... 234
G
Garage Door Opener See: Universal Garage Door Opener...........138
Gauges...............................................................92
Gearbox See: Transmission.............................................. 164
General Information on Radio Frequencies...................................................52
Intelligent Access................................................. 52
General Maintenance Information
........447
Multi-Point Inspection..................................... 449
Owner Checks and Services......................... 448
Protecting Your Investment........................... 447
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?.......................... 447
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?..................................................... 447
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada.........................................................230
Getting the Services You Need...............227 Away From Home.............................................. 227
H
Handbrake See: Parking Brake.............................................. 176
Hazard Flashers
............................................222
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index

Headlamp Adjusting
See: Adjusting the Headlamps.................... 260
Headlamp Exit Delay....................................84
Headlamp Removal See: Removing a Headlamp........................... 261
Headrest See: Head Restraints......................................... 123
Head Restraints.............................................123
Adjusting the Head Restraint......................... 124
Tilting Head Restraints .................................... 125
Heated Seats.................................................136 Front Seats............................................................ 136
Second Row Heated Seats............................. 136
Heated Steering Wheel
................................77
Heated Windows and Mirrors....................121
Heated Exterior Mirrors...................................... 121
Heated Rear Window......................................... 121
Heating See: Climate Control.......................................... 114
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate...........................................................118
Defogging the Side Windows in Cold Weather............................................................. 120
General Hints........................................................ 118
Quickly Cooling the Interior............................. 119
Quickly Heating the Interior............................. 119
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........120
Recommended Settings for Heating...........119
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes.............................................................176
Home Screen
.................................................377
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........245
I
Ignition Switch...............................................147
In California (U.S. Only).............................228
Information Display Control........................77
Information Displays.....................................97 General Information............................................ 97
Information Messages
................................105
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................. 106
AdvanceTrac ™.................................................... 106
Alarm...................................................................... 106
Automatic Engine Shutdown........................ 106
AWD........................................................................\
. 107
Battery and Charging System........................ 107Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic
Alert System................................................... 108
Brake System....................................................... 108
Collision Warning System............................... 109
Doors and Locks................................................. 109
Fuel........................................................................\
.. 109
Keys and Intelligent Access............................. 110
Maintenance......................................................... 110
MyKey........................................................................\
111
Park Aid..................................................................... 111
Power Steering...................................................... 112
Seats........................................................................\
. 112
Tire Pressure Monitoring System................... 112
Towing...................................................................... 113
Traction Control.................................................... 113
Transmission......................................................... 113
Installing Child Restraints............................19 Child Seats............................................................... 19
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts......................... 20
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)............................................ 25
Using Tether Straps............................................. 27
Instrument Cluster
.........................................92
Instrument Lighting Dimmer.....................84
Instrument Panel Overview........................16
Interior Lamps
.................................................85
Second Row Reading Lamps.......................... 85
Third Row Dome Lamps................................... 86
Interior Mirror...................................................90 Auto-Dimming Mirror......................................... 90
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...................................................66 SECURICODE™ Keyless Entry
Keypad................................................................ 66
Keyless Starting
.............................................147
Ignition Modes..................................................... 148
Keys and Remote Controls.........................52
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index

Opening the Hood.............................................
