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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(If Equipped)
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involving braking
system, aftermarket roof racks,
suspension, steering system, tire
construction and wheel and tire size may
change the handling characteristics of the
vehicle and may adversely affect the
performance of the AdvanceTrac system. In
addition, installing any stereo loudspeakers
may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac system. Install any aftermarket
stereo loudspeaker as far as possible from
the front center console, the tunnel, and the
front seats in order to minimize the risk of
interfering with the AdvanceTrac sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the
AdvanceTrac system could lead to an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Remember that even advanced
technology cannot defy the laws of
physics. It’ s always possible to lose control
of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input
for the conditions. Aggressive driving on any
road condition can cause you to lose control WARNINGS
of your vehicle increasing the risk of personal
injury or property damage. Activation of the
AdvanceTrac system is an indication that at
least some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road; this could reduce the
operator’ s ability to control the vehicle
potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If your AdvanceTrac system activates,
SLOW DOWN. The AdvanceTrac Control system helps you
keep control of your vehicle when on a
slippery surface. The electronic stability
control portion of the system helps avoid
skids and lateral slides. The traction control
system helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss
of traction. See Using Traction Control
(page 188). Vehicle without AdvanceTrac
skidding off its intended route.
A
Vehicle with AdvanceTrac
maintaining control on a slippery
surface.
B
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AA
B
BB
B
The system does not offer a particular space
Something may be contacting the front bumper or side sensors.
There is not enough room on both sides of the vehicle in order to park.
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on the opposite side \
of the parking space.
The vehicle is going faster than 22 mph (35 km/h).
The vehicle is farther than
4.9 ft (1.5 m) from the parking space.
The vehicle is closer than
15.75 in (40 cm) from neighboring parked vehicles.
The transmission is in reverse (R), the vehicle must be moving forward\
to detect a parking space. The system does not position the vehicle where I want in the space
The vehicle is rolling in the opposite direction of the transmission (f\
or example, rolling forward when you select reverse [R]).
An irregular curb along the parking space prevents the system from align\
ing the vehicle properly.
Vehicles or objects bordering the space may not be in the correct positio\
n.
You drove the vehicle too far past the parking space. The system performs best when you drive the same distance past the par\
king space.
The tires may not be installed or maintained correctly (for example, not inflated correctly, improper size, or of different sizes).
A repair or alteration has changed detection capabilities.
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System Not Available
Conditions that can cause the system to
deactivate or prevent the system from
activating when requested include:
•
A blocked sensor.
• High brake temperature.
• A failure in the system or a related
system. Blocked Sensor WARNINGS
Do not use the system when towing a
trailer with brake controls. Aftermarket
trailer brakes do not function properly when
you switch the system on because the
brakes are electronically controlled. Failing
to do so may result in loss of vehicle control,
which could result in serious injury. The
system does operate with non-electronic
trailer brake controllers, such as over-run or
surge brakes. Do not use tire sizes other than those
recommended because this can affect
the normal operation of the system. Failing
to do so may result in a loss of vehicle
control, which could result in serious injury. A message appears if something obstructs
the sensor's radar signals. The sensor is
located behind a cover near the driver side
of the lower grille. The system cannot detect
a vehicle ahead and does not function when
something obstructs the radar signal. The
following table lists possible causes and
actions for this message displaying.
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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.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000
miles (1600 kilometers). Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the gears
early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
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. 244
MKZ (), enUSA Driving Hints
the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 139. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
•
Tire label: A label showing the
original equipment tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure and
the maximum weight the vehicle can
carry.
• Tire Identification Number:
A
number on the sidewall of each tire
providing information about the tire
brand and manufacturing plant, tire
size and date of manufacture. Also
referred to as DOT code.
• Inflation pressure: A measure of the
amount of air in a tire. •
Standard load:
A class of P-metric or
Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at set pressure. For
example: For P-metric tires 35 psi
(2.4 bar) or 36 (2.5 bar) depending
on tire size and for Metric tires 36 psi
(2.5 bar). Increasing the inflation
pressure beyond this pressure will
not increase the tire ’s load carrying
capability.
