2013 LINCOLN MKX sensor

If the front end of the vehicle is hit or damaged, the radar sensing zone
may be altered causing missed or false vehicle detections. See your
authorized dealer to have the radar checked for proper coverage and
operation.
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Several conditions exist which can cause the system to deactivate or
prevent the system from activating when requested. These conditions
include:
•a blocked sensor
•high brake temperature
•a failure in the system or a related system.
Blocked Sensor
WARNING:Do not use ACC when towing a trailer with brake
controls. Aftermarket trailer brakes will not function properly
when ACC is activated because the brakes are electronically controlled.
Failing to do so may result in loss of vehicle control, which could result
in serious injury.
WARNING:Do not use tires sizes other than those
recommended because this can affect the normal operation of
ACC. Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which
could result in serious injury.
A message regarding a blocked sensor
is displayed if the radar signals from
the sensor have been obstructed. The
sensor is located behind a fascia cover
near the driver side of the lower grille.
A vehicle ahead cannot be detected
and the system will not function when
the radar signals are obstructed. The
following table lists possible causes
and actions for this message being
displayed.
194Cruise Control
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Note:When a vehicle passes quickly through the blind zone (typically
fewer than two seconds), the system does not trigger.
Using the Systems
BLISturns on when the engine is started and the vehicle is driven
forward above 3 mph (5 km/h); it remains on while the transmission is in
D (Drive) and N (Neutral). If shifted out of D (Drive) or N (Neutral), the
system enters CTA mode. Once shifted back into D (Drive), BLISturns
back on when the vehicle is driven above 3 mph (5 km/h).
Note:BLISdoes not function in R (Reverse) or P (Park) or provide
any additional warning when a turn signal is on.
CTA detects approaching vehicles from up to 45 feet (14 meters) away
though coverage decreases when the sensors are blocked. Reversing
slowly helps increase the coverage area and effectiveness.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, NEVER use the CTA
system as a replacement for using the interior and exterior
mirrors and looking over your shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. CTA is not a replacement for careful driving and only an assist.
In this first example, the left sensor is only partially obstructed; zone
coverage is nearly maximized.
Driving Aids197
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Zone coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles. Here, the
left sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage on that side is severely
limited.
System Lights and Messages
The BLISand CTA systems
illuminate a yellow alert indicator in
the outside mirror on the side of the
vehicle the approaching vehicle is
coming from.
Note:The alert indicator dims when the headlamp switch is not in the
off position and nighttime darkness is detected.
CTA also sounds a series of tones and a message appears in the
information display indicating a vehicle is coming from the right or left.
CTA works with the reverse sensing system which sounds its own series
of tones; see theParking Aidschapter.
198Driving Aids
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

System Sensors
WARNING:Just prior to the system recognizing a blocked
condition and alerting the driver, the number of missed objects
will increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLISas a
replacement for using the side and rear view mirrors and looking over
your shoulder before changing lanes. BLISis not a replacement for
careful driving and only an assist.
Note:It is possible to get a blockage warning with no blockage present;
this is rare and known as a false blockage warning. A false blocked
condition either self-corrects or clears after a key cycle.
The system uses radar sensors
which are located behind the
bumper fascia on each side of the
vehicle. Do not allow these areas to
become obstructed by mud, snow or
bumper stickers, as this can cause
degraded system performance.
If the system detects a degraded performance condition,BLIND SPOT
NOT AVAILABLE,orCROSS TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLEappear in
the information display and the alert indicator illuminates in the
appropriate mirror(s). The information display warning can be cleared
but the alert indicator remains illuminated.
When the blockage is removed, the system can be reset in two ways: 1)
when at least two objects are detected while driving, or 2) turn the
ignition key from on to off, then back on. If the blockage is still present
after the key cycle, the system senses again that it is blocked after
driving in traffic.
Driving Aids199
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Reasons for messages being displayed
The radar surface is
dirty or obstructedClean the fascia area in front of the radar or
remove the obstruction.
The radar surface is
not dirty or obstructedDrive normally in traffic for a few minutes to
allow the radar to detect passing vehicles so it
can clear the blocked state.
Heavy rainfall/snowfall
interferes with the
radar signalsNo action required. The system automatically
resets to an unblocked state once the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or stops. Do
not use BLISand/or CTA in these conditions.
System Limitations
The BLISand CTA systems do have their limitations; situations such as
severe weather conditions or debris build-up on the sensor area may
limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that may limit the BLIS:
•Certain maneuvering of vehicles entering and exiting the blind zone.
•Vehicles passing through the blind zone at very fast rates.
•When several vehicles forming a convoy pass through the blind zone.
The following are other situations that may limit the CTA system:
•Adjacently parked vehicles or objects obstructing the sensors.
•Approaching vehicles passing at speeds greater than 15 mph
(24 km/h).
•Driving in reverse faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
•Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note:When towing a trailer, the sensors detect may detect the trailer,
causing a false alert. You may want to turn the BLISoff if the false
alerts become annoying.
There may be certain instances when either the BLISor CTA systems
illuminate the alert indicator with no vehicle in the coverage zone; this is
known as a false alert. Some amount of false alerts are normal; they are
temporary and self-correct.
200Driving Aids
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

