FORD Flex 2013 User Manual v.3

Download

fordowner.com ford.ca

2013 FLEX Owner’s Manual

Table of Contents 1

Introduction 9

Child Safety 17

Child seats...........................................19

Child seat positioning ...................................19

Booster seats .........................................21

Installing child safety seats ...............................24

Safety Belts 36

Fastening the safety belts ................................38

Safety belt height adjustment .............................41

Safetybeltwarninglightandindicatorchime..................42

Safety belt-minder .....................................42

Rear inflatable safety belt ................................45

Child restraint and safety belt maintenance ...................47

Personal Safety System 48

Supplementary Restraints System 49

Driver and passenger airbags .............................51

Front passenger sensing system ...........................52

Side airbags ..........................................56

Safety canopy curtain airbags .............................58

Crash sensors and airbag indicator .........................59

Airbag disposal........................................61

Keys and Remote Control 62

General information on radio frequencies.....................62

Remote control .......................................63

Keys ...............................................63

Replacing a lost key or remote control.......................69

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 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 .........................81

Security 84

SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system.......................84

Anti-theft alarm .......................................87

Steering Wheel 88

Adjusting the steering wheel ..............................88

Steering wheel controls .................................89

Pedals 92

Adjustable pedals ......................................92

Wipers and Washers 93

Windshield wipers .....................................93

Rain-sensing wipers ....................................93

Windshield washers ....................................94

Rear-window wiper and washer ............................94

Lighting 95

Lighting control .......................................95

Autolamps ...........................................96

Instrument lighting dimmer...............................96

Headlamp exit delay ....................................96

Daytime running lamps ..................................97

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Table of Contents 3

Frontfoglamps.......................................98

Turn signal control .....................................98

Interior lamps ........................................98

Windows and Mirrors 100

Power windows ......................................100

Exteriormirrors......................................101

Interior mirrors ......................................104

Sun visors ..........................................104

Moonroof ...........................................105

Instrument Cluster 106

Gauges.............................................106

Warning lamps and indicators ............................107

Audible warnings and indicators ..........................112

Information Displays 113

Controls............................................113

Trip computer .......................................116

Information messages ..................................123

Audio System 132

MyFord™ system .....................................134

Auxiliary input jack ...................................141

USBport...........................................143

Satellite radio information ...............................144

Climate Control 147

Manual heating and air conditioning........................147

Dual automatic temperature control........................149

Auxiliary passenger climate control ........................152

Rear window defroster .................................155

Cabin air filter .......................................155

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

4 Table of Contents

Seats 157

Sitting in the correct position ............................157

Head restraints.......................................158

Manual seats ........................................161

Power seats .........................................162

Memory function .....................................163

Heated seats ........................................164

Heated and cooled seats ................................166

Rear seats ..........................................168

Universal Garage Door Opener (If Equipped) 177

HomeLink® wireless control system .......................178

Auxiliary Power Points 182

Storage Compartments 185

Center console .......................................185

Overhead console .....................................187

Starting and Stopping the Engine 188

Ignition switch .......................................189

Engine block heater ...................................193

Fuel and Refueling 195

Fuel quality .........................................196

Running out of fuel....................................197

Refueling...........................................198

Fuel consumption .....................................200

Transmission 204

Automatic transmission.................................204

All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) 209

All wheel drive .......................................209

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Table of Contents 5

Brakes 215

Brakes .............................................215

Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes ......................216

Parking brake........................................216

Traction Control 217

TractionControl™....................................217

Stability Control 218

AdvanceTrac® .......................................219

Parking Aids 220

Sensing system.......................................220

Active park assist .....................................222

Rear-view camera system ...............................226

Cruise Control 231

Using cruise control ...................................231

Using Adaptive Cruise Control............................232

Driving Aids 241

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert

(CTA).............................................241

Collision warning system ................................246

Steering ............................................249

Load Carrying 251

Cargo net...........................................251

Roof racks and load carriers .............................251

Vehicle loading .......................................252

Towing 260

Trailertowing........................................260

Wrecker towing ......................................267

Recreational towing ...................................268

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

6 Table of Contents

Driving Hints 270

Economical driving ....................................270

Driving through water..................................271

Floormats..........................................272

Roadside Emergencies 274

Getting roadside assistance ..............................274

Hazard warning flashers ................................276

Fuel cut-off switch ....................................276

Jump-starting the vehicle ...............................277

Customer Assistance 280

Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) .......................287

Reporting safety defects (Canada only) .....................287

Fuses 288

Changing a fuse ......................................288

Fuse specification chart ................................289

Maintenance 298

General information ...................................298

Opening and closing the hood ............................299

Under hood overview ..................................300

Engine oil dipstick ....................................302

Engine oil check......................................302

Engine coolant check ..................................303

Automatic transmission fluid check ........................309

Brake fluid check .....................................313

Power steering fluid check ..............................313

Fuel filter...........................................313

Washer fluid check ....................................314

Battery ............................................314

Checking the wiper blades ..............................316

Changing the wiper blades ..............................316

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Table of Contents 7

Air filter(s) .........................................317

Adjusting the headlamps ................................319

Changing a bulb ......................................320

Vehicle Care 325

Cleaning products.....................................325

Cleaning the exterior ..................................325

Waxing.............................................327

Repairing minor paint damage ............................327

Cleaning the engine ...................................327

Cleaning the windows and wiper blades .....................328

Cleaning the interior ...................................328

Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens .......329

Cleaning leather seats ..................................330

Cleaning the alloy wheels ...............................330

Vehiclestorage.......................................331

Wheels and Tires 334

Tire care ...........................................336

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ...................352

Changing a road wheel .................................356

Technical specifications.................................362

Wheel lug nut torque ..................................362

Capacities and Specifications 364

Engine specifications ..................................364

Engine drivebelt ......................................364

Maintenance product specifications and capacities .............365

Part numbers ........................................369

Vehicle identification number ............................370

Vehicle certification label ...............................371

Transmission code designation............................371

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

8 Table of Contents

Accessories 372

Accessories .........................................372

Ford Extended Service Plan 374

Scheduled Maintenance 377

Normal scheduled maintenance and log .....................382

SYNC® 394

Pairing your phone for the first time .......................399

911 Assist™ .........................................413

Vehicle Health Report ..................................416

MyFord Touch® (If Equipped) 438

Privacy Information ...................................444

Infotainment display ...................................445

Voice recognition .....................................447

Listening to music ....................................452

Phone features .......................................473

Information Menu .....................................481

Settings............................................493

Climatefeatures......................................505

Navigation system.....................................508

Appendices 520

Index 539

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Introduction 9

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 a range of product features and options, sometimes before they are generally available. Therefore, you may find options in this manual that are not found on your vehicle.

Note: Some of the illustrations in this manual may be used for different models, so they may appear different than your vehicle. However, the essential information in the illustrations is always correct.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

10 Introduction

SYMBOL GLOSSARY

WARNING: You risk death or serious injury to yourself and others if you do not follow the instruction highlighted by the

warning symbol.

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.

Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description

Safety alert See Owner’s

Manual

Avoid smoking, flames, or sparks

Brake fluid – non petroleum base

Check fuel cap

Child seat tether anchor

Battery Battery acid

Brake system Cabin air

Child Safety Door Lock and Unlock

Cruise control

Anti-lock braking system

filter

Child seat lower anchor

Do not open when hot

Engine air filter

Engine oil Explosive gas Fan warning

Fasten safety belt

Engine coolant

Front airbag Front fog

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Engine coolant temperature

lamps

Introduction 11

Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description

Fuel pump reset

Heated rear window

Lighting control

Panic alarm Parking aid

Fuse compartment

Interior luggage compartment release

Low tire pressure warning

system

Hazard warning flasher

Jack

Maintain correct fluid level

Parking brake system

Power steering fluid

Service engine soon

Windshield defrost and demist

Power windows front and rear

Side airbag Stability

Windshield washer and wiper

Power window lockout

control

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

12 Introduction

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.

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

buckled/fastened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or the brake pedal;

• 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

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Introduction 13

(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.

