
INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires. The
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic passenger car tires. They do
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, light truck or “LT” type tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as
defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford Motor Company to give you
the following information about tire grades exactly as the government
has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
186

SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed rating as
those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or wheel not
recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance of your
vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the
use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause steering,
suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that only
cable chains are used with steel wheels (of the same size and
specifications) as chains may chip aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Install cable chains only on the front wheels.
•Use only cable chains on 18 inch wheels with P245/60R18 tires.
•Do not use tire chains, cables or optional traction devices on 20 inch
wheels and tires.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cable chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the cable chains. If this does not work,
remove the cable chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cable chains when they are no longer needed. Do not
use tire cable chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and cable chains.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
205

The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 30A Passenger front smart window
2 15A Not used (Spare)
3 15A Family entertainment system
(FES)/Rear seat control, SYNC
4 30A Driver front smart window
5 10A Keypad illumination, 2nd row
seat, Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), Brake Shift
Interlock (BSI)
6 20A Turn signals
7 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
8 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
9 15A Interior lights, Cargo lamps
10 15A Backlighting, Puddle lamps
11 10A All wheel drive
12 7.5A Power mirror switch, Driver side
power seat memory, Driver seat
module – Keep alive power (KA)
13 5A Not used
14 10A Power liftgate module
15 10A Climate control
16 15A Not used (Spare)
17 20A All power lock motor feeds,
Liftgate release, Moon roof
18 20A THX system
19 25A Rear wiper
20 15A Datalink
21 15A Fog lamps
22 15A Park lamps
23 15A High beam headlamps
24 20A Horn relay
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
245

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
25 10A Demand lamps/Interior lamps
26 10A Instrument panel cluster
27 20A Ignition switch
28 5A Radio
29 5A Instrument panel cluster
30 5A Overdrive cancel switch
31 10A Automatic dimming rear view
mirror
32 10A Not used (Spare)
33 10A Not used (Spare)
34 5A Steering angle sensor
35 10A Rear park assist, AWD, Heated
seat module
36 5A PATS transceiver
37 10A Climate control
38 20A THX System
39 20A Radio
40 20A Not used (Spare)
41 15A Delayed accessory function for
radio and lock switch illumination
42 10A Not used (Spare)
43 10A Rear wiper logic
44 10A Customer accessory feed
45 5A Front wiper logic, Climate control
relay feed
46 7.5A Occupant Classification Sensor
(OCS), Passenger Airbag
Deactivation Indicator (PADI)
47 30A Circuit
BreakerPower windows
48 — Delayed accessory relay
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
246

•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle’s
seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.
LEATHER SEATS
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11-A). In Canada, use Motorcraft Vinyl Cleaner (CXC-93).
Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11-D), available from your authorized dealer. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Vinyl Cleaner (CXC-93) or an equivalent
high–quality leather care product.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
CLEANING THE CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Clean the seat with a damp cloth, using
a mild soap and water solution, if necessary.
UNDERBODY
Flush the complete underside of your vehicle frequently. Keep body and
door drain holes free from packed dirt.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Cleaning
277

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

fluid, specifications .................311
Power Windows ...........................80
R
Radio ............................................17
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................30
Relays ........................................243
Remote entry system .......115, 117
illuminated entry ............121–122
locking/unlocking
doors ................................117–118
opening the trunk ...................118
panic alarm .............................118
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................120
replacing the batteries ...........119
Reverse sensing system ...........231
Roadside assistance ..................240
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........151
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................141, 145–149
Safety Canopy ...................166, 169
Safety defects, reporting ..........271
Safety restraints ........141, 145–149
Belt-Minder...........................152
extension assembly ................150
for adults .........................146–148
for children .....................172–173
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................143
safety belt maintenance .........151
warning light and
chime ...............................151–152
Safety seats for children ..........176Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................314
Satellite Radio Information ........28
Seats ..........................................130
child safety seats ....................176
climate control ........................135
easy access/easyout feature ..134
front seats .......................130, 134
heated ......................................140
memory seat ...................119, 134
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................124
Servicing your vehicle ..............279
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........253
Spark plugs, specifications ......310,
313
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................311
Speed control ..............................83
Starting your vehicle ........217–219
jump starting ..........................257
Steering wheel
controls ......................................86
tilting .........................................76
SYNC ............................................59
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................76
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....201
Tires ...........................186–187, 250
alignment ................................194
care ..........................................190
changing ..........................250, 253
checking the pressure ............190
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
322