
Disengaging speed control
To disengage speed control, tap the brake pedal or press CNCL. The
indicator
light on the instrument cluster will turn amber.
Disengaging the speed control will not erase the previous set speed.
Resuming a set speed
Press and release RSM. This will automatically return the vehicle to the
previously set speed.
Increasing speed while using speed control
To increase the set speed:
•Press and hold SET + until you get to the desired speed, then release.
You can also use SET + to operate the tap-up function. Press and
release SET + to increase the vehicle set speed in 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
increments.
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the desired speed then press and
release SET +.
Reducing speed while using speed control
To reduce the set speed:
•Press and hold – SET until you get to the desired speed, then release.
You can also use – SET to operate the tap-down function. Press and
release – SET to decrease the vehicle set speed by 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
increments.
•Press the brake pedal until the desired vehicle speed is reached then
press SET +.
Turning off speed control
To turn off the speed control, press OFF or turn off the ignition.
Note:When you turn off the speed control or the ignition, your speed
control set speed memory is erased.
Driver Controls
98
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Failure to inspect and replace if necessary the belt
and retractor assembly after an accident could increase the risk
of injury in a collision.
Safety belt locking modes
All safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder
belts. The driver safety belt has the first locking mode and the front
outboard passenger and rear seat safety belts have both types of locking
modes described as follows:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
In addition, the retractor is designed to lock if the webbing is pulled out
too quickly. If this occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull webbing
out again in a slow and controlled manner.
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic
locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
This mode should be usedany timea child safety seat, except a
booster, is installed in passenger front or rear seating positions. Children
12 years old and under should be properly restrained in a rear seating
position whenever possible. Refer toSafety restraints for childrenor
Safety seats for childrenlater in this chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
151
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an airbag” Airbags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK OUR
CRASH”.
WARNING:Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt or insert a
latchplate into the buckle to avoid the Belt-Minderchime. To
do so may adversely affect the performance of the vehicle’s airbag
system.
One-time disable
If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles the
safety belt for that seating position, the Belt-Minderis disabled for the
current ignition cycle. The Belt-Minderfeature will enable during the same
ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for approximately
30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one-time disable.
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minderfeature
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderare
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read Steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
Note: The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderfeatures must be
disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the
same key cycle.
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderfeatures can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set
•The gearshift is in P (Park)
Seating and Safety Restraints
157
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational (RV) towing.
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind
a motor home.
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
Note:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow
these instructions after it is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Your vehicle may be towed up to a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), but
you should always obey local speed limits.
You also have the option of trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on
a dolly, or trailering with all four wheels off the ground.
For other towing requirements, refer toWrecker towingin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
220
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. Off— locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal.Note:In
order to switch off the engine while
the vehicle is in motion, shift to
neutral and use the brakes to bring
the vehicle to a safe stop. After the
vehicle has stopped, turn the engine
off and shift into park. Then, turn
the key to the accessory or off position.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the vehicle is not running.
3. On— all electrical circuits operational and warning lights will
illuminate. This is the position the key is in when you’re driving.
4. Start— starts the vehicle and electrical power systems.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the electronically-controlled
Continuously Variable Transaxle (eCVT). For more information on
starting the vehicle, refer toStarting the vehiclein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Driving
221
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine’s idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in
order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure vehicle accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift lever is in
P (Park).
12
Driving
222
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

3. Once the “Ready Indicator Light” is on, release the parking brake,
apply the brake, shift into gear and drive.
Note:After the engine has started the first time, it may stop running to
conserve fuel after it is warmed-up and the battery is sufficiently
charged.
Note:If the vehicle does not start, put the gearshift lever into P (Park),
turn the ignition off, wait 10 seconds, then attempt to start the vehicle
again. If the vehicle still does not start, it may require refueling, jump
starting, or service. For information on jump starting the vehicle, refer to
Jump startingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating or
air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged
(cheater) adapters.
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt A/C electrical
source. The block heater system is most effective when outdoor
temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C).
Driving
224
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

How to use the engine block heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater will use .4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use. Your
factory installed block heater system does not have a thermostat;
however, maximum temperature is attained after approximately three
hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than three hours will
not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use additional
electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake application and compensates for this
tendency. Noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal pulsation
may be observed during ABS braking; any pulsation or mechanical noise
you may feel or hear is normal. In addition, the ABS performs a
self-check after you start the engine and begin to drive away. A brief
mechanical noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
226
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)