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. Ford Motor Company and the vendors it uses to provide you with this information do not store your vehicle travel information. For more information, see Traffic, Directions and Information, Terms and Conditions. See your SYNC® chapter for more information.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

14 Introduction

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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Introduction 15

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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

16 Introduction

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, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that you use extreme caution when using any device or feature 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, encourage the use of voice operated systems when possible and that you become aware of applicable state and local laws that may affect use of electronic devices while driving.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 17

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 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 locate NHTSA on the internet. 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.

Recommendations for Safety Restraints for Children

Infants or toddlers

Child size, height, weight, or age

Children weighing 40 lb (18 kg) or less (generally age four or younger).

Recommended restraint type

Use a child safety seat (sometimes called an infant carrier, convertible seat, or toddler seat).

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

18 Child Safety

Recommendations for Safety Restraints for Children

Child size, height, weight, or age

Small children

Larger children

• You are required by law to properly use safety seats for infants and toddlers in the United States and Canada.

• 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.

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 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 19

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).

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

20 Child Safety

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.

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: Do not leave children or pets unattended in your

vehicle.

Use any attachment method as indicated below

by X.

LATCH

(lower Restraint Type

Rear-facing child seat

Forwardfacing 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.

Child

Weight

Up to 48 lb (21 kg)

Over 48 lb (21 kg)

anchors

and top

tether

anchor)

LATCH (lower anchors only)

XXX

Safety belt and top tether anchor

Safety belt and LATCH (lower anchors and top tether anchor)

Safety belt only

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 21

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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

22 Child Safety

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 seat back 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 seat back 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 23

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

24 Child Safety

INSTALLING CHILD SEATS

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 all the way back.

WARNING: 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 and/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/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.

• 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 your vehicle seat back in the upright position.

• For second row seating positions, if needed, the recliner may be

adjusted slightly 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, if needed. See Rear seats in 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 25

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. This vehicle does not require the use of a locking clip.

1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

26 Child Safety

• 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.

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

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 27

• 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.

• 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

28 Child Safety

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, e.g., 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 additionally help to remove remaining slack from the belt.

• Standard safety belt

• Inflatable safety belt

9. Attach the tether strap (if the child seat is equipped). See Using Tether Straps later in this chapter.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 29

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 cm) of movement for proper installation.

Ford recommends checking with a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) to make certain the child restraint is properly installed. In Canada, check with your local St. John Ambulance office for referral to a CPST.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

30 Child Safety

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

• 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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 31

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

• Second row bench seats and third-row passenger side

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

32 Child Safety

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 the head restraint can be removed 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 the head restraint can be removed 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, the head restraint may be folded down to improve the fit of the child safety seat or tether strap. See Rear seats in the Seats chapter for head restraint information.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 33

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

34 Child Safety

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 collision.

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 collision 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Child Safety 35

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

36 Safety Belts

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

WARNING: Always drive and ride with your seat back upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained.

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 collision.

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.

WARNING: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

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.

WARNING: When possible, all children 12 years old and under

should be properly restrained in a rear seating position.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Safety Belts 37

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

rear inflatable safety belt).

• 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

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

38 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.

Restraint of Pregnant Women

WARNING: Always ride and drive with your seat back 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Safety Belts 39

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: 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 and 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

40 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Safety Belts 41

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 buttons and slide the height adjuster up or down.

2. Release the buttons and pull down on the height adjuster to make sure it is locked in place.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

42 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... Then...

The driver’s safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the on position...

The driver’s safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding...

The driver’s safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the on position...

SAFETY BELT-MINDER®

This feature supplements the safety belt warning function by providing additional reminders by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning light when the driver’s or front passenger’s seat is occupied and the 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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Safety Belts 43

If... Then...

The driver’s and front passenger’s safety belts are buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the on position or less than 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to on...

The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt is not buckled when the vehicle has reached at least 6 mph (9.7 km/h) and 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to on...

The driver’s or front passenger’s 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 have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to on...

The Belt-Minder® feature will not activate.

The Belt-Minder® feature is activated

- the safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for six seconds every 25 seconds, repeating for about five minutes or until the safety belts are buckled.

The Belt-Minder® feature is activated

- the safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for six seconds every 25 seconds, repeating for about five minutes or until the safety belts are buckled.

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 Belt-Minder® are deactivated and activated independently. When deactivating or activating one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the process.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

44 Safety Belts

Read Steps1-5thoroughly before proceeding with the programming procedure.

Note: If you are using MyKey®, the Belt-Minder® cannot be disabled. Also, if the Belt-Minder® has been previously disabled, it will be re-enabled during the use of MyKey®. See the MyKey® chapter.

The driver and front passenger Belt-Minder® features can be deactivated or activated by performing the following procedure:

Before following the procedure, make sure that:

• the parking brake is set

• the transmission selector lever is in position P

• the ignition is off

• the driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled

1. Turn 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.

• Step 4 must be completed within 20 seconds after the completion of Step 3.

4. For the seating position being disabled 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 will be turned on for three seconds.

5. Within about seven seconds of the light turning off, buckle then

unbuckle the safety belt.

• This will disable the Belt-Minder® feature for that seating position if it is currently enabled.

• This will enable the Belt-Minder® feature for that seating position if it is currently disabled.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Safety Belts 45

REAR INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT (IF EQUIPPED)

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the rear inflatable safety belt.

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 cooled 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.

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.

• Safety belt warning light and chime. See Safety Belt

Warning Lights and Indicators in this chapter.

• Crash Sensors and Airbag 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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

46 Safety Belts

• During a collision 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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Safety Belts 47

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

48 Personal Safety System

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

retractors (first row only), and safety belt usage sensors.

• Driver’s 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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 49

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.

WARNING: 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 all the way back.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the

airbag supplemental restraint systems or its fuses. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: Several airbag system components get hot after

inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

50 Supplementary Restraints System

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 turn signal lamps and sounds the horn (intermittently) in the event of a serious impact that deploys an airbag equipped on your vehicle, such as front, side, side curtain or Safety Canopy®.

The horn and lamps will turn off when:

• the hazard control button is pressed

• the panic button (if equipped) is pressed on the remote entry

transmitter, or

• your vehicle runs out of power.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 51

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 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

• crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness

indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator later in this chapter.

• front passenger sensing system

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 pedals comfortably.

Recline the seat slightly (one or two degrees) from the upright position.

•

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

52 Supplementary Restraints System

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 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.

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.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 53

WARNING: To reduce the risk of possible serious injury:

Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket or hang objects off seat back 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 off or pass airbag off 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’s seat and safety belt to detect the presence of a properly-seated occupant and determine if the front passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or not.

The front passenger sensing system uses a passenger airbag status indicator which will illuminate indicating that the front passenger frontal airbag is either ON (enabled) or OFF (disabled). The indicator lamp is located in the center stack of the instrument panel.

Note: The passenger airbag status indicator OFF and ON lamps will illuminate for a short period of time when the ignition is first turned on to confirm it is functional.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag when the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected. Even with this technology, parents are STRONGLY encouraged to always properly restrain children in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the passenger front airbag and seat-mounted side airbag when the passenger seat is empty.

• When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag, the passenger airbag status indicator will illuminate the OFF lamp and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

54 Supplementary Restraints System

• If the child restraint has been installed and the passenger airbag status indicator illuminates the ON lamp, then turn the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.

• When the front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger frontal airbag (may inflate), the passenger airbag status indicator will illuminate the ON lamp and remain illuminated.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the passenger airbag status indicator OFF lamp is lit, it is possible that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:

• Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seat back in the full upright position.

• Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.

• Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.

• If the indicator OFF lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.

Occupant

Empty

Child

Adult

Note: When the passenger airbag status indicator OFF lamp is illuminated, the passenger side airbag (seat mounted) may be disabled to avoid the risk of airbag deployment injuries.

Passenger Airbag

Status Indicator

OFF: Lit

ON: Unlit

OFF: Lit

ON: Unlit

OFF: Unlit

ON: Lit

Passenger Airbag

Disabled

Enabled

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 55

After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it’s very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated occupant sits upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered 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.

