Page 121 of 508

Recirculated air: Press to
switch between outside air and
recirculated air. The air currently
in the passenger compartment
recirculates. This may reduce the
time needed to cool the interior
(when used with A/C) and
reduce unwanted odors from
entering your vehicle.
G
Note:
Recirculated air may turn
off (or prevent you from
switching on) in all air flow
modes except MAX A/C to
reduce the risk of fogging or to
improve cooling efficiency.
Passenger temperature
control:
Adjusts the
temperature setting on the
passenger side.
H
Fan speed control: Adjusts the
volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
I
Driver temperature control:
Adjusts the temperature setting
on the driver side. This control
also adjusts the passenger side
temperature when you switch
off dual zone mode.
J
HINTS ON CONTROLLING THE
INTERIOR CLIMATE
General Hints
Note: Prolonged use of recirculated air may
cause the windows to fog up.
Note: You may feel a small amount of air
from the footwell air vents regardless of the
air distribution setting. Note:
To reduce humidity build-up inside
your vehicle, do not drive with the system
switched off or with recirculated air always
switched on.
Note: Do not place objects under the front
seats as this may interfere with the airflow
to the rear seats.
Note: Remove any snow, ice or leaves from
the air intake area at the base of the
windshield.
Note: To improve the time to reach a
comfortable temperature in hot weather,
drive with the windows open until you feel
cold air through the air vents.
Manual Climate Control
Note: To reduce fogging of the windshield
during humid weather, adjust the air
distribution control to the windshield air
vents position.
Automatic Climate Control
Note: Adjusting the settings when your
vehicle interior is extremely hot or cold is
not necessary. The system automatically
adjusts to heat or cool the interior to your
selected temperature as quickly as possible.
For the system to function efficiently, the
instrument panel and side air vents should
be fully open.
Note: If you select
AUTO during cold
temperatures, the system directs airflow to
the windshield and side window vents. In
addition, the fan may run at a slower speed
until the engine warms up.
Note: If you select
AUTO during hot
temperatures and the inside of the vehicle
is hot, the system automatically uses
recirculated air to maximize interior cooling.
Fan speed may also reduce until the air
cools.
118
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Climate Control
Page 122 of 508

Quickly Heating the Interior
Automatic climate control
Manual climate control
Press AUTO.
Adjust the fan speed to the highest
setting.
1
Adjust the temperature control to the
desired setting.
Adjust the temperature control to the
full heat setting.
2
Direct air to the footwell using the air
distribution buttons.
3
Recommended Settings for Heating Automatic climate control
Manual climate control
Press
AUTO.
Adjust the fan speed to the center
setting.
1
Adjust the temperature control to the
desired setting. Use
72°F (22°C) as a
starting point, then adjust the setting as
necessary.
Adjust the temperature control to the
midway point of the hot settings.
2
Direct air to the footwell using the air
distribution buttons.
3
Quickly Cooling the Interior Automatic climate control
Manual climate control
Select
MAX A/C.
Select MAX A/C.
1
Drive with the windows open until you
feel cold air through the air vents.
2
119
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Climate Control
Page 123 of 508
Recommended Settings for Cooling
Automatic climate control
Manual climate control
Press AUTO.
Adjust the fan speed to the center
setting.
1
Adjust the temperature control to the
desired setting. Use
72°F (22°C) as a
starting point, then adjust the setting as
necessary.
Adjust the temperature control to the
midway point of the cold settings.
2
Direct air to the instrument panel using
the air distribution buttons.
3
Defogging the Side Windows in Cold Weather Automatic climate control
Manual climate control
Press the defrost button.
Direct air to the windshield using the air
distribution buttons.
1
Adjust the temperature control to the
desired setting. Use
72°F (22°C) as a
starting point, then adjust the setting as
necessary.
Press A/C.
2
Adjust the temperature control to the
desired setting.
3
Adjust the fan speed to the highest
setting.
4
REAR PASSENGER CLIMATE CONTROLS
120
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Climate Control
Page 124 of 508

Rear fan speed control:
Adjusts the volume of air
circulated to the rear passenger
compartment.
A
Rear air distribution control:
Press to switch the direction of
airflow.
B
Rear passenger temperature
control: Adjusts the
temperature setting for the rear
passenger compartment.
C
Rear heated seats:
Press to
switch the rear heated seats on
and off. See
Heated Seats
(page 136).
D
Fan speed control lock: When
illuminated, you can only
operate the rear passenger
settings through the front
controls.
E HEATED WINDOWS AND
MIRRORS
Note:
Make sure the engine is running
before operating the heated windows.
Heated Rear Window Press the button to clear the
heated rear window of thin ice
and fog. The heated rear
window turns off after a short period of
time. Press the button again to switch it
off.
Note: Do not use razor blades or other
sharp objects to clean or remove decals
from the inside of the heated rear window.
The vehicle warranty does not cover
damage caused to the heated rear window
grid lines.
Heated Exterior Mirrors
When you switch the heated rear window
on, the heated exterior mirrors turn on.
121
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Climate ControlE210706 E184884
Page 125 of 508

