2012 LINCOLN MKS Owners Manual

If the front end of the vehicle is hit or damaged, the radar sensing zone
may be altered causing missed or false collision warnings. Check with
your authorized dealer to have your collision warning radar checked for
proper coverage and operation.
WARNING:The collision warning system’s brake support can
only help reduce the speed at which a collision occurs if the
driver applies the vehicle’s brakes. The brake pedal must be pressed
just like any typical braking situation.
Blocked sensor
If a message regarding a blocked
sensor is displayed, the radar signals
from the sensor, located behind a
fascia cover near the driver side of
the lower grille, have been
obstructed. When the radar signals
are obstructed, a vehicle ahead
cannot be detected and the collision
warning system will not function.
The following table lists possible causes and actions for this message
being displayed.
Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the
grille is dirty or obstructed in
some wayClean the grille surface in front of
the radar or remove the object
causing the obstruction
The surface of the radar in the
grille is clean but the message
remains in the displayWait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer obstructed
Heavy rain, spray, snow, or fog is
interfering with the radar signalsThe collision warning system is
temporarily disabled. Collision
warning should automatically
reactivate a short time after the
weather conditions improve.
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signalsThe collision warning system is
temporarily disabled. Collision
warning should automatically
reactivate a short time after the
weather conditions improve.
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Activating/deactivating collision warning system
To turn the warning system and/or chime on or off and set the warning
sensitivity <– –>, refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off in a MyKeyequipped vehicle,
refer toMyKeyin theLocks and Securitychapter for more
information.
Note:If collision warnings are perceived as being too frequent or
disturbing then the warning sensitivity can be reduced, though the
manufacturer recommends using the highest sensitivity setting where
possible. Setting lower sensitivity would lead to fewer and later system
warnings. Refer to theMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for instructions on reducing the sensitivity.
BLIND SPOT MIRRORS (IF EQUIPPED)
Blind spot mirrors have an integrated convex spotter mirror built into
the upper outboard corner of the outside mirrors. They are designed to
assist the driver by increasing visibility along the side of the vehicle. For
more information on your side view mirrors, refer toExterior mirrorsin
theDriver Controlschapter.
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Driving with blind spot mirrors
Before a lane change, check the
main mirror first, then check the
blind spot mirror. If no vehicles are
present in the blind spot mirror and
the traffic in the adjacent lane is at
a safe distance, signal that you are
going to change lanes. Glance over
your shoulder to verify traffic is
clear, and carefully change lanes.
When the approaching vehicle is at
a distance, its image is small and
near the inboard edge of the main
mirror. As the vehicle approaches,
the image becomes larger and
begins to move outboard across the
main mirror (1). As the vehicle
approaches its image will transition
from the main mirror and begin to
appear in the blind spot mirror (2).
As the vehicle leaves the blind spot
mirror it will transition to the driver’s peripheral field of view (3).
WARNING:Objects in the blind spot mirror are closer than they
appear.
3
2
1
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BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS) WITH CROSS
TRAFFIC ALERT (CTA) (IF EQUIPPED)
The BLISis a convenience feature
that aids the driver in assessing
whether a vehicle is within an area
on either side of the vehicle
extending rearward from the outside
mirrors to approximately 10 feet
(3 meters) beyond the bumper. This
area is referred to as the blind zone.
The BLISwill alert the driver to
the presence of motorized vehicles
in these areas while driving on roads
and freeways.
The system is not designed to
prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects. The system is designed
to provide a warning to assist the
driver in detecting vehicles in the blind zones. The system will not detect
infrastructure, pedestrians, or cyclists.
WARNING:To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLISas a
replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors and looking
over your shoulder before changing lanes. BLISis not a replacement
for careful driving and only an assist.
The BLISand CTA has a yellow
indicator (also referred to as the
alert) located in the left and right
exterior mirrors. When the vehicle is
started, the BLISautomatically
illuminates both indicators for
several seconds indicating the
system is operating. The first time
you place the transmission in D (Drive) after starting the engine and
drive forward at a speed greater than 3 mph (5 km/h) the BLISsystem
becomes active. Afterwards, the BLISremains active for all speeds
including zero mph. BLISis also active if the transmission is placed in N
(Neutral). If the transmission is shifted out of D (Drive) or N (Neutral)
the system will enter the CTA mode (see CTA operation below). Once
shifted back into D (Drive) the BLISmode will activate once driven
above 3 mph (5 km/h).
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The BLISwill trigger the alert for vehicles that enter your blind zone
from the rear or merge into the blind zone from the side. Vehicles that
you pass, or a vehicle that enters the blind zone from the front, will
trigger the alert only after the vehicle is present in the blind zone for
three seconds.Note:For vehicles that pass through the blind zone
quickly, typically less than two seconds, the BLISwill not illuminate the
alert.
