Page 105 of 328

Do not attempt to manually force the liftgate to travel faster than the
power system will permit. This will activate the obstacle detection
feature.
Exercise care, when power opening or closing the liftgate in a garage or
other enclosed area with a low ceiling or close to a wall/garage door. The
liftgate could be damaged from the contact. Disable the power feature
and operate the liftgate manually if necessary.
When power operating the liftgate at temperatures below 32° F (0° C),
the liftgate may stop about 5 inches (12.7 cm) from the full open
position. The liftgate can be fully opened by pushing it upward to the
maximum open position.
The Power Liftgate feature can be
enabled or disabled using the
Message Center. With the control in
the OFF position, power operation
is disabled from the liftgate handle
button and from the rear cargo area button. The integrated keyhead
transmitter and instrument panel switch will operate the liftgate
regardless of the position state of the Message Center. Refer to the
Message Centersection in this chapter.
To power open or close the
liftgate from the Instrument
panel:
Press the button, located to the left
of the steering column, once to
power open or close the liftgate.
To power open or close the
liftgate with the integrated
keyhead transmitter:
Press
twice within 3 seconds to
power open or close the liftgate.
Refer toRemote entry systemin
theLocks and Securitychapter.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
105
Page 106 of 328

To power open the liftgate with
outside liftgate control button:
1. To open, unlock the liftgate with
the integrated keyhead transmitter
or power door unlock control.
2. Push the control button located
above the liftgate outside handle to
unlatch and power open the liftgate.
Note:For the best performance
allow the power system to open the
liftgate after pushing the control. Manually pushing or pulling the liftgate
may activate the system’s obstacle detection feature and stop the power
system.
To power close the liftgate with
the rear cargo area control
button:
Press and release the control on the
left rear quarter panel to close the
liftgate.
Note:The rear cargo area control
button is disabled when the liftgate
is latched.
Warning, keep clear of the liftgate when activating the rear
switch.
Note:The liftgate movement direction can be reversed with a second
press of the instrument panel, or the rear cargo area control button, or a
second double press of the integrated keyhead transmitter button.
To manually operate the liftgate:
1. Disable the liftgate power function. Refer to theMessage Centerin
this chapter.
2. Open and close the liftgate as you would a standard liftgate. Refer to
theManual liftgatein this chapter.
Note:In case of operation in extreme cold -40° F (-40° C), or on
extreme inclines, manual operation of the liftgate is suggested.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
106
Page 107 of 328

Obstacle detection:
The power liftgate system is equipped with an obstacle detection feature.
If the power liftgate is closing, the system will reverse to full open when
it detects an obstacle. A chime will sound 3 times when an obstacle is
detected as the liftgate begins to reopen. Once the obstacle is removed,
the liftgate can be closed under power.
If the power liftgate is opening, the system will stop and a chime will
sound 3 times when an obstacle is detected. Once the obstacle is
removed, the liftgate can again be operated normally.
Resetting the power liftgate:
The power liftgate may not operate properly and may need to be reset if
any of these conditions occur:
•a low voltage or dead battery or disconnected battery
•the liftgate has been left open or unlatched for more than six (6)
hours
To reset the power liftgate:
1. Ensure the battery is properly connected and charged.
2. Manually close and fully latch the liftgate.
3. Power open the liftgate by using the integrated keyhead transmitter,
or the instrument panel control button. The outside liftgate control
button can also be used if the power liftgate is enabled in the Message
Center.
Note:If the battery is disconnected, discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the power liftgate needs to be power opened to the full open
position to reset the power liftgate positions.
CARGO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The cargo management system
consists of storage compartments
located in the floor of the rear cargo
area.
1. To open, lift the release handle
and the lid.
2. To close, lower the lid.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
107
Page 108 of 328
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The loadmust beplaced directly on the luggage rack. The vehicle’s roof
panelis notdesigned to carry a load.
When loading the luggage rack, it is recommended to evenly distribute
the load, as well as maintain a low center of gravity. Ensure that the load
is securely fastened. The maximum load for the roof rack is 100 lb
(44 kg).
Your fuel economy will decrease when you drive with items on the
luggage rack. When the rack is loaded, check the tightness of the load
before driving and at each refueling stop.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
108
Page 109 of 328

