2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID key

Locks and Security 110
Keys 110
Locks 115
Anti-theft system 127
Seating and Safety Restraints 133
Seating 133
Personal Safety System™ 145
Safety belt system 148
Airbags 159
Child restraints 176
Tires, Wheels and Loading 194
Tire information 194
Tire inflation 196
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 209
Vehicle loading 213
Trailer towing 219
Recreational towing 220
Driving 221
Starting 221
Brakes 226
AdvanceTrac229
Transmission operation 235
Reverse sensing system 237
Rear-view camera system 239
Roadside Emergencies 249
Getting roadside assistance 249
Hazard flasher switch 250
Fuel pump shut-off 251
Fuses and relays 251
Changing tires 259
Wheel lug nut torque 265
Jump starting 266
Wrecker towing 269
Table of Contents
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

HYBRID OPERATION
This hybrid vehicle combines electric and gasoline propulsion without
compromise, to provide breakthrough performance and efficiency. It
requires no special fuels and never has to be plugged in. Familiarizing
yourself with these unique characteristics will help ensure optimal
performance from your new vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation
Starting:Turn the ignition key to
the start position while your vehicle
is in P (Park). The green “Ready
Indicator” light will appear in the
instrument cluster, letting you know
that the vehicle is ready for driving. The engine may not start because
this Hybrid vehicle is equipped with Silent Key Start (SKS). This fuel
saving feature allows your vehicle to be “ready to drive” without
requiring the gas engine to be running. This indicator will remain on
while the vehicle is on, whether the engine is running or not to indicate
the vehicle is capable of movement (using its electric motor, engine, or
both). The vehicle’s computer will determine if an engine start is
required. Typically, the engine will not start unless the vehicle is cold, a
climate control change is requested, or the accelerator is depressed.
Note:You may notice higher engine speeds upon start-up. This
temporary condition is normal and necessary to heat up the cabin and
minimize emissions.
Driving:The gas engine automatically starts and stops to provide power
when it’s needed and to save fuel when it’s not. While coasting at low
speeds, coming to a stop, or standing, the gas engine normally shuts
down and the vehicle operates in electric-only mode. Conditions that
may cause the engine to start up or remain running include:
•Considerable vehicle acceleration
•Vehicle speed above 47 mph (75 km/h)
•Ascending a hill
•Charge level of high voltage battery is low
•
Very high or low outside temperature (to provide system cooling/heating)
•Engine not warm enough to provide passenger requested cabin
temperature
Stopping:The gas engine may shut off to conserve fuel as you come to
a stop. Restarting the vehicle is not required. Simply step on the
accelerator when you are ready to drive.
Introduction
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

chapter and also refer toLow and high voltage battery — storagein
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Engine:The engine speed in your hybrid is not directly tied to your
vehicle speed. Your vehicle’s engine and transmission are designed to
deliver the power you need at the most efficient engine speed. During
heavy accelerations, your hybrid may reach high engine speeds (up to
6000 RPM). This is characteristic of the Atkinson cycle engine
technology helping to maximize your hybrid’s fuel economy.
In prolonged mountainous driving, you may see the engine tachometer
changing without your input. This is intentional and maintains the
battery charge level. You may also notice during extended downhill
driving that your engine continues to run instead of shutting off.
During this “engine braking”, the engine stays on, but it’s not using any
fuel. You may also hear a slight whine or whistle when operating your
vehicle. This is the normal operation of the electric generator in the
hybrid system.
During certain events (such as vehicle servicing) your low voltage
(underhood) battery may become disconnected or disabled. When this
occurs, and after reconnecting the low voltage (underhood) battery and
driving the vehicle, the engine may continue to operate for 3-5 seconds
after the key is turned to the off position. This is a normal condition, as
the vehicle’s computers are relearning the operating characteristics of
your particular engine in order to operate it at maximum efficiency.
Braking:Your hybrid is equipped with standard hydraulic braking and
regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is performed by your
transmission and it captures brake energy and stores it in your high
voltage battery.
Driving to optimize fuel economy
Your fuel economy should improve throughout your hybrid’s break-in
period. As with any vehicle, fuel economy can be significantly impacted
by your driving habits and accessory usage. For best results, keep in
mind these tips:
Tire Inflation:Keep tires properly inflated and only use recommended
size.
Drive Habits:Aggressive driving increases the amount of energy
required to move your vehicle. In general, better fuel economy is
achieved with mild to moderate acceleration and deceleration. Moderate
braking is particularly important since it allows you to maximize the
energy captured by the regenerative braking system.
Introduction
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

