
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.5L V6 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Power steering fluid reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Battery
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Transaxle fluid dipstick
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
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If theService engine soonindicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. Refer to the On board
diagnostics (OBD-II) description in this chapter.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the ON position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If theService engine
soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing; if theService engine soon
indicator stays on
solid, it means that the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules.
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1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir. Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for
the proper fluid type.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
2008 MKX(mkx)
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MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Brake fluidBetween MIN and
MAX on reservoirMotorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1-C /
WSS-M6C62-A
Door weatherstrips — Silicone Spray LubricantXL-6 /
ESR-M13P4-A
Door latch, hood
latch, auxiliary hood
latch, door hinges,
striker plates, seat
tracks and fuel filler
door hinge— Multi-Purpose GreaseXG-4 or XL-5 /
ESB-M1C93-B
Lock cylinders —Motorcraft Penetrating
and Lock LubricantXL-1 /
None
Engine oil
1
5.5 quarts (5.2L)Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor Oil
(Canada)XO-5W20-QSP (US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C930-A with API
Certification Mark
Engine coolant11.7 quarts
(11.09L)Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant with
bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
2
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine coolant–with
trailer tow package12.83 quarts
(12.14L)
Power steering fluidBetween MIN and
MAX on reservoirMotorcraft MERCONV
AT FXT-5-QM /
MERCONV
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
311

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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
319

positioning ...............................250
storage .....................................250
Jump-starting your vehicle ......257
K
Keyless entry system ...............123
autolock ...................................111
keypad .....................................123
locking and unlocking doors ..124
programming entry code .......123
Keys ...................................109, 126
positions of the ignition .........217
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................64
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................69
daytime running light ...............65
fog lamps ...................................65
headlamps .................................64
headlamps, flash to pass ..........65
instrument panel, dimming .....66
interior lamps .....................68, 70
replacing bulbs .........................70
Liftgate ......................103–104, 118
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........223
Load limits .................................205
Locks
autolock ...................................111
childproof ................................115
doors ........................................111
Lubricant specifications ...........311
Lug nuts ....................................256
Lumbar support, seats .............133
M
Message center .....................93–94english/metric button ...............98
system check button ................98
warning messages ...................100
Mirrors ...................................81–82
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................82
fold away ...................................83
heated ........................................83
programmable memory ..........119
side view mirrors (power) .......82
Moon roof ............................88, 117
Motorcraft parts ........278, 294, 310
N
Navigation system .......................59
O
Octane rating ............................298
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................283
Overdrive ...................................229
P
Parking brake ............................223
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....310
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................143
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................247
Power door locks ......................111
Power liftgate ............................104
Power mirrors .............................82
Power point .................................78
Power steering ..........................227
fluid, checking and adding ....305
fluid, refill capacity ................311
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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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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