serious personal injury or sickness may
result. If fuel is splashed on the skin,
promptly wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water. Consult a physician
immediately if you experience an
adverse reaction.
FUEL QUALITY
Note: We recommend that you use only
high quality fuel without additives or other
engine treatments.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Note: Use of any fuel other than those
recommended may cause powertrain
damage, a loss of vehicle performance
and repairs may not be covered under
warranty.
If your vehicle is not a flexible fuel vehicle,
then only use unleaded fuel or unleaded
fuel blended with a maximum of 15%
ethanol. Do not use fuel ethanol (E85),
diesel fuel, fuel methanol, leaded fuel or
any other fuel because it could damage
or impair the emission control system.
The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel
or fuel additives with metallic compounds,
including manganese-based additives. Octane Recommendations
Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some fuel stations offer
fuels posted as regular with an octane
rating below 87, particularly in high altitude
areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87
are not recommended. Premium fuel will
provide improved performance and is
recommended for severe duty use such
as trailer tow.
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it
knocks heavily while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see
your authorized dealer to prevent any
engine damage.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Avoid running out of fuel because this
situation may have an adverse effect on
vehicle components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•
To start the vehicle with a keyless
ignition, just start the engine. Crank
time will be longer than usual.
• Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of
fuel is enough to restart the vehicle. If
the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep
grade, more than 1 gallon (3.8 liters)
may be required.
• The service engine soon indicator may
come on.
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MKZ (CC9) Fuel and Refueling
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid
additives, treatments or cleaning agents.
The use of these materials may affect
transmission operation and result in
damage to internal transmission
components.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
Fluid levels between the MIN and MAX
lines are within the normal operating
range; there is no need to add fluid. If the
fluid levels are outside of the normal
operating range, the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering (EPS) system. There is no
fluid reservoir to check or fill.
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 302).
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.
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.
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.
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MKZ (CC9) Maintenance