• Extra load:
A class of P-metric or
Metric tires designed to carry a
heavier maximum load at 42 psi (2.9
bar). Increasing the inflation pressure
beyond this pressure will not
increase the tire ’s load carrying
capability.
• kPa:
Kilopascal, a metric unit of air
pressure.
• PSI:
Pounds per square inch, a
standard unit of air pressure.
• Cold tire pressure:
The tire pressure
when the vehicle has been stationary
and out of direct sunlight for an hour
or more and prior to the vehicle
being driven for 1 mile (1.6 km). •
Recommended inflation pressure:
The cold inflation pressure found on
the Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label located on the
B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’ s
door.
• B-pillar:
The structural member at
the side of the vehicle behind the
front door
• Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire
next to the rim.
• Sidewall of the tire:
Area between
the bead area and the tread.
• Tread area of the tire:
Area of the
perimeter of the tire that contacts the
road when mounted on the vehicle.
• Rim:
The metal support (wheel) for a
tire or a tire and tube assembly upon
which the tire beads are seated.
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MKZ (), enUSA Wheels and Tires
Information Contained on the Tire
Sidewall
Both United States and Canada Federal
regulations require tire manufacturers
to place standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This information
identifies and describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides a U.S. DOT Tire Identification
Number for safety standard certification
and in case of a recall.
Information on P Type Tires P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire
size, load index and speed rating. The
definitions of these items are listed
below. (Note that the tire size, load index
and speed rating for your vehicle may
be different from this example.)A. P: Indicates a tire, designated by the
Tire and Rim Association, that may be
used for service on cars, sport utility
vehicles, minivans and light trucks.
Note:
If your tire size does not begin with a
letter this may mean it is designated by
either the European Tire and Rim
Technical Organization or the Japan Tire
Manufacturing Association.
B.
215: Indicates the nominal width of
the tire in millimeters from sidewall edge
to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
C.
65: Indicates the aspect ratio which
gives the tire's ratio of height to width.
D.
R: Indicates a radial type tire.
E.
15: Indicates the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change your
wheel size, you will have to purchase
new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
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MKZ (), enUSA Wheels and TiresH
I
J
KL
M
A
B
CDEFG
E142543
F. 95: Indicates the tire's load index. It
is an index that relates to how much
weight a tire can carry. You may find this
information in your owner’ s manual. If
not, contact a local tire dealer.
Note: You may not find this information
on all tires because it is not required by
federal law.
G.
H: Indicates the tire's speed rating.
The speed rating denotes the speed at
which a tire is designed to be driven for
extended periods of time under a
standard condition of load and inflation
pressure. The tires on your vehicle may
operate at different conditions for load
and inflation pressure. These speed
ratings may need to be adjusted for the
difference in conditions. The ratings
range from 81 mph (130 km/h) to 186
mph (299 km/h). These ratings are listed
in the following chart.
Note: You may not find this information
on all tires because it is not required by
federal law. mph ( km/h)
Letter rating
81 mph (130 km/h)
M
87 mph (140 km/h)
N
99 mph (159 km/h)
Q
106 mph (171 km/h)
R
112 mph (180 km/h)
S
118 mph (190 km/h)
T
124 mph (200 km/h)
U
130 mph (210 km/h)
H
149 mph (240 km/h)
V mph ( km/h)
Letter rating
168 mph (270 km/h)
W
186 mph (299 km/h)
Y
Note: For tires with a maximum speed
capability over 149 mph (240 km/h), tire
manufacturers sometimes use the letters
ZR. For those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299 km/h), tire
manufacturers always use the letters
ZR.
H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number:
This begins with the letters DOT and
indicates that the tire meets all federal
standards. The next two numbers or
letters are the plant code designating
where it was manufactured, the next two
are the tire size code and the last four
numbers represent the week and year
the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 317 mean the 31st week of
1997. After 2000 the numbers go to four
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MKZ (), enUSA Wheels and Tires