2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID brake

ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled and
the ABS light is on, normal braking
is still effective. If your BRAKE
warning lamp illuminates with the
parking brake released, have your
brake system serviced immediately.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance and does not
decrease the time necessary to apply the brakes.
Regenerative Braking System (RBS)
Your vehicle uses a feature known as regenerative braking. This is used
to simulate the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and
assist the standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of
motion and storing it in the battery to improve fuel economy. The
standard brake system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative
braking is not available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun
as a generator to create electrical current. This recharges the high
voltage battery and slows the vehicle. In effect, once the accelerator
pedal is released, the motor changes from an energy user to an energy
producer.
When the accelerator pedal is released or the brake pedal is applied, the
brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration
requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard
friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of
regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested
deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
Driving
227
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction
brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking has also been designed
to interact with the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Regenerative braking
is disabled when the ABS is activated or the battery is fully charged.
Brake over accelerator
This vehicle is equipped with a brake over accelerator feature. In the
event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, applying steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal will both slow the vehicle and
reduce engine power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the engine off, shift to P
(Park) and apply the parking brake, and then inspect the accelerator
pedal for any interferences. If none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized dealer.
Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
12
P!
BRAKE
Driving
228
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

ADVANCETRACSTABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with the AdvanceTracsystem. The
AdvanceTracsystem provides the following stability enhancement
features for certain driving situations:
•Traction control system (TCS), which functions to help avoid
drive-wheel spin and loss of traction.
•Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTracsystem. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac
system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far as possible from
the front center console, the tunnel, and the front seats in order to
minimize the risk of interfering with the AdvanceTracsensors. Reducing
the effectiveness of the AdvanceTracsystem could lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTracsystem is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this
could reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially
resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If your AdvanceTracsystem activates, SLOW DOWN.
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTracsystem, the stability control light will illuminate
steadily, and you may hear a chime. If equipped with a message center,
the vehicle will also indicate a failure with the brake system, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
The AdvanceTracsystem automatically enables each time the engine is
started. All features of the AdvanceTracsystem (TCS and ESC) are
active and monitor the vehicle from start-up. However, the system will
only intervene if the driving situation requires it.
Driving
229
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

The AdvanceTracsystem includes
a stability control switch on the
instrument panel, a stability control
light and a stability control off light
in the instrument cluster. Both the stability control light and the stability
control off light in the instrument cluster will illuminate temporarily
during start-up as part of a normal system self-check. The stability
control light may illuminate (flash) during certain driving situations
which cause the AdvanceTracsystem to operate. If the stability control
light illuminates steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized
dealer immediately. If equipped with a message center, the vehicle will
also indicate a failure with the AdvanceTracsystem.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKeyin theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
When AdvanceTracperforms a normal system self-check, some drivers
may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a rumble, grunting, or
grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTracyou may experience
the following:
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•The stability control light will flash.
•If your foot is on the brake pedal, a vibration in the pedal
•If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
•The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
Traction control system (TCS)
Traction control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem; engine traction control and brake traction
control. Engine traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Driving
230
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If TCS is activated excessively in a short period of time, the braking
portion of the system may become temporarily disabled to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, TCS will use only engine power
reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain all features.
Anti-lock braking and Electronic stability control (ESC) will continue to
function during the cool-down period.
The engine traction control and brake traction control systems may be
deactivated in certain situations. See theSwitching off AdvanceTrac
section below.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.
During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate ESC, which include but
are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
•Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
Switching off AdvanceTrac
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTracsystem may be
beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
To switch off the traction control
system, press the stability control
switch. Full features of the
AdvanceTracsystem can be
restored by pressing the stability control switch again or by turning off
and restarting the engine.
Driving
231
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

When the traction control system is off, the stability control off light will
illuminate steadily. Pressing the stability control switch again will turn off
the stability control off light.
In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine and brake traction control features
will continue to function; however, ESC is disabled.
AdvanceTracFeatures
Control
switch
functionsStability
control
lightStability
control off
lightESCTraction
control
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled
Control switch
pressed
momentarilyNot
illuminatedIlluminated
solidEnabled Disabled
Control switch
pressed again
after
deactivationNot
illuminatedNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric power steering (EPS) system.
There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Under extreme usage conditions, the steering effort may
increase. This occurs to prevent overheating and permanent damage to
your steering system. If this should occur, you will neither lose the ability
to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause permanent damage.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the system to cool and
steering assist will return to normal.
The EPS system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the
EPS system to ensure proper operation. When a system error is
detected, the following message SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE
POWER STEERING NOW or POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT may
display in the message center, refer to theMessage centerin theDriver
Controlschapter for more information.
Driving
232
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless the brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the
following procedure will allow you to move the gearshift lever from P
(Park):
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the
ignition key to the off position, and
remove the key.
2. Using a screwdriver (or similar
tool), carefully pry off and remove
the chrome trim ring (1) from the
shifter base.
3. Open the storage compartment
lid and carefully pry the trim panel
(2) up from rear attachments on the
storage compartment and disconnect it from the console to expose the
inside of the gearshift.
4. Locate the brake shift interlock
lever on the driver’s side of the
shifter assembly.
5. Apply the brake pedal. Using a
screwdriver (or similar tool), press
and hold the brake shift interlock
lever while pulling the gearshift
lever out of the P (Park) position
and into the N (Neutral) position.
6. Install the trim panel (2) and
chrome ring (1) in reverse order.
7. Apply brake pedal, start the vehicle, and release the parking brake.
See your authorized dealer as soon as possible if this procedure
is used.
1
2
Driving
234
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING:When doing this procedure, you will be taking the
vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking brake
prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (eCVT) OPERATION
Understanding the gearshift positions of the eCVT
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Release the parking brake
•Press the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and
securely latch it in P (Park)
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle
Driving
235
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)