2018 FORD FLEX tow bar

Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
WARNING
Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than before attaching the trailer.
Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result
in serious personal injury. When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer,
on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without the weight-distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that the
height of the front fender is
approximately halfway between H1 and
H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, adjust the ball height accordingly
and repeat Steps 3–6.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper. Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle
may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 lb (680 kg) when loaded.
Trailer Brake Controller Connector
(If Equipped)
The connector is located under the
instrument panel above the brake pedal.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km)
. Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first
1,000 mi
(1,600 km).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by several
things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under, and how you
maintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
• Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105
km/h]).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
•
Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.
• Revving the engine before turning it off.
• Idle for periods longer than one minute.
• Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.
• Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
• Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving.
• Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a
trailer.
• Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] of
weight carried).
• Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a
trailer may reduce fuel economy at any
speed.
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
• To maximize the fuel economy, drive
with the tonneau cover installed (if
equipped).
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first
5–10 mi
(12 –16 km) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
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Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Driving Hints

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
501
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201801, Second Printing Index