Customer Assistance 233
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)........................239
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................240
Fuses 241
Changing a fuse......................................241
Fuses and relays......................................241
Fuse specification chart.................................242
Maintenance 250
General information...................................250
Opening and closing the hood............................251
Under hood overview..................................252
Engine oil dipstick....................................253
Engine oil check......................................253
Engine coolant check..................................254
Automatic transmission fluid check........................258
Brake fluid check.....................................260
Fuel filter...........................................260
Washer fluid check....................................261
Changing the vehicle battery.............................261
Checking the wiper blades...............................263
Changing the wiper blades...............................264
Air filter(s)..........................................265
Adjusting the headlamps................................266
Changing a bulb......................................267
Bulb specification chart.................................272
6Table of Contents
2013 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Low tire pressure warning
Illuminates when your tire pressure is low. If the light remains
on at start up or while driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn on or begins to flash, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Low washer fluid (RTT)
Illuminates when the windshield washer fluid is low.
Powertrain malfunction/reduced power
Illuminates when a powertrain or an AWD fault has been
detected. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Safety belt
Reminds you to fasten your safety belt. A Belt-Minderchime
will also sound to remind you to fasten your safety belt.
Service engine soon
Theservice engine soonindicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the on position to check the bulb and
to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the “service engine soon”
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the “service
engine soon” light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See theReadiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testingin theFuel and Refuelingchapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theFuel and Refuelingchapter. If
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 have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer.
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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.
Speed control (if equipped) (RTT)
The speed control system indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system is in:
•On (gray light–type 1 and type 2): Illuminates when the speed control
system is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is
turned off.
•Engaged (grey light-type 1, green light-type 2): Illuminates when the
speed control system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control
system is disengaged.
Stability Control System
Displays when the AdvanceTrac/Traction control is active. If
the light remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Stability Control System Off
Illuminates when AdvanceTrac/Traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
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Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state/provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. Refer toOn-board
diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
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6. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure the
clamps. Be sure that the air cleaner cover tabs are
engaged into the slots of the air cleaner housing.
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
•(1) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height of the headlamp bulb center from the ground and
mark an 8 foot (2.4 meter) horizontal reference line on the vertical wall
or screen at this height.
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood.
To see a clearer light pattern for adjusting, you may want to block the
light from one headlamp while adjusting the other.
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For vehicles with halogen headlamps:
On the wall or screen you will
observe a flat zone of high intensity
light located at the top of the right
hand portion of the beam pattern. If
the top edge of the high intensity
light zone is not at the horizontal
reference line, the headlamp will
need to be adjusted.
For vehicles with HID headlamps:
There is a distinct cut-off (change
from light to dark) in the left
portion of the beam pattern. The
top edge of this cut-off should be
positioned 2 inches (5 cm) below
the horizontal reference line.
4. Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Using a Hex head
driver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise (to adjust down) or
counterclockwise (to adjust up). The
horizontal edge of the brighter light
should touch the horizontal
reference line.
5. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp assembly condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
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Examples of acceptable condensation are:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets)
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens
Examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp water
leak) are:
•Water puddle inside the lamp
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and
do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Note:If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the off position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the bulb cover.
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4. Turn the bulb holder counterclockwise and remove
it.
5. Disconnect the electrical connector.
6. Reverse the procedure to install the new bulb.
Replacing HID headlamp bulbs (if equipped)
The low beam headlamps on your vehicle use a “high intensity discharge”
source. These lamps operate at a high voltage. When the bulb is burned
out, the bulb and starter capsule assembly must be replaced by your
authorized dealer.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the off position.
2. Open the hood.
3. At the wheel well, remove the fasteners from the
splash shield, then pull the splash shield back to
gain access to the bulbs.
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