GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNINGS
Extended idling at high engine speeds
can produce very high temperatures
in the engine and exhaust system, creating
the risk of fire or other damage. Do not park, idle or drive your vehicle
on dry grass or other dry ground cover.
The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, creating
the risk of fire. Do not start the vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas.
Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the vehicle. If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your vehicle checked by
an authorized dealer immediately. Do not
drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust fumes. If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8
kilometers) after you reconnect it. This is
because the engine management system
must realign itself with the engine. You can
disregard any unusual driving characteristics
during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all
Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field or radio noise.
When you start the vehicle, avoid pressing
the accelerator pedal before and during
operation. Only use the accelerator pedal
when you have difficulty starting the vehicle.
KEYLESS STARTING
Note:
The keyless starting system may not
function if the key is close to metal objects
or electronic devices such as cellular
phones.
Note: A valid key must be located inside
your vehicle to switch the ignition on and
start the vehicle. Ignition Modes
163
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Starting and Stopping the EngineE164319
The keyless starting system has three
modes:
•
Off: Turns the ignition off.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode,
or when the vehicle is running but is
not moving.
• On:
All electrical circuits are operational
and the warning lamps and indicators
illuminate.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.
• Start:
Starts the vehicle. The engine may
not start when the vehicle starts.
• Press the brake pedal, and then press
the button until the vehicle starts. An
indicator light on the button
illuminates when then ignition is on
and when the vehicle starts. STARTING A GASOLINE ENGINE
When the engine starts for the first time on
your drive, the idle speed increases, this
helps to warm up the engine. If the engine
idle speed does not slow down automatically,
have your vehicle checked by an authorized
dealer.
Note:
You can crank the engine for a total
of 60 seconds (without the engine starting)
before the starting system temporarily
disables. The 60 seconds does not have to
be all at once. For example, if you crank the
engine three times for 20 seconds each time,
without the engine starting, you reached the
60-second time limit. A message appears in
the information display alerting you that you
exceeded the cranking time. You cannot
attempt to start the engine for at least 15
minutes. After 15 minutes, you are limited to
a 15-second engine cranking time. You need
to wait 60 minutes before you can crank the
engine for 60 seconds again. Before starting the vehicle, check the
following:
•
Make sure all occupants have fastened
their safety belts.
• Make sure the headlamps and electrical
accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Put the transmission in
P .
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Press the button.
Note: The green ready indicator illuminates
letting you know that the vehicle is ready for
driving. Since your vehicle is equipped with
a silent key start, the engine may not start
at the time of the vehicle start.
See Hybrid
Electric Vehicle (page 168).
The system does not function if:
• The key frequencies are jammed.
• The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start the vehicle, do the
following:
164
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Starting and Stopping the Engine
1. Remove the rubber covering (A) in the
cupholder. Place the remote in the
backup slot (B) at the bottom of the
cupholder.
2. With the key in this position, press the brake pedal, then the START button to
switch the ignition on and start your
vehicle.
Fast Restart
The fast restart feature allows you to restart
the vehicle within 20 seconds of switching
it off, even if a valid key is not present. Within 20 seconds of switching the vehicle
off, press the brake pedal and press the
button. After 20 seconds have expired, you
can no longer restart the vehicle without the
key present inside your vehicle.
Once the vehicle has started, it remains
running until you press the button, even if
the system does not detect a valid key. If you
open and close a door while the vehicle is
running, the system searches for a valid key.
You cannot restart the vehicle if the system
does not detect a valid key within 20
seconds.
Automatic Shutdown
This feature automatically shuts down the
vehicle if it has been idling for an extended
period. The ignition also turns off in order to
save battery power. Before the vehicle shuts
down, a message appears in the information
display showing a timer counting down from
30 seconds. If you do not intervene within
30 seconds, the vehicle shuts down. Another
message appears in the information display
to inform you that the vehicle has shut down
in order to save fuel. Start your vehicle as
you normally do.Automatic Shutdown Override
Note:
You cannot permanently switch off the
automatic shutdown feature. When you
switch it off temporarily, it turns on at the
next ignition cycle.
You can stop the shutdown, or reset the
timer, at any point before the 30-second
countdown has expired by doing any of the
following:
• You can reset the timer by interacting
with your vehicle (such as pressing the
brake pedal or accelerator pedal).
• You can temporarily switch off the
shutdown feature any time the ignition is
on (for the current ignition cycle only).
Use the information display to do so. See
Information Displays (page 109).
• During the countdown before shutdown,
you are prompted to press OK or RESET
(depending on your type of information
display) to temporarily switch the feature
off (for the current ignition cycle only).
165
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Starting and Stopping the EngineE155835
Switching Off the Vehicle When It Is
Stationary
1. Put the transmission in position P.
2. Press the button once.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Note: This switches off the ignition, all
electrical circuits, warning lamps and
indicators.
Note: If the engine is idling for 30 minutes,
the ignition and engine automatically shut
down.
Switching Off the Vehicle When It Is
Moving WARNING
Switching off the engine when the
vehicle is still moving will result in a
loss of brake and steering assistance. The
steering will not lock, but higher effort will
be required. When the ignition is switched
off, some electrical circuits, warning lamps
and indicators may also be off. 1. Put the transmission in position
N and
use the brakes to bring your vehicle to a
safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, put the transmission in position
P.
3. Press and hold the button for one second, or press it three times within two
seconds.
4. Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes WARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your vehicle checked by
your authorized dealer immediately. Do not
drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust fumes.
