
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)

A programmed memory position can be recalled:
•in any gearshift position if the ignition isnoton.
•only in P (Park) or N (Neutral) if the ignition is on.
A memory seat position may be programmed at any time.
The memory positions are also recalled when you press your remote
entry transmitter
button (if the transmitter is programmed to a
memory position) or, when you enter a valid personal entry code that is
programmed to a memory position. The mirrors will move to the
programmed position and the seat will move to the easy entry position.
The seat will move to the final position when the key is in the ignition (if
easy entry feature is enabled).
Heated and cooled seats
Heated seats
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical
conditions, must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat
heater may cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used
for long periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that
insulates against heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may
cause the seat heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins,
needles, or other pointed objects because this may damage the heating
element which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated
seat may cause serious personal injury.
Note:Do not do the following:
•Place heavy objects on the seat
•Operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
The heated seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the heated seats:
Press once to activate the high heat setting (three indicator lights).
Continue pressing to scroll through the other settings; medium heat (two
indicator lights), low heat (one indicator light) or off.
Seating and Safety Restraints
119
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•DATC system
•Navigation-based system
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the heated seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
Cooled seats
The cooled seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the cooled seats:
Press once to activate the high cool setting (three indicator lights).
Continue pressing to scroll through the other settings; medium cool (two
indicator lights), low cool (one indicator light) or off.
•DATC system
•Navigation-based system
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the cooled seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
Climate controlled seats air filter replacement (if equipped)
The climate controlled seat system includes air filters that must be
replaced periodically. Refer to theScheduled maintenance information
for more information.
•There is a filter located under
each front seat.
A/C
Seating and Safety Restraints
120
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•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)

•the key is placed in the ignition.
The easy entry feature can be turned off or on through the vehicle
message center. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
REAR SEATS
Second-row adjustable head restraints
Your vehicle is equipped with outboard and center head restraints that
are vertically adjustable.
WARNING:To minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a
crash, the driver and passenger occupants should not sit in
and/or operate the vehicle, until the head restraint is placed in its
proper position. The driver should never adjust the head restraint
while the vehicle is in motion.
Outboard head restraints
The outboard adjustable head
restraints consist of:
•a trimmed energy absorbing foam
and structure (1),
•two steel stems (2),
•a guide sleeve adjust/release
button (3),
•and a guide sleeve unlock/remove
button (4).
To adjust the outboard head restraints, do the following:
1. Raise the head restraint by pulling up on the head restraint.
2. Lower the head restraint by pressing and holding the guide sleeve
adjust/release button and pushing down on the head restraint.
Properly adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head restraint is
even with the top of your head and positioned as close as possible to the
back of your head. For occupants of extremely tall stature, adjust the
head restraint to its full up position.
1
2
3
4
Seating and Safety Restraints
122
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Fold the seatback(s) down.
Note:If the front seats interfere
with folding the seatbacks, you will
need to remove the rear seat head
restraints. To remove the rear seat
head restraints, see removal
instructions underSecond-row
adjustable head restraintsin this
chapter.
WARNING:Before returning the seatback to its original
position, make sure that cargo or any objects are not trapped
behind the seatback. After returning the seatback to its original
position, pull on the seatback to ensure that it has fully latched. An
unlatched seat may become dangerous in the event of a sudden stop or
collision.
Make sure that the safety belt for the rear center passenger is properly
routed over the rear seatback.
Seating and Safety Restraints
126
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Front passenger sensing system
For airbags to do their job they must inflate with great force, and this
force can pose a potentially deadly risk to occupants that are very close
to the airbag when it begins to inflate. For some occupants, this occurs
because they are initially sitting very close to the airbag. For other
occupants, this occurs when the occupant is not properly restrained by
safety belts or child safety seats and they move forward during pre-crash
braking. The most effective way to reduce the risk of unnecessary
injuries is to make sure all occupants are properly restrained. Accident
statistics suggest that children are much safer when properly restrained
in the rear seating positions than in the front.
WARNING:Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
NEVERplace a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air
bag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move
the seat all the way back.
WARNING:Always transport children 12 years old and under in
the back seat and always properly use appropriate child
restraints.
The front passenger sensing system can automatically turn off the front
passenger airbag and passenger seat-mounted side airbag. The system is
designed to help protect small (child size) occupants from frontal airbag
deployments when they are seated or restrained in the front passenger
seat contrary to proper child-seating or restraint usage
recommendations. Even with this technology, parents areSTRONGLY
encouraged to always properly restrain children in the rear seat. The
sensor also turns off the passenger front airbag and passenger
seat-mounted side airbag when the passenger seat is empty and the
safety belt is unbuckled, or when a child or a small person occupies the
front passenger seat and the safety belt is unbuckled.
Front safety belt usage sensors
The front safety belt usage sensors detect whether or not the driver and
front outboard passenger safety belts are fastened. This information
allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the airbag deployment and
safety belt pretensioner activation depending upon safety belt usage.
Front safety belt pretensioners
The safety belt pretensioners at the front outboard seating positions are
designed to tighten the safety belts firmly against the occupant’s body
Seating and Safety Restraints
129
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit
where they can be properly restrained.
WARNING:Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a collision.
WARNING:All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver,
should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air
bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is provided.
WARNING:It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in
these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not
allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a safety belt properly.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
WARNING:Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific
safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one
tongue that are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt
on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the
arm. 2) Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside
shoulder. 3) Never use a single belt for more than one person.
WARNING:When possible, all children 12 years old and under
should be properly restrained in a rear seating position.
WARNING:Front and rear seat occupants, including pregnant
women, should wear safety belts for optimum protection in an
accident.
Seating and Safety Restraints
131
2011 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)