
Note:Inspect the wheel pilot hole
prior to installation. If there is
visible corrosion in wheel pilot hole,
remove loose particles by wiping
with clean rag and apply grease.
Apply grease only to the wheel pilot
hole surface by smearing a “dime”
(1 square cm) sized glob of grease
around the wheel pilot surface (1)
with end of finger. DO NOT apply
grease to lugnut/stud holes or
wheel-to-brake surfaces.
JUMP STARTING
WARNING:The gases around the battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING:Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin,
eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission
vehicle. Automatic transmissions do not have push-start
capability. Attempting to push-start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission may cause transmission damage.
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
241

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16-A2.
Do not use any special washer fluid
such as windshield water repellent
type fluid or bug wash. They may
cause squeaking, chatter noise,
streaking and smearing. Refer to the
Maintenance product
specifications and capacitiessection in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
WARNING:If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below
40°F (5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure
to use washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could
result in impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or
accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
265

•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool,until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1.Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants/additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and/or heating systems.
This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, or DEX-COOLbrand with the
factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product such as
DEX-COOLbrand with your factory filled coolant can result in
degraded corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
274

cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
275

After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34°F [–36°C]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
276

•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The service engine soon
symbol will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
277

Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................161
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............257
instrument panel ....................258
interior .............................259–260
plastic parts ............................257
safety belts ..............................259
washing ....................................255
waxing .....................................256
wheels ......................................256
wiper blades ............................258
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............32
Clock ............................................20
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................69
Console ........................................52
overhead ....................................51
Controls
power seat ...............................110
steering column ........................60
Convertible
cleaning ...................................258
Coolant
checking and adding ..............273
refill capacities ................276, 295
specifications ..........................295
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................57
Cupholder(s) .............................118
Customer Assistance ................225
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................252
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................252
Getting roadside assistance ...225Getting the service you
need .........................................248
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................253
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................251
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .........................................38
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................290
engine oil .................................267
Driving under special
conditions ..................215, 220, 222
sand .........................................221
snow and ice ...........................223
through water .................221, 224
E
Electronic message center .........67
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................241
Emission control system ..........286
Engine ........................................297
cleaning ...................................257
coolant .....................................273
fail-safe cooling .......................277
idle speed control ...................271
lubrication specifications .......295
refill capacities ........................295
service points ..................264–265
starting after a collision .........226
Engine block heater .................202
Engine oil ..................................267
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................267
checking and adding ..............267
dipstick ....................................267
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
303

filter, specifications ........270, 293
recommendations ...................270
refill capacities ........................295
specifications ..........................295
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................202
F
Fail safe cooling ........................277
Floor mats ...................................76
Fluid capacities .........................295
Fog lamps ....................................38
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................219
Fuel ............................................278
calculating fuel
economy ............................68, 283
cap ...........................................281
capacity ...................................295
choosing the right fuel ...........282
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................286
detergent in fuel .....................283
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................278, 281, 284
filter, specifications ........278, 293
fuel pump shut-off switch .....226
improving fuel economy ........283
octane rating ...................282, 297
quality ......................................282
running out of fuel .................283
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................278
Fuses ..................................227–228G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............281
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................283
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................226
Head restraints .........................115
Headlamps ...................................37
aiming ........................................39
autolamp system .......................37
bulb specifications ....................43
daytime running lights .............38
flash to pass ..............................38
high beam .................................38
replacing bulbs .........................44
turning on and off ....................37
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................32
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................63
Hood ..........................................263
I
Ignition ...............................199, 297
Illuminated visor mirror .............51
Infant seats (see Safety
seats) .........................................152
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................288
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................258
cluster ........................................12
2009 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
304