2015 Ford FLEX Owners Manual

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2015 FLEX Owner’s Manual ’ fordowner.com ford.ca October 2014 First Printing Owner’s Manual Flex Litho in U.S.A. FA8J 19A321 AA Table of Contents Introduction 10 Child Safety 18 Installing child seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Booster seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Child seat positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Child safety locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Safety Belts 38 Fastening the safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Safety belt height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Safety belt warning light and indicator chime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Safety belt-minder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Rear inflatable safety belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Child restraint and safety belt maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Personal Safety System 49 Supplementary Restraints System 50 Driver and passenger airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Front passenger sensing system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Safety canopy curtain airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Crash sensors and airbag indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Airbag disposal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Keys and Remote Control 63 General information on radio frequencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Replacing a lost key or remote control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 2 Table of Contents MyKey 70 Settings, MyKey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Creating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Clearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 System status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Remote start, MyKey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Troubleshooting, MyKey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Locks 74 Locking and unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 SecuriCode™ keyless entry keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 Security 85 SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 Anti-theft alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 Steering Wheel 90 Adjusting the steering wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Steering wheel controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 Pedals 95 Adjustable pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Wipers and Washers 96 Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Rain-sensing wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Windshield washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 Rear-window wiper and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Table of Contents Lighting 98 Lighting control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 Autolamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Instrument lighting dimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 Headlamp exit delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 Daytime running lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Automatic high beam control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Front fog lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Turn signal control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Interior lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 Windows and Mirrors 105 Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 Interior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 Moonroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 Instrument Cluster 112 Gauges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Warning lamps and indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Audible warnings and indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Information Displays 120 Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 Trip computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 Information messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 4 Table of Contents Climate Control 138 Manual heating and air conditioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138 Dual automatic temperature control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140 Auxiliary passenger climate control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 Rear window defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 Cabin air filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Seats 149 Sitting in the correct position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 Head restraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 Manual seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 Power seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154 Memory function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156 Heated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 Heated and ventilated seats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 Universal Garage Door Opener (If Equipped) 170 HomeLink® wireless control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 Auxiliary Power Points 175 Storage Compartments 178 Center console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178 Overhead console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180 Starting and Stopping the Engine 181 Ignition switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182 Engine block heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Table of Contents Fuel and Refueling 189 Fuel quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 Running out of fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193 Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195 Transmission 199 Automatic transmission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199 All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) 204 All wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204 Brakes 211 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211 Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212 Parking brake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212 Traction Control 213 Traction Control™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213 Stability Control 214 AdvanceTrac® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215 Parking Aids 216 Sensing system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 Active park assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218 Rear-view camera system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222 Cruise Control 227 Using cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227 Using Adaptive Cruise Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 6 Driving Aids Table of Contents 237 Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237 Collision warning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241 Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245 Load Carrying 247 Cargo net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247 Roof racks and load carriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247 Vehicle loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248 Towing 256 Trailer towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256 Wrecker towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264 Recreational towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265 Driving Hints 267 Economical driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267 Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268 Roadside Emergencies 270 Getting roadside assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270 Hazard warning flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272 Fuel cut-off switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272 Jump-starting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273 Customer Assistance 276 Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283 Reporting safety defects (Canada only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283 Fuses 284 Changing a fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284 Fuse specification chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Table of Contents Maintenance 293 General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293 Opening and closing the hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294 Under hood overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295 Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297 Engine oil check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297 Engine coolant check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298 Automatic transmission fluid