2018 FORD FLEX snow chains

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

Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down
a hill or steep incline, you should always
try to drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you would
use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive
brake application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually shift to a
lower gear. When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”
the brakes. Driving on Snow and Ice WARNING
If you are driving in slippery
conditions that require tire chains or
cables, then it is critical that you drive
cautiously. Keep speeds down, allow for
longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances
of a loss of vehicle control which can lead
to serious injury or death. If the rear end of
your vehicle slides while cornering, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain
control of your vehicle. Note:
Excessive tire slippage can cause
driveline damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD
vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like
any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and
ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an
AWD vehicle may accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,
it won ’t stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road
conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do not
“pump ” the brakes. See Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes (page 176).
173
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)E143949

USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,
load index, and speed rating as those
originally provided by Ford. Use of
any tire or wheel not recommended by
Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury,
and death. Additionally, the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case, or power transfer unit failure. It is also
strongly advised to follow the Ford
recommended tire inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post, next to the
driver ’s seating position), or Tire Label
which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and adversely
affect the way your vehicle handles. Note:
The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage.
Do not remove these components from your
vehicle when using snow tires and chains.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather
treads to provide traction in rain and snow.
However, in some climates, you may need
to use snow tires and cables. If you need
to use cables, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and
specifications) be used, as cables may chip
aluminum wheels. Follow these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
•
If possible, avoid fully loading your
vehicle.
• Use only SAE Class S snow chains,
snow cables or equivalent on the front
axle for P235/60R17, P235/60R18, and
P235/55R19 equipped vehicles. The
use of snow chains, snow cables or
other traction assist devices that are
larger than SAE Class S may cause
damage to your vehicle ’s wheel house,
suspension and/or body.
• Do not install tire chains, cables, or
optional traction devices on the rear
tires. This could cause damage to the
vehicle ’s wheel house or body.
• Do not use tire chains, cables, or
optional traction devices with
255/45R20 tires.
• Install cable chains securely, verifying
that the cables do not touch any wiring,
brake lines or fuel lines.
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with
tire cables on your vehicle.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables
rub or bang against your vehicle, stop
and retighten the cables. If this does
not work, remove the cables to prevent
damage to your vehicle.
• Remove the tire cables when they are
no longer needed. Do not use tire
cables on dry roads.
292
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Wheels and Tires

1.
T-type mini-spare: This spare tire
begins with the letter T for tire size and
may have Temporary Use Only molded in
the sidewall.
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label
on wheel:
This spare tire has a label on
the wheel that states: THIS WHEEL AND
TIRE ASSEMBLY FOR TEMPORARY USE
ONLY.
When driving with one of the dissimilar
spare tires listed above, do not:
• Exceed
50 mph (80 km/h).
• Load the vehicle beyond maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the Safety
Compliance Label.
• Tow a trailer.
• Use snow chains on the end of the
vehicle with the dissimilar spare tire.
• Use more than one dissimilar spare tire
at a time.
• Use commercial car washing
equipment.
• Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires
listed above at any one wheel location can
lead to impairment of the following:
• Handling, stability and braking
performance.
• Comfort and noise.
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
• Winter weather driving capability.
• Wet weather driving capability.
• All-wheel driving capability.
3. Full-size dissimilar spare without
label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly, do not:
• Exceed
70 mph (113 km/h).
• Use more than one dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly at a time. •
Use commercial car washing
equipment.
• Use snow chains on the end of the
vehicle with the dissimilar spare wheel
and tire assembly.
The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly can lead to
impairment of the following:
• Handling, stability and braking
performance.
• Comfort and noise.
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
• Winter weather driving capability.
• Wet weather driving capability.
• All-wheel driving capability.
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly additional
caution should be given to:
• Towing a trailer.
• Driving vehicles equipped with a
camper body.
• Driving vehicles with a load on the
cargo rack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-size
dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly
and seek service as soon as possible.
Tire Change Procedure WARNINGS
When one of the front wheels is off
the ground, the transmission alone
will not prevent your vehicle from
moving or slipping off the jack, even if the
transmission is in park (P) or neutral (N). To help prevent your vehicle from
moving when you change a tire, be
sure to place the transmission in park
(P) or neutral (N), set the parking brake,
and block (in both directions) the wheel
that is diagonally opposite (other side and
end of your vehicle) to the tire being
changed.
297
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Wheels and Tires

Vehicles Sold in Canada: Using Roadside
Assistance........................................................ 222
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Getting Roadside Assistance.................................... 221
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Using Roadside Assistance.................................... 221
Roadside Emergencies...............................221
Roof Racks and Load Carriers................204
Running-In See: Breaking-In.................................................. 218
Running Out of Fuel....................................154 Adding Fuel From a Portable Fuel
Container.......................................................... 155
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.................. 154
S
Safety Canopy ™............................................49
Safety Precautions.......................................153
Scheduled Maintenance Record...........455
Scheduled Maintenance
...........................447
Seatbelt Extension.........................................41
Seatbelt Height Adjustment
......................38
Seatbelt Reminder........................................39 Belt-Minder™........................................................ 39
Seatbelts...........................................................34 Principle of Operation........................................ 34
Seatbelt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime
..............................................................39
Conditions of operation..................................... 39
Seats
..................................................................123
Security...............................................................73
Settings............................................................415 911 Assist............................................................... 420
Ambient Lighting................................................ 427
Bluetooth............................................................... 417
Clock........................................................................\
417
Display................................................................... 428
General.................................................................. 425
Media Player......................................................... 416
Mobile Apps......................................................... 424
Navigation............................................................. 422
Phone...................................................................... 417
Radio....................................................................... 421
SiriusXM................................................................ 422
Sound...................................................................... 415
Valet Mode........................................................... 429
Vehicle................................................................... 428Voice Control.......................................................
429
Wi-Fi & Hotspot................................................. 426
Side Airbags
.....................................................48
Sitting in the Correct Position..................123
Snow Chains See: Using Snow Chains................................. 292
Spare Wheel See: Changing a Road Wheel....................... 296
Special Notices................................................12 New Vehicle Limited Warranty......................... 12
On Board Diagnostics Data Link Connector............................................................ 13
Special Instructions.............................................. 12
Special Operating Conditions Scheduled Maintenance..............................................453
Exceptions............................................................ 454
Speed Control See: Cruise Control............................................ 189
Stability Control
............................................178
Principle of Operation....................................... 178
Starter Switch See: Ignition Switch............................................ 147
Starting a Gasoline Engine.......................148 Automatic Engine Shutdown........................ 150
Failure to Start..................................................... 150
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes.................151
Important Ventilating Information................151
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving................................................................. 151
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary......................................................... 150
Vehicles with an Ignition Key......................... 148
Vehicles with Keyless Start............................. 149
Starting and Stopping the Engine..........147 General Information........................................... 147
Steering............................................................201 Electric Power Steering.................................... 201
Steering Wheel................................................75
Storage Compartments
.............................145
Sunroof See: Moonroof...................................................... 90
Sun Visors.........................................................90 Illuminated Vanity Mirror.................................. 90
Supplementary Restraints System.........44 Principle of Operation........................................ 44
Symbols Glossary
.............................................7
SYNC™ 3........................................................365
General Information......................................... 365
502
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index

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