System Errors
If either system senses a problem with the left or right sensor, the BLIS
indicator illuminates and remains on andBLIND SPOT SYSTEM
FAULTorCROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAULTappears in the
information display. When problems that may cause the left or right
indicator not to illuminate, only the information display faults appear.
Switching the Systems Off and On
One or both systems can be switched off temporarily by using the
information display control; refer to theInformation Displaychapter.
When the BLISis switched off, the driver does not receive alerts and
the information display shows BLIND SPOT SYS OFF and/or CTA
SYSTEM OFF. The system switches back on whenever the ignition is
switched on.
One or both systems can also be switched off permanently at your
authorized dealer. Once switched off, switching it back on must also be
done at the dealership. When switched off, the information display shows
BLIND SPOT DISABLED and/or CTA DISABLED.
COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:This system is designed to be a supplementary
driving aid. It is not intended to replace the driver’s attention,
and judgment, or the need to apply the brakes. This system does NOT
activate the brakes automatically. Failure to press the brake pedal to
activate the brakes may result in a collision.
WARNING:The collision warning system with brake support
cannot help prevent all collisions. Do not rely on this system to
replace driver judgment and the need to maintain distance and speed.
Note:The system does not detect, warn or respond to potential
collisions with vehicles to the rear or sides of the vehicle.
Note:The collision warning system is active at speeds above
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
Driving Aids201
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Blocked Sensors
If a message regarding a blocked
sensor appears in the information
display, the radar signals from the
sensor have been obstructed. The
sensors are located behind a fascia
cover near the driver side of the lower
grille. When the sensors are
obstructed, a vehicle ahead cannot be
detected and the collision warning
system does not function. The
following table lists possible causes and actions for this message being
displayed.
Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the
grille is dirty or obstructed in
some wayClean the grille surface in front of
the radar or remove the object
causing the obstruction
The surface of the radar in the
grille is clean but the message
remains in the displayWait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer
obstructed
Heavy rain, spray, snow, or fog is
interfering with the radar signalsThe collision warning system is
temporarily disabled. Collision
warning should automatically
reactivate a short time after the
weather conditions improve.
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signalsThe collision warning system is
temporarily disabled. Collision
warning should automatically
reactivate a short time after the
weather conditions improve.
Driving Aids203
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

System Limitations
WARNING:The collision warning system’s brake support can
only help reduce the speed at which a collision occurs if the
driver applies the vehicle’s brakes. The brake pedal must be pressed
just like any typical braking situation.
Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances
where vehicles do not provide a collision warning. These include:
•Stationary vehicles or vehicles moving below 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
•Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
•Severe weather conditions (see blocked sensor section).
•Debris build-up on the grille near the headlamps (see blocked sensor
section).
•Small distance to vehicle ahead.
•Steering wheel and pedal movements are large (very active driving
style).
•High interior temperatures, which may deactivate the illumination or
the warning lamps until the interior temperature reduces (audible
warning still sounds).
Certain conditions may reduce the visibility of the warning lamp;
therefore, it is recommended to keep the audible warning on.
If the front end of the vehicle is hit or damaged, the radar sensing zone
may be altered causing missed or false collision warnings. See your
authorized dealer to have your collision warning radar checked for proper
coverage and operation.
204Driving Aids
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)