Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
301
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............274
instrument panel ....................276
interior .............................276–277
plastic parts ............................274
safety belts ..............................276
washing ....................................272
waxing .....................................273
wheels ......................................273
wiper blades ............................275
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............60
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................96
Console ........................................78
overhead ....................................77
Controls
power seat ...............................131
steering column ........................86
Convertible
cleaning ...................................275
Coolant
checking and adding ..............289
refill capacities ................292, 311
specifications ..........................311
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................83
Cupholder(s) .............................139
Customer Assistance ................240
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................268
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................269
Getting roadside assistance ...240
Getting the service you
need .........................................264
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................270Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................268
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................65
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................307
engine oil .................................283
Driving under special
conditions ..................231, 234, 237
sand .........................................235
snow and ice ...........................238
through water .................236, 239
DVD system .................................30
E
Electronic message center .........93
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................257
Emission control system ..........302
Engine ........................................313
cleaning ...................................274
coolant .....................................289
fail-safe cooling .......................293
idle speed control ...................287
lubrication specifications .......311
refill capacities ........................311
service points ..........................281
starting after a collision .........242
Engine block heater .................220
Engine oil ..................................283
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................283
checking and adding ..............283
dipstick ....................................283
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
319