If you think that the state of the passenger airbag status indicator lamp is incorrect, check for the following:

• Objects lodged underneath the seat

• Objects between the seat cushion and the center console

• Objects hanging off the seat back

• Objects stowed in the seat back map pocket

• Objects placed on the occupant’s lap

• Cargo interference with the seat

• Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat

• Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat

The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the front passenger sensing system. The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or lighter due to the conditions described in the previous list.

To know if the front passenger sensing system is operating properly, see Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator later in this

chapter. If the airbag readiness light is lit, do the following: The driver and adult passengers should check for any objects that may

be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.

If objects are lodged or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take the following steps to remove the obstruction:

• Pull the vehicle over.

• Turn the vehicle off.

• Driver and adult passengers should check for any objects lodged

underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

56 Supplementary Restraints System

• Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).

• Restart the vehicle.

• Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness light in

the instrument cluster is no longer illuminated.

• If the airbag readiness light in the instrument cluster remains illuminated, this may or may not be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.

Do not attempt to repair or service the system. Take your vehicle immediately to an authorized dealer.

If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at the phone number shown in the Customer Assistance section of this owner’s manual.

SIDE AIRBAGS

WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near

the airbag cover, on the side of the seat backs (of the front seats), or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of

accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag

could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seat back.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the

airbag, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an airbag, as you could be seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 57

WARNING: If the side airbag has deployed, the airbag will not

function again. The side airbag system (including the seat) must be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer. If the airbag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The side airbags are located on the outboard side of the seat backs of the front seats. In certain lateral crashes, the airbag on the side affected by the crash will be inflated. The airbag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided occupants in side impact crashes.

The system consists of the following:

• a tag on the seat back indicating that side airbags are found on your vehicle

• side airbags located inside the seat back of the driver and front passenger seats.

• crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator later in this chapter.

• front passenger sensing system. Note: The passenger sensing system will deactivate the passenger

seat-mounted side airbag if it detects an empty passenger seat. The design and development of the side airbag system included

recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of injuries related to the deployment of side airbags.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

58 Supplementary Restraints System

SAFETY CANOPY® CURTAIN AIRBAGS

WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near

the headliner at the siderail that may come into contact with a deploying curtain airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash.

WARNING: Do not lean your head on the door. The curtain

airbag could injure you as it deploys from the headliner.

WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the curtain

airbags, its fuses, the A, B, C or D pillar trim, or the headliner on a vehicle containing curtain airbags, as you could be seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING: All occupants of your vehicle including the driver should

always wear their safety belts even when an airbag supplemental restraint system and curtain airbag is provided. Failure to properly wear your safety belt could seriously increase the risk of injury or death.

WARNING: To reduce risk of injury, do not obstruct or place

objects in the deployment path of the curtain airbag.

WARNING: If the curtain airbags have deployed, the curtain

airbags will not function again. The curtain airbags (including the A, B, C or D pillar trim and headliner) must be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer. If the curtain airbag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The Safety Canopy will deploy during significant side crashes or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor. The Safety Canopy is mounted to the roof side-rail sheet metal, behind the headliner, above each row of seats. In certain lateral crashes or rollover events, the Safety Canopy will be activated, regardless of which seats are occupied. The Safety Canopy is designed to inflate between the side window area and occupants to further enhance protection provided in side impact crashes and rollover events.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 59

The system consists of:

• safety canopy curtain airbags fitted above the trim panels over the front and rear side windows identified by a label or wording on the headliner or roof-pillar trim.

• a flexible headliner which opens above the side doors to allow air curtain deployment.

crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness indicator.

•

See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator in this chapter.

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained in the rear seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere with children restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat because it is designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the doors along the side window opening.

The design and development of the Safety Canopy included recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including the Safety Canopy).

CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR

WARNING: Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of

your vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system, increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of your vehicle.

Your vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which provide information to the restraints control module which deploys (activates) the front safety belt pretensioners, rear inflatable safety belts, driver airbag, passenger airbag, passenger knee airbag, seat mounted side airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based on the type of accident (frontal impact, side impact or rollover) the restraints control module will deploy the appropriate safety devices.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

60 Supplementary Restraints System

The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. The readiness of the safety system is indicated by a warning indicator light in the instrument cluster or by a backup tone if the warning light is not working. See the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not required.

A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:

• The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.

• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the

ignition is turned on.

• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem or light is repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a crash.

The safety belt pretensioners, rear inflatable safety belts and the airbag supplemental restraint system are designed to activate when the vehicle sustains longitudinal or lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the restraints control module to deploy a safety device or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is detected by the rollover sensor.

The fact that the safety belt pretensioners or airbags did not activate for both front seat occupants in a crash does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the restraints control module determined the accident conditions (such as crash severity, belt usage) were not appropriate to activate these safety devices.

• Front airbags are designed to activate only in frontal and near-frontal crashes (not rollovers, side impacts or rear impacts) unless the crash causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.

• The safety belt pretensioners and rear inflatable safety belts are designed to activate in frontal, near-frontal and side crashes, and in rollovers.

• Side airbags are designed to inflate in side-impact crashes, not rollovers, rear impacts, frontal or near-frontal crashes, unless the crash causes sufficient lateral deceleration.

• The Safety Canopy is designed to inflate in certain side-impact crashes or rollover events, not in rear-impact, frontal or near-frontal crashes, unless the crash causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover likelihood.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Supplementary Restraints System 61

AIRBAG DISPOSAL

Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Airbags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

62 Keys and Remote Control

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

The remote control allows you to:

• remotely lock or unlock the vehicle doors

• remotely open the power liftgate (if equipped)

• remotely start or stop the engine (if equipped)

• arm and disarm the anti-theft system (if equipped)

• activate the panic alarm

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

Your vehicle will allow you to unlock and enter your vehicle without actively using a key or remote control. You can use this feature at the front doors or at the liftgate/trunk. You can activate the intelligent access feature as long as you have one of your intelligent access keys within range of the front doors or the liftgate/trunk.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIO FREQUENCIES

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. The term IC before the radio certification number only signifies that Industry Canada technical specifications were met.

The typical operating range for your transmitter is approximately 33 feet (10 meters). Vehicles with the remote start feature will have a greater range. A decrease in operating range could be caused by:

• weather conditions

• nearby radio towers

• structures around your vehicle

• other vehicles parked next to your vehicle.

The radio frequency used by your remote control can also be used by other short-distance radio transmissions, for example amateur radios, medical equipment, wireless headphones, remote controls and alarm systems. If the frequencies are jammed, you will not be able to use your remote control. You can lock and unlock the doors with the key.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Keys and Remote Control 63

Note: Make sure your vehicle is locked before leaving it unattended.

Note: If you are in range, the remote control will operate if you press

any button unintentionally.

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following conditions is met:

• You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.

• You press the luggage compartment button.

• You press a button on the transmitter.

If excessive radio frequency interference is present in the area or if the transmitter battery is low, it may be necessary to mechanically unlock your door. You can use the mechanical key blade in your intelligent access key to open the driver door in this situation. Refer to Remote Control in this chapter for more information on the location and use of the mechanical key blade.

REMOTE CONTROL

Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs) (If Equipped)

Your vehicle may be equipped with two integrated keyhead transmitters. Use the key blade to start your vehicle and unlock or lock the driver door from outside the vehicle. The transmitter portion functions as the remote control.

Note: Your vehicle’s keys came with

BY CUSTOMER ONLY

TO BE REMOVED

a security label that provides

CAUTION

important key cut information. Keep the label in a safe place for future reference.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

64 Keys and Remote Control

Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)

Your vehicle may be equipped with two intelligent access keys which operate the power locks and the remote start system. The key must be in the vehicle to activate the push button start system.

The intelligent access key also contains a removable mechanical key blade that you can use to unlock the driver door. Slide the release on the back of the transmitter to release the key blade, then pull the blade out.

Note: Your vehicle’s back-up keys came with a security tag that provides important key cut information. Keep the tag in a safe place for future reference.

Replacing the Battery

Note: Refer to local regulations when disposing of transmitter batteries.

