Page 2 of 345
Locks and Security 89
Keys 89
Locks 95
Anti-theft system 108
Seating and Safety Restraints 114
Seating 114
Safety restraints 127
Airbags 142
Child restraints 157
Tires, Wheels and Loading 175
Tire information 175
Tire inflation 177
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 190
Vehicle loading 194
Trailer towing 200
Recreational towing 200
Driving 202
Starting 202
Brakes 207
AdvanceTrac209
Transmission operation 215
Reverse sensing system 218
Rear-view camera system 220
Roadside Emergencies 236
Getting roadside assistance 236
Hazard flasher switch 237
Fuel pump shut-off switch 237
Fuses and relays 238
Changing tires 245
Wheel lug nut torque 251
Jump starting 253
Wrecker towing 256
Table of Contents
2
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 15 of 345

AdvanceTrac/traction control:
Illuminates when the
AdvanceTrac/traction control is
active. If the light remains on, have
the system serviced immediately,
refer to theDrivingchapter for more information.
AdvanceTrac/traction control
off light:Illuminates when the
AdvanceTrac/traction control has
been disabled by the driver. Refer to
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains on at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned on, the light will illuminate for three seconds
to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn on or begins to
flash, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more
information on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Speed control:Illuminates when
the speed control is engaged. Turns
off when the speed control system
is disengaged.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLockpassive anti-theft
system has been activated.
Throttle control/transmission
(RTT):Illuminates in the message
center display when a powertrain or
a AWD fault has been detected.
Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
OFF
Instrument Cluster
15
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 24 of 345

REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL FILL INLET— Displayed when the fuel fill inlet may
not be properly closed. Refer toEasy Fuel™ “no cap” fuel systemin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the reverse sensing system (park aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse sensing system (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT— The power steering system
has disabled power steering assist due to a system error, service is
required.
SERVICE POWER STEERING— The power steering system has
detected a condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition within the power steering system that requires
service immediately.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service.
TRUNK AJAR— Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
Instrument Cluster
24
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 50 of 345

VOICE COMMANDS IN CLIMATE MODE
Please refer to theVoice commands in climate modesection of the
Navigation systemsupplement for more information on using voice
commands with the climate control system.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build-up on the windshield during humid weather,
select
(defrost).
•To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
system off, or with
(recirculated air) engaged and A/C off.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2-3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
•A small amount of air may be felt from the floor vent regardless of the
air distribution setting that is selected.
During extreme high ambient temperatures when idling stationary for
extended periods of time in gear, it is recommended to run the A/C in
the MAX A/C mode, reduce blower fan speed from the highest setting
and put the vehicle’s transmission in P (Park) to continue to receive cool
air from your A/C system.
For maximum cooling performance:
•Automatic operation:
1. Press AUTO for full automatic operation.
2. Do not override A/C or
(recirculated air).
3. Set the temperature to 60°F (16°C).
•Manual operation:
1. Select MAX A/C.
2. Select
(panel) or(panel/floor).
3. Select
(recirculated air) to provide colder airflow.
4. Set the temperature to 60°F (16°C).
5. Set highest fan speed initially, then adjust to maintain comfort.
Climate Controls
50
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 55 of 345

To activate:
•the ignition must be in the on position,
•the headlamp control is in the off, autolamps or parking lamp position
and
•the transmission must be out of the P (Park) position.
WARNING:Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not
provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate
your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
lit components in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
•Tapthetoporbottomofthe
control to brighten/dim all interior
lit components incrementally, or
•Press and hold the top or bottom of the control until the desired
lighting level is reached.
•Press and hold the top of the control to the full on position to activate
the “dome on” feature. This will turn on the interior courtesy lights.
The lights will remain on until the bottom of the control is pressed.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
Lights
55
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 97 of 345

Keyless entry keypad procedure
1. Turn the ignition to the off
position.
2. Close all the doors.
3. Enter factory–set 5–digit entry
code.
4. Press and hold the 3•4. While holding the 3•4pressthe7•8.
5. Release the 7•8.
6. Release the 3•4.
The user should receive ahorn chirpto indicate the system has been
disabled or a chirp followed by a honk to indicate the system has been
enabled.
Autounlock feature
The autounlock feature will unlock all the doors when:
•the ignition is in the on position, all the doors are closed, and the
vehicle has been in motion at a speed greater than 12 mph (20 km/h);
•the vehicle has then come to a stop and the ignition is turned to the
off or accessory position; and
•the driver door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being
transitioned to the off or accessory position.
Note:The doors will not autounlock if the vehicle has been
electronically locked before the driver door is opened.
Note:The autounlock feature is disabled on vehicles equipped with a
manual transmission.
Deactivating/activating autounlock feature
Your vehicle comes with the autounlock features activated; there are four
methods to enable/disable this feature:
•Through your authorized dealer,
•by using a power door unlock/lock sequence, or
•using a keypad procedure, or
•by using the instrument cluster message center. Refer toMessage
centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Note:The autounlock feature can be activated/deactivated
independently of the autolock feature.
Locks and Security
97
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 121 of 345
•The filter can be accessed from the 2nd row foot-well area. Move the
front seats all the way to the full front and full up positions to ease
access.
To remove an air filter:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Push up on the outside rigid edge
of the filter and rotate toward the
front of the vehicle once tabs are
released.
•Remove filter.
To install a filter:
•First, position the filter in its
housing making sure that the far
forward end is all the way up in
the housing. Then push in on the
center of the outside edge of the
filter and rotate up into the
housing until it clips into position.
Easy access/easy out feature
This feature automatically moves the driver’s seat rearward 2 in (5 cm)
when:
•the transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
•the key is removed from the ignition
The seat will move to the original position when:
•the transmission is in N (Neutral) or P (Park)
Seating and Safety Restraints
121
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 198 of 345
•Example only:
WARNING:Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label
vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
198
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)