Starting and Stopping the
Engine
General Information......................................163
Keyless Starting.............................................163
Starting a Gasoline Engine.........................164
Engine Block Heater....................................166
Unique Driving Characteristics
Hybrid Electric Vehicle.................................168
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions........................................174
Fuel Quality.....................................................175
Running Out of Fuel
......................................175
Refueling..........................................................178
Fuel Consumption
.........................................180
Emission Control System
.............................181
High Voltage Battery
General Information
......................................184
High Voltage Battery Cut-Off Switch.......185 Transmission
Automatic Transmission
...............................187
Brakes
General Information
......................................192
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes..........................................................193
Electric Parking Brake..................................193
Hill Start Assist...............................................195
Traction Control
Principle of Operation..................................197
Using Traction Control.................................197
Stability Control
Principle of Operation
..................................199
Using Stability Control
................................200
Parking Aids
Parking Aid.....................................................201
Active Park Assist.........................................203
Rear View Camera.......................................208 Cruise Control
Principle of Operation..................................212
Using Cruise Control....................................212
Using Adaptive Cruise Control..................213
Driving Aids
Driver Alert
......................................................221
Lane Keeping System.................................222
Blind Spot Information System.................227
Steering..........................................................232
Collision Warning System..........................233
Drive Control
.................................................236
Load Carrying
Load Limit
.......................................................238
Towing
Towing a Trailer
.............................................247
Transporting the Vehicle.............................247
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels.......248
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.....................................................249
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Table of Contents
Pregnant women should always wear their
safety belt. The lap belt portion of a
combination lap and shoulder belt should be
positioned low across the hips below the
belly and worn as tight as comfort will allow.
The shoulder belt should be positioned to
cross the middle of the shoulder and the
center of the chest.
Safety Belt Locking Modes WARNINGS
After any vehicle crash, the safety belt
system at all passenger seating
positions must be checked by an authorized
dealer to verify that the automatic locking
retractor feature for child seats is still
functioning properly. In addition, all safety
belts should be checked for proper function. Belt and retractor assembly must be
replaced if the safety belt assembly
automatic locking retractor feature or any
other safety belt function is not operating
properly when checked by an authorized
dealer. Failure to replace the belt and
retractor assembly could increase the risk of
injury in crashes. All safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The
driver safety belt has the vehicle sensitive
locking mode. The front outboard passenger
and rear seat safety belts have both the
vehicle sensitive locking mode and the
automatic locking mode.Vehicle Sensitive Mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which
allows free shoulder belt length adjustment
to your movements and locking in response
to vehicle movement. For example, if the
driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
about 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the
combination safety belts will lock to help
reduce forward movement of the driver and
passengers.
In addition, the retractor is designed to lock
if the webbing is pulled out too quickly. If this
occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull
webbing out again in a slow and controlled
manner.
Automatic Locking Mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically pre-locked. The belt will still
retract to remove any slack in the shoulder
belt. The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver safety belt.
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Fuel Economy
—
5, 10 or 30 minutes
Duration
Fuel History
(Instantaneous Fuel Economy + Fuel Economy History + Avg Fuel Economy) —
—
Help
—
—
Help
Coach
Efficiency Leaves
Efficiency leaves indicate short term driving
efficiency measured over the last few
minutes. The more leaves and vines that
appear on the display, the better your fuel
economy. Leaves and vines will occasionally
appear and disappear to indicate a change
in your driving efficiency.
Flowers appear on the efficiency leaves
screen in addition to the leaves and vines.
The flowers indicate long term driving
efficiency. The more flowers that appear on
the display, the more efficiently you have
driven. Once earned, the flowers will remain
unless reset, unlike the leaves, which come
and go as your short term fuel economy
changes. This feature can be reset in the information
displays settings menu under Driving History.
See General Information (page 109).
Fuel History
From left to right this view includes an
instantaneous fuel economy gauge, historical
fuel economy data and average fuel
economy. The historical data represents an
average over time intervals of either 1, 2 or
6 minutes, with the leftmost interval being
the most recent. Shown at the bottom of the
view is the total time duration for the 5
intervals. You can select total duration in the
options menu. Intervals shown in grey color
are from the previous drive. The blue
horizontal line represents the average fuel
economy value shown to the right. Note:
Hold
OK to reset average fuel
economy.
Coach
This view provides a comparison of your
recent acceleration, braking and cruising
behavior, then recommends the most
efficient use of energy under present
conditions. The horizontal bars fill from left
to right with best behavior and appear blue
when at least half full. When the bars are less
than half full, the color is amber, suggesting
that you need a change in your driving
behavior to achieve better energy efficiency.
Note: Fuel Economy will be impacted by your
use of brakes, accelerator and accessories,
as well as environmental conditions such as
hills and weather.
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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.
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Brake-Shift Interlock Override
WARNINGS
Do not drive your vehicle until you
verify that the brake lamps are working.