245
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature......................................................232
Obtaining a French Owner ’s Manual..........232
Overhead Console.......................................146
P
Parking Aids...................................................180
Principle of Operation...................................... 180
Parking Brake..................................................176
Passive Anti-Theft System.........................73 SecuriLock®........................................................... 73
PATS See: Passive Anti-Theft System..................... 73
Pedals.................................................................79
Perchlorate.........................................................11
Personal Safety System ™
..........................43
How Does the Personal Safety System
Work?.................................................................. 43
Phone
..............................................................399
During a Phone Call.......................................... 402
Making Calls......................................................... 401
Pairing Your Cell Phone for the First Time.................................................................. 399
Phone Menu....................................................... 400
Receiving Calls................................................... 402
Smartphone Connectivity............................. 403
Text Messaging.................................................. 403
Post-Crash Alert System..........................225
Power Door Locks See: Locking and Unlocking............................. 63
Power Liftgate.................................................70 Obstacle Detection............................................... 71
Opening and Closing the Liftgate.................. 70
Stopping the Liftgate Movement.................... 71
Power Seats....................................................126 Power Lumbar..................................................... 128
Power Steering Fluid Check.....................257
Power Windows
..............................................87
Accessory Delay.................................................... 87
Bounce-Back......................................................... 87
One-Touch Down................................................. 87
One-Touch Up....................................................... 87
Window Lock......................................................... 87
Protecting the Environment........................15
Puncture See: Changing a Road Wheel....................... 296R
Rear Parking Aid...........................................180
Rear Passenger Climate Controls..........120
Rear Seats
.......................................................129
Adjusting the Rear Seats................................. 129
Rear View Camera
.......................................185
Using the Rear View Camera System.........186
Rear View Camera See: Rear View Camera.................................... 185
Rear Window Wiper and Washers............81 Rear Camera Washer........................................... 81
Rear Window Washer.......................................... 81
Rear Window Wiper Blade................................ 81
Recommended Towing Weights
..............211
Refueling..........................................................156 Refueling System Overview........................... 156
Refueling System Warning............................. 158
Refueling Your Vehicle...................................... 156
Remote Control..............................................53 Car Finder................................................................ 55
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter..................... 53
Intelligent Access Key......................................... 53
Memory Feature................................................... 56
Remote Start......................................................... 55
Replacing the Battery......................................... 54
Sounding the Panic Alarm................................ 55
Remote Start
..................................................122
Automatic Settings............................................ 122
Removing a Headlamp...............................261
Repairing Minor Paint Damage...............273
Replacement Parts Recommendation........................................12
Collision Repairs.................................................... 12
Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs.................................................................. 12
Warranty on Replacement Parts..................... 12
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control............................................................56
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)
..............................................................232
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)
..............................................................232
Roadside Assistance...................................221
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Getting Roadside
Assistance........................................................ 222
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Roadside Assistance Program Coverage.................222
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SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting.....................430
SYNC™ Applications and
Services........................................................344
911 Assist............................................................... 344
SYNC™ AppLink ™.....................................346
SYNC Mobile Apps............................................ 346
SYNC™............................................................326 General Information......................................... 326
SYNC™ Troubleshooting
..........................357
T
Technical Specifications See: Capacities and Specifications............302
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only)
.......................229
Tire Care..........................................................278 Glossary of Tire Terminology........................ 280
Information About Uniform Tire Quality Grading .............................................................. 278
Information Contained on the Tire Sidewall............................................................. 281
Temperature A B C............................................ 279
Traction AA A B C............................................... 279
Treadwear............................................................. 279
Tire Pressure Monitoring System...........293 Changing Tires With a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System....................................... 294
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System ...................................... 294
Tires See: Wheels and Tires...................................... 276
Towing a Trailer.............................................210 Load Placement................................................. 210
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels...........................................................216
Emergency Towing............................................. 216
Recreational Towing.......................................... 216
Towing..............................................................210
Traction Control
.............................................177
Principle of Operation........................................ 177
Trailer Sway Control......................................211
Transmission Code Designation
............307
Transmission..................................................164
Transporting the Vehicle...........................225 U
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L
Duratec.........................................................246
Under Hood Overview - 3.5L Ecoboost™..................................................247
Universal Garage Door Opener...............138 HomeLink Wireless Control System...........138
USB Port..........................................................325
Using Adaptive Cruise Control................190 Automatic Cancellation................................... 193
Blocked Sensor................................................... 194
Canceling the Set Speed................................. 193
Changing the Set Speed.................................. 193
Detection Issues.................................................. 193
Following a Vehicle............................................. 191
Hilly Condition Usage........................................ 193
Overriding the Set Speed................................ 192
Resuming the Set Speed................................. 193
Setting the Adaptive Cruise Speed..............191
Setting the Gap Distance................................ 192
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control Off....................................................................... 193
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control On........................................................................\
190
Switching to Normal Cruise Control............195
System Not Available....................................... 194
Using All-Wheel Drive................................168 Driving In Special Conditions With
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)............................... 170
Operating AWD Vehicles With Mismatched Tires.................................................................... 169
Operating AWD Vehicles With Spare Tires.................................................................... 169
Using Cruise Control...................................189 Switching Cruise Control Off......................... 189
Switching Cruise Control On.......................... 189
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems...........................................................61
Using Snow Chains
.....................................292
Using Stability Control................................179
Using SYNC™ With Your Media Player.............................................................347
Accessing Your Play Menu.............................. 352
Connecting Your Digital Media Player to the USB Port........................................................... 347
Media Menu Features...................................... 350
Media Voice Commands................................ 349
503
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index