2015 LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID brake

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 you have 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
replaces the adaptive cruise
control indicator light if you select
normal cruise control. The gap setting will
not display, the system will not automatically
respond to lead vehicles and automatic
braking will not activate. ECO Cruise Control
This feature saves vehicle energy by relaxing
acceleration compared to standard cruise
control. For example, your vehicle may
temporarily lose speed when going uphill.
ECO will appear in the information display
when you activate ECO cruise control. It can
be switched on or off in the information
display.
See (page 109).
220
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Cruise ControlE71340

If your vehicle loses electrical power while
you are driving (or if you switch the ignition
off ), you can steer your 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 your vehicle
manually nor will it cause permanent
damage. Typical steering and driving
maneuvers allows the system to cool and
steering assist to 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.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds
may also make the steering seem to wander
or pull. Adaptive Learning
The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering feel. It communicates with the
brake system to help operate advanced
stability control and accident avoidance
systems. Additionally, whenever the battery
is disconnected or a new battery installed,
you must drive your vehicle a short distance
before the system relearns the strategy and
reactivates all systems.
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. WARNINGS
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.
233
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Driving AidsE156130

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. The warning system sensitivity can be
adjusted to one of three possible settings by
using the information display control. See
(page 109).
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 (page 109). Blocked Sensors 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.
234
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Driving AidsE156131 E145632

Action
Cause
Clean the grille surface in front of the radar or remove the objectcausing 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 detectthat 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 warningshould automatically reactivate a short time after the weather condi- tions improve
Heavy rain, spray, snow, or fog is interfering with the radar signals
The collision warning system is temporarily disabled. Collision warningshould automatically reactivate a short time after the weather condi- tions 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).
•
235
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Driving Aids

GCW (Gross Combined Weight) - is the
Gross Vehicle Weight plus the weight of
the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) - is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded
trailer, including all cargo and
passengers, that the vehicle can handle
without risking damage. (Important: The
towing vehicle ’s braking system is rated
for operation at Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating, not at Gross Combined Weight
Rating.) Separate functional brakes
should be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the Gross Combined Weight of the towing vehicle
plus the trailer exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating of the towing vehicle. The
Gross Combined Weight must never
exceed the Gross Combined Weight
Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight -
is
the highest possible weight of a fully
loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It
assumes a vehicle with mandatory
options, driver and front passenger
weight (150 pounds [68 kilograms] each),
no cargo weight (internal or external)
and a tongue load of 10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight
of 15–25% (fifth wheel trailer). Consult
an authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at an
authorized dealer) for more detailed
information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin
Weight - refers to the amount of the
weight that a trailer pushes down on a
trailer hitch.
Examples:
For a 5000 pound (2268
kilogram) conventional trailer, multiply
5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper
tongue load range of 500 to 750 pounds
(227 to 340 kilograms). For an 11500
pound (5216 kilogram) fifth wheel trailer,
multiply by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a
proper king pin load range of 1725 to
2875 pounds (782 to 1304 kilograms).
244
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Load CarryingE143819GCW
GVW

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR
WHEELS
Emergency Towing
In the event your vehicle becomes disabled
(without access to wheel dollies, car-hauling
trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground,
regardless of the powertrain/transmission
configuration) under the following conditions:
•
The vehicle is facing forward so that it is
towed in a forward direction.
• The transmission gear shift lever is
placed in position N. If the transmission
gear shift lever cannot be moved to
position N, it may need to be overridden.
See Automatic Transmission (page
187).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80
kilometers). Recreational Towing
Note:
Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering the vehicle.
See
Climate Control (page 139).
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational (RV) towing. An example of
recreational towing would be towing your
vehicle behind a motorhome. These
guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
Your vehicle can be towed with all four
wheels on the ground using the Neutral Tow
feature, or with all four wheels off the ground
using a vehicle transport trailer. If you are
using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the
instruction specified by the equipment
provider.
Neutral Tow
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground:
• Tow only in the forward direction.
• Release the parking brake. •
Place the vehicle in Neutral Tow mode
by doing the following:
•Put the ignition in accessory mode
(ignition on, engine off ). See Keyless
Starting (page 163).
• Select Neutral Tow in the information
display.
• When prompted by the information
display, press the brake pedal and
select Neutral on the transmission.
Make sure the parking brake is off. If
done successfully,
Neutral Tow
Engaged appears in the display.
• Shut the ignition off.
See Keyless
Starting (page 163). If the process is
completed successfully, the N on the
transmission slowly blinks and
"Neutral tow engaged" appears in the
information display.
• Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
• Start the engine and allow it to run for
one minute at the beginning of each day.
With the engine running and your foot
on the brake, shift into position
D and
then into position R before shifting back
into position
N.
248
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers).
During this time, your vehicle may exhibit
some unusual driving characteristics. The
engine also needs to break in. Avoid hard
accelerations and driving too fast for the first
1000 miles (1600 kilometers). If possible,
avoid carrying heavy loads up steep grades
during the break-in period.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things
such as how you drive, the conditions you
drive under and how you maintain your
vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that
may improve your fuel economy:
•
Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop. •
Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
•When running errands, go to the
furthest destination first and then
work your way back home.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds. (Traveling
at 65 mph/105 kph uses about 15% less
fuel than traveling at 75 mph/121 kph).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
There are also some things you may want to
avoid doing because they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
• Avoid revving the engine before turning
off the car.
• Avoid long idle periods.
• Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings. •
Reduce the use of air conditioning and
heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 kilometers/liter]
is lost for every 400 lbs [180 kilograms]
of weight carried).
• Avoid adding particular accessories to
your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski
racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle. Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
249
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Driving Hints

Note:
Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water, check
the depth. Never drive through water that is
higher than the bottom of the front rocker
area of your vehicle. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works. •
Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that the
steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that are
designed to fit the foot well of your
vehicle. Only use floor mats that leave the
pedal area unobstructed. Only use floor mats
that are firmly secured to retention posts so
that they cannot slip out of position and
interfere with the pedals or impair safe
operation of your vehicle in other ways. Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal injury. Always make sure that the floor mats
are properly attached to the retention
posts in the carpet that are supplied with
your vehicle. Floor mats must be properly
secured to both retention posts to make sure
mats do not shift out of position. WARNINGS
Never place floor mats or any other
covering in the vehicle foot well that
cannot be properly secured to prevent them
from moving and interfering with the pedals
or the ability to control the vehicle. Never place floor mats or any other
covering on top of already installed
floor mats. Floor mats should always rest on
top of vehicle carpeting surface and not
another floor mat or other covering.
Additional floor mats or any other covering
will reduce the pedal clearance and
potentially interfere with pedal operation. Check attachment of floor mats on a
regular basis. Always properly reinstall
and secure floor mats that have been
removed for cleaning or replacement. Always make sure that objects cannot
fall into the driver foot well while the
vehicle is moving. Objects that are loose can
become trapped under the pedals causing
a loss of vehicle control.
250
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Driving HintsE176360