The brake support system assists you inreducing any collision speed by pre-chargingthe brakes. If the risk of collision continuesto increases after the audio-visual warning,the brake support prepares the brake systemfor rapid braking. The system does notautomatically activate the brakes, but if thebrake pedal is pressed even lightly, thebrakes apply full stopping power.
Using the Collision Warning System
WARNING
The collision warning system's brakesupport reduces collision speed onlyif you brake your vehicle before any collision.You must press your brake pedal as youwould in any typical braking situation.
You can use your information display controlto adjust the warning system's sensitivity toany one of three possible settings. SeeGeneral Information (page 109).
Note:When possible, the manufacturerrecommends using the highest sensitivitysetting. If warnings are too frequent, you canreduce your system's sensitivity. Reducedsensitivity causes fewer and later systemwarnings. See General Information (page109).
Blocked Sensors
If a blocked sensor message appears in theinformation display, dirt, water, or an objectis blocking the sensor. The sensor is locatedbehind a cover near the driver side of thelower grille. If anything blocks the sensor,your vehicle cannot see through the sensor,and the collision warning system will notwork. Possible causes for the blocked sensormessage and corrective actions are listedbelow.
232
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Driving AidsE145632
ActionCause
Clean the radar sensor cover or remove the obstruction.The radar sensor cover in the grille is dirty or obstructed.
Wait a short time. The radar may take several minutes to reset afteryou remove the obstruction.The surface of the radar sensor cover is clean but the messageremains in the display.
The collision warning system is temporarily disabled. Shortly afterweather conditions improve, the collision warning system automaticallyreactivates.
Heavy rain, spray, snow or fog in the air interferes with the radarsignals.
The collision warning system is temporarily disabled. Shortly afterweather conditions improve, the collision warning system automaticallyreactivates.
Swirling water, snow or ice on the road surface interferes with theradar signals.
System Limitations
Due to the nature of radar technology, theremay be certain instances where vehicles donot provide a collision warning. Theseinclude:
•Stationary vehicles or vehicles movingbelow 6 mph (10 km/h).
•Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
•Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
•Severe weather conditions (see blockedsensor section).
•Debris build-up on the grille near theheadlamps (see blocked sensor section).
•Small distance to vehicle ahead.
•Large steering wheel and pedalmovements (very active driving style).
Damage to the front end of the vehicle mayalter the radar sensor's coverage area. Thismay result in missed or false collisionwarnings. Have an authorized dealer checkyour radar sensor for proper coverage andoperation.
233
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Driving Aids
REAR UNDER FLOOR STORAGE (If
Equipped)
Cargo Management System
The system is located in the floor of thecargo area. Lift the handle to open.
LUGGAGE COVERS
WARNINGS
Make sure that the posts are properlylatched in mounting features. Thecover may cause injury in a sudden stop oraccident if it is not securely installed.
Do not place any objects on the cargoarea shade. They may obstruct yourvision or strike occupants of your vehicle ina sudden stop or crash.
Use the cargo shade to cover items in thecargo area of your vehicle.
Insert the ends of the cargo shade into themounting features located behind the rearseat on the rear trim panels to install thecargo shade.
To operate the cargo shade:
1. Pull the rear edge of the cargo shaderearward.
2.Secure both ends of the support rod intothe retention slots located on the rearquarter trim panels.
ROOF RACKS AND LOAD
CARRIERS
WARNING
When loading the roof racks, werecommend you evenly distribute theload, as well as maintain a low center ofgravity. Loaded vehicles, with higher centersof gravity, may handle differently thanunloaded vehicles. Take extra precautions,such as slower speeds and increasedstopping distance, when driving a heavilyloaded vehicle.
236
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Load CarryingE142445 E142447
Payload
Payload is the combined weight of cargoand passengers that your vehicle iscarrying. The maximum payload for yourvehicle appears on the Tire and Loadinglabel. The label is either on the B-pillaror the edge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US and Canadamay not have a tire and loading label.Look for “The combined weight ofoccupants and cargo should neverexceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” formaximum payload. The payload listedon the Tire and Loading Informationlabel is the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assembly plant. If
you install any additional equipment onyour vehicle, you must determine thenew payload. Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listed onthe Tire and Loading label. When towing,trailer tongue weight or king pin weightis also part of payload.
WARNING
The appropriate loading capacityof your vehicle can be limitedeither by volume capacity (how muchspace is available) or by payloadcapacity (how much weight the vehicleshould carry). Once you have reachedthe maximum payload of your vehicle,do not add more cargo, even if there isspace available. Overloading orimproperly loading your vehicle cancontribute to loss of vehicle control andvehicle rollover.