Note: Do not wipe off any grease on the battery terminals or on the

back surface of the circuit board.

Note: Replacing the battery will not delete the transmitter from the vehicle. The transmitter should operate normally.

The remote control uses one coin-type three-volt lithium battery CR2032 or equivalent.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Keys and Remote Control 65

Integrated Keyhead Transmitter

1. Twist a thin coin in the slot near the key

ring to remove the battery cover (1).

2. Carefully peel up the rubber gasket (2) from the transmitter if it does not come off

with the battery cover.

3. Remove the old battery (3).

4. Insert the new battery. Refer to the instructions inside the integrated keyhead transmitter for the correct orientation of the battery. Press the battery down to ensure

that the battery is fully seated in the battery housing cavity.

5. Reinstall the rubber gasket.

6. Snap the battery cover back onto the key.

Intelligent Access Transmitter

1. Remove the backup key from the transmitter.

2. Twist a thin coin under the tab hidden behind the backup key head to remove the battery cover. Do not use the backup key to remove the cover or you could damage the intelligent access key.

3. Remove the old battery.

4. Insert a new battery with the + facing downward. Press the battery down to make sure it is fully in the housing.

5. Snap the battery cover back onto the transmitter and install the backup key.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

66 Keys and Remote Control

Memory feature (if equipped)

This feature allows you to recall the driver seat, power mirrors and adjustable pedals (if equipped) memory positions.

Press the unlock button on the remote control or activate intelligent access (if equipped) to recall memory. The seat and power mirrors automatically move to the memory position. The mirrors will move to the programmed position and the seat will move to the easy entry position. The seat will move to the final position when the ignition is switched out of off (if easy entry feature is enabled).

Programming memory to the transmitter

To activate this feature:

1. Move the memory features to the desired positions using the

associated controls.

2. Press and hold button 1 for five seconds. A tone will sound

3. Within three seconds press the lock button on the remote control.

4. Wait 10 seconds, then press the unlock button on the remote control.

5. Repeat this procedure for memory button 2 and another transmitter if

desired.

confirming memory position has been set. Continue to hold until a second tone is heard after five seconds.

Deactivating memory from the transmitter

To deactivate this feature:

1. Press and hold either the 1 or 2 button for five seconds. A tone will

sound when the memory store is done. Continue to hold until a second tone is heard.

2. Within three seconds press the unlock button on the remote control .

3. Repeat this procedure for each additional transmitter if desired.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Keys and Remote Control 67

Car Finder

Press the button twice within three seconds. The horn will sound and the turn signals will flash. We recommend you use this method to locate your vehicle, rather than using the panic alarm.

Sounding a Panic Alarm

Press the button to activate the alarm. Press the button again or switch the ignition on to deactivate.

Note: The panic alarm will only operate when the ignition is off.

Remote Start (If Equipped)

WARNING: To avoid exhaust fumes, do not use remote start if your vehicle is parked indoors or areas that are not well ventilated.

Note: Do not use remote start if your vehicle is low on fuel.

Your vehicle has remote start if the transmitter has this button.

The remote start feature allows you to start your vehicle from outside your vehicle. The transmitter has an extended operating range.

Vehicles with automatic climate control can be configured to operate when the vehicle is remote started. See the Climate Control chapter for more information. A manual climate control system will run at the setting it was set to when your vehicle was last turned off.

Many states and provinces have restrictions for the use of remote start. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding remote start systems.

The remote start system will not work if:

• the ignition is on

• the alarm system is triggered

• you disable the feature

• the hood is not closed

• the transmission is not in P

• the vehicle battery voltage is too low

• your service engine soon light is on.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

68 Keys and Remote Control

Remote Starting the Vehicle

Note: You must press each button within three seconds of each other. Your vehicle will not remote start and the horn will not chirp if you do not follow this sequence.

The label on your transmitter details the starting procedure. To remote start your vehicle:

1. Press the lock button to lock all the doors.

2. Press the remote start button twice. The exterior lamps will flash twice.

The horn will chirp if the system fails to start, unless quiet start is on. Quiet start will run the blower fan at a slower speed to reduce noise. You can switch it on or off in the information display. See the Information Displays chapter.

Note: If you remote start your vehicle with an integrated keyhead transmitter, you must switch the ignition on before driving your vehicle. If you remote start your vehicle with an intelligent access transmitter, you must have a programmed intelligent access key inside your vehicle and press the START/STOP button on the instrument panel once while applying the brake pedal before driving your vehicle.

The power windows will be inhibited during the remote start and the radio will not turn on automatically.

The parking lamps will remain on and your vehicle will run for 5, 10, or 15 minutes, depending on the setting. See the Information Displays chapter to select the duration of the remote start system.

Extending the Vehicle Run Time

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with your vehicle still running to extend the run time for another remote start duration. If the duration is set to last 10 minutes, the duration will extend by another 10 minutes beginning after what is left of the first activation time. For example, if your vehicle had been running from the first remote start for five minutes, your vehicle will continue to run now for a total of 15 minutes.

Wait at least five seconds before remote starting after a vehicle shutdown.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Keys and Remote Control 69

Turning the Vehicle Off After Remote Starting

Press the button once. The parking lamps will turn off.

You may have to be closer to your vehicle than when starting due to ground reflection and the added noise of the running vehicle.

You can disable or enable the remote start system through the information display. Refer to the Information Display chapter.

REPLACING A LOST KEY OR REMOTE CONTROL

You can purchase replacement or additional keys or remote controls from an authorized dealer. A dealer can program the transmitters to your vehicle or you may be able to program them yourself. See the Security chapter for information on programming your transmitters.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

70 MyKey

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

MyKey® allows you to program keys with restricted driving modes to promote good driving habits. All but one of the keys programmed to the vehicle can be activated with these restricted modes. Any keys that have not been programmed are referred to as an administrator key or admin key which can be used to:

• create a restricted key

• program optional MyKey settings

• clear all MyKey features altogether.

Once a key has been programmed, you can access the following information using the information display control:

• How many admin keys and MyKeys are programmed to the vehicle.

• The total distance the vehicle has been driven with a MyKey.

For vehicles equipped with intelligent access (push button start), when both a MyKey and an admin intelligent access key (fob) are present, the admin fob will be recognized by the vehicle to start the engine.

Standard Settings

These settings cannot be changed:

• Belt-Minder. This cannot be disabled and the five-minute timer does not expire. The audio system is muted when MyKey Belt-Minder is activated.

• Early low fuel. Warnings are displayed in the information display control followed by an audible tone when the fuel tank is at 1/8 tank or less.

• Driver assist features, if equipped on your vehicle, are forced on: rear parking aid, BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning system and satellite radio adult content restriction.

Optional Settings

These settings can be configured right after a MyKey is first created or changed afterward with an admin key:

• Vehicle speed limit of 65, 70, 75 and 80 mph (105, 113, 121 and 130 km/h). Visual warnings are displayed followed by an audible tone when vehicle speed has reached the selected top speed.

• Vehicle speed minder of 45, 55 or 65 mph (75, 90, or 105 km/h). Visual warnings are displayed followed by an audible tone when the preselected vehicle speed is exceeded.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

MyKey 71

• Audio system maximum volume of 45%. A message in the audio system is displayed when attempting to exceed the limited volume. Also, the speed-sensitive compensated volume feature will be disabled.

• Always on setting. When this is selected, you will not be able to disable AdvanceTrac, 911 Assist or Do not disturb feature (if your vehicle is equipped with these features).

CREATING A MYKEY

Use the information display control to create a MyKey.

1. Insert the key you want to program into the ignition or, if the vehicle

is equipped with push button start, put the Intelligent Access key in the backup slot; see the Starting and Stopping the Engine chapter for the backup slot location.

2. Turn the ignition on.

3. Access the main menu from the information display controls and

select Settings, then MyKey by pressing OK or the > button.

4. Press OK to select Create.

5. When prompted, hold the OK button until you see a message

informing you to label this key as a MyKey. The key will be restricted at the next start.

The key is successfully programmed. Make sure you label it so you can distinguish it from the admin keys.