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust
fumes. Take precautions to avoid its
dangerous effects. Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and the leave the
engine idling for long periods of time, we
recommend that you do one of the following:•
Open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5
centimeters)
• Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (If Equipped) WARNINGS
Failure to follow engine block heater
instructions could result in property
damage or serious personal injury. Do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged adapters. There is a risk of
electrical shock. Note:
The heater is most effective when
outdoor temperatures are below 0°F (-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid by warming
the engine coolant. This allows the climate
control system to respond quickly. The
equipment includes a heater element
(installed in the engine block) and a wire
harness. You can connect the system to a
grounded 120-volt AC electrical source.
166
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Starting and Stopping the Engine
We recommend that you do the following for
a safe and correct operation:
•
Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord
that is product certified by Underwriter’ s
Laboratory (UL) or Canadian Standards
Association (CSA). This extension cord
must be suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly marked
Suitable for Use with Outdoor
Appliances. Do not use an indoor
extension cord outdoors. This could
result in an electric shock or become a
fire hazard.
• Use as short an extension cord as
possible.
• Do not use multiple extension cords.
• Make sure that when in operation, the
extension cord plug and heater cord plug
connections are free and clear of water.
This could cause an electric shock or fire.
• Make sure your vehicle is parked in a
clean area, clear of combustibles.
• Make sure the heater, heater cord and
extension cord are firmly connected. •
Check for heat anywhere in the electrical
hookup once the system has been
operating for approximately 30 minutes.
• Make sure the system is unplugged and
properly stowed before driving your
vehicle. Make sure the protective cover
seals the prongs of the block heater cord
plug when not in use.
• Make sure the heater system is checked
for proper operation before winter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals are clean
and dry prior to use. Clean them with a dry
cloth if necessary.
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of
energy per hour of use. The system does not
have a thermostat. It achieves maximum
temperature after approximately three hours
of operation. Using the heater longer than
three hours does not improve system
performance and unnecessarily uses
electricity.
167
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Starting and Stopping the Engine
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE
This hybrid vehicle combines electric and
gasoline propulsion to provide performance
and efficiency. It requires no special fuels
and you never have to plug it in.
Note:
You may notice higher engine speeds
upon start-up. This temporary condition is
normal and necessary to heat up the cabin
and minimize emissions. Starting: Switch the ignition on
while your transmission is in park
(P). The green ready indicator light
will appear in the instrument cluster, letting
you know that the vehicle is ready for driving.
The engine may not start because this
vehicle is equipped with silent key start. This
fuel saving feature allows your vehicle to be
ready to drive without requiring the gas
engine to be running. This indicator will
remain on while the vehicle is on, whether the engine is running or not to indicate the
vehicle is capable of movement (using its
electric motor, engine, or both). Typically, the
engine will not start unless the vehicle is
cold, you make a climate control change, or
you press the accelerator.
Driving:
The gas engine automatically starts
and stops to provide power when needed
and to save fuel when not needed. While
coasting at low speeds, coming to a stop, or
standing, the gas engine normally shuts
down and the vehicle operates in
electric-only mode. Conditions that may
cause the engine to start up or remain
running include:
• Considerable vehicle acceleration.
• Vehicle speed above 85 mph (137 km/h)
However, the maximum speed for
electric–only operation may be lower
while driving in hot temperatures or on
hilly terrain.
• Ascending a hill.
• Charge level of high voltage battery is
low. •
Very high or low outside temperature (to
provide system cooling or heating).
• Engine not warm enough to provide
passenger requested cabin temperature.
Stopping:
The gas engine may shut off to
conserve fuel as you come to a stop.
Restarting the vehicle is not required. Simply
step on the accelerator when you are ready
to drive.
Transmission Operation:
Due to the
technologically advanced,
electronically-controlled continuously
variable transaxle, you will not feel shift
changes like those of a non-hybrid vehicle.
Note: Since engine speed is controlled by
the transmission, it may seem elevated at
times. This is normal hybrid operation and
helps deliver fuel efficiency and
performance.
Neutral:
It is not recommended to idle the
vehicle in neutral (N) for an extended period
of time because this will discharge your high
voltage battery and decrease fuel economy.
The engine will not start, and cannot provide
power to the hybrid system in neutral (N).
168
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Unique Driving CharacteristicsE144692
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.
The OBD-II system monitors the emission
control system during normal driving. A
complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, you may
need to perform the following driving cycle
consisting of mixed city and highway driving:
Drive on an expressway or highway for a
steady 15 minutes, followed by 20 minutes
of stop-and-go driving with at least four
30-second idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the
engine and complete the above driving
cycle. The engine must warm up to its normal
operating temperature. Once started, do not
turn off the engine until the above driving
cycle is complete. If the vehicle is still not
ready for I/M testing, you will have to repeat
the above driving cycle.
183
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Fuel and Refueling
3. If your vehicle is not powered after this
sequence, repeat steps 1 and 2 up to two
more times.
For vehicles equipped with a push button
start system:
1. Press the START/STOP button to turn
ignition off.
2. Press the brake pedal and press the START/STOP
button.
3. If your vehicle is not powered after this sequence, repeat steps 1 and 2 up to two
more times.
Note: During this process, your vehicle will
detect if the electrical system is safe and
reactivate. Once your vehicle determines
the electrical system safe, you can start your
vehicle as you would normally by either
turning the ignition key or by pressing the
brake in combination with the START/STOP
button.
Note: In the event your vehicle does not
reactivate after the third key cycle, contact
an authorized dealer.
186
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA High Voltage Battery