
The air conditioning may automatically
turn on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant
temperature decreases to the normal
operating temperature, the air conditioning
turns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge moves
fully into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine
soon messages appear in your information
display, do the following:
1. Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Fully apply the parking brake,
shift into park (P) or neutral (N).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
returns to the normal position. If the
temperature does not drop after
several minutes, follow the remaining
steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to
cool. Check the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
5. If the coolant level is normal, restart the engine and continue.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives because they are
unnecessary and could lead to
transmission damage that may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
The transmission does not consume fluid.
However, if the transmission slips or shifts
slowly you should check the fluid level. If
you notice a sign of leaking fluid, contact
an authorized dealer. Checking the Transmission Fluid
Level WARNING: The dipstick and
surrounding components are hot. Use
gloves when moving components and
checking the transmission fluid level.
Failure to follow this warning could result
in serious personal injury.
Only check the transmission fluid level
when the engine is at normal operating
temperature 179°F (82°C)-199°F (93°C).
Normal operating temperature is reached
after driving approximately 20 mi (30 km). Minimum.
A
Maximum.
B
Note: Check the fluid level with the engine
running and the transmission in park (P).
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
2. Rotate the automatic transmission fluid cap in a counterclockwise
direction. See
Under Hood Overview
(page 245).
3. Remove the cap and dipstick and wipe
it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Replace
the cap and dipstick and remove it
again to check the fluid level.
253
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing MaintenanceE190273
AB

•
Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
Engine
• Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
• With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting. Note:
It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected.
Brakes
• Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.
Tires
• Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
• Make sure all linkages, cables, levers
and pins under your vehicle are covered
with grease to prevent rust.
• Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)
every 15 days to lubricate working parts
and prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
• Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt
or grease film build-up on window
surfaces.
• Check windshield wipers for any
deterioration.
• Check under the hood for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage such as mice or squirrel
nests.
• Check the exhaust for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage.
• Check tire pressures and set tire
inflation per the Tire Label.
• Check brake pedal operation. Drive
your vehicle
15 ft (4.5 m) back and
forth to remove rust build-up.
271
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Vehicle Care

Cruise Control..................................................75
Principle of Operation....................................... 187
Cruise control See: Using Cruise Control................................ 187
Customer Assistance.................................225
D
Data Recording
..................................................9
Event Data Recording.......................................... 10
Service Data Recording........................................ 9
Daytime Running Lamps
.............................82
Direction Indicators.......................................83
Doors and Locks
..............................................61
Driver and Passenger Airbags...................45 Children and Airbags.......................................... 46
Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment........................................................ 45
Driving Aids.....................................................194
Driving Hints
...................................................216
Driving Through Water................................217
DRL See: Daytime Running Lamps......................... 82
E
Economical Driving
......................................216
Electromagnetic Compatibility.............460
Emission Law.................................................158 Noise Emissions Warranty, Prohibited
Tampering Acts and Maintenance..........159
Tampering With a Noise Control System............................................................... 158
End User License Agreement.................462 VEHICLE SOFTWARE END USER LICENSE
AGREEMENT (EULA) ................................. 462
Engine Block Heater
....................................149
Using the Engine Block Heater...................... 150
Engine Coolant Check...............................249 Adding Coolant.................................................. 249
Coolant Change................................................... 251
Engine Coolant Temperature Management.................................................. 252
Fail-Safe Cooling................................................ 251
Recycled Coolant................................................ 251
Severe Climates.................................................. 251
Engine Emission Control...........................158 Engine Immobilizer
See: Passive Anti-Theft System...................... 71
Engine Oil Check
...........................................247
Adding Engine Oil............................................... 247
Engine Oil Dipstick.......................................247
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Duratec
.........................................................299
Drivebelt Routing............................................... 299
Engine Specifications - 3.5L Ecoboost™
.................................................299
Drivebelt Routing.............................................. 300
Entertainment..............................................382 AM/FM Radio...................................................... 383
Apps........................................................................\
391
Bluetooth Stereo or USB................................ 390
CD (If equipped)................................................ 389
HD Radio ™ Information (If
Available)........................................................ 386
SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (If Activated)........................................................ 384
Sources.................................................................. 383
Supported Media Players, Formats and Metadata Information................................. 391
USB Ports.............................................................. 391
Environment......................................................14
Essential Towing Checks............................211 Before Towing a Trailer..................................... 213
Hitches.................................................................... 212
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)......................................... 214
Safety Chains....................................................... 212
Trailer Brake Controller Connector...............212
Trailer Brakes........................................................ 212
Trailer Lamps........................................................ 213
Trailer Towing Connector (Vehicles with a Trailer Towing Package and 7 –Pin
Connector)........................................................ 211
When Towing a Trailer....................................... 213
Event Data Recording See: Data Recording.............................................. 9
Export Unique Options..................................13
Exterior Mirrors................................................86 Blind Spot Information System...................... 87
Direction Indicator Mirrors................................. 87
Fold-Away Exterior Mirrors............................... 86
Heated Exterior Mirrors ......................................87
Integrated Blind Spot Mirror............................. 87
Memory Mirrors .................................................... 87
502
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Index