To program optional settings for the key(s), see the Programming/Changing Optional Settings chapter.

Programming/Changing Optional Settings

Note: All programmed keys can be cleared within the same key cycle in which a key was programmed, otherwise an admin key is required to clear the keys. To clear all keys, refer to Clearing all MyKeys.

You can access the optional settings through the information display control.

1. Turn the ignition on using an admin key.

2. Access the main menu and select Settings, then MyKey.

3. Use the arrow buttons to get to an optional feature.

4. Press OK or > to scroll through settings.

5. Press OK or > to make a selection.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

72 MyKey

CLEARING ALL MYKEYS

Note: All programmed MyKeys can be cleared within the same key cycle in which a MyKey was created, otherwise an admin key is required to clear the keys.

To clear all MyKeys (which removes all restrictions and returns them to admin key status), use the information display controls to do the following:

1. Access the main menu and select Settings, then MyKey.

2. Scroll to Clear All and press the OK button.

3. Hold the OK button until ALL MYKEYS CLEARED is displayed.

CHECKING MYKEY SYSTEM STATUS

The information display controls provide information about keys programmed to the vehicle:

• MYKEY MILES: Tracks mileage when a MyKey is used. If mileage does not accumulate as expected, then the MyKey is not being used by the intended user. The only way to reset this to zero is by clearing MyKeys. If the mileage is lower than the last time you checked, then the key system has been recently reset.

• # MYKEY(S): Indicates how many MyKeys are programmed to the vehicle. Can also be used to detect deletion of a MyKey.

• # ADMIN KEY(S): Indicates how many admin keys are programmed to the vehicle. Can also be used to detect if an additional key has been programmed to the vehicle.

USING MYKEY WITH REMOTE START SYSTEMS

MyKey is NOT compatible with non-Ford-approved aftermarket remote start systems. If you choose to install a remote start system, please see your Ford authorized dealer for a Ford-approved remote start system.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

MyKey 73

MYKEY TROUBLESHOOTING

Condition Potential Causes

I cannot program a key.

I cannot program the optional settings.

I cannot clear the MyKey programmed keys.

I lost the only admin key.

I lost a key. • Program spare keys as outlined under

No restricted key functions with intelligent access key (push button start).

MyKey miles do not accumulate.

• The key in the ignition does not have admin privileges.

• The key in the ignition is the only admin key (there always has to be at least one admin key).

• The intelligent access key is not in the backup slot (vehicles with push button start).

• SecuriLock passive anti-theft system is disabled or in unlimited mode.

• The key in the ignition does not have admin privileges.

• No keys are programmed to the vehicle. Refer to Creating a MyKey.

• Key in the ignition does not have admin privileges.

• No restricted keys are programmed to the vehicle. Refer to Creating a MyKey.

• Purchase a new key from your authorized dealer.

SecuriLock® in the Security chapter.

• An admin fob is present at engine start-up.

• No MyKey programmed keys are

programmed to the vehicle. Refer to Creating a MyKey

• The MyKey programmed key is not being used by the intended user.

• The key system has been reset.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

74 Locks

LOCKING AND UNLOCKING

You can use the power door lock control or the remote control to lock and unlock the vehicle.

Power Door Locks

The power door lock control is located on the driver and front passenger door panels.

A. Unlock

Remote Control

You can use the remote control anytime the vehicle is not running.

Unlocking the Doors (Two-Stage Unlock)

Press and hold both the lock and unlock buttons on the remote control for four seconds to disable or enable two-stage unlocking. Disabling two-stage unlocking allows all vehicle doors to unlock with one press of the button. The turn signals will flash twice to indicate the unlocking mode was changed. The unlocking mode applies to the remote control, keyless entry keypad and intelligent access.

Intelligent access at the driver door unlocks all doors when you have disabled two-stage unlocking.

B. Lock

Press the button to unlock the driver door. Press the button again within three seconds to unlock all doors.

The turn signals will flash.

Locking the Doors

Press the button to lock all the doors. The turn signals will illuminate.

Press the button again within three seconds to confirm that all the doors are closed. The doors will lock again, the horn will sound and the turn signals will illuminate if all the doors and the luggage compartment are closed.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Locks 75

Note: If any door or the luggage compartment is open, or if the hood is open on vehicles equipped with an anti-theft alarm or remote start, the horn will sound twice and the lamps will not flash.

Activating Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The intelligent access key must be within 3 feet (1 meter) of your vehicle.

At the Front Doors

Pull a front exterior door handle. The door will unlock and can be opened.

Press and hold the door handle lock sensor to lock your vehicle. To avoid unlocking the door inadvertently, be sure to only touch the lock sensor and not other areas of the door handle.

At the Liftgate

Press the button hidden near the license plate.

Smart Unlocks for Integrated Keyhead Transmitter

This feature helps to prevent you from locking yourself out of your vehicle if your key is still in the ignition.

When you open one of the front doors and lock your vehicle with the power door lock control, all the doors will lock then unlock if your key is still in the ignition.

You can still lock your vehicle with the key in the ignition using the keyless entry keypad with the driver door closed, or by pressing the lock button on the transmitter even if the doors are not closed.

If both front doors are closed, you can lock your vehicle by any method, regardless of whether the key is in the ignition or not.

Smart Unlocks for Intelligent Access Keys (If Equipped)

This feature helps to prevent you from unintentionally locking your intelligent access key inside your vehicle’s passenger compartment or rear cargo area.

When you lock your vehicle using the driver or passenger power door lock control (with the door open, transmission in P and ignition off), after you close the door your vehicle will search for an intelligent access

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

76 Locks

key in the passenger compartment. All the doors will immediately unlock and the horn will sound if the vehicle detects an intelligent access key inside.

In order to override the smart unlock feature and intentionally lock the intelligent access key inside your vehicle, do one of the following:

• Lock your vehicle with the keyless entry keypad after all doors are

closed.

• Press the lock button on another intelligent access key.

• Touch the locking area on the handle with another intelligent access

key in your hand.

When you open one of the front doors and lock your vehicle using the power door lock control, all doors will lock then unlock if:

• the ignition is on, or

• the ignition is off and the transmission is not in P.

Autolock Feature (If Enabled)

The autolock feature will lock all the doors when:

• all the doors are closed,

• the ignition is on,

• you shift into any gear putting your vehicle in motion, and

• your vehicle reaches a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).

The autolock feature repeats when:

• you open then close any door while the ignition is on and the vehicle

speed is 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower, and

• your vehicle then reaches a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h).

Autounlock Feature (If Enabled)

The autounlock feature will unlock all the doors when:

• the ignition is on, all the doors are closed, and your vehicle has been

in motion at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h);

• your vehicle has then come to a stop and the ignition is switched off

or to accessory; and

• the driver door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being

switched off or to accessory.

Note: The doors will not autounlock if you electronically lock the vehicle after you switch the ignition off and before you open the driver door.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Locks 77

Deactivating or Activating

Note: You can activate or deactivate the autolock and autounlock features independently of each other.

You can activate or deactivate these features:

• through an authorized dealer

• using the information display (if equipped with this feature).

Illuminated Entry

The interior lamps, parking lamps and puddle lamps illuminate when you use the integrated keyhead transmitter, intelligent access key or the keyless entry keypad to unlock the vehicle.

The system will turn off the lights if:

• you switch the ignition on

• you press the lock button on the remote control

• you lock your vehicle using the keyless entry keypad

• after 25 seconds of illumination.

The lights will not turn off if:

• you turn them on with the dimmer control

• any door is open.

Illuminated Exit

The interior lamps and select exterior lamps illuminate when all doors are closed, the ignition is turned off and the key is removed from the ignition (integrated keyhead transmitter only).

The lamps turn off if all the doors remain closed and:

• 25 seconds elapse

•

you insert the key in the ignition (integrated keyhead transmitter only)

• you press the START/STOP button (intelligent access key only).

Battery Saver

If you leave the courtesy lamps, dome lamps or headlamps on, the battery saver shuts them off 10 minutes after you switch the ignition off.

