2014 LINCOLN MKZ Owners Manual

WARNING
To help avoid personal injury,
NEVER use the cross traffic alert
system as a replacement for using the
interior and exterior mirrors and
looking over your shoulder before
backing out of a parking space. Cross
traffic alert is not a replacement for
careful driving and only an assist.
E142440
In this first example, the left sensor is
only partially obstructed; zone
coverage is nearly ma ximized.
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Driving Aids

E142441
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
E142442
The BLIS and cross traffic alert
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
nighttime darkness is detected.
Cross traffic alert also sounds an
audible warning and a message
appears in the information display
indicating a vehicle is coming from the
right or left. Cross traffic alert works
with the reverse sensing system which
sounds its own series of tones. See
Parking Aid (page 187).
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 BLIS as
a replacement for using the side and
rear view mirrors and looking over your
shoulder before changing lanes. BLIS
is not a replacement for careful driving
and only an assist.
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Driving Aids

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.
E142443
The system uses radar sensors which
are located behind the bumper fascia
on each side of your 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, a message
warning of a blocked sensor or a
message warning of low visibility will
appear 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:
• when at least two objects are detected while driving, or
• turn the ignition 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.
Reasons for messages being
displayed
Clean the fascia area infront of the radar or
remove the obstruction.
The radar
surface is dirty or
obstructed
Drive normally in trafficfor a few minutes to
allow the radar to detect
passing vehicles so it can clear the blocked state.
The radar
surface is not dirty or
obstructed
No action required. Thesystem automatically
resets to an unblocked
state once the rainfall or snowfall rate decreases
or stops. Do not use BLIS or cross traffic alert in these conditions.
Heavy
rainfall/
snowfall
interferes with the radar
signals
System Limitations
The BLIS and cross traffic alert
systems do have their limitations;
situations such as severe weather
conditions or debris build-up on the
sensor area may limit vehicle
detection.
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Driving Aids

The following are other situations that
may limit the BLIS:
• Certain maneuvering of vehiclesentering 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 cross traffic alert
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 5 mph (8 km/h).
• Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note: If a trailer is connected to the
vehicle the BLIS system may detect the
trailer causing a false alert. You may
want to turn the BLIS off manually.
There may be certain instances when
either the BLIS or cross traffic alert
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. System Errors
If either system senses a problem with
the left or right sensor, the BLIS
telltale will illuminate and a message
will appear in the information display.
All other system faults will only be
displayed by a message in the
information display.
Switching the Systems Off and On
One or both systems can be switched
off temporarily by using the
information display control. See
General Information (page 101).
When the BLIS is switched off, you will
not receive alerts and a telltale
illuminates in the information display.
Note:
The CTA system always
switches on whenever the ignition is
switched on. However, the BLIS system
will remember the last selected on or
off setting.
One or both systems cannot be
switched off when MyKey is used. See
General Information (page 342).
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 your authorized dealer.
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Driving Aids

COLLISION WARNING
SYSTEM
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION (If
Equipped)
WARNINGS
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.
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).
E156130
This system is designed to alert the
driver of certain collision risks. A radar
detects if your vehicle is rapidly
approaching another vehicle traveling
in the same direction as yours.
E156131
If it is, a red warning light illuminates
and an audible warning chime sounds.
The brake support system assists the
driver in reducing the collision speed
by charging the brakes. If the risk of
collision further increases after the
warning light illuminates, the brake
support prepares the brake system
for rapid braking. This may be
apparent to the driver. The system
does not automatically activate the
brakes but, if the brake pedal is
pressed, full force braking is applied
even if the brake pedal is lightly
pressed.
Using the Collision Warning
System
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.
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Driving Aids

The warning system sensitivity can be
adjusted to one of three possible
settings by using the information
display control. See General
Information (page 101).
Note:If the system cannot be turned
off in a vehicle equipped with MyKey®,
Note: If collision warnings are
perceived as being too frequent or
disturbing then the warning sensitivity
can be reduced, though the
manufacturer recommends using the
highest sensitivity setting where
possible. Setting lower sensitivity
would lead to fewer and later system
warnings. See General Information
(page 101). Blocked Sensors
E145632
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.
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Driving Aids

Action
Cause
Clean the grille surface in front of the
radar or remove the object causing the obstruction
The surface of the radar in the grille is
dirty or obstructed in some way
Wait a short time. It may take several
minutes for the radar to detect that it is no longer obstructed
The surface of the radar in the grille is
clean but the message remains in the display
The collision warning system is
temporarily disabled. Collision warning should automatically reactivate a
short time after the weather conditions improve
Heavy rain, spray, snow, or fog is inter-
fering with the radar signals
The 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 signals
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).
•
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Driving Aids

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.
STEERING
Electric Power Steering
WARNINGS
The electric power steering
system has diagnostic checks
that continuously monitor the system
to ensure proper operation. When a
system error is detected a steering
message will appear in the
information display.
The electric power steering
system has diagnostic checks
that continuously monitor the system
to ensure proper operation of the
electronic system. When an electronic
error is detected, a message will be
displayed in the information display.
If this happens, stop the vehicle in a
safe place, and turn off the engine.
After at least 10 seconds, reset the
system by restarting the engine, and
watch the information display for a
steering message. If a steering
message returns, or returns while
driving, take the vehicle to your dealer
to have it checked.
WARNINGS
Obtain immediate service if a
system error is detected. You
may not notice any difference in the
feel of your steering, but a serious
condition may exist. Failure to do so
may result in loss of steering control.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
electric power-assisted steering
system. There is no fluid reservoir to
check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power
while you are driving (or if the ignition
is turned off), you can steer the
vehicle manually, but it takes more
effort. Extreme continuous steering
may increase the effort it takes for you
to steer. This occurs to prevent
internal overheating and permanent
damage to your steering system. If this
should occur, you will neither lose the
ability to steer the vehicle manually
nor will it cause permanent damage.
Typical steering and driving
maneuvers will allow the system to
cool and steering assist will return to
normal.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check
for:
• an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper vehicle alignment
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Driving Aids