2018 FORD FLEX checking oil

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
4
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Table of Contents

ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAX
B
ENGINE OIL CHECK
To check the engine oil level consistently
and accurately, do the following:
1. Make sure the parking brake is on. Make
sure the transmission is in park (P) or
neutral (N).
2. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
3. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
4. Switch the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the oil
pan. Checking the engine oil level too
soon after you switch the engine off
may result in an inaccurate reading.
5. Open the hood. See Opening and
Closing the Hood (page 245).
6. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth. See
Under
Hood Overview (page 246).
7. Replace the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil level. See Under
Hood Overview
(page 246). 8.
Make sure that the oil level is between
the maximum and minimum marks. If
the oil level is at the minimum mark,
add oil immediately. See
Capacities
and Specifications (page 308).
9. If the oil level is correct, replace the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
Note: Do not remove the dipstick when the
engine is running.
Note: If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.
Note: The oil consumption of new engines
reaches its normal level after approximately
3,000 mi (5,000 km)
.
Adding Engine Oil WARNING
Do not remove the filler cap when
the engine is running.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
249
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing MaintenanceE146429 E142732

Operating in off-road (unpaved, sandy, dusty) and Mountainous conditions
Replace cabin air filter.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
Replace engine air filter.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag.
5,000 mi (8,000 km)
Rotate tires, inspect tires for wear and measure tread
depth.
Change engine oil and filter.*
Every 5,000 mi (8,000 km)
or six months
Perform multi-point inspection.
Change automatic transmission fluid.
30,000 mi (48,000 km)
* Reset your Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine oil and filter changes. See Oil Change
Indicator Reset
(page 250). Exclusive use of E85 (flex fuel vehicles only)
If ran exclusively on E85, fill the fuel tank full with regular
unleaded fuel.
Every oil change
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the Normal
Schedule:
Axle and PTU maintenance
: The Power
Transfer Unit (PTU) and rear axle (AWD
only) in your vehicle does not require any
normal scheduled maintenance. The PTU
lubricant will be more likely to require a
fluid change if the vehicle has extended
periods of extreme or severe duty cycle
driving. Changing or checking the PTU
lubricant is not necessary unless the unit
has been submerged in water or shows
signs of leakage. Contact your authorized
dealer for service. California fuel filter replacement: If you
register your vehicle in California, the
California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item does not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
before the completion of your vehicle's
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however,
urges you to have all recommended
maintenance services performed at the
specified intervals and to record all vehicle
service.
Hot climate oil change intervals
:
Vehicles operating in the Middle East,
North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or
locations with similar climates using an
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certification
mark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normal
oil change interval is 5,000 mi (8,000 km)
.
454
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Scheduled Maintenance

12 Volt DC Power Point.....................................
143
Locations............................................................... 143
AWD See: All-Wheel Drive......................................... 168
B
Battery See: Changing the 12V Battery...................... 257
Blind Spot Information System..............196 Switching the System Off and On................197
System Errors....................................................... 197
System Limitations............................................ 197
Using the System............................................... 196
BLIS See: Blind Spot Information System..........196
Body Styling Kits..........................................275
Bonnet Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........245
Booster Seats
..................................................29
Types of Booster Seats...................................... 30
Brake Fluid Check
........................................256
Brakes................................................................175 General Information........................................... 175
Breaking-In......................................................218
Bulb Specification Chart
...........................265
C
Cabin Air Filter
................................................122
California Proposition 65..............................11
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Duratec
.........................................................308
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold
Climates............................................................. 311
Specifications..................................................... 309
Capacities and Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™..................................................312
Alternative Engine Oil for Extremely Cold Climates............................................................ 315
Specifications....................................................... 313
Capacities and Specifications................302
Cargo Nets
.....................................................204
Car Wash See: Cleaning the Exterior.............................. 268
Catalytic Converter
.......................................161
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II).................... 162Readiness for Inspection and Maintenance
(I/M) Testing.................................................... 162
Center Console..............................................145 Console Refrigerator and Freezer.................145
Second Row Center Console......................... 145
Changing a Bulb............................................261 Brake and Rear Lamps, Rear Direction
Indicator and Reversing Lamp.................264
Front Direction Indicator and Front Parking Lamp................................................................. 262
Front Fog Lamp.................................................. 263
Headlamp............................................................. 262
Headlamp Low Beam and Headlamp High Beam................................................................. 262
LED Lamps........................................................... 264
License Plate Lamp.......................................... 265
Changing a Fuse
...........................................243
Fuses....................................................................... 243
Changing a Road Wheel...........................296 Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly
Information..................................................... 296
Tire Change Procedure.................................... 297
Changing the 12V Battery..........................257
Changing the Engine Air Filter.................267
Changing the Wiper Blades.....................259 Front Wiper Blades........................................... 259
Rear Window Wiper Blade............................ 260
Checking MyKey System Status..............60
Checking the Wiper Blades.....................259
Child Restraint and Seatbelt Maintenance..................................................41
Child Restraint Positioning
..........................31
Child Safety.......................................................18
General Information............................................. 18
Child Safety Locks..........................................32 Left-Hand Side...................................................... 33
Right-Hand Side................................................... 33
Cleaning Leather Seats..............................272
Cleaning Products.......................................268 Materials............................................................... 268
Cleaning the Engine....................................270
Cleaning the Exterior..................................268 Cleaning the Headlamps................................ 269
Exterior Chrome Parts..................................... 269
Exterior Plastic Parts........................................ 269
Stripes or Graphics........................................... 269
Underbody........................................................... 269
Under Hood......................................................... 269
496
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index