2019 FORD FLEX Owners Manual

When the indicator light on the power point
is:
•
On: The power point is working, the
ignition is on and a device is plugged
in.
• Off: The power point is off, the ignition
is off or no device is plugged in.
• Flashing: The power point is in fault
mode.
The power outlet temporarily turns off
power when in fault mode if the device
exceeds the 150 watt limit. Unplug your
device and switch the ignition off. Switch
the ignition back on, but do not plug your
device back in. Let the system cool off and
switch the ignition off to reset the fault
mode. Switch the ignition back on and
make sure the indicator light remains on.
Do not use the power point for certain
electric devices, including:
• Cathode-ray, tube-type televisions.
• Motor loads, such as vacuum cleaners,
electric saws and other electric power
tools or compressor-driven
refrigerators.
• Measuring devices, which process
precise data, such as medical
equipment or measuring equipment.
• Other appliances requiring an
extremely stable power supply such as
microcomputer-controlled electric
blankets or touch-sensor lamps.
142
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Auxiliary Power Points

CENTER CONSOLE
Stow items in the cup holder carefully as
items may become loose during hard
braking, acceleration or crashes, including
hot drinks which may spill.
Available console features include:
Front storage compartment.
A
Cup holder.
B
Center storage compartment
with auxiliary power point and
USB ports.
C
Auxiliary power point or cigar
lighter.
D
Rear storage compartment.
E
Auxiliary power point.
F
Rear climate controls.
G Second Row Center Console (If
Equipped) Cup holder.
A
Armrest.
B
Utility compartment and
refrigerator unit.
C
Console Refrigerator and Freezer
(If Equipped)
This feature operates when the vehicle is
on or in accessory mode. Limit the time of
use when the vehicle is in accessory mode
to avoid the vehicle battery running out of
charge. You should only use this feature
when the vehicle is running. 143
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Storage CompartmentsE210728 E211667 E211653

Flip the console lid forward, then lift off the
cover to open the cooling compartment.
Make sure to replace the cover after using
it. This helps maintain a more consistent
cooling temperature.
Refrigerator: Briefly press and hold
COOL. The indicator light on the cool side
of the switch illuminates and the indicator
light on the freeze side glows when the
refrigerator is active. The temperature
cools to approximately
41°F (5°C). Briefly
press and hold COOL again to switch off
the refrigerator. Briefly press and hold
FREEZE
to change to freezer mode.
Freezer:
Briefly press and hold FREEZE.
Both indicator lights illuminate when the
freezer is active. The temperature cools to
approximately 23°F (-5°C). Press FREEZE
again to switch off the freezer. Press COOL
to change to refrigerator mode. This feature turns off when you switch the
vehicle off. It turns back on to the last
mode when you restart the vehicle.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Note:
Condensation on the inside walls of
the refrigerator is normal under certain
conditions.
This feature is maintenance free, but you
can clean the inside of the unit and the
cover with a mild soap and water solution.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE Press near the rear edge of the door to
open it.
144
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Storage CompartmentsE211668 E75193

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust
system, creating the risk of fire or other
damage. WARNING: Do not park, idle or drive
your vehicle on dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats
up the engine compartment and exhaust
system, creating the risk of fire. WARNING:
Do not start the engine
in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always
open the garage door before you start the
engine. WARNING: Exhaust leaks may result
in entry of harmful and potentially lethal
fumes into the passenger compartment.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your vehicle inspected
immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics for approximately
5 mi
(8 km) after you reconnect it. This is
because the engine management system
must realign itself with the engine. You
can disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all
Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field or radio noise. When you start the engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator pedal before and during
operation. Only use the accelerator pedal
when you have difficulty starting the
engine.
IGNITION SWITCH
(If Equipped)
0
(off) - The ignition is off.
Note: When you switch the ignition off and
leave your vehicle, do not leave your key in
the ignition. This could cause your vehicle
battery to lose charge.
I
(accessory) - Allows the electrical
accessories, such as the radio, to operate
while the engine is not running.
Note: Do not leave the ignition key in this
position for too long. This could cause your
vehicle battery to lose charge.
II
(on) - All electrical circuits are
operational and the warning lamps and
indicators illuminate.
III
(start) - Cranks the engine.
145
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Starting and Stopping the EngineE252522
0
///
///

KEYLESS STARTING (If Equipped)
Note: The keyless starting system may not
function if the key is close to metal objects
or electronic devices such as cellular
phones.
Note: A valid key must be located inside
your vehicle to switch the ignition on and
start the engine.
Ignition Modes The keyless starting system has three
modes:
Off:
Turns the ignition off.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode, or
when the engine is running but the
vehicle is not moving.
On:
All electrical circuits are operational
and the warning lamps and indicators
illuminate.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.
Note: You may have to press the push
button ignition switch twice to switch the
ignition on.
Start:
Starts the engine. •
Press the brake pedal, and then press
the button for any length of time. An
indicator light on the button illuminates
when then ignition is on and when the
engine starts.
STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speed
increases. This helps to warm up the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: You can crank the engine for a total
of 60 seconds without the engine starting
before the starting system temporarily
disables. The 60 seconds does not have to
be all at once. For example, if you crank the
engine three times for 20 seconds each
time, without the engine starting, you
reached the 60-second time limit. A
message appears in the information display
alerting you that you exceeded the cranking
time. You cannot attempt to start the
engine for at least 15 minutes. After 15
minutes, you are limited to a 15-second
engine cranking time. You need to wait 60
minutes before you can crank the engine for
60 seconds again.
Before starting your vehicle, check the
following:
• Make sure all occupants have fastened
their seatbelts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Make sure the transmission is in park
(P).
• Switch the ignition on. For vehicles with
a keyless ignition, see the following
instructions.
146
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Starting and Stopping the EngineE191075

Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note:
Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position to start your vehicle.
Note: The engine may continue cranking
for up to 15 seconds or until it starts.
Note: If you cannot start the engine on the
first try, wait for a short period and try again.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
Note: You must have your intelligent access
key in your vehicle in order to shift the
transmission out of park (P).
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Press the push button ignition switch.
The system does not function if:
• The passive key frequencies are
jammed.
• The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start your vehicle, do
the following: 1. Open the floor console storage
compartment lid.
2. Insert the passive key into the backup slot.
3. With the key in this position, press the brake pedal then press the push button
ignition switch to switch the ignition on
and start your vehicle.
Fast Restart
The fast restart feature allows you to
restart your vehicle within 20 seconds of
switching it off, even if it does not detect
a valid passive key.
147
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Starting and Stopping the EngineE276821

Within 20 seconds of switching the engine
off, press the brake pedal and press the
push button ignition switch. After 20
seconds, you can no longer start your
vehicle if it does not detect a valid passive
key.
Once your vehicle starts, it remains running
until you press the push button ignition
switch, even if your vehicle does not detect
a valid passive key. If you open and close
a door while your vehicle is running, the
system searches for a valid passive key.
You cannot start your vehicle if the system
does not detect a valid passive key within
20 seconds.
Failure to Start
If you cannot start the engine after three
attempts, wait 10 seconds and follow this
procedure:
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Shift into park (P).
3.
Fully depress the accelerator pedal and
hold it there.
4. Start the engine.
Automatic Engine Shutdown
This automatically shuts down your vehicle
if it has been idling for an extended period
of time. The ignition also turns off in order
to save battery power. Before your vehicle
shuts down, a message appears in the
information display showing a timer
counting down from 30 seconds. If you do
not intervene within 30 seconds, your
vehicle shuts down. Another message
appears in the information display to
inform you that your vehicle has shut down
to save fuel. Start your vehicle as you
normally do. Automatic Engine Shutdown Override
Note:
You cannot permanently switch off
the automatic shutdown feature. When you
switch it off temporarily, it turns on at the
next ignition cycle.
You can stop the shutdown, or reset the
timer, at any point before the 30-second
countdown has expired by doing any of the
following:
• You can reset the timer by interacting
with your vehicle, for example pressing
the brake or accelerator pedal.
• You can temporarily switch off the
shutdown feature any time the ignition
is on using the information display. See
Information Displays (page 95). The
feature only remains off for the current
ignition cycle.
• During the 30-second countdown, the
system prompts you to press OK or
RESET to temporarily switch the
feature off for the current ignition cycle
only.
Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Stationary
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1. Shift into park (P).
2. Switch the ignition off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Shift into park (P).
2. Press the push button ignition switch.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Note: The ignition, all electrical circuits and
all warning lamps and indicators will be
turned off.
Note: If the engine is idling for 30 minutes,
the ignition and engine automatically shut
down.
148
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Starting and Stopping the Engine

Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Moving
WARNING: Switching off the engine
when your vehicle is still moving results in
a significant decrease in braking
assistance. Higher effort is required to
apply the brakes and to stop your vehicle.
A significant decrease in steering
assistance could also occur. The steering
does not lock, but higher effort could be
required to steer your vehicle. When you
switch the ignition off, some electrical
circuits, for example airbags, also turn off.
If you unintentionally switch the ignition
off, shift into neutral (N) and restart the
engine.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1. Shift into neutral and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift into park (P) and switch the ignition
off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Shift into neutral and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, shift into park (P).
3. Press and hold the push button ignition
switch, or press it three times within
two seconds.
4. Apply the parking brake. Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes WARNING: Exhaust leaks may result
in entry of harmful and potentially lethal
fumes into the passenger compartment.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your vehicle inspected
immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and then leave the
engine idling for long periods, we
recommend that you do one of the
following:
• Open the windows at least 1 in (3 cm).
• Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
(If
Equipped) WARNING:
Failure to follow engine
block heater instructions could result in
property damage or serious personal injury. WARNING:
Do not use your heater
with ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged adapters. There is a risk of
electrical shock. WARNING:
Do not fully close the
hood, or allow it to drop under its own
weight when using the engine block heater.
This could damage the power cable and
may cause an electrical short resulting in
fire, injury and property damage.
Note: The heater is most effective when
outdoor temperatures are below
0°F
(-18°C).
149
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Starting and Stopping the Engine