Note:
For best results, coolant
concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool
300-ROB75240 available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the
use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant
concentrations.
Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Do not use engine
coolant or antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding Coolant WARNINGS
Do not add engine coolant when
the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot
cooling system can burn you badly.
Also, you can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts. Do not put engine coolant in the
windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the
windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield. To reduce the risk of personal
injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant
pressure relief cap. The cooling
system is under pressure; steam and
hot liquid can come out forcefully
when the cap is loosened slightly. Do not add coolant further than
the MAX mark. Note:
Do not use stop leak pellets,
cooling system sealants, or additives
as they can cause damage to the
cooling or heating systems. This
damage would not be covered under
your vehicle ’s warranty.
Note: During normal vehicle operation,
the coolant may change color from
orange to pink or light red. As long as
the coolant is clear and
uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has
degraded nor does it require the
coolant to be drained, the system to
be flushed, or the coolant to be
replaced.
Note: It is very important to use
prediluted coolant meeting the Ford
specification in order to avoid plugging
the small coolant passageways. Use
of concentrated coolant and water
may cause coolant passageway
plugging and void the warranty. See
Capacities and Specifications (page
330).
282
MKZ (CC9) Maintenance
What You Should Know About
Fail-Safe Cooling
If the engine coolant supply is
depleted, this feature allows the
vehicle to be driven temporarily before
incremental component damage is
incurred. The
“fail-safe” distance
depends on ambient temperatures,
vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat, the
engine coolant temperature gauge
will move to the red (hot) area and: The coolant temperature
warning light will illuminate.
The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the
engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each
disabled cylinder acts as an air pump
and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still
operate. However:
• The engine power will be limited.
• The air conditioning system will be
disabled.
Continued operation will increase the
engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing
steering and braking effort to increase. Once the engine temperature cools,
the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer
as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated WARNINGS
Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate the
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long
as necessary to bring the vehicle to
rest in a safe location and seek
immediate repairs. When in fail-safe
mode, the vehicle will have limited
power, will not be able to maintain
high-speed operation, and may
completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine
power, power steering assist, and
power brake assist, which may
increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury. Never remove the coolant
reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot. Note:
Driving the vehicle without
repairing the engine problem increases
the chance of engine damage. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
285
MKZ (CC9) Maintenance
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a
lifetime fuel filter that is integrated
with the fuel tank. Regular
maintenance or replacement is not
needed.
WASHER FLUID CHECK
WARNING
If you operate your vehicle in
temperatures below 40°F (5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid
with antifreeze protection in cold
weather could result in impaired
windshield vision and increase the risk
of injury or accident. Note:
The front and rear washer
systems are supplied from the same
reservoir.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level
is low. Only use a washer fluid that
meets Ford specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications
(page 330).
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common
windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents
should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without
damaging the vehicle ’s paint finish,
wiper blades or washer system. CHANGING THE 12V
BATTERY WARNINGS
Batteries normally produce
explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not
allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery.
When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect
your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation. When lifting a plastic-cased
battery, excessive pressure on
the end walls could cause acid to flow
through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with
a battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners. Keep batteries out of reach of
children. Batteries contain
sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to
protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact
with skin or eyes, flush immediately
with water for a minimum of 15
minutes and get prompt medical
attention. If acid is swallowed, call a
physician immediately. Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft® maintenance-free
battery which normally does not
require additional water during its life
of service.
287
MKZ (CC9) Maintenance
To clean these items, follow these
tips:
•
You can clean the windows with a
non-abrasive cleaner such as
Motorcraft Ultra-Clear Spray Glass
Cleaner.
• You can clean the wiper blades
with isopropyl rubbing-alcohol or
Motorcraft Premium Windshield
Wash Concentrates in the U.S., or
Premium Quality Windshield
Washer Fluid in Canada. Be sure
to replace wiper blades when they
appear worn or do not function
properly.