Note:
Do not remove ice from the mirrors
with a scraper or adjust the mirror glass
when it is frozen in place.
Note: Do not clean the mirror housing or
glass with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum-based cleaning products.
CABIN AIR FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air
filter, which gives you and your passengers
the following benefits:
• It improves your driving comfort by
reducing particle concentration.
• It improves the interior compartment
cleanliness.
• It protects the climate control
components from particle deposits.
You can locate the cabin air filter behind
the glove box.
Note: Make sure you have a cabin air filter
installed at all times. This prevents foreign
objects from entering the system. Running
the system without a filter in place could
result in degradation or damage to the
system.
Replace the filter at regular intervals. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 447).
For additional cabin air filter information,
or to replace the filter, see an authorized
dealer.
REMOTE START
(If Equipped)
The system adjusts the interior
temperature depending on your chosen
settings during remote start.
You cannot adjust the climate control
setting during remote start operation.
When you switch the ignition on, the
climate control system returns to the
previous settings. You can now make
adjustments. Some features may remain on if they turn
on during remote start:
•
Driver heated seat.
• Driver cooled seat.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Heated mirrors.
• Heated rear window.
Note: If the passenger heated or cooled
seats are on when you switch the vehicle
off, they default to the driver setting when
you switch the vehicle on.
You can adjust the default remote start
settings using the information display
controls. See
Information Displays
(page 97).
Automatic Settings
In hot weather, the system is set to
72°F
(22°C). The cooled seats are set to high
(if available, and you select AUTO in the
information display).
In moderate weather, the system either
heats or cools (based on pre-selected
settings). The rear defroster, heated
mirrors and heated or cooled seats do not
turn on.
In cold weather, the system is set to
72°F
(22°C). The heated seats and heated
steering wheel are set to high (if available,
and you select
AUTO in the information
display). The rear defroster and heated
mirrors turn on.
122
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Climate Control
Page 126 of 508

SITTING IN THE CORRECT
POSITION
WARNINGS
Sitting improperly, out of position or
with the seatback reclined too far
can take weight off the seat cushion
and affect the decision of the passenger
sensing system, resulting in serious injury
or death in the event of a crash. Always sit
upright against your seat back, with your
feet on the floor. Do not recline the seatback as this
can cause the occupant to slide
under the safety belt, resulting in
serious injury in the event of a crash. Do not place objects higher than the
seatback to reduce the risk of serious
injury in the event of a crash or during
heavy braking. When you use them properly, the seat,
head restraint, safety belt and airbags will
provide optimum protection in the event
of a crash. We recommend that you follow these
guidelines:
•
Sit in an upright position with the base
of your spine as far back as possible.
• Do not recline the seatback more than
30 degrees.
• Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of it is level with the top of your
head and as far forward as possible.
Make sure that you remain
comfortable.
• Keep sufficient distance between
yourself and the steering wheel. We
recommend a minimum of 10 in
(25 cm) between your breastbone and
the airbag cover.
• Hold the steering wheel with your arms
slightly bent.
• Bend your legs slightly so that you can
press the pedals fully.
• Position the shoulder strap of the
safety belt over the center of your
shoulder and position the lap strap
tightly across your hips.
Make sure that your driving position is
comfortable and that you can maintain full
control of your vehicle.
HEAD RESTRAINTS WARNINGS
Fully adjust the head restraint before
you sit in or operate your vehicle. This
will help minimize the risk of neck
injury in the event of a crash. Do not adjust
the head restraint when your vehicle is
moving. The head restraint is a safety device.
Whenever possible it should be
installed and properly adjusted when
the seat is occupied. Failure to adjust the
head restraint properly could reduce its
effectiveness during certain impacts. 123
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE68595
Page 127 of 508

Note:
Adjust the seat backrest to an upright
driving position before adjusting the head
restraint. Adjust the head restraint so that
the top of it is level with the top of your head
and as far forward as possible. Make sure
that you remain comfortable. If you are
extremely tall, adjust the head restraint to
its highest position.
Front Seat Head Restraints Second Row Center Seat Head
Restraint (If Equipped)
The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B Guide sleeve adjust and release
button.
C
Guide sleeve unlock and remove
button.
D
Adjusting the Head Restraint
Raising the Head Restraint
Pull the head restraint up.
Lowering the Head Restraint
1. Press and hold button C.
2. Push the head restraint down.
Removing the Head Restraint
1. Pull the head restraint up until it reaches its highest position.
2. Press and hold buttons C and D.
3. Pull the head restraint up.
Installing the Head Restraint
1. Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves.
2. Press and hold buttons C and D.
3. Push the head restraint down until it locks.
Second Row Outermost Seat Head
Restraints 124
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE138642 E138645 E162872
A
C
B
Page 128 of 508

The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Guide sleeve unlock and remove
buttons.
C
The outermost head restraints are
non-adjustable, but they can be removed.
Removing the Head Restraint
1. Pull the head restraint up until it reaches its highest position.
2. Press and hold the C buttons.
3. Pull the head restraint up.
Installing the Head Restraint
1. Align the steel stems into the guide sleeves.
2. Press and hold the C buttons.
3. Push the head restraint down until it locks.
Third Row Head Restraints (If
Equipped) The head restraints consist of:
An energy absorbing head
restraint.
A
Two steel stems.
B
Fold strap.
C
Folding the Head Restraint
Pull the fold strap (C). Pull the head
restraint back up to reset.
Note: Press the stow or fold button on the
power folding seats to fold the head
restraint.
Tilting Head Restraints (If Equipped) The front head restraints tilt for extra
comfort.
1. Adjust the seat backrest to an upright
driving or riding position.
2. Pivot the head restraint forward toward
your head to the desired position.
After the head restraint reaches the
forward-most tilt position, pivot it forward
again to release it to the rearward, un-tilted
position.
125
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing SeatsE190836 E144727