
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 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
270

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety Compliance Certification Label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the structure (B-Pillar)
by the trailing edge of the driver’s
door or the edge of the driver’s
door.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
located on the driver side
instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic,
XXXX is representative of your
vehicle identification number.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2008 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
271

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a
transmission/transaxle code on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission or transaxle
each code represents.
Description Code
Aisin AW F21 Automatic transaxle (TR-VX) B
2008 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
272

A
Accessory delay ..........................58
Air cleaner filter ...............265–267
Air conditioning ....................31, 33
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ........125, 134, 137
and child safety seats ............127
description ..............125, 134, 137
disposal ....................................140
driver airbag ............127, 135, 138
indicator light .........134, 136, 140
operation .................127, 135, 138
passenger airbag .....127, 135, 138
side airbag ...............................134
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................193
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................245
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................184–185
Anti-theft system ................96, 100
arming the system ..................100
disarming a triggered
system .....................................101
Audio system (see Radio) .........16
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................189
fluid, adding ............................263
fluid, checking ........................263
fluid, refill capacities ..............268
fluid, specification ..................268
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....23
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........268
B
Battery .......................................243acid, treating emergencies .....243
jumping a disabled battery ....214
maintenance-free ....................243
replacement, specifications ...267
servicing ..................................243
Belt-Minder.............................120
Booster seats .............................141
Brakes ........................................184
anti-lock ...........................184–185
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................185
fluid, checking and adding ....263
fluid, refill capacities ..............268
fluid, specifications .................268
lubricant specifications ..........268
parking ....................................185
shift interlock ..........................188
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................42
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....268
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................208
Child safety restraints ..............141
child safety belts ....................141
Child safety seats ......................144
attaching with tether straps ..148
in front seat ............................145
in rear seat ..............................145
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................141
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............230
instrument panel ....................231
interior .....................................232
plastic parts ............................230
2008 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
275

Fluid capacities .........................268
Foglamps .....................................38
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................193
Fuel ............................................251
calculating fuel
economy ............................71, 256
cap ...........................................253
capacity ...................................268
choosing the right fuel ...........254
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................259
detergent in fuel .....................255
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................251, 253, 256
filter, specifications ........251, 267
fuel pump shut-off switch .....201
improving fuel economy ........256
octane rating ...................255, 270
quality ......................................255
running out of fuel .................255
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................251
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......201
Fuses ..................................201–202
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............253
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................256
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................200
Head restraints .........................102
Headlamps ...................................37
aiming ........................................40autolamp system .......................37
bulb specifications ....................42
daytime running lights .............38
flash to pass ..............................39
high beam .................................39
replacing bulbs .........................43
turning on and off ....................37
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................31, 33
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................66
Hood ..........................................236
I
Ignition ...............................179, 270
Illuminated visor mirror .............53
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................144
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................261
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................231
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................39
J
Jack ............................................208
positioning ...............................208
storage .....................................208
Jump-starting your vehicle ......214
K
Keyless entry system .................94
autolock .....................................82
keypad .......................................95
2008 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
277

Relays ........................................201
Remote entry system ...........88–89
illuminated entry ................92, 94
locking/unlocking doors ...........89
opening the trunk .....................90
opening the windows ...............89
panic alarm ...............................90
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................92
replacing the batteries .............91
Reverse sensing system ...........191
Roadside assistance ..................199
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........119
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................111, 115–119
Safety Canopy ...........................134
Safety defects, reporting ..226–227
Safety restraints ........111, 115–119
Belt-Minder...........................120
extension assembly ................119
for adults .........................116–118
for children .....................140–141
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................113
safety belt maintenance .........119
warning light and chime ........120
Safety seats for children ..........144
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................271
Satellite Radio Information ........26
Seats ..........................................102
child safety seats ....................144
climate control ........................108
front seats .......................102, 106
heated ........................................31memory seat .....................90, 106
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................96
Servicing your vehicle ..............235
Side air curtain .........................137
Spark plugs, specifications ......267,
270
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................268
Speed control ..............................60
Starting your vehicle ........179–181
jump starting ..........................214
Steering wheel
controls ......................................62
tilting .........................................53
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....167
Tires ...........................152–153, 208
alignment ................................160
care ..........................................156
changing ..................................208
checking the pressure ............156
inflating ...................................154
label .........................................166
replacing ..................................158
rotating ....................................160
safety practices .......................159
sidewall information ...............161
snow tires and chains ............172
spare tire .................................208
terminology .............................153
tire grades ...............................153
treadwear ........................152, 157
2008 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
279