Accessory Mode Battery Saver for Intelligent Access Keys (If Equipped)

If you leave your vehicle in the run ignition state, it will shut off once it detects a certain amount of battery drain or after 45 minutes.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

78 Locks

LIFTGATE

WARNING: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

Manual Liftgate

WARNING: Make sure that the liftgate is closed to prevent

exhaust fumes from being drawn into the vehicle. This will also prevent passengers and cargo from falling out. If you must drive with the liftgate door open, keep the vehicle well ventilated so outside air comes into the vehicle.

Note: Be careful when opening or closing the liftgate in a garage or other enclosed area to avoid damaging the liftgate.

Note: Do not hang anything (bike rack, etc.) from the spoiler, glass or liftgate. This could damage the liftgate and its components.

Note: Do not leave the liftgate open while driving. This could damage the liftgate and its components.

The liftgate area is only intended for cargo, not passengers.

To open the liftgate: Press the button located in the top of the liftgate pull cup handle to unlatch the liftgate, then pull on the outside handle.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Locks 79

Power Liftgate (If Equipped)

WARNING: Make sure all persons are clear of the power liftgate area before using the power liftgate control.

WARNING: Keep keys out of the reach of children. Do not allow children to operate the power liftgate, or to play near to an open

or moving power liftgate.

Note: Cycling the ignition while the liftgate is power closing and is near the latch may cause the liftgate to reverse to full open position. Make sure that the liftgate is closed before operating or moving the vehicle, especially in an enclosure, like a garage or a parking structure. The liftgate or its components could be damaged.

Note: Do not drive with the liftgate open without first disabling the power function and securing the liftgate to the vehicle.

Note: In case of operation in extreme cold -40°F (-40°C), or on extreme inclines, manual operation of the liftgate is suggested.

You can enable or disable the power liftgate using the information display. The remote control and instrument panel button will still operate the liftgate regardless of the setting.

Opening and Closing the Power Liftgate

Note: The liftgate movement direction can be reversed with a second press of the instrument panel, or the control button on the liftgate, or a second double press of the transmitter button.

The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle in P.

A chime will sound three times as the liftgate begins to power close. A single chime indicates a problem with the close request, caused by:

• the ignition is on and the transmission is not in P;

• or the battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage;

• or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 km/h).

If the liftgate reverses and starts to close after an open request, a fast continuous chime indicates excessive load on the gate or a possible strut failure. See your authorized dealer if you still have a fast chime after the load is removed.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

80 Locks

To open or close from the instrument panel: Press the instrument panel button.

To open or close with the remote control: Press the remote control button twice within three seconds.

To open with the outside liftgate control button:

1. Unlock the liftgate with the remote control or power door unlock control. If the intelligent access transmitter (if equipped) is within 3 feet (1 meter) of the liftgate, the liftgate will unlock when you press the liftgate release button.

2. Press the control button located in the top of the liftgate pull-cup handle.

Note: Allow the power system to open the liftgate after pressing the control. Manually pushing or pulling the liftgate may activate the system’s obstacle detection feature and stops the power operation.

To close with the rear cargo area control: Press and release the button located in the rear cargo area.

WARNING: Keep clear of the liftgate when activating the rear

switch.

Obstacle Detection

When closing: The liftagte will reverse to full open when it detects an obstacle. A chime will sound three times as the liftgate begins to reopen. Remove the obstacle to close the liftgate.

Note: Entering the vehicle while the liftgate is closing can cause the vehicle to bounce and activate obstacle detection. To prevent this, allow the power liftgate to fully close before entering the vehicle. Before driving off, check the instrument cluster for a liftgate or door ajar message and/or warning indicator. Driving off without first checking for the liftgate or door ajar message and/or warning indicator could result in the liftgate being left open, unintentionally, while you are driving.

When opening: The system will stop and a chime will sound three times when it detects an obstacle. Remove the obstacle to operate the liftgate.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Locks 81

Resetting the Power Liftgate

The liftgate may not operate properly and may need to be reset if any of these conditions occur:

• a low voltage or dead battery

• disconnected battery

• the liftgate is manually closed and left ajar (unlatched)

To reset the power liftgate:

1. Disconnect the battery for 20 seconds then, reconnect the battery.

2. Manually close and fully latch the liftgate.

3. Power open the liftgate by using the transmitter, or the instrument panel control button.

SECURICODE™ KEYLESS ENTRY KEYPAD (IF EQUIPPED)

The keypad, located near the driver window, is invisible until touched and then it lights up so you can see and touch the appropriate buttons.

Note: If you enter your entry code too fast on the keypad, the unlock function may not work. Enter your entry code again more slowly.

You can use the keypad to:

• lock or unlock the doors

• recall memory features

• enable or disable the autolock

and autounlock

• arm and disarm the anti-theft alarm

You can operate the keypad with the factory-set 5-digit entry code. This code is located on the owner’s wallet card in the glove box and is available from an authorized dealer. You can also create up to three of your own 5-digit personal entry codes.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

82 Locks

Programming a Personal Entry Code

To create your own personal entry code:

1. Enter the factory-set code.

2. Press the 1•2 on the keypad within five seconds.

3. Enter your personal 5-digit code. You must enter each number within five seconds of each other.

4. For memory recall feature, enter the sixth digit 1•2 to store driver 1 settings or 3•4 to store driver 2 settings.

Note: Pressing 5•6, 7•8,or9•0 keypad numbers as a sixth digit will not recall a driver memory setting. Note: The factory-set code cannot be associated with a memory setting.

5. The doors will lock and then unlock to confirm that programming is complete.

You may also program a personal entry code through the MyFord Touch system. Refer to the MyFord Touch chapter.

Tips:

• Do not set a code that uses five of the same number.

• Do not use five numbers in sequential order.

• The factory-set code will work even if you have set your own personal

code.

Erasing a Personal Code

1. Enter the factory-set 5-digit code.

2. Press and release the 1•2 on the keypad within five seconds.

3. Press and hold the 1•2 for two seconds. This must be done within five seconds of completing Step 2.

All personal codes are now erased and only the factory-set 5-digit code will work.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Locks 83

Anti-Scan Feature

The keypad will go into an anti-scan mode if you enter the wrong code seven times (35 consecutive button presses). This mode disables the keypad for one minute and the keypad lamp will flash.

The anti-scan feature will turn off after:

• one minute of keypad inactivity

• pressing the unlock button on the remote control

• switching the ignition on

• unlocking the vehicle using intelligent access.

Unlocking and Locking the Doors

To unlock the driver door: Enter the factory-set 5-digit code or your personal code. You must press each number within five seconds of each other. The interior lamps will illuminate. Note: All doors will unlock if the two-stage unlocking feature is disabled. Refer to Locking and Unlocking earlier in this chapter.

To unlock all doors: Enter the factory-set code or your personal code, then press the 3•4 control within five seconds.

To lock all doors: Press and hold 7•8 and 9•0 at the same time with the driver door closed. You do not need to enter the keypad code first.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

84 Security

SECURILOCK® PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM

Note: The system is not compatible with non-Ford aftermarket remote start systems. Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting problems and a loss of security protection.

Note: Metallic objects, electronic devices or a second coded key on the same key chain may cause vehicle starting issues if they are too close to the key when starting the engine. Prevent these objects from touching the coded key while starting the engine. Switch the ignition off, move all objects on the key chain away from the coded key and restart the engine if a problem occurs.

Note: Do not leave a duplicate coded key in the vehicle. Always take your keys and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle.

The system is an engine immobilization system. It is designed to help prevent the engine from being started unless a coded key programmed to your vehicle is used. Using the wrong key may prevent the engine from starting. A message may appear in the information display.

If you are unable to start the engine with a correctly coded key, a malfunction has happened and a message may appear in the information display.

Automatic Arming

Your vehicle arms immediately after you switch the ignition off.

Automatic Disarming

Your vehicle disarms when you switch the ignition on with a coded key.

Replacement Keys

Note: Your vehicle comes equipped with two integrated keyhead transmitters or two intelligent access keys.

The integrated keyhead transmitter functions as a programmed ignition key that operates all the locks and starts the vehicle, as well as a remote control.

