WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Speed dependent wipers (if
equipped):When the wiper control
is set to any of the interval settings
except the longest pause setting, the pause time between wiping will
automatically adjust with the vehicle speed. The faster your vehicle is
travelling the shorter the pause time between wipes will become.
Rain-sensing wipers (if equipped):The rain-sensing wipers,
designated with AUTO on the control, will automatically activate when
moisture is present on the windshield and the control is set to one of
five auto/interval moisture sensitivity settings. Rotate the end of the
control toward the windshield to increase the sensitivity. The speed of
the rain-sensing wipers will vary based on the amount of moisture
detected on the windshield and the auto/interval setting. There are no
interval (intermittent wipe) settings on vehicles with rain-sensing wipers.
The wipers will continue to wipe as long as the presence of moisture is
detected on the windshield. More or less wiping may occur depending on
humidity, mist or light rain, or road spray.
This feature can be enabled/disabled through the message center. Refer
toMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Keep the outside of the windshield clean, especially the area around the
rear view mirror where the sensor is located or rain sensor performance
may be affected.
Note:During winter driving conditions with ice, snow or a salty road
mist, inconsistent or unexpected wiping or smearing may occur. In these
conditions, you can lower the sensitivity to reduce the amount of
smearing or override the feature by selecting low- or high-speed wiping
or turning the wiper system off.
Note:The rain-sensing wiper feature must be turned off before entering
a car wash.
2
1
0
Driver Controls
58
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Window lock
The window lock feature allows only
the driver and front passenger to
operate the power windows.
To lock out all the window controls
(except for the driver and front
passenger) press the right side of
the control. Press the left side to
restore the window controls.
Accessory delay
With accessory delay, the window switches, audio system and moon roof
(if equipped) may be used for up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off or until either front door is opened.
INTERIOR MIRROR
The interior rearview mirror has two pivot points on the support arm
which lets you adjust the mirror up or down and from side to side.
WARNING:Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
Automatic dimming interior rear view mirror
The interior rear view mirror and a driver’s side exterior mirror have an
auto-dimming function. The electronic day/night mirrors will change from
the normal (high reflective) state to the non-glare (darkened) state
when bright lights (glare) reach the interior mirror. When the interior
mirror detects bright light from behind the vehicle, the interior rear view
mirror and the driver’s side exterior mirror will automatically adjust
(darken) to minimize glare.
The mirrors will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) to ensure a bright clear view when
backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the interior
rear view mirror since this may impair proper mirror
performance.
Note:A rear center passenger and/or raised rear center headrest (if
equipped) may also block the light from reaching the sensor.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Driver Controls
66
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
EXTERIOR MIRRORS
Power side view mirrors
WARNING:Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is in
motion.
To adjust your mirrors:
1. Rotate the control clockwise to
adjust the right mirror and rotate
the control counterclockwise to
adjust the left mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.
Memory feature
The power side view mirror positions are saved when doing a memory
set and can be recalled using the memory feature. Refer toFront seats
in theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter.
Automatic dimming feature
The driver’s side view mirror has an auto-dimming function. For more
information, refer toAutomatic dimming interior rear view mirrorin
this chapter.
Heated outside mirrors
Both mirrors are heated
automatically to remove ice, mist
and fog when the rear window
defrost is activated.
Do not remove ice from the
mirrors with a scraper or
attempt to readjust the mirror
glass if it is frozen in place.
These actions could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Driver Controls
67
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
The visual park aid alert options are ON and OFF.
Note:The reverse sensing system is not effective at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angular or moving objects.
•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
•(5) Center line of vehicle
Always use caution while backing. Objects in the red zone (2) are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the green zone (4) are further away.
Objects are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green
zone (4) to the yellow (3) or red zones (2). Use the side mirrors and
rearview mirror to get better coverage on both sides and rear of the
vehicle.
When towing, the reverse camera system will only see what is being
towed behind the vehicle. This might not provide adequate coverage as it
usually provides in normal operation and some objects might not be
seen.
Fixed guidelines and visual park aid alert features are only available
when the vehicle is in R (Reverse).
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse) and the liftgate is ajar, no rear video
camera features will be displayed. A message will be displayed on the
touchscreen if the liftgate is ajar.
After activating or deactivating a rear video camera feature, the
touchscreen will show a preview of the feature(s) selected.
Manual zoom
The manual zoom feature assists drivers with connecting their vehicle to
a trailer for the purpose of towing. It allows the driver to manually zoom
closer to an object behind the vehicle. The zoomed image keeps the
bumper in the image area to provide a reference.
Press
orto manually adjust the zoom levels. You can choose from
OFF, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The selected level will appear between
the buttons (i.e. Level 1). When activating manual zoom mode, the
system always starts from OFF.
Driving
234
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
When enabled, Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 will only be active while the
vehicle is in R (Reverse). The feature disables outside of R (Reverse)
and must be re-enabled the next time the vehicle shifts into R (Reverse).
Rear camera delay
After shifting out of R (Reverse) and into any gear other than P (Park),
the image will remain until the vehicle speed reaches six mph (10 km/h).
This will only occur if the rear camera delay feature is on, or until any
radio button is selected.
The default setting for the rear camera delay is ON. To turn this feature
on or off when the vehicle is not in R (Reverse), do the following:
1. Select Menu
2. Select Vehicle
3. Select Rear View Camera
The rear camera delay options are ON and OFF.
The camera lens for the reverse camera system is located on the liftgate.
Keep the lens clean so the video image remains clear and undistorted.
Clean the lens with a soft, lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
Note:If the camera system image is not clear or seems distorted, it may
be covered with water droplets, snow, mud or any other substance. If
this occurs, clean the camera lens before using the camera system.
WARNING:The rearview camera system is a reverse aid
supplement device that still requires the driver to use it in
conjunction with the rearview mirror and the side mirrors for
maximum coverage.
WARNING:Objects that are close to either corner of the
bumper or under the bumper, might not be seen on the screen
due to the limited coverage of the camera system.
WARNING:Backup as slow as possible since higher speeds
might limit your reaction time to stop the vehicle.
WARNING:When manual zoom is enabled (Level 1, Level 2 or
Level 3), the full area behind the vehicle will not be shown. Be
aware of your surroundings when using the manual zoom feature.
Driving
235
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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).
Driving
241
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
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.
Driving
243
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
WARNING:Just prior to the system recognizing a blocked
condition and alerting the driver, the number of missed objects
will increase. 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.
Once the blockage is removed, the system will require some driving time
and detection of at least two vehicle objects prior to resetting or the
driver can cycle the ignition key. If, however, blockage is still present
after the key cycle, the system will sense again that it is blocked after
driving in traffic.
The following table lists possible causes and actions for this message
being displayed:
The surface of the radar is
dirty or obstructed in some
wayClean the fascia area in front of the
radar, either side, or remove
obstruction.
The surface of the radar is not
dirty or obstructedDrive normally in traffic for a few
minutes to allow the radar to detect
that it is no longer blocked.Note:The
vehicle must be in D (Drive) and a
few vehicles must pass so that the
BLIScan clear a blocked state.
Heavy rainfall or heavy
snowfall is interfering with the
radar signalsNo action required by the driver. The
system will automatically reset to an
unblocked state once the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or
stops. Do not use BLISand/or CTA in
heavy rainfall or heavy snowfall.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blockage
warning and not be blocked. This is rare and known as a false blockage
warning. A false blocked condition will either self clear or clear after a
key cycle.
Trailer tow false alerts
When towing a trailer, the sensors may detect the trailer thus causing a
false alert. It may be desirable to turn the BLISoff if the false alerts
become annoying.
Driving
246
2012 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)