238
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Load CarryingE143816PAYLOAD
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
GAWR is the maximum allowable weightthat a single axle (front or rear) can carry.These numbers are on the SafetyCompliance Certification label. The labelis located on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
The total load on each axle must neverexceed its Gross Axle Weight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
GVWR is the maximum allowable weightof the fully loaded vehicle. This includesall options, equipment, passengers andcargo. It appears on the Safety
Compliance Certification label. The labelis located on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door-latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
The gross vehicle weight must neverexceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Safety Compliance Certification LabelExample:
WARNING
Exceeding the Safety ComplianceCertification label vehicle weightrating limits could result in substandardvehicle handling or performance, engine,transmission and/or structural damage,serious damage to the vehicle, loss ofcontrol and personal injury.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight
Maximum loaded trailer weight is thehighest possible weight of a fully loadedtrailer the vehicle can tow. Consult anauthorized dealer (or the RV and TrailerTowing Guide available at an authorizeddealer) for more detailed information.
GCWR (Gross Combined WeightRating)
GCWR is the maximum allowable weightof the vehicle and the loaded trailer,including all cargo and passengers, thatthe vehicle can handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is rated foroperation at Gross Vehicle WeightRating, not at Gross Combined Weight
Rating.) Separate functional brakesshould be used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where the GrossCombined Weight of the towing vehicleplus the trailer exceed the Gross VehicleWeight Rating of the towing vehicle.
239
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Load CarryingE198828
The gross combined weight must neverexceed the Gross Combined WeightRating.
Note: For trailer towing informationrefer to the RV and Trailer Towing Guideavailable at an authorized dealer.
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or theGAWR specified on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.
Do not use replacement tires withlower load carrying capacities thanthe original tires because they maylower your vehicle’s GVWR and GAWRlimitations. Replacement tires with ahigher limit than the original tires do notincrease the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weightrating limitation could result inserious damage to your vehicle,personal injury or both.
Steps for determining the correct loadlimit:
1.Locate the statement "The combinedweight of occupants and cargoshould never exceed XXX kg or XXXlb." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight ofthe driver and passengers that willbe riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of thedriver and passengers from XXX kgor XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. For example,if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb.and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, theamount of available cargo andluggage load capacity is 650 lb.(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded onthe vehicle. That weight may notsafely exceed the available cargoand luggage load capacity calculatedin Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,load from your trailer will betransferred to your vehicle. Consultthis manual to determine how thisreduces the available cargo andluggage load capacity of yourvehicle.
Helpful examples for calculating theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound
(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You decide to go golfing. Isthere enough load capacity to carry you,four of your friends and all the golf bags?You and four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each and the golfbags weigh approximately 30 pounds(13.5 kilograms) each. The calculationwould be: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) =
240
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Load Carrying
1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, youhave enough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friends and yourgolf bags. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (5 x 99kilograms) - (5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 -495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound(635-kilogram) cargo and luggagecapacity. You and one of your friendsdecide to pick up cement from the localhome improvement store to finish thatpatio you have been planning for thepast two years. Measuring the inside ofthe vehicle with the rear seat foldeddown, you have room for twelve100-pound (45-kilogram) bags ofcement. Do you have enough loadcapacity to transport the cement to your
home? If you and your friend each weigh220 pounds (99 kilograms), thecalculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) -(12 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240pounds. No, you do not have enoughcargo capacity to carry that muchweight. In metric units, the calculationwould be: 635 kilograms - (2 x 99
kilograms) - (12 x 45 kilograms) = 635 -198 - 540 = -103 kilograms. You will needto reduce the load weight by at least240 pounds (104 kilograms). If youremove three 100-pound (45-kilogram)cement bags, then the load calculationwould be:1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) =1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 pounds. Now youhave the load capacity to transport thecement and your friend home. In metricunits, the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (2 x 99 kilograms) - (9 x 45kilograms) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32kilograms.
The above calculations also assume thatthe loads are positioned in your vehiclein a manner that does not overload thefront or the rear gross axle weight ratingspecified for your vehicle on the Safety
Compliance Certification label.
Special Loading Instructions forOwners of Pick-up Trucks and Utility-type Vehicles
WARNING
Loaded vehicles may handledifferently than unloaded vehicles.Take extra precautions, such as slowerspeeds and increased stoppingdistance, when driving a heavily loadedvehicle.
241
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Load Carrying
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommended grosstrailer weight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Do not exceed the GVWR or theGAWR specified on the certificationlabel.
Note: See Recommended TowingWeights (page 243).
Your vehicle may have electrical items,such as fuses or relays, related totowing. See Fuses (page 268).
Your vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra load onyour vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,brakes, tires and suspension. Inspectthese components periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop and load capacity. Whenboth the loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightly angleddown toward your vehicle, whenviewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, aslight takeoff vibration or shudder maybe present due to the increased payloadweight. Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and setting yourvehicle up for towing is located inanother chapter of this manual. SeeLoad Limit (page 237).
You can also find information in the RV& Trailer Towing Guide available at yourauthorized dealer, or online.
242
MKC (TME) Canada/United States of America, JJ7J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201707, Second Printing
Towing