check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304 Brake fluid check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 Fuel filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 Washer fluid check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309 Checking the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311 Changing the wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311 Air filter(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312 Adjusting the headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314 Changing a bulb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315 Vehicle Care 320 Cleaning products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320 Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320 Waxing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322 Repairing minor paint damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322 Cleaning the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322 Cleaning the windows and wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323 Cleaning the interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324 Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens . . . . . . .324 Cleaning leather seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325 Cleaning the alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326 Vehicle storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 8 Table of Contents Wheels and Tires 330 Tire care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348 Changing a road wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353 Technical specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359 Wheel lug nut torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359 Capacities and Specifications 361 Engine specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361 Engine drivebelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361 Maintenance product specifications and capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . .362 Part numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366 Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367 Vehicle certification label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368 Transmission code designation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368 Accessories 369 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369 Extended Service Plan 371 Audio System 374 MyFord™ system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376 Satellite radio information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .387 Auxiliary input jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390 USB port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391 SYNC® 392 Pairing your phone for the first time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397 911 Assist™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412 Vehicle Health Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Table of Contents MyFord Touch® (If Equipped) 442 Privacy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .448 Voice recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .450 Listening to music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454 Phone features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475 Information Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .483 Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .495 Climate features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .507 Navigation system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510 Appendices 528 Scheduled Maintenance 546 Normal scheduled maintenance and log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .551 Index 563 The information contained in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. In the interest of continuous development, we reserve the right to change specifications, design or equipment at any time without notice or obligation. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language in any form by any means without our written permission. Errors and omissions excepted. © Ford Motor Company 2014 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 10 Introduction ABOUT THIS MANUAL Thank you for choosing Ford. We recommend that you take some time to get to know your vehicle by reading this manual. The more that you know about it, the greater the safety and pleasure you will get from driving it. WARNING: Always drive with due care and attention when using and operating the controls and features on your vehicle. Note: This manual describes product features and options available throughout the range of available models, sometimes even before they are generally available. It may describe options not fitted to your vehicle. Note: Some of the illustrations in this manual may show features as used in different models, so may appear different to you on your vehicle. Note: Always use and operate your vehicle in line with all applicable laws and regulations. Note: Pass on this manual when selling your vehicle. It is an integral part of the vehicle. This manual may qualify the location of a component as left-hand side or right-hand side. The side is determined when facing forward in the seat. A. Right-hand side B. Left-hand side Protecting the Environment You must play your part in protecting the environment. Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste, cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps toward this aim. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Introduction 11 SYMBOL GLOSSARY These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle. Symbol Description Safety alert Symbol Description See Owner’s Manual Symbol Description Anti-lock braking system Battery acid Battery Avoid smoking, flames, or sparks Brake fluid – non petroleum base Check fuel cap Child seat tether anchor Engine air filter Engine oil Fasten safety belt Fuel pump reset Heated rear window Brake system Cabin air filter Child Safety Door Lock and Unlock Cruise control Engine coolant Explosive gas Front airbag Fuse compartment Interior luggage compartment release Child seat lower anchor Do not open when hot Engine coolant temperature Fan warning Front fog lamps Hazard warning flasher Jack 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 12 Introduction Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description Lighting control Panic alarm Power steering fluid Service engine soon Windshield defrost and demist Low tire pressure warning Parking aid system Power windows front and rear Side airbag Windshield washer and wiper Maintain correct fluid level Parking brake system Power window lockout Stability control DATA RECORDING Service Data Recording Service data recorders in your vehicle are capable of collecting and storing diagnostic information about your vehicle. This potentially includes information about the performance or status of various systems and modules in the vehicle, such as engine, throttle, steering or brake systems. In order to properly diagnose and service your vehicle, Ford Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may access or share among them vehicle diagnostic information received through a direct connection to your vehicle when diagnosing or servicing your vehicle. Additionally, when your vehicle is in for service or repair, Ford Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may access or share among them data for vehicle improvement purposes. For U.S. only (if equipped), if you choose to use the SYNC® Vehicle Health Report, you consent that certain diagnostic information may also be accessed electronically by Ford Motor Company and Ford authorized service facilities, and that the diagnostic information may be used for any purpose. See the SYNC® chapter for more information. