
Action
Message
See your authorized dealer.
SHIFT SYS FAULT Neutral Unavailable
Service Required
See your authorized dealer.
SHIFT SYS FAULT Sport Unavailable
Service Required
Displays when neutral tow is active and the ignition needs to be turned \
off. See Towing the
Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 242).
Neutral Tow Engaged Turn Ignition Off for
Towing
Displays while attempting to exit neutral tow. The brake pedal needs to be depressed and parkbutton selected to deactivate.
See Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 242).
Neutral Tow Engaged Depress Brake and
Select Park to Exit Neutral Tow
Displays when neutral tow is active and the park brake needs to be released.
See Towing the
Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 242).
Neutral Tow Remove Park Brake for
Towing
Displays when neutral tow has been deactivated.
Neutral Tow Disengaged
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REMOTE START
The remote start feature allows you to
pre-condition the interior of your vehicle. The
climate control system works to achieve
comfort according to your previous settings.
Note:
You cannot adjust the system during
remote start operation.
Turn the ignition on to return the system to
its previous settings. You can now make
adjustments normally, but you need to turn
certain vehicle-dependent features back on,
such as:
• Heated seats.
• Cooled seats.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Heated mirrors.
• Heated rear window.
You can adjust the default remote start
settings using the information display
controls. See Information Displays (page
107). Automatic Settings
In hot weather, the system is set to 72°F
(22°C). The cooled seats are set to high (if
available, and selected to AUTO in the
information display).
In moderate weather, the system either heats
or cools (based on previous settings). The
rear defroster, heated mirrors and heated
seats do not automatically switch on.
In cold weather, the system is set to 72°F
(22°C). The heated seats are set to high (if
available, and selected to AUTO in the
information display). The rear defroster and
heated mirrors automatically switch on.
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SITTING IN THE CORRECT
POSITION
WARNINGS
Sitting improperly, out of position or
with the seat back reclined too far can
take weight off the seat cushion and affect
the decision of the passenger sensing
system, resulting in serious injury or death
in the event of a crash. Always sit upright
against your seat back, with your feet on the
floor. Do not recline the seat back as this can
cause the occupant to slide under the
safety belt, resulting in serious injury in the
event of a crash. Do not place objects higher than the
seat back to reduce the risk of serious
injury in the event of a crash or during heavy
braking. When you use them properly, the seat, head
restraint, safety belt and air bags will provide
optimum protection in the event of a crash.
We recommend that you follow these
guidelines:
•
Sit in an upright position with the base of
your spine as far back as possible.
• Do not recline the seat back more than
30 degrees.
• Adjust the head restraint so that the top
of it is level with the top of your head and
as far forward as possible. Make sure that
you remain comfortable. •
Keep sufficient distance between
yourself and the steering wheel. We
recommend a minimum of 10 inches (25
centimeters) between your breastbone
and the air bag cover.
• Hold the steering wheel with your arms
slightly bent.
• Bend your legs slightly so that you can
press the pedals fully.
• Position the shoulder strap of the safety
belt over the center of your shoulder and
position the lap strap tightly across your
hips.
Make sure that your driving position is
comfortable and that you can maintain full
control of your vehicle.
HEAD RESTRAINTS WARNINGS
Fully adjust the head restraint before
you sit in or operate your vehicle. This
will help minimize the risk of neck injury in
the event of a crash. Do not adjust the head
restraint when your vehicle is moving.
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Note:
To put your vehicle in gear with the
door open, perform steps 1-4. See the
Automatic Return to Park section in this
chapter for more information on this feature.
P (Park)
With the transmission in P (Park), your vehicle
locks the transmission and prevents the front
wheels from turning. Always come to a
complete stop before putting your vehicle
into and out of
P (Park). An audible chime
sounds once you select P (Park).
When the ignition is turned off, the vehicle
will automatically shift into
P (Park). If the
ignition is turned off while the vehicle is
moving, it will first shift into
N (Neutral) until
a slow enough speed is reached. The vehicle
will then shift into
P (Park) automatically.
Automatic Return to Park
Note: This feature will not operate when your
vehicle is in Stay in Neutral mode or neutral
tow.
Your vehicle has a safety feature that will
automatically shift your vehicle into
P (Park)
when any of the following conditions occur: •
You turn the ignition off
• You open the driver's door with your
safety belt unlatched
• Your safety belt is unlatched while the
driver's door is open
If you turn the ignition off while your vehicle
is moving, your vehicle will first shift into
N
(Neutral) until it slows down enough to shift
into
P (Park) automatically.
Note: If you have waited an extended period
of time, (2-15 minutes) before starting your
vehicle, unlatching your safety belt will cause
this feature to activate, even with the driver's
door closed.
Note: This feature may not work properly if
the door ajar switch is malfunctioning. If your
door ajar indicator does not illuminate when
you open the driver’ s door or the indicator
illuminates with the driver’ s door closed. See
your authorized dealer. R (Reverse)
With the transmission in
R (Reverse), your
vehicle will move backward. Always come
to a complete stop before shifting into and
out of
R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the transmission in N (Neutral), you can
start your vehicle and it is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this position.
Stay in Neutral mode
Stay in Neutral mode allows your vehicle to
stay in N (Neutral) when you exit the vehicle.
Your vehicle must be stationary to enter this
mode.
To enter Stay in Neutral mode:
1. Press the
N (Neutral) button on your
shifter assembly.
2. The message
Press N to enter Stay in
Neutral mode will appear in your
information display screen.
3. Press the
N (Neutral) button again to
enter Stay in Neutral mode.
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The message Stay in Neutral mode
engaged will appear in your information
display screen when your vehicle has
entered Stay in Neutral mode.