KEYS
Your vehicle is equipped with two
Integrated Keyhead Transmitters
(IKTs). The IKT functions as both a
programmed ignition key that
operates all the locks and starts the
vehicle, and a remote keyless entry
transmitter. Vehicles with a power
liftgate will have a four-button IKT
while vehicles without a power
liftgate will have a three-button IKT.
Your IKTs are programmed to your vehicle; using a non-programmed key
will not permit your vehicle to start. If you lose your authorized dealer
supplied IKTs, replacement IKTs are available through your authorized
dealer. Standard SecuriLock™ keys without remote entry transmitter
functionality can also be purchased from your authorized dealer if
desired.
Always carry a spare key with you in case of an emergency.
For more information regarding programming replacement IKTs, refer to
theSecuriLock™ passive anti-theft systemsection later in this chapter.
Note:Your vehicle’s IKTs were
issued with an adhesive security
label on them that provides
important vehicle key cut
information. It is recommended that
you maintain the label in a safe
place for future reference, such as
the inside front cover of this
Owner’s Guide.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
109
Page 110 of 328
Recommended handling of the Integrated Keyhead Transmitter
(IKT)
To avoid inadvertently activating the remote entry functions of your
vehicle, it is recommended that the Integrated Keyhead Transmitter
(IKT) be handled properly when starting and turning off your vehicle.
When inserting the IKT into the
ignition cylinder, place your thumb
on the center thumb rest of the IKT
and forefinger on the logo badge on
the opposite side.
To gain more leverage when rotating
the IKT in the ignition lock cylinder,
you can readjust the location of
your thumb to grasp the IKT on the
outer edge next to the
control.
Likewise, when rotating the IKT to
the 1 (LOCK) position in the
ignition lock cylinder, the bottom
edge of the IKT adjacent to the
control can be utilized.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
110
Page 111 of 328

POWER DOOR LOCKS
•Press the
control to unlock all
doors.
•Press the
control to lock all
doors.
Smart locks
This feature helps to prevent you from locking yourself out of the vehicle
if your key is still in the ignition.
When you open one of the front doors or the liftgate and you lock the
vehicle with the power door lock control (on the driver or passenger
door trim panel), all the doors will lock, then all doors will automatically
unlock reminding you that your key is still in the ignition.
The vehicle can still be locked, with the key in the ignition, by locking
the driver’s door with a key, using the lock control on the remote entry
transmitter portion of your Integrated Keyhead Transmitter, or locking
the vehicle with the keyless entry keypad.
If both front doors and the liftgate are closed, the vehicle can be locked
from any method, regardless of whether the key is in the ignition or not.
Autolock feature
The autolock feature will lock all the doors when:
•all the doors are closed,
•the ignition is in the 3 (RUN) position,
•you shift into any gear putting the vehicle in motion, and
•the vehicle attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h) for greater
than 2 seconds.
The autolock feature repeats when:
•any door is opened then closed while the ignition is in the 3 (RUN)
position and the vehicle speed is 9 mph (15 km/h) or lower, and
•the vehicle then attains a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h) for
greater than 2 seconds.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
111
Page 112 of 328

Deactivating/activating autolock feature
Your vehicle comes with the autolock features activated; there are four
methods to enable/disable this feature:
•Through your authorized dealer,
•by using a power door unlock/lock procedure,
•using a keypad procedure (if equipped), or
•or by using the instrument cluster message center (if equipped). Refer
toMessage centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
Note:The autolock feature can be activated/deactivated independently
of the autounlock feature.
Power door lock switch autolock enable/disable procedure
Before starting, ensure the ignition is in the 1 (LOCK) position and all
vehicle doors are closed. You must complete Steps 1–5 within 30 seconds
or the procedure will have to be repeated. If the procedure needs to be
repeated, wait a minimum of 30 seconds before beginning again.
1. Place the key in the ignition and
turn the ignition to the 3 (RUN)
position.
2. Press the power door unlock
control on the door panel three
times.
3. Turn the ignition from the 3
(RUN) position to the 1 (LOCK)
position.
4. Press the power door unlock
control on the door panel three times.
5. Turn the ignition back to the 3 (RUN) position. The horn will chirp
one time to confirm programming mode has been entered and is active.
6. To enable/disable the autolock feature, press the unlock control, then
press the lock control. The horn will chirp once if autolock was
deactivated or twice (one short and one long chirp) if autolock was
activated.
7. Turn the ignition to the 1 (LOCK) position. The horn will chirp once
to confirm the procedure is complete.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Locks and Security
112