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Introduction 13 buckled/fastened; and/or the brake pedal; Event Data Recording This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle; this data will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as: • How various systems in your vehicle were operating; • Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were • How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator • How fast the vehicle was travelling; • Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel. This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. Note: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal data or information (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded (see limitations regarding 911 Assist and Traffic, Directions and Information privacy below). However, parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investigation. To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that have such special equipment, can read the information if they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada do not access event data recorder information without obtaining consent, unless pursuant to court order or where required by law enforcement, other government authorities or other third parties acting with lawful authority. Other parties may seek to access the information independently of Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 14 Introduction Note: Including to the extent that any law pertaining to Event Data Recorders applies to SYNC® or its features, please note the following: Once 911 Assist (if equipped) is enabled (set ON), 911 Assist may, through any paired and connected cell phone, disclose to emergency services that the vehicle has been in a crash involving the deployment of an airbag or, in certain vehicles, the activation of the fuel pump shut-off. Certain versions or updates to 911 Assist may also be capable of being used to electronically or verbally provide to 911 operators the vehicle location (such as latitude and longitude), and/or other details about the vehicle or crash or personal information about the occupants to assist 911 operators to provide the most appropriate emergency services. If you do not want to disclose this information, do not activate the 911 Assist feature. See your SYNC® chapter for more information. Additionally, when you connect to Traffic, Directions and Information (if equipped, U.S. only), the service uses GPS technology and advanced vehicle sensors to collect the vehicle’s current location, travel direction, and speed (“vehicle travel information”), only to help provide you with the directions, traffic reports, or business searches that you request. If you do not want Ford or its vendors to receive this information, do not activate the service. For more information, see Traffic, Directions and Information, Terms and Conditions. See your SYNC® chapter for more information. CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: Some constituents of engine exhaust, certain vehicle components, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. PERCHLORATE MATERIAL Note: Certain components in your vehicle, such as airbag modules, safety belt pretensioners, and remote control batteries, may contain perchlorate material. Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate for more information. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Introduction 15 FORD CREDIT (U.S. ONLY) Ford Credit offers a full range of financing and lease plans to help you acquire your vehicle. If you have financed or leased your vehicle through Ford Credit, thank you for your business. For your convenience, we offer a number of ways to contact us, as well as help manage your account. Phone: 1-800-727-7000 For more information regarding Ford Credit, as well as access to Account Manager, please go to www.fordcredit.com. REPLACEMENT PARTS RECOMMENDATION Your vehicle has been built to the highest standards using quality parts. We recommend that you demand the use of genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts whenever your vehicle requires scheduled maintenance or repair. You can clearly identify genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts by looking for the Ford, FoMoCo or Motorcraft branding on the parts or their packaging. Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs One of the best ways for you to make sure that your vehicle provides years of service is to have it maintained in line with our recommendations using parts that conform to the specifications detailed in this owner’s manual. Genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts meet or exceed these specifications. Collision Repairs We hope that you never experience a collision, but accidents do happen. Genuine Ford replacement collision parts meet our stringent requirements for fit, finish, structural integrity, corrosion protection and dent resistance. During vehicle development, we validate that these parts deliver the intended level of protection as a whole system. A great way to know for sure you are getting this level of protection is to use genuine Ford replacement collision parts. Warranty on Replacement Parts Genuine Ford and Motorcraft replacement parts are the only replacement parts that benefit from a Ford Warranty. Damage caused to your vehicle as a result of the failure of non-Ford parts may not be covered by the Ford Warranty. For additional information, see the terms and conditions of the Ford Warranty. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 16 Introduction SPECIAL NOTICES New Vehicle Limited Warranty For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, see the warranty information that is provided to you along with your owner’s manual. Special Instructions For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic controls. WARNING: Please read the Supplementary Restraints System chapter. Failure to follow the specific warnings and instructions could result in personal injury. WARNING: Front seat mounted rear-facing child or infant seats should NEVER be placed in front of an active passenger airbag. MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT Using mobile communications equipment is becoming increasingly important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However, you must not compromise your own or others’ safety when using such equipment. Mobile communications can enhance personal safety and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications equipment to avoid negating these benefits. Mobile communication equipment includes, but is not limited to, cellular phones, pagers, portable email devices, text messaging devices and portable two-way radios. WARNING: Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control, crash and injury. We strongly recommend that you use extreme caution when using any device that may take your focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation of your vehicle. We recommend against the use of any handheld device while driving and encourage the use of voice-operated systems when possible. Make sure you are aware of all applicable local laws that may affect the use of electronic devices while driving. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Introduction 17 EXPORT UNIQUE (NON–UNITED STATES/CANADA) VEHICLE SPECIFIC INFORMATION For your particular global region, your vehicle may be equipped with features and options that are different from the features and options that are described in this owner’s manual. A market unique supplement may be supplied that complements this book. By referring to the market unique supplement, if provided, you can properly identify those features, recommendations and specifications that are unique to your vehicle. This owner’s manual is written primarily for the U.S. and Canadian Markets. Features or equipment listed as standard may be different on units built for Export. See this owner’s manual for all other required information and warnings. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 18 Child Safety GENERAL INFORMATION See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety restraints for children. WARNING: Always make sure your child is secured properly in a device that is appropriate for their height, age and weight. Child safety restraints must be bought separately from your vehicle. Failure to follow these instructions and guidelines may result in an increased risk of serious injury or death to your child. WARNING: All children are shaped differently. The recommendations for safety restraints are based on probable child height, age and weight thresholds from NHTSA and other safety organizations, or are the minimum requirements of law. Ford recommends checking with a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and consulting your pediatrician to make sure your child seat is appropriate for your child, and is compatible with and properly installed in your vehicle. To locate a child seat fitting station and CPST, contact the NHTSA toll free at 1-888-327-4236 or on the internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. In Canada, check with your local St. John Ambulance office for referral to a CPST or for further information, contact your provincial ministry of transportation, or locate your local St. John Ambulance office by searching for St. John Ambulance on the internet, or Transport Canada at 1–800–333–0371 (http://www.tc.gc.ca). Failure to properly restrain children in safety seats made especially for their height, age, and weight may result in an increased risk of serious injury or death to your child. WARNING: Do not leave children or animals unattended in the vehicle. On hot days, the temperature in the trunk or vehicle interior can rise very quickly. Exposure of people or animals to these high temperatures for even a short time can cause death or serious heat-related injuries, including brain damage. Small children are particularly at risk. