
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle may reduce fuel economy at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example; bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
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Maintenance and Specifications
271

POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the service
interval schedules.
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 toMaintenance
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.
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Maintenance and Specifications
275

Peace of mind
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
Wheel locks
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems — such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
•To avoid interference with other vehicle functions, such as anti-lock
braking systems, amateur radio users who install radios and antennas
onto their vehicle should not locate the Amateur Radio Antennas in
the area of the driver’s side hood.
•Electrical or electronic accessories or components that are added to
the vehicle by the authorized dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
2009 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide
USA(fus)
Accessories
286

A
Accessory delay ..........................58
AdvanceTrac ..............................192
Air cleaner filter ...............278–279
Air conditioning ....................31, 33
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................126, 135, 138
and child safety seats ............128
description ..............126, 135, 138
disposal ....................................141
driver airbag ............128, 136, 139
indicator light .........134, 137, 140
operation .................128, 136, 139
passenger airbag .....128, 136, 139
side airbag ...............................135
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................203
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................258
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................190–191
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 .................................199
fluid, adding ............................276
fluid, checking ........................276
fluid, refill capacities ..............280
fluid, specification ..................280
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....23
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........280
B
Battery .......................................256acid, treating emergencies .....256
jumping a disabled battery ....225
maintenance-free ....................256
replacement, specifications ...279
servicing ..................................256
Belt-Minder.............................121
Booster seats .............................154
Brakes ........................................190
anti-lock ...........................190–191
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................191
fluid, checking and adding ....275
fluid, refill capacities ..............280
fluid, specifications .................280
lubricant specifications ..........280
parking ....................................191
shift interlock ..........................198
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................42
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....280
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................218
Child safety seats ......................145
attaching with tether straps ..151
in front seat ............................146
in rear seat ..............................146
LATCH .....................................149
recommendations ...................143
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................154
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............243
instrument panel ....................245
interior .....................................245
plastic parts ............................244
washing ....................................241
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Index
287

waxing .....................................242
wheels ......................................242
wiper blades ............................244
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......31, 33
Clock ............................................55
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................73
Console
overhead ....................................54
Controls
power seat ...............................105
steering column ........................63
Coolant
checking and adding ..............258
refill capacities ................261, 280
specifications ..........................280
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................60
Cupholder(s) .............................112
Customer Assistance ................210
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................237
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................238
Getting roadside assistance ...210
Getting the service you
need .........................................233
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................239
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................237
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................38Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................276
engine oil .................................252
Driving under special
conditions ..................201, 204, 207
sand .........................................205
snow and ice ...........................208
through water .................206, 209
E
Electronic message center .........70
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................225
Emission control system ..........272
Engine ........................................282
cleaning ...................................243
coolant .....................................258
fail-safe cooling .......................262
idle speed control ...................256
lubrication specifications .......280
refill capacities ........................280
service points ..................250–251
starting after a collision .........212
Engine block heater .................188
Engine oil ..................................252
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................252
checking and adding ..............252
dipstick ....................................252
filter, specifications ........255, 279
recommendations ...................255
refill capacities ........................280
specifications ..........................280
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................188
F
Fail safe cooling ........................262
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Index
288

Fluid capacities .........................280
Foglamps .....................................38
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................203
Fuel ............................................264
calculating fuel
economy ............................72, 269
cap ...........................................266
capacity ...................................280
choosing the right fuel ...........267
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................272
detergent in fuel .....................268
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................264, 266, 269
filter, specifications ........263, 279
fuel pump shut-off switch .....212
improving fuel economy ........269
octane rating ...................267, 282
quality ......................................267
running out of fuel .................268
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................264
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......212
Fuses ..................................212–213
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............266
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................269
Gauges .........................................14
H
Hazard flashers .........................211
Headlamps ...................................37
aiming ........................................40
autolamp system .......................37
bulb specifications ....................42daytime running lights .............38
flash to pass ..............................39
high beam .................................39
replacing bulbs .........................44
turning on and off ....................37
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................31, 33
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................67
Hood ..........................................249
I
Ignition ...............................185, 282
Illuminated visor mirror .............53
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................145
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................274
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................245
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................39
J
Jack ............................................218
positioning ...............................218
storage .....................................218
Jump-starting your vehicle ......225
K
Keyless entry system .................95
autolock .....................................83
keypad .......................................95
locking and unlocking doors ....96
programming entry code .........95
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Index
289

Relays ........................................212
Remote entry system ...........88–89
illuminated entry ................93–94
locking/unlocking doors .....89–90
opening the trunk .....................90
opening the windows ...............90
panic alarm ...............................90
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................92
replacing the batteries .............91
Reverse sensing system ...........201
Roadside assistance ..................210
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........112, 115, 117–120
Safety Canopy ...........................135
Safety defects, reporting ..239–240
Safety
restraints ...........112, 115, 117–120
Belt-Minder...........................121
extension assembly ................120
for adults .........................117–119
for children .............................141
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................113
warning light and
chime ...............................120–121
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................149
Safety seats for children ..........145
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................283
Satellite Radio Information ........27
Seats ..........................................102
child safety seats ....................145
climate control ........................109front seats ...............................108
heated ........................................31
memory seat .....................91, 108
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................96
Servicing your vehicle ..............248
Side air curtain .........................138
Spark plugs, specifications ......279,
282
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................280
Speed control ..............................60
Starting your vehicle ........185–187
jump starting ..........................225
Steering wheel
controls ......................................63
tilting .........................................53
SYNC ............................................30
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....173
Tires ...........................158–159, 218
alignment ................................166
care ..........................................162
changing ..................................218
checking the pressure ............162
inflating ...................................160
label .........................................172
replacing ..................................164
rotating ....................................166
safety practices .......................165
sidewall information ...............167
snow tires and chains ............178
spare tire .................................219
terminology .............................159
2009 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide
USA(fus)
Index
291