Page 308 of 347

•Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto wax
to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed. See theCleaningchapter for more information.
•Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges, and latches with a light
grade oil. See theCleaningchapter for more information.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contain contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality gas stabilizer
product to the vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage
periods exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label.
The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the
additive throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Maintenance and Specifications
308
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 310 of 347
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.5L V6 engine
Engine air filter element FA-1884
Battery BXT-96R-500
Oil filter FL-500-S
Spark plugs
1
Cabin air filter FP-67
Windshield wiper bladeWW-1801-PF (driver side)
WW-1901-PF (passenger side)
1For spark plug replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraftor
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not
used.
Maintenance and Specifications
310
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 311 of 347

MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Brake fluidBetween MIN and
MAX on reservoirMotorcraftHigh
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1-C /
WSS-M6C62-A or
WSS-M6C65-A1
Door weatherstrips — Silicone Spray LubricantXL-6 /
ESR-M13P4-A
Door latch, hood latch,
auxiliary hood latch,
door hinges, striker
plates, seat tracks and
fuel filler door hinge—Multi-Purpose Grease
(Lithium grease)XG-4 or XL-5 or
equivalent /
ESB-M1C93-B
Lock cylinders —MotorcraftPenetrating
and Lock LubricantXL-1 /
None
Engine oil
1
5.5 quarts (5.2L)•MotorcraftSAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
•MotorcraftSAE 5W-20
Full Synthetic Motor Oil
(US)
•MotorcraftSAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
•MotorcraftSAE 5W-20
Synthetic Motor Oil
(Canada)
1
•XO-5W20-QSP (US)
•XO-5W-20-QFS (US)
•CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)
•CXO-5W-20-LFS12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C945-A with API
Certification Mark
Maintenance and Specifications
311
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 313 of 347

Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Fuel tank (FWD )17.5 gallons
(66.2L)——
Fuel tank (AWD)16.5 gallons
(62.5L)——
1Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C945-A and the API Certification mark.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set
by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.4The power transfer unit is lubricated for life with synthetic lube. Lubricant levels are not to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or repair required. Replace power transfer unit
lubricant with specified synthetic lubricant anytime the unit is submerged in water.
See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling of the power transfer unit.
Maintenance and Specifications
313
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 314 of 347
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.5L V6 engine
Cubic inches 214
Required fuel Minimum 87 octane
Firing order 1–4–2–5–3–6
Spark plug gap 0.051–0.057 inch (1.32–1.42 mm)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Engine drivebelt routing
1. Short drivebelt is on first pulley groove closest to engine.
2. Long drivebelt is on second pulley groove farthest from engine.
Maintenance and Specifications
314
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 323 of 347

GENERAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Why maintain your vehicle?
This guide describes the scheduled maintenance required for your
vehicle. Carefully following this schedule helps protect against major
repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance and
may also help to increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or
trade it.
It is your responsibility to see that all scheduled maintenance is
performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering
specifications as identified in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance specific in this guide
will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of
maintenance. Be sure receipts for completed maintenance are kept with
the vehicle and confirmation of the work performed is always recorded in
this guide.
Your dealer has factory-trained technicians who can perform the required
maintenance using genuine Ford parts. They are committed to meeting
your service needs and to assuring your continuing satisfaction.
Protecting your investment
Maintenance is an investment that will pay dividends in the form of
improved reliability, durability and resale value. To ensure the proper
performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, it is
imperative that scheduled maintenance be completed at the designated
intervals.
Your vehicle is equipped with the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ system
which displays a message in the message at the proper oil change service
interval; this interval may be up to one year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km).
When ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED appears
in the message center display, it’s time for an oil change; the oil change
must be done within two weeks or 500 miles (800 km) of the ENGINE
OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing. The
Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ must be reset after each oil change; refer to
theInstrument Clusterchapter.
If your message center is prematurely reset or becomes inoperative, you
should perform the oil change interval at six months or 5,000 miles
(8,000 km) from your last oil change.
Scheduled Maintenance
323
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 324 of 347

Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple complex
performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using
different specifications and performance features. That’s why it’s
important to rely upon your dealership to properly diagnose and repair
your vehicle.
Ford Motor Company has recommended maintenance intervals for
various parts and component systems based upon engineering testing.
Ford Motor Company relies upon this testing to determine the most
appropriate mileage for replacement of oils and fluids to protect your
vehicle at the lowest overall cost to you and recommends against
maintenance schedules that deviate from the scheduled maintenance
information.
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford replacement parts.
Parts other than Ford, Motorcraftor Ford-authorized remanufactured
parts that are used for maintenance replacement or for the service of
components affecting emission control must be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability. It is the
owner’s responsibility to determine the equivalency of such parts. Please
consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete warranty information.
Chemicals or additives not approved by Ford are not required for factory
recommended maintenance. In fact, Ford Motor Company recommends
against the use of such additive products unless specifically
recommended by Ford for a particular application.
Oils, fluids and flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and/or foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Scheduled Maintenance
324
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 326 of 347

Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oilAs indicated by the message center: do not
exceed one year or 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Engine coolant,
initial change6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial changeEvery 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
Windshield washer fluid level
Check every six months
Battery connections; clean if necessary
Body and door drain holes for obstructions; clean if necessary
Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength
Door weatherstrips for wear; lubricate if necessary
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Scheduled Maintenance
326
2012 MKZ(378)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)