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 19 Recommendations for Safety Restraints for Children Infants or toddlers Small children Larger children Child size, height, weight, or age Children weighing 40 lb (18 kg) or less (generally age four or younger). Children who have outgrown or no longer properly fit in a child safety seat (generally children who are less than 4 ft. 9 in. (1.45 m) tall, are greater than age four (4) and less than age twelve (12), and between 40 lb (18 kg) and 80 lb (36 kg) and upward to 100 lb (45 kg) if recommended by your child restraint manufacturer). Children who have outgrown or no longer properly fit in a belt-positioning booster seat (generally children who are at least 4 ft. 9 in. (1.45 m) tall or greater than 80 lb (36 kg) or 100 lb (45 kg) if recommended by child restraint manufacturer). Recommended restraint type Use a child safety seat (sometimes called an infant carrier, convertible seat, or toddler seat). Use a belt-positioning booster seat. Use a vehicle safety belt having the lap belt snug and low across the hips, shoulder belt centered across the shoulder and chest, and seat back upright. toddlers in the United States and Canada. • You are required by law to properly use safety seats for infants and • Many states and provinces require that small children use approved booster seats until they reach age eight, a height of 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall, or 80 pounds (36 kilograms). Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements about the safety of children in your vehicle. • When possible, always properly restrain children twelve (12) years of age and under in a rear seating position of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in a front seating position. See Front Passenger Sensing System in the Supplementary Restraints System chapter for more information. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 20 Child Safety INSTALLING CHILD SEATS Child Seats Use a child safety seat (sometimes called an infant carrier, convertible seat, or toddler seat) for infants, toddlers or children weighing 40 pounds (18 kilograms) or less (generally age four or younger). Using Lap and Shoulder Belts WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back. WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible. WARNING: Depending on where you secure a child restraint, and depending on the child restraint design, you may block access to certain safety belt buckle assemblies or LATCH lower anchors, rendering those features potentially unusable. To avoid risk of injury, occupants should only use seating positions where they are able to be properly restrained. When installing a child safety seat with combination lap and shoulder belts: • Use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position. • Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 21 • Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button, to prevent accidental unbuckling. • Place the vehicle seat upon which the child seat will be installed in • For second-row seating positions, the recliner may be adjusted slightly the upright position. to improve child seat fit. If needed, the head restraints may be removed. • For third-row seating positions, the head restraints may be stowed to improve child seat fit. See the Seats chapter for information on folding the head restraints. • Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. See Step 5 below. This vehicle does not require the use of a locking clip. Perform the following steps when installing the child seat with combination lap and shoulder belts: Note: Although the child seat illustrated is a forward-facing child seat, the steps are the same for installing a rear-facing child seat. Note: The lock-off device on some child restraints may not accommodate the shoulder portion of the inflatable safety belt. Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint regarding the necessary and proper use of the lock-off device. In some instances these devices have been provided only for use in vehicles with safety belt systems that would otherwise require a locking clip. 1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 22 Child Safety 2. After positioning the child safety seat in the proper seating position, do the following: • Standard safety belt: pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together behind the belt tongue. • Inflatable safety belt: grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together behind the belt tongue. 3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the tongue through the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 23 4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from) for that seating position until you hear a snap and feel the latch engage. Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it. • Standard safety belt buckle • Inflatable safety belt buckle 5. To put the retractor in the automatic locking mode, do the following; • Standard safety belt: grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is pulled out. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 24 Child Safety • Inflatable safety belt: grasp the lap portion of the inflatable safety belt and pull upward until all of the belt is pulled out. Note: Unlike the standard safety belt, the inflatable safety belt’s unique lap portion locks the child seat for installation. The ability for the shoulder portion of the belt to move freely is normal, even after the lap belt has been put into the automatic locking mode. 6. Allow the belt to retract to remove slack. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode. 7. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt out). If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 5 and 6. 8. Remove remaining slack from the belt. Force the seat down with extra weight, for example, by pressing down or kneeling on the child restraint while pulling up on the shoulder belt (for standard safety belt) or pulling down on the lap belt (for inflatable safety belt) in order to force slack from the belt. This is necessary to remove the remaining slack that will exist once the extra weight of the child is added to the child restraint. It also helps to achieve the proper snugness of the child seat to your vehicle. Sometimes, a slight lean toward the buckle will provide extra help to remove remaining slack from the belt. • Standard safety belt 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 25 • Inflatable safety belt 9. Attach the tether strap (if the child seat is equipped). See Using Tether Straps later in this chapter. 10. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly move the seat forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place. To check this, grab the seat at the belt path and attempt to move it side to side and forward and back. There should be no more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of movement for proper installation. Ford recommends checking with a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to make certain the child restraint is properly installed. In Canada, check with your local St. John Ambulance office for referral to a Child Passenger Safety Technician. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 26 Child Safety Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) WARNING: Never attach two child safety seats to the same anchor. In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or death. WARNING: Depending on where you secure a child restraint, and depending on the child restraint design, you may block access to certain safety belt buckle assemblies or LATCH lower anchors, rendering those features potentially unusable. To avoid risk of injury, occupants should only use seating positions where they are able to be properly restrained. The LATCH system is composed of three vehicle anchor points: two lower anchors located where seat back and seat cushion meet (called the seat bight) and one top tether anchor located behind that seating position. LATCH compatible child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments that connect to the two lower anchors at the LATCH equipped seating positions in your vehicle. This type of attachment method eliminates the need to use safety belts to attach the child seat, however the safety belt can still be used to attach the child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the top tether strap must also be attached to the proper top tether anchor, if a top tether strap has been provided with your child seat. Your vehicle has LATCH lower anchors for child seat installation at the seating positions marked with the child seat symbol. • Second-row bucket seats and third-row passenger side 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 27 • Second-row bench seats and third-row passenger side The LATCH anchors are located at the rear section of the rear seat between the cushion and seat back below the symbols as shown. Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a child seat with LATCH attachments. Follow the instructions on attaching child safety seats with tether straps. See Using Tether Straps later in this chapter. Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the anchors shown. Using Inboard Lower Anchors From the Outboard Seating Positions (Center Seating Use) WARNING: The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 11 inches (280 millimeters) center to center. Do not use LATCH lower anchors for the center seating position unless the child seat manufacturer’s instructions permit and specify using anchors spaced at least as far apart as those in this vehicle. The lower anchors at the center of the second row rear seat are spaced 20.5 inches (520 millimeters apart). The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 11 inches (280 millimeters) center to center. A child seat with rigid LATCH attachments cannot be installed at the center seating position. LATCH compatible child seats (with attachments on belt webbing) can only be used at this seating position provided that the child seat manufacturer’s instructions permit use with the anchor spacing stated. Do not attach a child seat to any lower anchor if an adjacent child seat is attached to that anchor. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 28 Child Safety Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor, if applicable. Tug the child seat from side to side and forward and back where it is secured to the vehicle. The seat should move less than one inch when you do this for a proper installation. If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being injured in a crash greatly increases. Combining Safety Belt and LATCH Lower Anchors for Attaching Child Safety Seats When used in combination, either the safety belt or the LATCH lower anchors may be attached first, provided a proper installation is achieved. Attach the tether strap afterward, if included with the child seat. Using Tether Straps Many forward-facing child safety seats include a tether strap which extends from the back of the child safety seat and hooks to an anchoring point called the top tether anchor. Tether straps are available as an accessory for many older safety seats. Contact the manufacturer of your child seat for information about ordering a tether strap, or to obtain a longer tether strap if the tether strap on your safety seat does not reach the appropriate top tether anchor in your vehicle. Once the child safety seat has been installed using either the safety belt, the lower anchors of the LATCH system, or both, you can attach the top tether strap. The tether strap anchors in your vehicle are in the following positions (shown from top view): • Second row bucket seats and third-row passenger side 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 29 • Second row bench seats and third-row passenger side Perform the following steps to install a child safety seat with tether anchors: Note: If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off your vehicle seat cushion when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching your vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash. 1. Route the tether strap. • Second-row outboard seat positions: Route the child safety seat tether strap over the seat back, under the head restraint and between the head restraint posts. If needed, remove the head restraint to improve the fit of the child safety seat or tether strap. • Second-row center seat positions: Route the child safety seat tether strap over the top of the head restraint. If needed, remove the head restraint to improve the fit of the child safety seat or tether strap. See Rear Seats in this chapter for head restraint information. • Third-row seat position: Route the child safety seat tether strap over the seat back, under the head restraint and between the head restraint posts. If needed, fold the head restraint down to improve the fit of the child safety seat or tether strap. See Rear seats in the Seats chapter for head restraint information. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 30 Child Safety 2. Locate the correct anchor for the selected rear seating position. • Second-row bucket (40/40) • Second-row bench (60/40) • Third-row seat Note: The cargo tie-downs at the rear edge of the floor are not tether anchors. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 31 3. Clip the tether hook to the anchor as shown. The tether hook may be twisted 1/2 turn to improve installation. If the tether strap is clipped incorrectly, the child safety seat may not be retained properly in the event of a crash. 4. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being injured in a crash greatly increases. If your child restraint system is equipped with a tether strap, and the child restraint manufacturer recommends its use, Ford also recommends its use. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 32 Child Safety BOOSTER SEATS WARNING: Never place, or allow a child to place, the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it reduces the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk of injury or death in a crash. Note: Some booster seat safety belt guides may not accommodate the shoulder portion of the inflatable safety belt. Use a belt-positioning booster seat for children who have outgrown or no longer properly fit in a child safety seat (generally children who are less than 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall, are greater than age four (4) and less than age twelve (12), and between 40 pounds (18 kilograms) and 80 pounds (36 kilograms) and upward to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) if recommended by your child restraint manufacturer). Many state and provincial laws require that children use approved booster seats until they reach age eight (8), a height of 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall, or 80 pounds (36 kilograms). Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these questions when the child is seated without a booster seat. • Can the child sit all the way back against their vehicle seat with knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat cushion? • Can the child sit without slouching? • Does the lap belt rest low across the hips? • Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest? • Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip? Always use booster seats in conjunction with your vehicle lap and shoulder belt. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 33 Types of Booster Seats • Backless booster seats If your backless booster seat has a removable shield, remove the shield. If a vehicle seating position has a low seatback or no head restraint, a backless booster seat may place your child’s head (as measured at the tops of the ears) above the top of the seat. In this case, move the backless booster to another seating position with a higher seatback or head restraint and lap and shoulder belts, or consider using a high back booster seat. • High back booster seats If, with a backless booster seat, you cannot find a seating position that adequately supports your child’s head, a high back booster seat would be a better choice. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 34 Child Safety Children and booster seats vary in size and shape. Choose a booster that keeps the lap belt low and snug across the hips, never up across the stomach, and lets you adjust the shoulder belt to cross the chest and rest snugly near the center of the shoulder. The following drawings compare the ideal fit (center) to a shoulder belt uncomfortably close to the neck and a shoulder belt that could slip off the shoulder. The drawings also show how the lap belt should be low and snug across the child’s hips. If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat upon which it is being used, placing a rubberized mesh sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this condition. Do not introduce any item thicker than this under the booster seat. Check with the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 35 CHILD SEAT POSITIONING WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the vehicle seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back. When possible, all children age 12 and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position. If all children cannot be seated and restrained properly in a rear seating position, properly restrain the largest child in the front seat. WARNING: Always carefully follow the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer of any child restraint to determine if the restraint device is appropriate for your child’s size, height, weight, or age. