
Adaptive cruise control, distance between vehicle settings
Dynamic behavior
Distance gap
Time gap, seconds
Graphic display, bars indic-
ated between vehicles
Set speed
yd (m)
mph ( km/h)
Sport
31 (28)
1
1
62 (100)
Normal
43 (39)
1.4
2
62 (100)
Normal
55 (50)
1.8
3
62 (100)
Comfort
67 (61)
2.2
4
62 (100)
Each time you start the vehicle, the system
will select the last chosen gap for the current
driver.
Overriding the System WARNING
Whenever the driver is overriding the
system by pressing the accelerator
pedal, the system will not automatically apply
the brakes to maintain separation from any
vehicle ahead. You can override the set speed and gap
distance by pressing the accelerator pedal.
When you override the system, the
green indicator light illuminates
and the lead vehicle graphic does
not show in the information display.
The system will resume operation when you
release the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
speed will decrease to the set speed, or a
lower speed if following a slower vehicle. Changing the Set Speed
•
Press and release RES+ or SET-. When
you select km/h as the display
measurement in the information display
the set speed changes in approximately
2 km/h increments. When you select mph
as the display measurement in the
information display the set speed
changes in approximately 1 mph
increments.
• Press the accelerator or brake pedal until
you reach the desired speed. Press and
release
SET-.
226
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Cruise ControlE144529

Due to the nature of radar technology, it is
possible to get a blockage warning and not
be blocked. This can happen, for example,
when driving in sparse rural or desert
environments. A false blocked condition will
either self clear or clear after a key cycle.
Switching to Normal Cruise Control
WARNING
Normal cruise control will not brake
due to slower vehicles. Always be
aware of which mode you have selected and
apply the brakes when necessary. You can manually change from adaptive
cruise control to normal cruise control
through the information display. See
Information Displays (page 108). The cruise control indicator light
replaces the adaptive cruise
control indicator light if you select
normal cruise control. The gap setting will
not display, the system will not automatically
respond to lead vehicles and automatic
braking will not activate.
230
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Cruise ControlE71340

The current assessment of your alertness is
within a typical range.
The current assessment of your alertness
indicates that you should rest as soon as
safely possible.
The status bar will travel from left to right as
the calculated alertness level decreases. As
the rest icon is approached the color turns
from green to yellow to red. The yellow
position indicates the first warning is active
and the red position indicates the second
warning is active.
Note:
If you have recently received a
warning; you should consider resting, even
if the current assessment is within the typical
range. Note:
If the camera sensor cannot track the
road lane markings or if your vehicle speed
drops below approximately 40 mph
(64 km/h), the alertness level will change to
grey for a short time and the information
display will inform you that the system is
unavailable.
Resetting the System
You can reset the system by either:
• Switching the ignition off and on.
• Stopping the vehicle and then opening
and closing the driver’ s door.
LANE KEEPING SYSTEM
(If Equipped) WARNINGS
Always drive with due care and
attention when using and operating the
controls and features on your vehicle. WARNINGS
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising
the system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, serious personal
injury or death. In cold and severe weather conditions
the system may not function. Rain,
snow and spray can all limit sensor
performance. Large contrasts in outside lighting can
limit sensor performance.
The system will not operate if the
sensor cannot track the road lane
markings. If damage occurs in the immediate area
surrounding the sensor, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. Note:
The system works above
40 mph
(64 km/h).
Note: The system works as long as the
camera can detect one lane marking.
232
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE131359

Green: Indicates that the system is available
or ready to provide a warning or intervention,
on the indicated side(s).
Yellow: Indicates that the system is providing
or has just provided a lane keeping aid
intervention.
Red: Indicates that the system is providing
or has just provided a lane keeping alert
warning.
The system can be temporarily suppressed
at any time by the following:
•
Quick braking.
• Fast acceleration.
• Using the turn signal indicator.
• Evasive steering maneuver.
Troubleshooting Why is the feature not available (line markings are gray) when I can s\
ee the lane markings on the road?
Vehicle speed is outside the operational range of the feature
Sun is shining directly into the camera lens
Quick intentional lane change
Staying too close to the lane marking
Driving at high speeds in curves
The last Alert warning or Aid intervention occurred a short time ago
Ambiguous lane markings (mainly in construction zones)
Rapid transition from light to dark or vice versa
Sudden offset in lane markings
ABS or AdvanceTrac activation
235
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids

BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM
WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the
Blind Spot Information System as a
replacement for using the interior and
exterior mirrors or looking over your shoulder
before changing lanes. The Blind Spot
Information System is not a replacement for
careful driving. The Blind Spot Information System is
designed to aid you in detecting vehicles
that may have entered the blind spot zone
(A). The detection area is on both sides of
your vehicle, extending rearward from the
exterior mirrors to approximately 13 ft (4 m)
beyond the bumper. The system is designed
to alert you if certain vehicles enter the blind
spot zone while driving.
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not prevent contact with other vehicles
or objects; nor detect parked vehicles,
people, animals or infrastructure (fences,
guardrails, trees). It’ s only designed to alert
you to vehicles in the blind spot zones.
Note: When a vehicle passes quickly through
the blind spot zone, typically fewer than two
seconds, the system does not trigger.
Using the System
The Blind Spot Information System turns on
when you start the engine and you drive your
vehicle forward above
5 mph (8 km/h). For automatic transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System remains on while the
transmission is in drive (D). If shifted into
reverse (R) or park (P) the Blind Spot
Information System turns off. Once shifted
back into drive (D), the Blind Spot Information
System turns back on when you drive your
vehicle above
5 mph (8 km/h).
For manual transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System is on for all gears except
the reverse (R).
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not function in reverse (R) or park (P).
System Lights and Messages 237
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsA
A
E124788 E142442

If your vehicle loses electrical power while
you are driving, electric power steering
assistance is lost. The steering system still
operates and you can steer your vehicle
manually. Manually steering your vehicle
requires more effort.
Extreme continuous steering may increase
the effort required for you to steer your
vehicle. This increased effort prevents
overheating and permanent damage to the
steering system. You do not lose the ability
to steer your vehicle manually. Typical
steering and driving maneuvers allow the
system to cool and return to normal
operation.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•
Correct tire pressures.
• Uneven tire wear.
• Loose or worn suspension components.
• Loose or worn steering components.
• Improper vehicle alignment. Note:
A high crown in the road or high
crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander or pull.
Adaptive Learning
The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering feel. It communicates with the
brake system to help operate advanced
stability control and accident avoidance
systems. Additionally, whenever the battery
is disconnected or a new battery installed,
you must drive your vehicle a short distance
before the system relearns the strategy and
reactivates all systems.
PRE-COLLISION ASSIST WARNINGS
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising
the system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, serious personal
injury or death. WARNINGS
The system does not detect cyclists,
animals, pedestrians at night or
vehicles that are driving in a different
direction. Failure to take care may result in
the loss of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. The system does not operate during
hard acceleration or steering. Failure
to take care may lead to a crash or personal
injury. The system may fail or operate with
reduced function during cold and
severe weather conditions. Snow, ice, rain,
spray and fog can adversely affect the
system. Keep the front camera and radar free
of snow and ice. Failure to take care may
result in the loss of control of your vehicle,
serious personal injury or death. In situations where the vehicle camera
has limited detection capability, this
may reduce system performance. These
situations include but are not limited to direct
or low sunlight, vehicles at night without tail
lights, unconventional vehicle types,
244
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving Aids

WARNINGS
pedestrians with complex backgrounds,
running pedestrians, partly obscured
pedestrians, or pedestrians that the system
cannot distinguish from a group. Failure to
take care may result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury or death. This system is an extra driving aid. It
does not replace your attention and
judgment, or the need to apply the brakes.
This system does NOT automatically brake
your vehicle. If you fail to press the brake
pedal when necessary, you may collide with
another vehicle. The system cannot help prevent all
crashes. Do not rely on this system to
replace driver judgment and the need to
maintain a safe distance and speed. Using the Pre-Collision Assist System
The Pre-Collision Assist system is active at
speeds above approximately 3 mph (5 km/h)
and pedestrian detection is active at speeds
up to 50 mph (80 km/h). If your vehicle is rapidly approaching another
stationary vehicle, a vehicle traveling in the
same direction as yours, or a pedestrian
within your driving path, the system is design
to provide three levels of functionality:
1. Alert
2. Brake Support
3. Active Braking
Alert
: When activated, a red warning light
flashes, an audible warning chime sounds
and a warning message shows in the
information display. Brake Support
: The brake support system
assists the driver in reducing the collision
speed by lightly applying the brakes. If the
risk of collision further increases after the
warning light illuminates, the brake support
prepares the brake system for rapid braking.
This may be apparent to the driver. The
system does not automatically activate the
brakes, but if you press the brake pedal, the
system may apply full force, even if the brake
pedal is lightly pressed.
Active Braking
: Active braking may activate
if the system determines that a collision is
imminent. The system may help the driver
reduce impact damage or avoid the crash
completely.
Note: If you perceive Pre-Collision Assist
alerts as being too frequent or disturbing,
then you can reduce the alert sensitivity,
though the manufacturer recommends using
the highest sensitivity setting where possible.
Setting lower sensitivity would lead to fewer
and later system warnings.
245
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE156130 E156131

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. The
engine also needs to break in. Avoid hard
accelerations and driving too fast for the first
1000 miles (1600 kilometers). If possible,
avoid carrying heavy loads up steep grades
during the break-in period.
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.
• 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.
• 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. 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.
256
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving Hints