NOTE:Having your engine running is not always an indication of
inefficiency – in some cases it is actually more efficient than driving in
electric mode.
Additional Tips:
•Do not carry extra loads
•Be mindful of adding external accessories that may increase
aerodynamic drag
•Observe posted speed limits
•Perform all scheduled maintenance
•There is no need to wait for your engine to “warm up”. The vehicle is
ready to drive immediately after starting
Refer toEssentials of good fuel economyinMaintenance and
Specificationschapter for more fuel saving tips.
Frequently asked questions
Question Answer
What are the series of clicks from
the cargo area when I first turn
the key in the ignition?The high voltage battery is
electrically isolated from the rest
of the vehicle when the key is off.
When the key is turned to on, high
voltage contactors inside the
battery are closed to make the
electricity available to the
motor/generator and enable the
vehicle to drive. The clicks are the
sound of these contactors as they
close and open during start up and
shut down.
Why does the engine sometimes
start at key-on?The vehicle’s computer will
determine if an engine start is
required at key-on. Silent Key
Start (SKS) will start the engine if
it is necessary for cabin heating,
windshield defrost, or if the
outside temperature is low.
Introduction
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause extensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system light explanation later in this section for additional
information.
Note:Some warning lights are reconfigurable telltale (RTT) indicators;
they will display in the message center and function the same as the
warning light, but they will not display on startup as regular warning
lights do.
Service engine soon:The service
engine soon light illuminates when
the ignition is turned to the on
position to check the bulb.
•Illuminates with key on, vehicle off:If the light illuminates, the
service engine soon light is working properly.
•Illuminates with key on, vehicle off, then starts to blink:The
light illuminates when the ignition is turned to the on position to
check the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. If after 15 seconds the service
engine soon light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. This can occur if the
vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the battery
OFF
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Instrument Cluster
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
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USA(fus)

Safety belt:The warning light
illuminates momentarily when the
ignition is turned to the on position.
Illuminates to remind you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraintschapter to activate/deactivate the
Belt-Minderchime feature.
Stop safely hazard warning
(RTT):Indicates Hybrid component
fault/failure that will cause the
vehicle to shutdown, fail to start or
enter into a limited operating mode. A message may also display in the
message center.
Note: If the vehicle is still running, the vehicle may soon
shutdown without further warning and should be stopped safely.
If this lamp is lit, stop the vehicle, shift to P (Park), turn the key to the
off position, and attempt to restart the vehicle. If the fault remains, the
vehicle may require refueling, jump starting or service. For information
regarding the low-voltage (12–volt) battery only, please refer toJump
starting (low voltage [underhood] battery only)in theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Ready to drive:Illuminates once
the vehicle has successfully started
and will remain lit throughout the
drive. Indicates the vehicle is ready
to drive even when you don’t hear
the gasoline engine running.
Ready to drive (RTT):Illuminates
briefly once the vehicle has
successfully started. Indicates that
the vehicle is ready to drive even
when you don’t hear the gasoline
engine running.
Charging system (RTT):
Illuminates when the low-voltage
(12-volt) battery is not charging
properly. The message center
displays CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM. If it stays on while the vehicle is
running (Ready to drive indicator is illuminated), there may be a
Instrument Cluster
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
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USA(fus)

Throttle Control/Powertrain
malfunction (RTT):Illuminates
when a powertrain fault has been
detected. If the indicator stays on or
continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Door ajar (RTT):Displays when
the ignition is in the on position and
any door is not completely closed. A
message may also display in the
message center.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the off, lock or accessory position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake on warning chime:Sounds when the parking brake is
left on and the vehicle is driven. If the warning stays on after the park
brake is off, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Turn signal on warning chime:Sounds when the turn signal has been
left on for an extended period of time.
HEV Engine off reminder chime:Sounds for 10 seconds when the
PRNDL is in the P (Park) position and the Driver’s door is ajar (open)
while ignition is on. Always turn your ignition key to off and remove key
before leaving your vehicle. (The engine may be off when the vehicle is
stopped, yet the key is on, and the engine can turn on at any time)
Message center activation chime:Sounds when some messages
appear in the message center display for the first time.
Memory seat feedback chime:Sounds during memory seat
programming to confirm that a memory position has been set.
Perimeter alarm warning chime:Sounds when using a key to unlock
the driver’s doors and the perimeter alarm is armed.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the level indicator will
be blue and will be in the normal
range (between “H” and “C”). If the
engine coolant temperature exceeds
the normal range, the level indicator
will change to red to indicate that
the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
Empower instrument cluster level only:The
indicator next to the
gauge will illuminate in green or white to indicate the following:
•
Indicator white: This indicates that the hybrid system is not
warm enough to allow operation in electric vehicle mode only. The
gasoline engine will run continuously when the indicator is white.
Note:During silent key start mode, the
indicator will be white,
but the gasoline engine will not run. This is a result of the vehicle
computer allowing the engine to be cooler during the silent key start
period. This is normal operation and does not indicate a problem with
your vehicle. After the first engine start, the
indicator will turn
green when the gasoline engine is warm enough to turn off.
•
Indicator green: This indicates that the hybrid system is warm
enough to allow operation in electric vehicle mode.
If the vehicle operates in electric mode long enough, it is possible that
the gasoline engine may need to run to keep the system warm. In this
case, the
indicator will revert back to white.
High-voltage battery information
gauge:The fill level indicates the
amount of energy stored in the
high-voltage battery as a percent of
total energy capacity. The level will
increase and decrease as the battery
charges and discharges during
normal operation, but the hybrid
system will attempt to control the
level to approximately the middle of
the gauge under most driving
conditions.
Instrument Cluster
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2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)