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions and warnings provided for installation and use in conjunction with the instructions and warnings provided by your vehicle manufacturer. A safety seat that is improperly installed or utilized, is inappropriate for your child’s height, age or weight, or does not properly fit the child, may increase the risk of serious injury or death. WARNING: Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while your vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a crash, which may result in serious injury or death. WARNING: Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child. They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or death in a crash. WARNING: Always restrain an unoccupied child seat or booster seat. These objects may become projectiles in a crash or sudden stop, which may increase the risk of serious injury. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 36 Child Safety WARNING: Never place, or allow a child to place, the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it reduces the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk of injury or death in a crash. WARNING: To avoid risk of injury, do not leave children or pets unattended in your vehicle. Recommendations for attaching child safety restraints for children Use any attachment method as indicated be- Com- bined weight of child and child seat LATCH (lower anchors and top tether anchor) LATCH (lower anchors only) low by X. Safety belt and top tether anchor Safety belt and LATCH (lower anchors and top tether anchor) Safety belt only Restraint Type Rear-facing child seat Rear-facing child seat Forward- facing child seat Forward- facing child seat Note: The child seat must rest tightly against the vehicle seat upon which it is installed. It may be necessary to lift or remove the head restraint. See the Seats chapter for information on head restraints. Up to 65 lb (29.5 kg) Over 65 lb (29.5 kg) Up to 65 lb (29.5 kg) Over 65 lb (29.5 kg) 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Child Safety 37 CHILD SAFETY LOCKS The childproof locks are located on the rear edge of each rear door and must be set separately for each door. Setting the lock for one door will not automatically set the lock for both doors. • Insert the key and turn to the lock position (key horizontal) to engage the childproof locks. • Insert the key and turn to the unlock position (key vertical) to disengage the childproof locks. When these locks are set, the rear doors cannot be opened from the inside. The rear doors can be opened from the outside when the childproof door locks are set, but the doors are unlocked. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 38 Safety Belts PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION WARNING: Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips. WARNING: Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a crash, which may result in serious injury or death. WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained. WARNING: All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. Failure to properly wear your safety belt could seriously increase the risk of injury or death. WARNING: Do not allow people to travel in any area of your vehicle that does not have seats and safety belts. Riding in a cargo area, inside or outside of the vehicle, is extremely dangerous. In a crash, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt correctly. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious personal injury or death. WARNING: In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a safety belt. WARNING: Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. 2) Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside shoulder. 3) Never use a single belt for more than one person. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Safety Belts 39 WARNING: When possible, all children 12 years old and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or death. WARNING: Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them. WARNING: Front and rear seat occupants, including pregnant women, should wear safety belts for optimum protection in an accident. All seating positions in this vehicle have lap and shoulder safety belts. All occupants of the vehicle should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. The safety belt system consists of: • Lap and shoulder safety belts. • Shoulder safety belt with automatic locking mode (except driver and • Height adjuster at the front outboard seating positions. • Safety belt pretensioner at the front outboard seating positions. • Belt tension sensor at the front outboard passenger seating position. • Safety belt warning light and chime. See Safety Belt rear inflatable safety belt). Warning Light and Indicator Chime later in this chapter. • Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator in the Supplemental Restraint System chapter. The safety belt pretensioners and rear inflatable safety belts are designed to activate in frontal, near-frontal and side crashes, and in rollovers. The safety belt pretensioners at the front seating positions are designed to tighten the safety belts firmly against the occupant’s body when activated. This helps increase the effectiveness of the safety belts. In frontal crashes, the safety belt pretensioners can be activated alone or, if the crash is of sufficient severity, together with the front airbags. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 40 Safety Belts FASTENING THE SAFETY BELTS The front outboard and rear safety restraints in your vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. 1. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from) until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle. 2. To unfasten, press the release button and remove the tongue from the buckle. Using Safety Belts During Pregnancy WARNING: Always ride and drive with your seatback upright and the safety belt properly fastened. The lap portion of the safety belt should fit snug and be positioned low across the hips. The shoulder portion of the safety belt should be positioned across the chest. Pregnant women should also follow this practice. See the following figure. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Safety Belts 41 Pregnant women should always wear their safety belts. The lap belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt should be positioned low across the hips below the belly and worn as tight as comfort will allow. The shoulder belt should be positioned to cross the middle of the shoulder and the center of the chest. Safety Belt Locking Modes WARNING: After any vehicle crash, the safety belt system at all passenger seating positions must be checked by an authorized dealer to verify that the automatic locking retractor feature for child seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be checked for proper function. WARNING: The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced if the safety belt assembly automatic locking retractor feature or any other safety belt function is not operating properly when checked by an authorized dealer. Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in crashes. All safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The driver safety belt has the first locking mode. The front outboard passenger and rear seat safety belts have both types of locking modes described as follows: Vehicle Sensitive Mode This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder or lap belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of about 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers. In addition, the retractor(s) is designed to lock if the webbing is pulled out too quickly. If this occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull webbing out again in a slow and controlled manner. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 42 Safety Belts Automatic Locking Mode In this mode, the shoulder belt or lap belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder or lap belt. The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt. When to Use the Automatic Locking Mode This mode should be used any time a child safety seat, except a booster, is installed in passenger front or rear seating positions. Children 12 years old and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position whenever possible. How to use the automatic locking mode Non-inflatable safety belts 1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt. 2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until the entire belt is pulled out. 3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking mode. Rear outboard inflatable safety belts (second row only–if equipped) 1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt. 2. Grasp the lap portion of the belt and pull upward until the entire belt is pulled out. 3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking mode. How to Disengage the Automatic Locking Mode Unbuckle the combination lap and shoulder belt and allow it to retract completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Safety Belts 43 Safety Belt Extension Assembly WARNING: Do not use extensions to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. WARNING: Do not use extensions with an inflatable safety belt. Safety belt extensions are vehicle-specific. See an authorized dealer to make sure you obtain the proper safety belt extension for your vehicle. Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt. A safety belt extension is not available for the inflatable safety belt. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for you when fully extended. SAFETY BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT WARNING: Position the safety belt height adjusters so that the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt and increase the risk of injury in a crash. Adjust the height of the shoulder belt so the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. To adjust the shoulder belt height: 1. Squeeze the button and slide the height adjuster up or down. 2. Release the button and pull down on the height adjuster to make sure it is locked in place. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 44 Safety Belts SAFETY BELT WARNING LIGHT AND INDICATOR CHIME This lamp illuminates and an audible warning will sound if the driver’s safety belt has not been fastened when the vehicle’s ignition is turned on. Conditions of Operation If... The driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the on position... The driver safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding... The driver safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the on position... Then... The safety belt warning light illuminates 1-2 minutes and the warning chime sounds 4-8 seconds. The safety belt warning light and warning chime turn off. The safety belt warning light and indicator chime remain off. SAFETY BELT-MINDER™ This feature supplements the safety belt warning function by providing additional reminders that intermittently sound a tone and illuminate the safety belt warning light when you are in the driver seat or you have a front seat passenger and a safety belt is unbuckled. The system uses information from the front passenger sensing system to determine if a front seat passenger is present and therefore potentially in need of a warning. To avoid activating the Belt-Minder feature for objects placed in the front passenger seat, warnings will only be given to front seat occupants as determined by the front passenger sensing system. If the Belt-Minder warnings have expired (warnings for about five minutes) for one occupant (driver or front passenger), the other occupant can still activate the Belt-Minder feature. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Safety Belts 45 Then... The Belt-Minder feature will not activate. If... You and the front seat passenger buckle your safety belts before you switch the ignition on or less than 1-2 minutes elapse after you switch the ignition on... You or the front seat passenger do not buckle your safety belts before your vehicle reaches at least 6 mph (9.7 km/h) and 1-2 minutes elapse after you switch the ignition... The Belt-Minder feature activates, the safety belt warning light illuminates and a warning tone sounds for 6 seconds every 25 seconds, repeating for about 5 minutes or until you and the front seat passenger buckle your safety belts. The Belt-Minder feature activates, the safety belt warning light illuminates and a warning tone sounds for 6 seconds every 25 seconds, repeating for about 5 minutes or until you and the front seat passenger buckle your safety belts. The driver or front passenger safety belt becomes unbuckled for about one minute while the vehicle is traveling at least 6 mph (9.7 km/h) and more than 1-2 minutes elapse after you switch the ignition on... Deactivating and Activating the Belt-Minder Feature WARNING: While the design allows you to deactivate your Belt-Minder, this system is designed to improve your chances of being safely belted and surviving an accident. We recommend you leave the Belt-Minder system activated for yourself and others who may use the vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate or activate the Belt-Minder feature while driving the vehicle. Note: The driver and front passenger warnings switch on and off independently. When you perform this procedure for one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the process. Note: If you are using MyKey, you cannot disable the Belt-Minder. Also, if you have previously disabled the Belt-Minder, it will be re-enabled during the use of MyKey. See the MyKey chapter. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 46 Safety Belts Read Steps 1 - 5 thoroughly before proceeding with the programming procedure. Before following the procedure, make sure that: • The parking brake is set. • The transmission is in park (P). • The ignition is off. • The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled. 1. Switch the ignition on. Do not start the engine. 2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off (about one minute). 3. Wait 10 seconds after the safety belt warning light turns off. • Once you complete Step 3, you must complete Step 4 within 20 seconds. 4. For the seating position you are switching off, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times at a moderate speed, ending in the unbuckled state. • After Step 4, the safety belt warning light turns on for three seconds. 5. Within about seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt. • This will switch the feature off for that seating position if it is • This will switch the feature on for that seating position if it is currently on. currently off. REAR INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT (IF EQUIPPED) WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the rear inflatable safety belt as you could be seriously injured or killed. Note: The rear inflatable safety belts are compatible with most infant and child safety car seats and belt positioning booster seats when properly installed. This is because they are designed to fill with a cool gas at a lower pressure and at a slower rate than traditional airbags. After inflation, the shoulder portion of the safety belt remains cool to the touch. The rear inflatable safety belts are located in the shoulder portion of the safety belts of the second-row outboard seating positions. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Safety Belts 47 The rear inflatable safety belt consists of the following: • An inflatable bag located in the shoulder safety belt webbing. • Lap safety belt webbing with automatic locking mode. • Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator in the Supplemental Restraint System chapter. How Does the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt System Work? WARNING: If the rear inflatable safety belt has deployed, it will not function again. The rear inflatable safety belt system must be replaced by an authorized dealer. • The rear inflatable safety belts will function like standard restraints in everyday usage. • During a crash of sufficient force, the inflatable belt will inflate from inside the webbing. • The fully inflated belt’s increased diameter more effectively holds the occupant in the appropriate seating position, and spreads crash forces over more area of the body than regular safety belts. This helps reduce pressure on the chest and helps control head and neck motion for passengers. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 48 Safety Belts Stowing the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt The rear inflatable safety belt has a snap retainer for stowing the safety belt against the quarter trim panel when it is not in use. This will prevent the safety belt tongue from rattling against the side of the seat and keep it out of the way when folding or tumbling the second row seats. Press the retainer on the safety belt onto the mating snap to stow. To use the safety belt, pull it away from the quarter trim panel. CHILD RESTRAINT AND SAFETY BELT MAINTENANCE Inspect the vehicle safety belts and child safety seat systems periodically to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. Inspect the vehicle and child seat safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All vehicle safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), rear inflatable safety belts (if equipped), child safety seat LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching hardware, should be inspected after a crash. See the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions for additional inspection and maintenance information specific to the child restraint. Ford Motor Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in a crash be replaced. However, if the crash was minor and an authorized dealer finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a crash should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted. For proper care of soiled safety belts, see Interior in the Cleaning chapter. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Personal Safety System 49 PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM™ The Personal Safety System provides an improved overall level of frontal crash protection to front seat occupants and is designed to help further reduce the risk of airbag-related injuries. The system is able to analyze different occupant conditions and crash severity before activating the appropriate safety devices to help better protect a range of occupants in a variety of frontal crash situations. Your vehicle’s Personal Safety System consists of: • Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints. • Front outboard safety belts with pretensioners, energy management • Driver seat position sensor. • Front passenger sensing system. • Passenger airbag off and on indicator lamp. • Front crash severity sensors. • Restraints control module with impact and safing sensors. • Restraint system warning light and backup tone. • The electrical wiring for the airbags, crash sensor(s), safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, front passenger sensing system, and indicator lights. retractors (first row only), and safety belt usage sensors. How Does the Personal Safety System Work? The Personal Safety System can adapt the deployment strategy of your vehicle’s safety devices according to crash severity and occupant conditions. A collection of crash and occupant sensors provides information to the restraints control module. During a crash, the restraints control module may activate the safety belt pretensioners and/or either one or both stages of the dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints based on crash severity and occupant conditions. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 50 Supplementary Restraints System PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION WARNING: Airbags do not inflate slowly or gently, and the risk of injury from a deploying airbag is the greatest close to the trim covering the airbag module. WARNING: All occupants of your vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an airbag supplemental restraint system is provided. Failure to properly wear your safety belt could seriously increase the risk of injury or death. WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints. WARNING: Never place your arm over the airbag module, as a deploying airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries. WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back. WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag supplemental restraint systems or its fuses as you could be seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. WARNING: Several airbag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation as this may result in serious injury. WARNING: If the airbag has deployed, the airbag will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the airbag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a crash. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Supplementary Restraints System 51 The airbags are a supplemental restraint system and are designed to work with the safety belts to help protect the driver and right front passenger from certain upper body injuries. Airbags do not inflate slowly; there is a risk of injury from a deploying airbag. Note: You will hear a loud bang and see a cloud of harmless powdery residue if an airbag deploys. This is normal. The airbags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After airbag deployment, it is normal to notice a smoke-like, powdery residue or smell the burnt propellant. This may consist of cornstarch, talcum powder (to lubricate the bag) or sodium compounds (for example, baking soda) that result from the combustion process that inflates the airbag. Small amounts of sodium hydroxide may be present which may irritate the skin and eyes, but none of the residue is toxic. While the system is designed to help reduce serious injuries, contact with a deploying airbag may also cause abrasions or swelling. Temporary hearing loss is also a possibility as a result of the noise associated with a deploying airbag. Because airbags must inflate rapidly and with considerable force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries, such as fractures, facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of airbag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly restrained as far away from the airbag module as possible while maintaining vehicle control. Routine maintenance of the airbags is not required. SOS POST-CRASH ALERT SYSTEM™ The system flashes the direction indicator lamps and the horn sounds (intermittently) in the event of a serious impact that deploys an airbag equipped on your vehicle. The horn and lamps turn off when: • You press the hazard button. • You press the panic button (if equipped) on the remote entry • Your vehicle runs out of power. transmitter. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 52 Supplementary Restraints System DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS WARNING: Never place your arm or any objects over an airbag module. Placing your arm over a deploying airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries. Objects placed on or over the airbag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the airbag into your face and torso causing serious injury. WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back. The driver and front passenger airbags will deploy during significant frontal and near-frontal crashes. The driver and passenger front airbag system consists of: • Driver and passenger airbag modules. • Front passenger sensing system. • Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator later in this chapter. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) Supplementary Restraints System 53 Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment WARNING: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends a minimum distance of at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) between an occupant’s chest and the driver airbag module. To properly position yourself away from the airbag: • Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the • Recline the seat slightly (one or two degrees) from the upright pedals comfortably. position. After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it is very important that they continue to sit properly. Properly seated occupants sit upright, lean against the seat back, and center themselves on the seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor. Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased. Children and Airbags WARNING: Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Never place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back. Children must always be properly restrained. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating position. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of injury in a crash. 2015 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, October 2014 USA (fus) 54 Supplementary Restraints System FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM WARNING: Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12 and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating position. Failure to follow this could seriously increase the risk of injury or death. WARNING: Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit upright against your seat back, with your feet on the floor. WARNING: To reduce the risk of possible serious injury: Do not stow objects in seatback map pocket or hang objects off seatback if a child is in the front passenger seat. Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between the seat and the center console. Check the passenger airbag indicator lamp for proper airbag status. Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the passenger seat sensing system. WARNING: Any alteration or modification to the front passenger seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing system which could seriously increase the risk of injury or death. This system works with sensors that are part of the front passenger seat and safety belt to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the front passenger frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not. The front passenger sensing system

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2015 Ford FLEX Owners Manual