
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws for
towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with towing
accessories for the proper installation
and adjustment specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's load
in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit
(page 228).
Remember to account for the trailer tongue
weight as part of your vehicle load when
calculating the total vehicle weight. Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook
retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your vehicle's
brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of
having a collision greatly increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install
them properly and adjust them to the
manufacturer's specifications. The trailer
brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system resulting
in fire. Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible for assistance in proper
trailer tow wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
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Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
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. WARNINGS
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. 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.
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Do not attempt to repair punctures larger
than 0.24 in (6 mm) or damage to the tire's
sidewall. The tire may not completely seal.
Loss of air pressure may adversely affect tire
performance. For this reason:
Note: Do not drive the vehicle above 50 mph
(80 km/h)
.
Note: Do not drive further than
120 mi
(200 km). Drive only to the closest authorized
Ford dealer or tire repair shop to have your
tire inspected.
• Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering
maneuvers.
• Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure
in the affected tire. If the tire is losing
pressure, have the vehicle towed.
• Read the information in the Tips for Use
of the Kit section to make sure safe
operation of the kit and your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Kit
To ensure safe operation of the kit: •
Read all instructions and cautions fully.
• Before operating the kit, make sure your
vehicle is safely off the road and away
from moving traffic. Turn on the hazard
lights.
• Always set the parking brake to ensure
the vehicle does not move unexpectedly.
• Do not remove any foreign objects, such
as nails or screws, from the tire.
• When using the kit, leave the engine
running (only if the vehicle is outdoors or
in a well-ventilated area) so the
compressor does not drain the vehicle
battery.
• Do not allow the compressor to operate
continuously for more than 15 minutes.
This will help prevent the compressor
from overheating.
• Never leave the kit unattended when it
is operating.
• Sealant compound contains latex. Make
sure that you use the non-latex gloves
provided to avoid an allergic reaction.
• Keep the kit away from children. •
Only use the kit when the ambient
temperature is between -22°F (-30°C) and
158°F (70°C)
.
• Only use the sealing compound before
the use by date. The use by date is on
the lower right hand corner of the label
located on the sealant canister (bottle).
Check the use by date regularly and
replace the canister after four years.
• Do not store the kit unsecured inside the
passenger compartment of the vehicle
as it may cause injury during a sudden
stop or crash. Always store the kit in its
original location.
• After sealant use, the tire pressure
monitoring system sensor and valve stem
on the wheel must be replaced by an
authorized Ford dealer.
• When inflating a tire or other objects, use
the black air hose only. Do not use the
transparent hose which is designed for
sealant application only.
• Operating the kit could cause an
electrical disturbance in radio, CD, and
DVD player operation.
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MKZ (), enUSA Wheels and Tires

What to do when a Tire Is Punctured
A tire puncture within the tire tread area can
be repaired in two stages with the kit.
•
In the first stage, the tire will be reinflated
with a sealing compound and air. After
the tire has been reinflated, you will need
to drive the vehicle a short distance 4 mi
(6 km) to distribute the sealant in the tire.
• In the second stage, you will need to
check the tire pressure and adjust, if
necessary, to the vehicle tire inflation
pressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tire with
Sealing Compound and Air WARNINGS
Do not stand directly over the kit while
inflating the tire. If you notice any
unusual bulges or deformations in the tire
sidewall during inflation, stop and call
roadside assistance. If the tire does not inflate to the
recommended tire pressure within 15
minutes, stop and call roadside assistance. Preparation: Park the vehicle in a safe, level
and secure area, away from moving traffic.
Turn the hazard lights on. Apply the parking
brake and turn the engine off. Inspect the
flat tire for visible damage.
Sealant compound contains latex. To avoid
any allergic reactions, use the non-latex
gloves located in the accessory box on the
underside of the kit housing.
Do not remove any foreign object that has
pierced the tire. If a puncture is located in
the tire sidewall, stop and call roadside
assistance.
1.
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve.
2. Unwrap the clear tube from the compressor housing.
3. Remove the tube cap and fasten the metal connector of the tube to the tire
valve, turning clockwise. Make sure the
connection is tightly fastened. 4. Plug the power cable into the 12-volt
power point in the vehicle.
5. Remove the warning sticker found on the
canister and place it on the top of the
instrument panel or the center of the
dash.
6. Start the vehicle only if the vehicle is outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
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Air pressure gauge
D
Sealant bottle and canister
E
Dual purpose hose: air and repair
F
Tire valve connector
G
Accessory power plug
H
Casing/housing
I
Bike/raft/sports ball adapters
J
General Information WARNING
Failure to follow these guidelines could
result in an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, injury or death. Note:
Do not use the kit if a tire has become
severely damaged. Only punctures located
within the tire tread can be sealed with the
kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures larger
than ¼ inch (6 millimeters) or damage to the
tire's sidewall. The tire may not completely
seal. Loss of air pressure may adversely affect tire
performance. For this reason:
Note:
Do not drive the vehicle above 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Note: Do not drive further than
120 mi
(200 km). Drive only to the closest authorized
Ford dealer or tire repair shop to have your
tire inspected.
• Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering
maneuvers.
• Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure
in the affected tire; if the tire is losing
pressure, have the vehicle towed.
• Read the information in the Tips for Use
of the Kit section to make sure safe
operation of the kit and your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Kit
To ensure safe operation of the kit:
• Read all instructions and cautions fully.
• Before operating the kit, make sure your
vehicle is safely off the road and away
from moving traffic. Turn on the hazard
lights. •
Always set the parking brake to ensure
the vehicle doesn't move unexpectedly.
• Do not remove any foreign objects, such
as nails or screws, from the tire.
• When using the kit, leave the engine
running (only if the vehicle is outdoors or
in a well-ventilated area) so the
compressor does not drain the vehicle's
battery.
• Do not allow the compressor to operate
continuously for more than 15 minutes.
This will help prevent the compressor
from overheating.
• Never leave the kit unattended during
operation.
• Sealant compound contains latex. Those
with latex sensitivities should use
appropriate precautions to avoid an
allergic reaction.
• Keep the kit away from children.
• Only use the kit when the ambient
temperature is between -22°F (-30°C) and
158°F (70°C)
.
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MKZ (), enUSA Wheels and Tires

