2010 LINCOLN MKZ four wheel drive

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
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 or (L) when possible. L (Low) 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.
2010 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
228

When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have
to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore apply the brakes steadily. Do
not “pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transmission damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
2010 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
230

your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2010 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
231

fail-safe cooling .......................284
idle speed control ...................278
lubrication specifications .......302
refill capacities ........................302
service points ..........................272
starting after a collision .........233
Engine block heater .................201
Engine oil ..................................274
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................274
checking and adding ..............274
dipstick ....................................274
filter, specifications ........277, 301
recommendations ...................277
refill capacities ........................302
specifications ..........................302
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................201
F
Fail safe cooling ........................284
Floor mats ...................................87
Fluid capacities .........................302
Fog lamps ....................................54
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................226
Fuel ............................................286
calculating fuel
economy ............................20, 291
cap ...........................................288
capacity ...................................302
choosing the right fuel ...........289
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................294
detergent in fuel .....................290
filler funnel .............................290
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................286, 288, 291filter, specifications ........285, 301
fuel pump shut-off switch .....233
improving fuel economy ........291
octane rating ...................289, 305
quality ......................................289
running out of fuel .........248, 290
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................286
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......233
Fuses ..................................234–235
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............288
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................291
Gauges .........................................17
H
Hazard flashers .........................233
Headlamps ...................................53
aiming ........................................56
autolamp system .......................53
bulb specifications ....................59
daytime running lights .............54
flash to pass ..............................55
high beam .................................55
replacing bulbs .........................61
turning on and off ....................53
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................45, 48
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................83
Hood ..........................................271
I
Ignition ...............................198, 305
2010 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
315