The BLISconsists of two radar
sensors each located rearward of
the rear wheels hidden behind the
bumper fascia. Do not place any
type of bumper sticker in this area.
Note:The BLIStypically will not
detect parked vehicles, humans,
animals, or infrastructure (fences,
guard rails, trees, etc.). The BLIS
does not function when the transmission is in R (Reverse) or P (Park).
The BLISdoes not provide any additional warning when your turn
signal is activated.
BLISdetection limitations:Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where vehicles entering and exiting the
blind spot zones may not be detected. Below is a list of circumstances
that may cause non-detection:
•Debris build-up on the rear quarter panel fascias
•Certain maneuvering of vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone
•Vehicles passing through the blind zone at very fast rates
•Severe weather conditions
•When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone.
BLISFalse Alerts
Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances
when the BLISwill alert with no object present in the blind zone. This
is known as a false alert. Some level of false alerts are normal.
Circumstances that may cause a false alert are; guardrails, freeway
concrete walls, cyclone fencing, sharp turns around a pole or building, or
coming to a stop with a vehicle directly behind but very close. False
alerts are temporary and self correct.
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Cross traffic alert (CTA) system operation
The CTA system warns the driver of approaching vehicles when R
(Reverse) is selected and the vehicle is backing out of a front-in parking
spot. It sounds a series of tones and flashes the BLISindicator found on
the exterior mirror on the side of the approaching vehicle. Additionally,
the message center will display either, VEHICLE COMING FROM RIGHT
or VEHICLE COMING FROM LEFT to warn the driver from which
direction vehicles are approaching.
The system is not designed to prevent contact with other vehicles or
objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to assist the driver
in detecting vehicles in the blind zones. The system will not detect
infrastructure, pedestrians, or bicyclists.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, NEVER use the CTA
system as a replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors
and looking over your shoulder before backing out of a parking space.
CTA is not a replacement for careful driving and only an assist.
The CTA system detects vehicles approaching up to 45 feet (14 meters)
away. Coverage decreases when vehicles and objects in close proximity
block the CTA sensors (refer to figure for approximate zone coverage
areas[sensor obstructed for vehicle on left]). Backing slowly from
the parking spot in these situations helps to increase the sensor coverage
and effectiveness.
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CTA coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles (refer to
figure for approximate zone coverage areas[sensor obstructed for
vehicle on left]).
CTA detection limitations:Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where vehicles entering and exiting the
blind spot zones may not be detected. Below is a list of circumstances
that may cause non-detection:
•Debris build-up on the rear quarter panel fascias
•The rear quarter panel radar beams are obstructed or partially
obstructed by an adjacently parked vehicle or object.
•Approaching vehicles passing at speeds greater than 15 mph
(24 km/h)
•Severe weather conditions
•Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph (5 km/h)
•Backing out of an angled parking spot
CTA false alerts
Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances
when the BLISwill alert with no object present when backing up. This
is known as a false alert. Some level of false alerts are normal.
Circumstances that may cause a false alert when backing up are backing
out of a garage, backing into a parking space, and objects very close to
the sensor. False alerts are temporary and self correct.
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CTA and reverse sensing system (RSS) interaction
CTA works along with the reverse sensing system (RSS) (if equipped).
Become familiar with the warning tones of both systems.
BLISand/or CTA on/off and disable operation
The BLISand/or the CTA can be turned off via the message center. If
either the BLISand/or the CTA is turned off, the systems will
automatically turn back on at the next ignition key cycle. When either
the BLISand/or the CTA is turned off, the message center displays
BLIND SPOT SYS OFF and/or CTA SYSTEM OFF. When the BLIS
and/or the CTA system is off, the driver will not receive alerts. Refer to
Message centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKeyin theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
The BLISand/or the CTA can be disabled permanently even after an
ignition key cycle. This must be done by your authorized dealer.Note:
Once either of the systems are disabled, enabling must also be performed
at the dealership. When disabled, the message center will display BLIND
SPOT DISABLED and/or CTA DISABLED.
BLISand/or CTA fault operation
If the BLISand/or CTA senses a fault on either the left or right sensor,
the BLISalert indicator will go on and remain on and the message
center will display BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT or CROSS TRAFFIC
SYSTEM FAULT. For faults that may cause the associated left or right
alert indicator not to illuminate, only the message center faults will
occur.
Blocked sensor
An extreme build-up of materials on
the quarter panel fascias such as
mud or snow can cause degraded
performance of the BLIS. Also,
heavy rain can cause the same
effect. The BLIScan detect this
degraded performance and issue a
blocked warning to the driver via
the message center. If a condition is determined by the system, the
message center displays BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE or CROSS
TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE warning and the appropriate left and/or right
exterior mirror alert indicator will illuminate. The message center
warning may be cleared by the driver but the exterior mirror alert
indicator will remain illuminated.
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