•
Only use the sealing compound before
the use-by date. The use-by date is on a
label on the sealant canister and can be
seen through the rectangular viewing
window on the bottom of the compressor.
Check the use-by date regularly and
replace the canister after four years of
non-use.
• Do not store the kit unsecured inside the
passenger compartment of the vehicle
as it may cause injury during a sudden
stop or crash. Always store the kit in its
original location.
• After sealant use, the tire pressure
monitoring system sensor and valve stem
on the wheel must be replaced by an
authorized Ford dealer.
• Operating the kit could cause an
electrical disturbance in radio, CD, and
DVD player operation. * When inflation only is required for
a tire or other objects, the selector
must be in the Air position. What to do when a Tire Is Punctured
A tire puncture within the tire's tread area
can be repaired in two stages with the kit.
•
In the first stage, the tire will be reinflated
with a sealing compound and air. After
the tire has been inflated, you will need
to drive the vehicle a short distance
(about 4 miles [6 kilometers]) to distribute
the sealant in the tire.
• In the second stage, you will need to
check the tire pressure and adjust, if
necessary, to the vehicle's specified tire
inflation pressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tire with
Sealing Compound and Air WARNINGS
Do not stand directly over the kit while
inflating the tire. If you notice any
unusual bulges or deformations in the tire's
sidewall during inflation, stop and call
roadside assistance. If the tire does not inflate to the
recommended tire pressure within 15
minutes, stop and call roadside assistance. WARNINGS
Do not run the engine during kit
operation unless the vehicle is
outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Preparation: Park the vehicle in a safe, level
and secure area, away from moving traffic.
Turn the hazard lights on. Apply the parking
brake and turn the engine off. Inspect the
flat tire for visible damage.
Sealant compound contains latex. Use
appropriate precautions to avoid any allergic
reactions.
Do not remove any foreign object that has
pierced the tire. If a puncture is located in
the tire sidewall, stop and call roadside
assistance.
1.
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve.
2. Unwrap the dual purpose hose (black tube) from the back of the compressor
housing.
3. Fasten the hose to the tire valve by turning the connector clockwise. Tighten
the connection securely.
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Make sure to change your vehicle
’s oils and
fluids at the specified intervals or in
conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with
new fluid that is the same as that required
to fill and operate the system or using a
Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic
maintenance checks and inspections every
month or at six-month intervals. Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level. Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
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MKZ (), enUSA Scheduled Maintenance

Tire Pressure Monitoring System.............339
Changing Tires With a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System........................................340
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System .............................................................340
Tire Repair Kit See: Temporary Mobility Kit...............................311
Tires See: Wheels and Tires........................................311
Towing a Trailer.............................................237 Load Placement..................................................237
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels.......242 Emergency Towing............................................242
Recreational Towing..........................................242
Towing.............................................................237
Traction Control.............................................188
Principle of Operation........................................188
Transmission Code Designation
...............357
Transmission....................................................171
Transmission See: Transmission.................................................171
Transporting the Vehicle
.............................241
U
Under Hood Overview - 2.0L EcoBoost™...................................................280
Under Hood Overview - 3.7L....................282 Universal Garage Door Opener
................148
HomeLink Wireless Control System...............148
Using Adaptive Cruise Control.................204 Blocked Sensor..................................................209
Changing the Set Speed..................................
207
Detection Issues.................................................208
Disengaging the System..................................207
Following a Vehicle...........................................205
Hilly Condition Usage.......................................207
Low Speed Automatic Cancellation..............207
Overriding the System......................................207
Resuming the Set Speed..................................207
Setting a Speed..................................................205
Setting the Gap Distance.................................206
Switching the System Off.................................208
Switching the System On.................................204
Switching to Normal Cruise Control...............210
System Not Available........................................209
Using All-Wheel Drive...................................177 Driving In Special Conditions With All-Wheel
Drive (AWD)......................................................177
Using Cruise Control...................................203 Switching Cruise Control Off...........................204
Switching Cruise Control On...........................203
Using MyKey With Remote Start Systems..........................................................63
Using Snow Chains
......................................338 Using Stability Control..................................191
AdvanceTrac® .......................................................191
Using Traction Control.................................188 Switching the System Off Using a
Switch................................................................188
Switching the System Off Using the Information Display Controls.......................
188
System Indicator Lights and Messages.........188
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only).............................................256
V
Vehicle Care
..................................................302
General Information...........................................302
Vehicle Certification Label
.........................356
Vehicle Identification Number..................356
Vehicle Storage............................................308 Battery...................................................................309
Body.......................................................................309
Brakes...................................................................309
Cooling system...................................................309
Engine...................................................................309
Fuel system..........................................................309
General.................................................................309
Miscellaneous......................................................310
Removing Vehicle From Storage....................
310
Tires.......................................................................309
510
MKZ (), enUSA Index