The intelligent access key functions as a programmed key that operates the driver door lock and activates the intelligent access with push button start systems, as well as a remote control.

If your programmed transmitters or standard SecuriLock coded keys (integrated keyhead transmitters only) are lost or stolen and you do not have an extra coded key, you will need to have your vehicle towed to an authorized dealer. The key codes need to be erased from your vehicle and new coded keys will need to be programmed.

Store an extra programmed key away from the vehicle in a safe place to help prevent any inconveniences. See your authorized dealer to purchase additional spare or replacement keys.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Security 85

Programming a Spare Integrated Keyhead Transmitter

Note: A maximum of eight coded keys can be programmed to your vehicle. Only four of these eight can be integrated keyhead transmitters.

You can program your own integrated keyhead transmitters or standard SecuriLock® coded keys to your vehicle. This procedure will program both the engine immobilizer key code and the remote entry portion of the remote control to your vehicle.

Only use integrated keyhead transmitters or standard SecuriLock® keys. You must have two previously programmed coded keys and the new

unprogrammed key readily accessible. See your authorized dealer to have the spare key programmed if two previously programmed coded keys are not available.

Read and understand the entire procedure before you begin.

1. Insert the first previously programmed coded key into the ignition.

2. Turn the ignition from off to on. Keep the ignition on for at least three seconds, but no more than 10 seconds.

3. Turn the ignition off and remove the first coded key from the ignition.

4. After three seconds but within 10 seconds of turning the ignition off, insert the second previously coded key into the ignition.

5. Turn the ignition from off to on. Keep the ignition on for at least three seconds, but no more than 10 seconds.

6. Turn the ignition off and remove the second previously programmed coded key from the ignition.

7. After three seconds but within 20 seconds of turning the ignition off and removing the previously programmed coded key, insert the new unprogrammed key into the ignition.

8. Turn the ignition from off to on. Keep the ignition on for at least six seconds.

9. Remove the newly programmed coded key from the ignition. The key will start your vehicle’s engine and will operate the remote entry

system (if the new key is an integrated keyhead transmitter) if it has been successfully programmed.

Wait 20 seconds and repeat Steps 1 through 8 if the key was not successfully programmed. Take your vehicle to your authorized dealer to have the new key programmed if you are still unsuccessful.

Wait 20 seconds and then repeat this procedure from Step 1 to program an additional key.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

86 Security

Programming a Spare Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)

Note: A maximum of four intelligent access keys can be programmed to your vehicle. You must take your vehicle and all access keys to your authorized dealer to be erased and reprogrammed if you would like to replace a previously programmed access key with a new access key, or if you already have four access keys programmed to your vehicle.

You must have two previously programmed intelligent access keys inside your vehicle and the new unprogrammed intelligent access keys readily accessible. See your authorized dealer to have the spare key programmed if two previously programmed keys are not available.

Make sure that your vehicle is off before beginning this procedure. Make sure that all doors are closed before beginning and that they remain closed throughout the procedure. Perform all steps within 30 seconds of starting the sequence. Stop and wait for at least one minute before starting again if any steps are performed out of sequence.

Read and understand the entire procedure before you begin.

1. Place the new unprogrammed intelligent access key in the pocket inside of the center console with the buttons facing out and with key ring up.

2. Press the driver or passenger power door unlock control three times.

3. Press and release the brake pedal one time.

4. Press the driver or passenger power door lock control three times.

5. Press and release the brake pedal one time. The indicator on the START/STOP button should begin to rapidly flash, indicating the programming mode has been entered and two programmed intelligent access keys have been detected in your vehicle.

6. Press the START/STOP button within one minute. A message will appear in the information display indicating that the new intelligent access key was programmed.

7. Remove the intelligent access key from the center console pocket and press the unlock button on the newly programmed intelligent access key to exit programming mode.

8. Verify that the remote entry functions operate (press lock then unlock, making sure you end in unlock) and that your vehicle starts with new intelligent access key.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Security 87

ANTI-THEFT ALARM (IF EQUIPPED)

The system will warn you of unauthorized entry to your vehicle. The turn signal lamps will flash and sound the horn up to a total of 10

times when:

• any door, the hood or the luggage compartment is opened without using the keypad, the remote control or the intelligent access transmitter (if equipped)

• the ignition is turned on with an invalid key.

Take all keys and remote controls to an authorized dealer if there is any potential alarm problem with your vehicle.

Arming the Alarm

The system is ready to arm whenever the ignition is off. Lock the vehicle to arm the alarm.

The turn signal lamps will flash once after locking the vehicle to indicate the alarm is in the pre-armed mode. It will become fully armed in 20 seconds.

Disarming the Alarm

To disarm the alarm, do any of the following:

• Press the power door unlock button within the 20-second pre-armed mode.

• Press the unlock button on the remote control.

• Unlock the doors with the keyless entry pad.

• Enter the vehicle using intelligent access (if equipped).

• Turn the ignition on with a valid key (if equipped with an integrated

keyhead transmitter only).

• Press the panic button on the remote control. The alarm system will still be armed, but this shuts off the horn and turn lamps when the alarm is sounding.

Note: If the driver door is unlocked with a key, a tone will sound when you open the door and a message will appear in the information display. You will have 12 seconds to disarm the alarm using any of the actions above, otherwise the alarm will trigger.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

88 Steering Wheel

ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL

WARNING: Do not adjust the steering wheel when your vehicle is moving.

Note: Make sure that you are sitting in the correct position. See Sitting in the Correct Position in the Seats chapter.

1. Unlock the steering column.

2. Adjust the steering wheel to the desired position.

3. Lock the steering column.

Power Tilt and Telescope Steering Column (If Equipped)

WARNING: Do not adjust the steering wheel when your vehicle is moving.

Note: Make sure that you are sitting in the correct position. Refer to Sitting in the Correct Position in the Seats chapter.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Steering Wheel 89

Use the control on the side of the steering column to adjust the position.

To adjust:

• tilt: use the top or bottom of the control

• telescope: use the front or rear of the control.

Easy Entry and Exit Feature

When you switch the ignition off, the steering column will move to the full up and in position to allow extra room to exit your vehicle. The column will return to the previous setting when you switch the ignition on. You can enable or disable this feature in the information display.

Memory Feature

The steering column position saves when you do a memory set function. You can recall it with the memory feature. Refer to the Seats chapter.

Pressing the adjustment control during memory recall will cancel the operation. The column will respond to the adjustment control.

AUDIO CONTROL

SEEK: Press to select the next or previous stored preset or track.

SEEK

Press and hold to select the next or previous frequency or seek through a track.

MEDIA: Press repeatedly to scroll through available audio modes.

MUTE: Press to silence the radio.

VOL (Volume): Press to increase or decrease the volume.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

90 Steering Wheel

VOICE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)

A. Phone mode B. Voice recognition

VOL

See the SYNC or MyFord Touch chapter.

CRUISE CONTROL

Type 1

Type 2

RES

SET

CNCL

OFF

GAP

See the Cruise Control chapter for information on this feature.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Steering Wheel 91

INFORMATION DISPLAY CONTROL

Refer to the Information Displays chapter for more information.

Cluster Display Control Features

If equipped with: MyFord system: This control

functions the same as the center control on the faceplate. Refer to

MyFord system in the Audio Systems chapter.

MyFord Touch: Use this control to

adjust the right side of the cluster display. Navigate through the screen and press OK to select. Refer to the MyFord Touch chapter.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

92 Pedals

ADJUSTABLE PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)

WARNING: Never adjust the accelerator and brake pedal with feet on the pedals while the vehicle is moving.

The control is located on the left side of the steering column. Press and hold the appropriate control to move the pedals.

A. Farther B. Closer

A B

The pedal positions are saved and recalled with the memory feature (if equipped). Refer to the Seats chapter.

The pedals should only be adjusted when the vehicle is parked.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Wipers and Washers 93

WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Note: Fully defrost the windshield in icy conditions before turning on the windshield wipers.

Rotate the end of the control away

from you to increase the speed of

the wipers. Rotate toward you to

decrease the speed of the wipers.

