2015 LINCOLN MKX Owners Manual

Blocked Sensor
WARNING:Do not use ACC when towing a trailer with brake
controls. Aftermarket trailer brakes will not function properly
when ACC is activated because the brakes are electronically controlled.
Failing to do so may result in loss of vehicle control, which could result
in serious injury.
WARNING:Do not use tires sizes other than those
recommended because this can affect the normal operation of
ACC. Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control, which
could result in serious injury.
A message regarding a blocked sensor is
displayed if the radar signals from the
sensor have been obstructed. The
sensor is located behind a fascia cover
near the driver side of the lower grille.
A vehicle ahead cannot be detected and
the system will not function when the
radar signals are obstructed. The
following table lists possible causes and
actions for this message being displayed.
Cause Action
The surface of the radar in the
grille is dirty or obstructed in
some way.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 clean but the message
remains in the display.Wait a short time. It may take
several minutes for the radar to
detect that it is no longer
obstructed.
Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with the radar signals.Do not use the system in these
conditions because it may not
detect any vehicle ahead.
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Cause Action
Swirling water, or snow or ice on
the surface of the road may
interfere with the radar signals.Do not use system in these
conditions because it may not
detect any vehicle ahead.
You are in a desert or remote area
with no other vehicles and no
roadside objects.Wait a short time or switch to
normal cruise control.
Due to the nature of radar technology, it is possible to get a blockage
warning and not be blocked. This can happen, for example, when driving
in sparse rural or desert environments. A false blocked condition will
either self-clear or clear after a key cycle.
Switching to Normal Cruise Control
WARNING:Normal cruise control will not brake due to slower
vehicles. Always be aware of which mode is selected and apply
the brakes when necessary.
You can manually change from adaptive cruise control to normal cruise
control through the information display.
The cruise control indicator light will replace the adaptive
cruise control indicator light if normal cruise control is selected.
The gap setting will not be displayed, the system will not
automatically respond to lead vehicles and automatic braking will not be
activated. The system will default to adaptive cruise control when the
engine is started.
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BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM (BLIS®) WITH CROSS
TRAFFIC ALERT (CTA) (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the BLIS® as a
replacement for using the interior and exterior mirrors and
looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. BLIS® is not a
replacement for careful driving.
BLIS® aids the driver in detecting
vehicles that may have entered the
blind spot zone (A). The detection
area is on both sides of the vehicle,
extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to approximately
10 feet (3 meters) beyond the
bumper. The system alerts you if
certain vehicles enter the blind spot
zone while driving.
CTA warns the driver of vehicles approaching from the sides when the
transmission is in R (Reverse).
Note:BLIS® is not designed to prevent contact with other vehicles or
objects; or to detect parked vehicles, people, animals or infrastructure
(fences, guardrails, trees, etc.). It is designed to alert the driver to
vehicles in the blind zones.
Note:When a vehicle passes quickly through the blind zone (typically
fewer than two seconds), the system does not trigger.
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Using the Systems
BLIS® turns on when the engine is started and the vehicle is driven
forward above 3 mph (5 km/h); it remains on while the transmission is in
D (Drive) or N (Neutral). If shifted out of D (Drive) or N (Neutral), the
system enters CTA mode. Once shifted back into D (Drive), BLIS® turns
back on when the vehicle is driven above 3 mph (5 km/h).
Note:BLIS® does not function in R (Reverse) or P (Park) or provide
any additional warning when a turn signal is on.
CTA detects approaching vehicles from up to 45 feet (14 meters) away
though coverage decreases when the sensors are blocked. Reversing
slowly helps increase the coverage area and effectiveness.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, NEVER use the CTA
system as a replacement for using the interior and exterior
mirrors and looking over your shoulder before backing out of a parking
space. CTA is not a replacement for careful driving.
In this first example, the left sensor is only partially obstructed; zone
coverage is nearly maximized.
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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
The BLIS® and CTA 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.
CTA also sounds an audible alarm and a message appears in the
information display indicating a vehicle is coming from the right or left.
CTA works with the reverse sensing system which sounds its own
audible alarm; see theParking Aidschapter.
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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.
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.
The system uses radar sensors
which are located behind the
bumper fascia on each side of the
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 blocked
sensor warning or low visibility
warning 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: 1)
when at least two objects are detected while driving, or 2) turn the ignition
key 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
The radar surface is
dirty or obstructedClean the fascia area in front of the radar or
remove the obstruction.
The radar surface is
not dirty or obstructedDrive normally in traffic for a few minutes to
allow the radar to detect passing vehicles so it
can clear the blocked state.
Heavy rainfall/snowfall
interferes with the
radar signalsNo action required. The system automatically
resets to an unblocked state once the
rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or stops. Do
not use BLIS® and/or CTA in these conditions.
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System Limitations
The BLIS® and CTA systems do have their limitations; situations such as
severe weather conditions or debris build-up on the sensor area may
limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that may limit the BLIS®:
•Certain maneuvering of vehicles entering 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 CTA 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 3 mph (5 km/h).
•Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note:If you connected a trailer to your vehicle the BLIS® system may
detect the trailer causing a false alert. To avoid false alerts you may want
to turn the BLIS off manually.
There may be certain instances when either the BLIS® or CTA 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® indicator in the information display will illuminate and remain on.
Also,BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULTorCROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM
FAULTmessage will appear. When problems that may cause the left or
right indicator not to illuminate, only the information display message
faults appear.
Switching the Systems Off and On
One or both systems can be switched off temporarily by using the
information display control; refer to theInformation Displaychapter.
When you switch off the Blind Spot Information System, you will not
receive alerts and the information display will display a system off
message. The yellow alert indicator in the outside mirror will also flash
twice. The system switches back on whenever you switch the ignition on.
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You can also have one or both systems switched off permanently at an
authorized dealer. Once switched off, the system can only be switched
back on at an authorized dealer.
COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: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.
WARNING: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).
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.
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.
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