• Do not use abrasives, as they may
cause scratches.
• Do not use fuel, kerosene, or paint
thinner to clean any parts.
If you cannot remove those streaks
after cleaning with the glass cleaner
or if the wipers chatter and move in a
jerky motion, clean the outer surface
of the windshield and the wiper
blades using a sponge or soft cloth
with a neutral detergent or
mild-abrasive cleaning solution. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and
wiper blades with clean water. The
windshield is clean if beads do not
form when you rinse the windshield
with water.
Note: Do not use sharp objects, such
as a razorblade, to clean the inside of
the rear window or to remove decals,
as this may cause damage to the rear
window defroster ’s heated grid lines. CLEANING THE INTERIOR WARNINGS
Do not use cleaning solvents,
bleach or dye on the vehicle
’s
safety belts, as these actions may
weaken the belt webbing. On vehicles equipped with
seat-mounted airbags, do not
use chemical solvents or strong
detergents. Such products could
contaminate the side airbag system
and affect performance of the side
airbag in a collision. For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety
belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•
Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.
• Remove light stains and soil with
Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner.
• If grease or tar is present on the
material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain
Remover. In Canada, use
Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Cleaner.
• If a ring forms on the fabric after
spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not
oversaturate) or the ring will set.
• Do not use household cleaning
products or glass cleaners, which
can stain and discolor the fabric
and affect the flame retardant
abilities of the seat materials.
297
MKZ (CC9) Vehicle Care
General Information
WARNING
Failure to follow these guidelines
could result in an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, injury or
death. Note:
Do not use the kit if a tire has
become severely damaged by driving
the vehicle with a tire that has
insufficient air pressure. Only punctured
areas located within the tire tread can
be sealed with the kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures
larger than 1.4 inch (6.4 millimeters)
or damage to the tire's sidewall. The
tire may not completely seal.
Loss of air pressure may adversely
affect tire performance. For this
reason:
Note: Do not drive the vehicle above
50 mph (80 km/h).
Note: Do not drive further than 120
miles (200 kilometers). Drive only to
the closest Ford Motor Company
authorized dealer or tire repair shop to
have your tire inspected.
• Drive carefully and avoid abrupt
steering maneuvers.
• Periodically monitor tire inflation
pressure in the affected tire; if the
tire is losing pressure, have the
vehicle towed.
• Read the information in the Tips
for Use of the Kit section to make
sure safe operation of the kit and
your vehicle. Tips for Use of the Kit
Read the following list of tips to
ensure safe operation of the kit:
•
Before operating the kit, make sure
your vehicle is safely off the road
and away from moving traffic. Turn
on the hazard lights.
• Always set the parking brake to
ensure the vehicle doesn't move
unexpectedly.
• Do not remove any foreign objects,
such as nails or screws, from the
tire.
• When using the kit, leave the
engine running (only if the vehicle
is outdoors or in a well-ventilated
area) so the compressor doesn't
drain the vehicle's battery.
• Do not allow the compressor to
operate continuously for more
than 15 minutes; this will help
prevent the compressor from
overheating.
• Never leave the kit unattended
when it is operating.
• Sealant compound contains latex.
Make sure that you use the
non-latex gloves provided to avoid
an allergic reaction.
• Keep the kit away from children.
• Only use the kit when the ambient
temperature is between -22°F
(–30°C) and 158°F (70°C).
304
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and Tires
•
Only use the sealing compound
before the use by date. The use by
date is on the lower right hand
corner of the label located on the
sealant canister (bottle). Check
the use by date regularly and
replace the canister after four
years.
• Do not store the kit unsecured
inside the passenger compartment
of the vehicle as it may cause injury
during a sudden stop or crash.
Always store the kit in its original
location.
• After sealant use, the tire pressure
monitoring system sensor and
valve stem on the wheel must be
replaced by an authorized Ford
dealer.