Speed-dependent Wipers (If Equipped)

When your vehicle speed increases, the interval between wipes will decrease when intermittent wipe is selected.

RAIN-SENSING WIPERS (IF EQUIPPED)

Note: Wet road conditions may result in inconsistent or unexpected wiping or smearing. Lower the sensitivity, switch to normal or high-speed wiping or turn the wipers off to reduce smearing.

Note: Turn off the wipers before entering a car wash.

Use the rotary control to adjust the

sensitivity to one of the interval

A U

wipers will continue to wipe as long as moisture is detected. Keep the outside of the windshield clean, especially the area around the

interior mirror where the sensor is located, or sensor performance may be affected.

moisture settings. The wipers will

not cycle until moisture is detected

on the windshield. The wiper speed

will vary based on the amount of

moisture detected on the windshield

and the sensitivity setting. The

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

94 Wipers and Washers

WINDSHIELD WASHERS

Note: Do not operate the wipers on a dry windshield. This may scratch the glass, damage the wiper blades or cause the wiper motor to burn out. Always use the windshield washer before wiping a dry windshield.

Note: Do not operate the washer when the washer reservoir is empty. This may cause the washer pump to overheat.

Press the end of the stalk to activate the washer.

• A brief press causes a single wipe without washer fluid.

• A quick press and hold causes the wipers to swipe three times with

washer fluid.

• A long press and hold will activate the wipers and washer fluid for up to 10 seconds.

A wipe will occur a few seconds after washing to clear any remaining washer fluid. This feature can be turned on and off in the information display.

REAR-WINDOW WIPER AND WASHERS

Rotate the control to select: 2 — Intermittent operation

(shortest pause between wipes). 1 — Intermittent operation (longest

pause between wipes). 0 — Off.

Rotate and hold the control to either the top or bottom position to activate the rear washer. The control will return to the 2 or 0 position when you release it.

When you select reverse gear, the rear wiper will switch on to intermittent if the front wipers are activated. This feature may be enabled or disabled in the information display.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

LIGHTING CONTROL

A B C

High Beams

Headlamp Flasher

Lighting 95

A. Off B. Parking lamps, instrument panel

lamps, license plate lamps and tail lamps

C. Headlamps

• Push the lever toward the instrument panel to activate.

• Push the lever toward the instrument panel again or pull the lever towards you to deactivate.

•Pull toward you slightly to activate

and release to deactivate.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

96 Lighting

AUTOLAMPS (If equipped)

WARNING: In severe weather conditions, it may be necessary to switch your headlamps on manually.

Note: If the vehicle is equipped with autolamps, it will have the windshield wiper rainlamp feature. When the windshield wipers are turned to low- or high-speed wiping during daylight, and the headlamp control is in the autolamp position, the exterior lamps will turn on after a brief delay and will remain on until the wipers are turned off.

The autolamp system provides light sensitive automatic on-off control of the exterior lights normally controlled by the headlamp control.

INSTRUMENT LIGHTING DIMMER

• Press repeatedly or press and hold at the first position until the desired level is reached.

• Fully press and hold the top of the control to activate the “dome on” feature. This will turn on the interior courtesy lights. Fully press and hold the bottom of the control to turn off the interior courtesy lights.

The headlamps will remain on for a period of time after you switch the ignition off. You can adjust the time delay using the display controls in the instrument cluster. See the Information Displays chapter.

HEADLAMP EXIT DELAY

You can set the delay time to keep the headlamps on for up to three minutes after the ignition is turned off.

Follow the steps below to change the delay time (Steps 1 through 6 must be done within 10 seconds):

1. Turn the ignition off.

2. Turn the lighting control to the autolamp position.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Lighting 97

3. Turn the lighting control to the off position.

4. Turn the ignition on.

5. Turn the ignition off.

6. Turn the lighting control to the autolamp position. The headlamps and parking lamps will turn on.

7. Turn the lighting control to the off position when the desired delay time has been reached. The headlamps and parking lamps will turn off. You can set the headlamp exit delay to one of the following settings:

• Off

• 10 seconds

• 20 seconds

• 30 seconds

• 60 seconds

• 90 seconds

• 120 seconds

• 180 seconds.

Note: You can also adjust the time delay using the display controls in the instrument cluster. See the Information Displays chapter.

DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)

WARNING: Always remember to turn on your headlamps at

dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.

The system switches the headlamps on with a reduced output (vehicles equipped with halogen headlamps) or turns the front fog lamps on (vehicles equipped with HID headlamps) in low light situations.

To switch the system on:

1. Switch the ignition on.

2. Switch the lighting control to the off, autolamp or parking lamp position.

3. Make sure the transmission selector lever is not in position P.

4. Make sure the parking brake is disengaged.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

98 Lighting

FRONT FOG LAMPS

The fog lamps can be turned on when the lighting control is pulled toward you and in the headlamps, parking lamps or autolamps

DIRECTION INDICATORS

Note: Tap the lever up or down to make the direction indicators flash three times to indicate a lane change.

positions. The fog lamps will not operate

when the high beams are active.

• Push down to activate the left turn signal.

• Push up to activate the right turn signal.

INTERIOR LAMPS

Front map lamps

The map lamps are located on the overhead console. Press the lens of each map lamp to turn on the lamps. The map lamps also turn on when:

• any door is opened.

• the instrument panel dimmer switch is rotated up, past the detent,

until the courtesy lamps come on.

• the remote entry controls are pressed and the ignition is off.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

Rear dome/reading lamps

Rear map lamps

Lighting 99

Your vehicle may have reading lamps within the rear dome lamp(s). Press the switches on either side of the dome lamp to turn the lamps on.

Your vehicle may have second row lamps located within the grab handles. Press the detent on the lens to turn the lamps on.

2013 Flex (471) Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012 USA (fus)

FORD Flex 2013 User Manual v.3

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents 1

Introduction 9

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

Protecting the Environment

SYMBOL GLOSSARY

DATA RECORDING

Service Data Recording

Event Data Recording

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

PERCHLORATE MATERIAL

FORD CREDIT (U.S. ONLY)

REPLACEMENT PARTS RECOMMENDATION

Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs

Collision Repairs

Warranty on Replacement Parts

SPECIAL NOTICES

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

Special Instructions

MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

EXPORT UNIQUE (NON–UNITED STATES/CANADA) VEHICLE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Child Safety 17

GENERAL INFORMATION

CHILD SEATS

CHILD SEAT POSITIONING

BOOSTER SEATS

Types of Booster Seats

INSTALLING CHILD SEATS

Using Lap and Shoulder Belts

Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)

Combining Safety Belt and LATCH Lower Anchors for Attaching Child Safety Seats

Using Tether Straps

CHILD SAFETY LOCKS

36 Safety Belts

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

FASTENING THE SAFETY BELTS

Restraint of Pregnant Women

Safety Belt Locking Modes

Vehicle Sensitive Mode

Automatic Locking Mode

When to Use the Automatic Locking Mode

Non-inflatable safety belts

Rear outboard inflatable safety belts (second row only–if equipped)

How to Disengage the Automatic Locking Mode

Safety Belt Extension Assembly

SAFETY BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

SAFETY BELT WARNING LIGHT AND INDICATOR CHIME

Conditions of Operation

SAFETY BELT-MINDER®

Deactivating and Activating the Belt-Minder® Feature

REAR INFLATABLE SAFETY BELT (IF EQUIPPED)

How Does the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt System Work?

Stowing the Rear Inflatable Safety Belt

CHILD RESTRAINT AND SAFETY BELT MAINTENANCE

48 Personal Safety System

PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM™

How Does the Personal Safety System Work?

Supplementary Restraints System 49

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

SOS POST-CRASH ALERT SYSTEM™

DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS

Proper Driver and Front Passenger Seating Adjustment

Children and Airbags

FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM

SIDE AIRBAGS

SAFETY CANOPY® CURTAIN AIRBAGS

CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR

AIRBAG DISPOSAL

62 Keys and Remote Control

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIO FREQUENCIES

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

REMOTE CONTROL

Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs) (If Equipped)

Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)

Replacing the Battery