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this, the transmission may shift firmly when first driven. This operation is
considered normal and will fully update transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
Note:Always dispose of automotive batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized standards for disposal. Call your local
authorized recycling center to find out more about recycling automotive
batteries.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•Note:If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
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CHECKING THE WIPER BLADES
Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of the blade
to check for roughness.
Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid or water
applied with a soft sponge or cloth.
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Turn the blade at an angle
from the wiper arm. Press the lock
tab to release the blade and pull the
wiper blade down toward the
windshield to remove it from the arm.
2. Attach the new wiper to the wiper
arm and press it into place until a
click is heard.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
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USA(fus)
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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.
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 centimeters)
below the horizontal reference line.
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4. Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Using a Hex head
driver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise or counterclockwise in
order to adjust the vertical aim of
the headlamp.
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.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
These are examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp
water leak):
•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.
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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.
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.
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3. At the wheel well, remove the fasteners from
the splash shield, then pull the splash shield back
to gain access to the bulbs.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
the lamp assembly.
5. Carefully pull the bulb out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
6. Install the bulb socket into the
lamp assembly and rotate clockwise.
Replacing side marker bulbs
Your vehicle is equipped with LED side marker bulbs. It is designed to
last the life of the vehicle. If replacement is required, see your
authorized dealer.
Replacing fog lamp bulbs
1. Make sure that the fog lamp switch is in the off position.
2. From underneath the vehicle,
remove the splash shield and rotate
the harness/bulb assembly
counterclockwise, to remove from the
fog lamp.
3. Carefully disconnect the bulb from the harness assembly via the two
snap clips.
4. Reverse the procedure to install the new bulb.
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USA(fus)
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Replacing backup lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the
liftgate to expose the lamp assembly bolts.
2. Remove the two bolts from the
lamp assembly.
3. Carefully remove the lamp
assembly away from the vehicle by
pulling the assembly straight out to
expose the bulb socket.
4. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
5. Pull bulb straight out of socket
and snap in the new bulb.
6. Install the bulb socket into the lamp assembly and rotate clockwise.
7. Carefully install the tail lamp assembly on the vehicle by securing the
lamp assembly with two bolts.
Replacing tail/stop/turn/side marker lamp bulbs
Your vehicle is equipped with a tail/stop/turn/sidemarker lamp assembly
containing integral multiple light emitting diodes (LED). See your
authorized dealer for the replacement LED module.
Replacing supplemental liftgate lamp assembly
Your vehicle is equipped with a liftgate lamp assembly containing integral
multiple light emitting diodes (LED). If one or more LEDs burn out, the
complete lamp module has to be replaced. See your authorized dealer for
the replacement LED module.
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs
Your vehicle is equipped with an LED center high-mount stop lamp. It is
designed to last the life of the vehicle. If replacement is required, see
your authorized dealer.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position.
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WAXING
Regular waxing is necessary to protect the paint on your car from the
elements. We recommend that you wash and wax the painted surface
once or twice a year.
When washing and waxing, park your vehicle in a shaded area out of
direct sunlight. Always wash your vehicle before applying wax.
•Use a quality wax that does not contain abrasives.
•Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply and remove the wax.
•Apply a small amount of wax in a back-and-forth motion, not in
circles.
•Do not allow wax to come in contact with any non-body (low-gloss
black) colored trim. The wax discolors or stains the parts over time,
such as:
•Bumpers
•Grained door handles
•Side mouldings
•Mirror housings
•Windshield cowl area.
•Do not apply wax to glass areas.
•After waxing, your car’s paint should feel smooth, and be free of
streaks and smudges.
REPAIRING MINOR PAINT DAMAGE
Your authorized dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb) to
an authorized dealer to make sure you get the correct color.
•Remove particles, such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout, before repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause
damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
278Vehicle Care
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2014
USA(fus)