• When inflating a tire or other
objects, use the black air hose only.
Do not use the transparent hose
which is designed for sealant
application only.
• Operating the kit could cause an
electrical disturbance in radio, CD,
and DVD player operation.
What to do when a Tire Is
Punctured
A tire puncture within the tire's tread
area can be repaired in two stages
with the kit. •
In the first stage, the tire will be
reinflated with a sealing
compound and air. After the tire
has been reinflated, you will need
to drive the vehicle a short
distance (about 4 miles [6
kilometers]) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
• In the second stage, you will need
to check the tire pressure and
adjust, if necessary, to the vehicle's
tire inflation pressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tire
with Sealing Compound and Air WARNINGS
Do not stand directly over the kit
while inflating the tire. If you
notice any unusual bulges or
deformations in the tire's sidewall
during inflation, stop and call roadside
assistance. If the tire doesn't inflate to the
recommended tire pressure
within 15 minutes, stop and call
roadside assistance. Preparation: Park the vehicle in a safe,
level and secure area, away from
moving traffic. Turn the hazard lights
on. Apply the parking brake and turn
the engine off. Inspect the flat tire for
visible damage.
Sealant compound contains latex. To
avoid any allergic reactions, use the
non-latex gloves located in the
accessory box on the underside of the
kit housing.
305
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and Tires
Installation of the sealant canister
to the kit
1.
Align the sealant canister with the
kit housing. 2. Once aligned, seat the sealant
canister by lightly pushing down
until you hear an audible click. 3. Wrap the clear tube around the
compressor housing.
Note: If you experience any difficulties
with the removal or installation of the
sealant canister, consult your Ford
Motor Company authorized dealer for
assistance. Be sure to check the sealant
compound's use by date regularly.
The use by date is on the lower right
hand corner of the label located on
the sealant canister (bottle). The
sealant canister should be replaced
after four years.
TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING SYSTEM
WARNING
The tire pressure monitoring
system is NOT a substitute for
manually checking tire pressure. The
tire pressure should be checked
periodically (at least monthly) using
a tire gauge, see Inflating your tires in
this chapter. Failure to properly
maintain your tire pressure could
increase the risk of tire failure, loss of
control, vehicle rollover and personal
injury. 309
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and TiresE144626 E161567 E144628 E144629
Changing Tires with a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
Note:
Each road tire is equipped with
a tire pressure sensor located inside the
wheel and tire assembly cavity. The
pressure sensor is attached to the valve
stem. The pressure sensor is covered
by the tire and is not visible unless the
tire is removed. Care must be taken
when changing the tire to avoid
damaging the sensor
It is recommended that you always
have your tires serviced by an
authorized dealer.
The tire pressure should be checked
periodically (at least monthly) using
an accurate tire gauge. See Inflating
Your Tires in this chapter.
Understanding Your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system
measures pressure in your four road
tires and sends the tire pressure
readings to your vehicle. The low tire
pressure warning light will turn on if
the tire pressure is significantly low. Once the light is illuminated, your tires
are under-inflated and need to be
inflated to the manufacturer
’s
recommended tire pressure. Even if
the light turns on and a short time
later turns off, your tire pressure still
needs to be checked.
When your Temporary Spare Tire
is Installed (If Equipped)
When one of your road tires needs to
be replaced with the temporary spare,
the tire pressure monitoring system
will continue to identify an issue to
remind you that the damaged road
wheel and tire assembly needs to be
repaired and put back on your vehicle.
To restore the full functionality of the
tire pressure monitoring system, have
the damaged road wheel and tire
assembly repaired and remounted on
your vehicle.
When you Believe your System is
not Operating Properly
The main function of the tire pressure
monitoring system is to warn you
when your tires need air. It can also
warn you in the event the system is no
longer capable of functioning as
intended. See the following chart for
information concerning your tire
pressure monitoring system:
311
MKZ (CC9) Wheels and TiresE142549