Operating AWD Vehicles With Spare
Tires..................................................................... 167
Using Cruise Control....................................187 Canceling the Set Speed................................. 187
Changing the Set Speed.................................. 187
Resuming the Set Speed................................ 188
Setting the Cruise Speed................................. 187
Switching Cruise Control Off......................... 188
Switching Cruise Control On.......................... 187
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems..........................................................59
Using Snow Chains.....................................288
Using Stability Control................................177
Using SYNC™ With Your Media Player............................................................344
Accessing Your Play Menu............................. 349
Connecting Your Digital Media Player to the USB Port.......................................................... 344
Media Menu Features....................................... 347
Media Voice Commands................................ 346
System Settings.................................................. 351
What's Playing?................................................. 345
Using SYNC™ With Your Phone
............329
Accessing Features Through the Phone
Menu.................................................................. 333
Accessing Your Phone Settings.................... 337
Making a Call....................................................... 332
Pairing a Cell Phone for the First Time................................................................... 329
Pairing Subsequent Cell Phones.................330
Phone Options during an Active Call.........332
Phone Voice Commands................................ 330
Receiving Calls.................................................... 332
System Settings................................................. 339
Text Messaging................................................... 335
Using Traction Control................................175 Switching the System Off................................ 175
System Indicator Lights and Messages........................................................... 175
Using a Switch...................................................... 175
Using the Information Display Controls............................................................. 175
Using Voice Recognition...........................326 Audio Voice Commands.................................. 376
Climate Voice Commands.............................. 377
Initiating a Voice Session................................ 326
Mobile App Voice Commands..................... 380
Navigation Voice Commands........................ 379Phone Voice Commands.................................
377
SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link Voice Commands..................................................... 380
System Interaction and Feedback...............327
Voice Settings Commands............................. 381
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)
........................228
V
Vehicle Care...................................................265 General Information......................................... 265
Vehicle Certification Label.......................304
Vehicle Identification Number................303
Vehicle Storage.............................................270 Battery..................................................................... 271
Body........................................................................\
270
Brakes...................................................................... 271
Cooling system..................................................... 271
Engine...................................................................... 271
Fuel system........................................................... 271
General.................................................................. 270
Miscellaneous....................................................... 271
Removing Vehicle From Storage................... 271
Tires........................................................................\
.. 271
Ventilation See: Climate Control........................................... 112
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number............303
Voice Control....................................................75
W
Warning Lamps and Indicators..................91 Adaptive Cruise Control...................................... 91
Airbag Readiness.................................................. 92
Anti-Lock Braking System................................ 92
Battery...................................................................... 92
Brake System......................................................... 92
Charging System.................................................. 92
Cruise Control........................................................ 92
Directional Indicator............................................ 92
Door Ajar.................................................................. 92
Engine Coolant Temperature........................... 92
Engine Oil................................................................ 93
Fasten Seatbelt Warning Lamp...................... 93
Front Airbag............................................................ 93
Front Fog Lamps.................................................. 93
509
Flex (TP3) , enUSA, Edition date: 201803, Second-Printing Index