
Answer
Question
Your hybrid vehicle can use E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline) fuel, butyou may notice slightly reduced fuel economy because ethanol
contains less energy per gallon than gasoline. Your hybrid vehicle is not designed to use E85 (85% ethanol).
Can I put E15 or E85 in my vehicle, and how will it affect my fuel
economy?
The high voltage battery system is designed to last the life of thevehicle and requires no maintenance.
How long will my high voltage battery last? Does it need maintenance?
There are no provisions for charging the high voltage battery from apower supply external to the vehicle.
Can you charge the battery with a plug into an A/C outlet?
Yes. Your hybrid vehicle can be flat towed without modification. SeeTowing the Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 250).
Can I tow the hybrid behind my motor home with all four wheels down?
176
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Unique Driving Characteristics

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle has a computer known as the
on-board diagnostics system (OBD-II) that
monitors the engine
’s emission control
system. The system protects the environment
by making sure that your vehicle continues
to meet government emission standards. The
OBD-II system also assists a service
technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When the service engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II
system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause the
service engine soon indicator to illuminate.
Examples of temporary malfunctions are:
• the vehicle has run out of fuel—the
engine may misfire or run poorly
• poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the
engine may misfire or run poorly
• the fuel fill inlet may not have closed
properly. See Refueling (page 181).
• driving through deep water—the
electrical system may be wet. You can correct these temporary
malfunctions by filling the fuel tank with good
quality fuel, properly closing the fuel fill inlet
or letting the electrical system dry out. After
three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the
service engine soon indicator should stay off
the next time you start the engine. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving. No
additional vehicle service is required.
If the service engine soon indicator remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some
malfunctions detected by the OBD-II may not
have symptoms that are apparent, continued
driving with the service engine soon indicator
on can result in increased emissions, lower
fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and lead to more
costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) Testing
Some state/provincial and local governments
may have Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from
getting a vehicle registration. If the service engine soon indicator
is on or the bulb does not work,
you may need to have the vehicle
serviced. See On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II).
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the
service engine soon indicator is on or not
working properly (bulb is burned out), or if
the OBD-II system has determined that some
of the emission control systems have not
been properly checked. In this case, your
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle ’s engine or transmission has
just been serviced, or the battery has
recently run down or been replaced, the
OBD-II system may indicate that the vehicle
is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the
185
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Fuel and Refueling

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING
This battery pack should only be
serviced by an authorized electric
vehicle technician. Improper handling can
result in personal injury or death. Note:
The high voltage battery does not
require regular service maintenance.
Your vehicle consists of various high voltage
components and wiring. All of the high
voltage power flows through specific wiring
assemblies which are labeled as such or that
are covered with a solid orange convolute,
orange striped tape or both. Do not come in
contact with these components.
The high voltage battery system is a high
voltage, lithium-ion battery system. The pack
is located in the rear cargo area. The high
voltage battery system uses an air-cooled
system to regulate the high voltage battery
temperature and help maximize high voltage
battery life. Note:
The high voltage battery is equipped
with air vents in the package tray that help
to regulate its temperature. It is important to
keep these openings free of obstructions.
Do not block the flow of cabin air to this
area.
HIGH VOLTAGE SERVICE
DISCONNECT
The high voltage service disconnect turns
off power from the high voltage battery.
There is a disconnect circuit in your vehicle.
Disconnecting the circuit will automatically
disable the high voltage battery. To disable the battery and stop all high
voltage electric activity in the vehicle, you
can access the high voltage disconnect
circuit. To do this, you must unplug the circuit
from the circuit port connected to the battery.
The service disconnect is equipped with an
outer lever. This is to aid in properly seating
the service disconnect lever. Remove this to
disconnect the high voltage service
disconnect.
The high voltage service disconnect is
located behind the rear fold down seats.
Disabling the High Voltage Battery
1. Fold down the rear seats.
2. Locate the access door and remove the
plastic cover.
187
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing High Voltage BatteryE159505

3. Pull the outer cover off to expose the
service disconnect lever. 4. Slide the handle on the service
disconnect outboard to the right. 5. Pull the handle toward you and remove
the circuit from the vehicle to disable the
high voltage battery. 6. Reverse this procedure to reinstall the
high-voltage service disconnect and the
outer lever to the service disconnect.
Reactivating the High Voltage Battery
Note: If you have manually disconnected
your high voltage shut off circuit, you need
to reconnect the circuit before you can
reactivate it. The vehicle will detect if the
electrical system is safe and reactivate
automatically.
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY CUT-
OFF SWITCH
The high-voltage shut off operation shuts off
power from the high-voltage battery after a
collision, or if your vehicle receives a
substantial physical jolt.
To reactivate your vehicle after either event,
perform the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Turn the ignition on.
188
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing High Voltage BatteryE159506 E171513 E147234 E146133

3. If your vehicle is not powered after this
sequence, repeat steps 1 and 2 up to two
more times.
For vehicles equipped with a push button
start system:
1. Press the START/STOP button to turn
ignition off.
2. Press the brake pedal and press the START/STOP
button.
3. If your vehicle is not powered after this sequence, repeat steps 1 and 2 up to two
more times.
Note: During this process, your vehicle will
detect if the electrical system is safe and
reactivate. Once your vehicle determines
the electrical system safe, you can start your
vehicle as you would normally by either
turning the ignition key or by pressing the
brake in combination with the START/STOP
button.
Note: In the event your vehicle does not
reactivate after the third key cycle, contact
an authorized dealer.
189
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing High Voltage Battery

Stay in Neutral mode
Stay in Neutral mode allows your vehicle to
stay in neutral when you exit your vehicle.
Your vehicle must be stationary to enter this
mode.
To enter Stay in Neutral mode:
1.
Press the neutral (N) button on the shifter
assembly.
2. The message Select N Again to Enter
Stay in Neutral mode will appear in the
information display screen.
3. Press the neutral (N) button again to enter Stay in Neutral mode.
The message
Stay in Neutral mode
engaged will appear in the instrument cluster
when your vehicle has entered Stay in
Neutral mode.
Note: During this mode the neutral (N) button
will flash continuously and the instrument
cluster will display neutral as the selected
gear. Exiting Stay in Neutral mode
To disable Stay in Neutral mode put your
vehicle in another gear. See the Putting the
Vehicle in Gear
section 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 that may not be covered by
warranty.
Drive (D)
The normal driving position for the best fuel
economy.
Drive (D) with Grade Assist Activate grade assist through the
information display settings menu.
See
General Information (page
110). Grade assist:
•
Provides additional grade braking with a
combination of engine motoring and
high-voltage battery charging to help
maintain vehicle speed when descending
a grade.
• As your vehicle determines the amount
of engine motoring and high-voltage
battery charging, you may notice the
engine speed increasing and decreasing
to help maintain your vehicle speed when
descending a grade. The grade assist lamp will
illuminate grey when the grade
assist feature is switched on
through the instrument display settings
menu. The lamp will change from grey to
green when grade assist is actively providing
additional grade braking.
192
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing TransmissionE144523 E144523

Low (L)
•
Provides maximum engine braking.
• The transmission may be put into low (L)
at any vehicle speed.
• Not intended for use under extended or
normal driving conditions and results in
lower fuel economy.
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.
193
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing TransmissionE152215

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 311). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 105).
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 to park (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 switch 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 anti-lock brake 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
195
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing BrakesE144522 E144522