Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED fuel or UNLEADED fuel blended with a maximum
of 10% ethanol. Your vehicle was not designed to run on E85 fuels that
are blended with a maximum of 85% ethanol. The use of leaded fuel is
prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
300
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.5L-DOHC V6 engine
Displacement 3.5L
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1–4–2–5–3–6
Spark plug gap (0.052–0.056 inch) 1.32–1.42 mm
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Engine drivebelt routing
•3.5L V6 Engine
1. Short drivebelt is on first pulley groove closest to engine.
2. Long drivebelt is on second pulley groove farthest from engine.
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
313
filter, specifications ........286, 310
recommendations ...................286
refill capacities ........................311
specifications ..........................311
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................220
F
Fail safe cooling ........................293
Family entertainment system ....30
Floor mats .................................103
Fluid capacities .........................311
Foglamps .....................................65
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................233
Fuel ............................................294
calculating fuel
economy ............................95, 299
cap ...........................................297
capacity ...................................311
choosing the right fuel ...........298
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................302
detergent in fuel .....................299
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................294, 297, 299
filter, specifications ........294, 310
fuel pump shut-off switch .....242
improving fuel economy ........299
octane rating ...................298, 313
quality ......................................298
running out of fuel .................299
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................294
Fuses ..........................................243
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............297Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................299
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................242
Head restraints .................130, 137
Headlamps ...................................64
aiming ........................................66
autolamp system .......................64
bulb specifications ....................69
daytime running lights .............65
flash to pass ..............................65
high beam .................................65
replacing bulbs .........................70
turning on and off ....................64
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................60
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................90
Hood ..........................................280
I
Ignition ...............................217, 313
Illuminated visor mirror .............77
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................176
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................304
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................276
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................66
J
Jack ............................................250
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
320
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
2008 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
321