2012 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID transmission

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
2
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Transmission Operation:Due to the technologically advanced,
electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transaxle (eCVT) you will
not feel shift changes like those of a non-hybrid vehicle. Your hybrid’s
transmission is designed to do its work seamlessly.
Since engine speed is controlled by the transmission, it may seem
elevated at times. This is normal hybrid operation and helps
deliver fuel efficiency and performance.
Neutral:It is not recommended to idle the vehicle in N (Neutral) for
extended periods of time because this will discharge your high voltage
battery and decrease fuel economy. Because of the unique nature of the
hybrid vehicle, the engine will not start in the N (Neutral) position. Also,
the engine cannot provide power to the hybrid system in N (Neutral).
Low Gear:L (Low gear) is designed to mimic the enhanced engine
braking available in non-hybrid vehicles. L (Low gear) will produce high
engine speeds to provide necessary engine braking. This is normal and
will not damage your vehicle. In L (Low gear) the gas engine will remain
on more often than in D (Drive gear).
Reverse:R (Reverse gear) vehicle speed is limited to 22 mph (35 km/h).
Unique Hybrid operating characteristics
Your Hybrid, with its new technology, behaves differently compared to a
non-hybrid. Here is a description of the major differences:
Battery:Your Hybrid is equipped with a high voltage battery. A cool
battery ensures battery life and provides the best possible performance.
Your hybrid high voltage battery may periodically re-condition itself to
ensure maximum efficiency. You may notice slight changes in drivability
during this process, but it’s an important part of your hybrid’s high
voltage battery optimization features.
The high voltage battery is cooled by cabin air drawn from vent holes in
the front of the rear seat cushions. Avoid placing objects at the vent
holes which block air flow to the high voltage battery.
The high voltage battery is located between the rear passenger seat and
the trunk. Due to this location, the rear seat for the hybrid vehicle does
not have the ability to be lowered to allow pass-through between the
trunk and the rear of the passenger compartment. Do not attempt to
lower the rear seat.
If the vehicle is left inoperative for over 31 days, it may be necessary to
jumpstart the vehicle. For more information, refer toJump starting
(Low voltage [underhood] battery only)in theRoadside Emergencies
Introduction
7
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
8
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Question Answer
Why does it take a long time
before the engine shuts down?There are several reasons the
engine stays on for an extended
amount of time when it is first
started. One common reason is to
ensure that the emissions
components are warm enough to
minimize tailpipe emissions. As the
climate gets cooler, this
“engine-ON” time is extended.
Why does my engine never shut
down above 47 mph (75 km/h)?The engine is required to turn on
above this speed to protect the
transmission hardware.
Why does my engine stay ON
when it’s extremely cold outside?In order to ensure that the climate
control system can begin heating
the cabin and/or defrosting the
windshield as soon as a driver
requests it, the engine coolant
temperature has to be kept
sufficiently hot. Keeping the
engine on is required to maintain
the correct minimum temperature.
Why does my engine rev up so
high sometimes when I accelerate?Your vehicle’s engine and
transmission are designed to
deliver the power you need at the
most efficient engine speed. This
may be higher than expected
during heavy accelerations, and
may fluctuate during steady state
driving. These are characteristics
of the Atkinson engine cycle and
the eCVT transmission technology
that help maximize your hybrid’s
fuel economy.
Introduction
10
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
456miles tompg:avg
57 1.H
C
0000000.0mi
0000.0miTrip A
P
R
N
D
L
0
0 20 405060
100
120
140
160
180
10 2030405060
70
80
90
100
110
120
km/h
MPH
F
EMPG60
40
20
0H
LPOWER
EV
Instrument Cluster
18
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

has recently run down or been disconnected. If the vehicle does not
need I/M testing, do nothing. The vehicle is designed to check the
emission control system during normal driving. If the vehicle needs
I/M testing, refer to theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testingsection in theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
•Illuminates with engine running:The light stays on after the
engine is started. It indicates that the on board diagnostics system has
detected a problem with the engine, transmission or an
emission-related component or system. Contact your authorized dealer
as soon as possible. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not
require towing. Refer toOn-board diagnostics (OBD-II)section in
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for information on
temporary malfunctions that may not require vehicle service.
•Blinks with engine running:The light stays on after the engine is
started and sometimes blinks. It indicates that the On Board
Diagnostics System has detected an engine misfire problem with the
engine. While the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which
could damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion
(avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Brake system warning:To confirm
the brake system warning light is
functional, it will momentarily
illuminate when the ignition is
turned to the on position (when the
engine is not running), or in a position between on and start, or by
applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or brake
system malfunction. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
P!
BRAKE
Instrument Cluster
19
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Accessory power gauge
(empower instrument cluster
level only):This gauge indicates
electrical power demands from your
vehicle’s accessory systems.
Accessories such as air conditioning,
headlights, and radio use power but
do not contribute to propelling the
vehicle. The higher the level
indication on this gauge, the more
accessory power is being used. You
can see the level of this gauge change by turning accessories on and off.
Vehicle power gauge (empower
instrument cluster only):When
the transmission is in a drive gear
only, this gauge shows you vehicle
power demand and gasoline engine
on/off threshold. It is designed to
show you how close you are to the
gasoline engine on/off threshold and
how much power you are requesting
by how much you press on the
accelerator pedal.
The red level indicator shows vehicle power demand. The more you
press on the accelerator pedal, the more power you demand of the
vehicle. The green box shows the gasoline engine on/off threshold. If
vehicle power demand is reduced, the gasoline engine will turn off when
the red level indicator moves below the green box. In this case, the
hybrid system is operating in electric vehicle mode andEVis displayed
at the bottom of the gauge. When the red level indicator exceeds the
threshold, the system commands the gasoline engine on (and theEV
disappears).
When the gasoline engine is on for reasons outside of your control (such
as warming up the system or charging a low battery), the gasoline engine
on/off threshold (green box) disappears. When the on/off threshold box
is not displayed, the gasoline engine will not turn off regardless of how
little power you demand (even lifting your foot off of the accelerator).
Instrument Cluster
34
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition within the power steering system that requires
service immediately.
SERVICE ADVANCETRAC— Displayed when the AdvanceTrac
system has detected a condition that requires service.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the passenger side door
is not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
CHECK FUEL FILL INLET— Displayed when the fuel fill inlet may
not be properly closed. Refer toEasy Fuel“no cap” fuel systemin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped)— Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the Reverse Sensing System (Park Aid) is disabled.
Refer toReverse Sensing System (Park Aid)in this section to enable.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the tire
pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT— Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
TRUNK AJAR— Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
Instrument Cluster
47
2012 MKZ Hybrid(hkz)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)