Note: During this mode the
N button will
flash continuously and your instrument
cluster will display N as the selected gear.
Exiting Stay in Neutral mode
To disable Stay in Neutral mode select
another gear. See the
Putting the Vehicle
in Gear for instructions on how to do this.
Entering a Carwash
Note: Always put your vehicle in Stay in
Neutral mode when entering an automatic
car wash. Failure to do this could result in
vehicle damage not covered by warranty.
D (Drive)
The normal driving position for the best fuel
economy. S (Sport)
Putting the vehicle in
S (Sport):
• Provides additional engine braking and
extends lower gear operation to enhance
performance for uphill climbs, hilly terrain
or mountainous areas. This will increase
engine RPM during engine braking
• Provides additional lower gear operation
through the automatic transmission shift
strategy
• Provides gear selection more quickly and
at higher engine speeds
SelectShift Automatic ™ Transmission
Your SelectShift Automatic transmission
gives you the ability to change gears
manually.
Paddle Shifters With your vehicle in
D (Drive), the paddle
shifters provide temporary manual control.
They allow you the ability to shift gears
quickly, without taking your hands off the
steering wheel.
You can achieve extensive manual control
by pressing the
S (Sport) button.
• Pull the right paddle (
+) to upshift.
• Pull the left paddle (
–) to downshift. Upshift to the recommended shift speeds
according to the following chart:
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WARNINGS
When doing this procedure, you will
be taking the vehicle out of park which
means the 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 the parking brake is fully released,
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 is
disabled.
Note: This feature will only function if your
12-volt battery has power.
Use the brake-shift interlock override to
move your transmission from the park
position in the event of an electrical
malfunction or if your vehicle has a dead
battery. 1. Apply the parking brake and turn your
ignition off before performing this
procedure. 2. Locate your brake-shift interlock access
slot. The slot is located below the media
hub, in your center console storage bin.
The access slot does not have a label.
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. The shift buttons
on the instrument panel will flash when
your vehicle is in override mode. 4. With the override switch still held, press
the N (Neutral button) 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 possible).
7. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transmission Adaptive
Learning
This feature increases durability and provides
consistent shift feel over the life of your
vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may
have firm or soft shifts. This operation will
not affect function or durability of your
transmission and is normal. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally, the
strategy must be relearned whenever the
battery is disconnected or a new battery is
installed.
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USING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
All-wheel drive uses all four wheels to power
the vehicle. This increases traction, enabling
you to drive over terrain and road conditions
that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot. The AWD system is active all the time
and requires no input from the operator.
Note:
Your AWD vehicle is not for off-road
use. The AWD feature gives your vehicle
some limited off-road capabilities in which
driving surfaces are relatively level,
obstruction-free and otherwise similar to
normal on-road driving conditions. Operating
your vehicle under other than those
conditions could subject the vehicle to
excessive stress which might result in
damage not covered under your warranty.
Note: A warning message will display in the
information display when an AWD system
fault is present See Information Messages
(page 113). An AWD system fault will cause
the AWD system to default to front-wheel
drive only mode. When this warning
message displays, have your vehicle
serviced at an authorized dealer. Note:
A warning message will display in the
information display if the AWD system has
overheated.
See Information Messages
(page 113). This condition may occur if the
vehicle operates in extreme conditions with
excessive wheel slip, such as deep sand. To
resume normal AWD function as soon as
possible, stop the vehicle in a safe location
and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes.
After the engine restarts and the AWD
system has adequately cooled, the warning
message will turn off and normal AWD
function will return.
Do not use a spare tire of a different size
other than the tire provided. If the mini-spare
tire is installed, the AWD system may disable
automatically and enter front-wheel drive
only mode to protect driveline components.
This condition will be indicated by a warning
in the information display.
See Information
Messages (page 113). If there is a warning
message in the information display from
using the spare tire, this indicator should turn
off after reinstalling the repaired or replaced
normal road tire and cycling the ignition off
and on. It is recommended to reinstall the repaired or replaced road tire as soon as
possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes between
the front and rear axles could cause the AWD
system to stop functioning and default to
front-wheel drive or damage the AWD
system.
Driving In Special Conditions With All-
Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD vehicles are equipped for driving on
sand, snow, mud and rough roads and have
operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on
and off the highway.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C
may cycle on and off to protect overheating
of the engine.
Basic operating principles in special
conditions
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving on
pavement made slippery by loose sand,
water, gravel, snow or ice.
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MKZ (), enUSA All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the
Pavement
•
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the
pavement, slow down, but avoid severe
brake application, ease the vehicle back
onto the pavement only after reducing
your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the
road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or
shoulder of the road and slow down
gradually before returning to the
pavement. You may lose control if you
do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike small
objects, such as highway reflectors, with
minor damage to your vehicle rather than
attempt a sudden return to the pavement
which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover.
Remember, your safety and the safety of
others should be your primary concern. If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the transmission is in P
(Park). Turn the ignition to the lock position
or turn the vehicle off using the start/stop
button and remove the key whenever you
leave your vehicle. 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. Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(56 km/h). The tires may fail and injure
a passenger or bystander. Note:
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than
a few minutes or damage to the transmission
and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat. If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow you
may be able to rock it out by shifting
between forward and reverse gears,
stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern.
Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™, it
may be beneficial to disengage the
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™
system while attempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
•
In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be
made, remember to avoid "over-driving"
your vehicle (i.e., turn the steering wheel
only as rapidly and as far as required to
avoid the emergency). Excessive steering
will result in less vehicle control, not
more. Additionally, utilize smooth
variations of the accelerator and/or brake
pedal pressure if changes in vehicle
speed are called for. Avoid abrupt
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MKZ (), enUSA All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)