Maintenance 251
General information...................................251
Opening and closing the hood............................252
Under hood overview..................................253
Engine oil dipstick....................................254
Engine oil check......................................254
Engine coolant check..................................255
Automatic transmission fluid check........................259
Brake fluid check.....................................261
Fuel filter...........................................261
Washer fluid check....................................262
Changing the vehicle battery.............................262
Checking the wiper blades..............................264
Changing the wiper blades..............................265
Air filter(s).........................................266
Adjusting the headlamps................................267
Changing a bulb......................................268
Bulb specification chart.................................273
Vehicle Care 274
Cleaning products.....................................274
Cleaning the exterior..................................274
Waxing.............................................276
Repairing minor paint damage............................276
Cleaning the engine...................................276
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................277
Cleaning the interior...................................278
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......280
Cleaning leather seats..................................281
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................281
Vehicle storage.......................................282
6Table of Contents
2014 MKX(mkx)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, June 2014
USA(fus)
Charging system (RTT)
Illuminates when the battery is not charging properly. If it stays
on while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction with
the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Door ajar (RTT)
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine oil pressure (RTT)
Illuminates when the oil pressure falls below the normal range.
Engine coolant temperature (RTT)
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
Grade assist (if equipped) (RTT)
Illuminates when grade assist is turned on.
Heads up display (if equipped)
A red beam of lights will illuminate on the windshield in certain
instances when using adaptive cruise control and/or the
collision warning system. It will also illuminate momentarily
when you start your vehicle to make sure the display works.
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High beams
Illuminates when the high-beam headlamps are on.
Low fuel (RTT)
Illuminates when the fuel level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty.
Low tire pressure warning
Illuminates when your tire pressure is low. If the light remains
on at start up or while driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will
illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn on or begins to flash, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Low washer fluid (RTT)
Illuminates when the windshield washer fluid is low.
Parking Lamps (RTT)
It will illuminate when you switch the parking lamps on.
Powertrain malfunction/reduced power
Illuminates when a powertrain or an AWD fault has been
detected. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Safety belt
Reminds you to fasten your safety belt. A Belt-Minder® chime
will also sound to remind you to fasten your safety belt.
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Service engine soon
Theservice engine soonindicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the on position to check the bulb and to
indicate whether the vehicle is ready for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) testing. Normally, the “service engine soon” light will stay on until the
engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no malfunctions are present.
However, if after 15 seconds the “service engine soon” light blinks eight
times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. See the
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) testingin theFuel and
Refuelingchapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theFuel and Refuelingchapter. If
the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Speed control (if equipped) (RTT)
The speed control system indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system is in:
•On (gray light–type 1 and type 2): Illuminates when the speed control
system is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system is
turned off.
•Engaged (grey light-type 1, green light-type 2): Illuminates when the
speed control system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control
system is disengaged.
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USA(fus)
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have been properly closed. SeeEasy Fuel®
No Cap Fuel Systemin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water—the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill inlet or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the service engine soon indicator
should stay off the next time the engine is started. A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city or highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is required.
If the service engine soon indicator remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available opportunity. Although some malfunctions
detected by the OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine soon indicator on can result in
increased emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and can lead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state, provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. SeeOn-board
Diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
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6. Replace the air filter housing cover and secure
the clamps. Be sure that the air cleaner cover tabs
are engaged into the slots of the air cleaner housing.
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, an authorized dealer should
check the alignment of your headlamps.
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.
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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.
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.
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USA(fus)
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.
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.
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