
any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the vehicle to the nearest
location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate all the tires to the
recommended inflation pressure.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
WARNING: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 steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE class “S” cables or equivalent on P235/55R18 tires on
the front tires only. SAE class “S” chains or other conventional link
chains may cause damage to the vehicles wheel house and/or body.
Use of optional spike spider type traction devices or equivalent is also
acceptable.
•Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the
rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or
body.
•Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with
optional P255/45R19 or 245/45R20 tires.
•Install tire cables securely, verifying that the tire cables do not touch
any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the cables. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire cables on dry roads.
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
197

Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Switch the ignition off and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AWD Systems (if equipped)
AWD uses all four wheels to power the vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
234

gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand under high outside
temperatures, use a low gear when possible. Lower gear operation will
maximize the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the wheel rims (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine, transmission, AWD system components or axles are
submerged in water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if
necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
235

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Components
46 15A** VPWR2, VPWR3
47 15A** PCM VPWR1
48 15A** VPWR4 Ignition coils
49 10A** Heated mirrors
50 Full ISO relay PCM relay
51 Full ISO relay Blower motor relay
52 Full ISO relay Starter relay
53 Full ISO relay Heated backlite relay
54 Full ISO relay Front wiper relay
55 Full ISO relay Fog deactivation
56 High-current
relayOn/start
57 Full ISO relay Adapt cruise (stop lamps)
58 High-current
relayNot used
* Cartridge Fuses ** Mini Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
WARNING:The use of tire sealants may damage your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System and should not be used.
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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WARNING:Refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for important
information. If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged, it
will no longer function.
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for
temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size
and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by
Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be
replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
249

Starting your vehicle ........208–210
jump starting ..........................256
push button start system .......211
Steering wheel
controls ......................................72
tilting .........................................53
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................16
CD-MP3 .....................................16
SYNC ............................................31
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........248
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....192
Tires ...........................176–177, 248
alignment ................................184
care ..........................................180
changing ..........................248, 251
checking the pressure ............180
inflating ...................................178
label .........................................191
replacing ..................................182
rotating ....................................184
safety practices .......................183
sidewall information ...............186
snow tires and chains ............197
spare tire .................................249
terminology .............................177
tire grades ...............................177
treadwear ........................176, 181
Towing .......................................204
recreational towing .................207
trailer towing ..........................204wrecker ....................................262
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............311
lubricant specifications ..........311
Transmission .............................222
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....222
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................307
Trunk .........................................100
remote release ..................90, 105
Turn signal ..................................47
U
USB port ......................................25
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................314
Vehicle loading ..........................198
Ventilating your vehicle ...........213
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................282
Water, Driving through .............238
Windows
power .........................................56
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................52
checking and adding fluid .....282
replacing wiper blades ...........283
Wrecker towing .........................262
2009 MKS(mks)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
323