When doing this procedure, you will
be taking your vehicle out of park
which means your vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always
fully set the parking brake prior to doing this
procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate. If you fully release the parking brake,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be working
properly. See your authorized dealer. Note:
See your authorized dealer as soon
as possible if this procedure is used.
Note: For some markets this feature will be
disabled.
Note: This feature will only function if your
12-volt battery has power. Use the brake-shift interlock override
procedure to put your vehicle in gear in the
event of an electrical malfunction or if your
vehicle has a dead battery. The brake shift
interlock override button is located inside of
the center console, below media inputs. You
will need a tool (for example a screwdriver
or similar tool) to access the button.
1. Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition off before performing this
procedure. 2.
Locate the brake shifter interlock access
slot. The slot is located below the media
hub, in the front of the center console
storage bin and it is not labeled. Note:
Make sure that you correctly identify
the access hole as not to damage the media
hub.
3. Using a tool, press and hold the brake shift interlock switch. When the
instrument panel buttons flash, your
vehicle is in override mode.
4. With the override switch still held, press the neutral (N) button for towing, or the
desired gear to shift from Park.
5. Release the override button.
6. Your vehicle will remain in Stay in Neutral
mode for wrecker towing purposes or
can be shifted to the desired gear and
driven (if your vehicle can be driven).
7. Release the parking brake.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or
Snow
Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more than
a minute or damage to the transmission and
tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a
metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Alloy Wheels
(page 308). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 103).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes. Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes
stuck or entrapped, apply steady and firm
pressure to the brake pedal to slow the
vehicle and reduce engine power. If you
experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Move
the transmission selector lever to position P,
switch the engine off and apply the parking
brake. Inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interference. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake heavily
by measuring the rate at which you press the
brake pedal. It provides maximum braking
efficiency as long as you press the pedal.
Brake assist can reduce stopping distances
in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily illuminates
when you turn the ignition on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the anti-lock
braking system may be disabled. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the brake
warning lamp illuminates when you
release the parking brake, have your system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Regenerative Braking System
This feature is used to simulate the engine
braking of an internal combustion engine
and assist the standard brake system while
recovering some of the energy of motion and
storing it in the battery to improve fuel
economy. The standard brake system is
designed to fully stop the car if regenerative
braking is not available. During regenerative
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braking, the motor is spun as a generator to
create electrical current. This recharges the
battery and slows the vehicle. In effect, once
the accelerator pedal is released, the motor
changes from an energy user to an energy
producer.
When you release the accelerator pedal or
press the brake pedal, the brake controller
automatically detects the amount of
deceleration requested and optimizes how
much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining
portion is generated by standard friction
braking. When the battery is almost fully
charged, the amount of regenerative braking
is limited to avoid overcharging, and the
requested deceleration is produced by
standard friction braking alone.
Regenerative braking does not take the
place of the standard friction brakes; it only
assists them. Regenerative braking has also
been designed to interact with the anti-lock
brake system. Regenerative braking is
disabled when the anti-lock brake system is
activated or the battery is fully charged.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-
LOCK BRAKES
Note:
When the system is operating, the
brake pedal will pulse and may travel further.
Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You
may also hear a noise from the system. This
is normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks when:
• You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake replaces the
conventional handbrake. The operating
switch is located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. WARNING
Always set the parking brake and leave
your vehicle with the transmission in
park (P). Note:
When you apply the electric parking
brake in certain conditions, for example on
a steep hill, the electric parking brake may
reapply the brakes within three to ten
minutes. As a result, you may notice various
noises when you apply and release the
electric parking brake. This is normal and no
cause for concern.
Applying the electric parking brake WARNING
If the brake system warning lamp does
not illuminate or flashes, there could
be a problem with your electric parking
brake. Have the system checked by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. 193
MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Brakes
Note:
The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate for ten seconds if the ignition is
turned off after the electric parking brake
has been applied, or the electric parking
brake has been applied after the ignition
has been turned off.
Note: The electric parking brake will not
automatically apply. You must apply the
electric parking brake using the electric
parking brake switch. Pull the switch to apply the electric parking
brake. The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate to confirm that the electric parking
brake has been applied. See Information
Displays (page 109).
Applying the electric parking brake
when the vehicle is moving WARNINGS
Applying the electric parking brake
while moving will result in use of the
anti-lock braking system. Do not use the
electric parking brake system when the
vehicle is moving unless the normal brake
system is unable to stop the vehicle. With the exception of emergency
conditions (for example, the brake
pedal does not work or is blocked), do not
apply the electric parking brake while the
vehicle is moving. On bends, or poor road
surfaces or weather conditions, emergency
braking can cause the vehicle to skid out of
control or off the road. If you apply the electric parking brake when
your vehicle is moving, the brake system
warning lamp will illuminate and a warning
chime will sound. See Information Displays
(page 109).
If your vehicle speed is above
4 mph
(6 km/h), the braking force is applied as long
as the switch is applied. Release or press the
switch, or press the accelerator pedal to stop
the braking force.
Releasing the electric parking brake Release the electric parking brake either
manually by pressing the switch down or
automatically.
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