2018 LINCOLN MKX maintenance

Note:The system turns on each time youswitch the ignition on and you shift intoreverse (R). If you temporarily switch thesystem off, it turns on the next time youswitch the ignition on.
Note:The system may not correctly operatewhen towing a trailer. For vehicles with atrailer tow module and tow bar approved byus, the system turns off when you attach atrailer. For vehicles with an aftermarkettrailer tow module or tow bar, werecommend that you switch the system offwhen you attach a trailer.
To permanently switch the system off,contact an authorized dealer.
STEERING
Electric Power Steering
WARNING
If the system detects an error, you maynot feel a difference in the steering,however a serious condition may exist. Haveyour vehicle checked as soon as possible,failure to do so may result in loss of steeringcontrol.
Note:The electric power steering systemhas diagnostic checks that continuouslymonitor the system. If a fault is detected amessage displays in the information display.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to doso and switch the ignition off. After waitingat least 10 seconds, switch the ignition onand watch the information display for asteering system warning message. If asteering system warning message returns,have the system checked as soon aspossible.
Your vehicle has an electric power steeringsystem. There is no fluid reservoir. Nomaintenance is required.
If your vehicle loses electrical power whileyou are driving, electric power steeringassistance is lost. The steering system stilloperates and you can steer your vehiclemanually. Manually steering your vehiclerequires more effort.
Extreme continuous steering may increasethe effort required for you to steer yourvehicle. This increased effort preventsoverheating and permanent damage to thesteering system. You do not lose the abilityto steer your vehicle manually. Typicalsteering and driving maneuvers allow thesystem to cool and return to normaloperation.
Steering Tips
Steering wander or pull could be caused byany of the following:
•Incorrect tire pressures.
•Uneven tire wear.
•Crowned road surface.
•High crosswind.
If the problem persists, have your vehiclechecked as soon as possible.
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Driving Aids

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws fortowing a trailer.
•See the instructions included with towingaccessories for the proper installationand adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See your scheduledmaintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on loadspecification terms found on the tire labeland Safety Compliance label as well asinstructions on calculating your vehicle's loadin the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 259).
Remember to account for the trailer tongueweight as part of your vehicle load whencalculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps ontothe bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of thetotal trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:Never attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hookretainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross themunder the trailer tongue and allow enoughslack for turning tight corners. Do not allowthe chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to your vehicle'sbrake system. Your vehicle may not haveenough braking power and your chances ofhaving a collision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if you installthem properly and adjust them to themanufacturer's specifications. The trailerbrakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems arerequired for safe control of towed vehiclesand trailers weighing more than 1500pounds (680 kilograms) when load.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical system resultingin fire. Contact your authorized dealer assoon as possible for assistance in propertrailer tow wiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may be required.
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Towing

Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime yousubmerge the rear axle in water. Water maycontaminate the rear axle lubricant, which isnot a normal maintenance inspection itemunless there is a possibility of a leak or otheraxle repair is required.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR
WHEELS
Emergency Towing
You can flat-tow (all wheels on the ground,regardless of the powertrain/transmissionconfiguration) your disabled vehicle (withoutaccess to wheel dollies, car-hauling trailer,or flatbed transport vehicle) under thefollowing conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward so you towit in a forward direction.
•You place the transmission in position N.If you cannot place the transmission inposition N, you may need to override it.See Transmission (page 188).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system inrecirculated air mode to prevent exhaustfumes from entering the vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 145).
Follow these guidelines if you have a needfor recreational (RV) towing. An example ofrecreational towing would be towing yourvehicle behind a motorhome. Theseguidelines are to make sure you do notdamage the transmission during towing.
You can tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground using the Neutral Tow feature,or with all four wheels off the ground usinga vehicle transport trailer. If you are using avehicle transport trailer, follow the instructionspecified by the equipment provider.
Neutral Tow
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheelson the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
Enter Neutral Tow mode by doing thefollowing:
1. Put the ignition in accessory mode bypressing the engine START buttonwithout pressing the brake pedal.
2. Select Neutral Tow under the VehicleSettings menu in the information display.See General Information (page 118).
3.Press and hold the OK button to start theneutral tow process.
4. Press the brake pedal and select N onthe push-button transmission.
5. Turn the ignition off by pressing theengine START button without pressingthe brake pedal.
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Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 mi (480 km). During thistime, your vehicle may exhibit some unusualdriving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi(1,600 km). Vary your speed frequently andchange up through the gears early. Do notlabor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi(1,600 km).
REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE
WARNING
If you continue to drive your vehiclewhen the engine is overheating, theengine could stop without warning. Failureto follow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature gaugeneedle moves to the upper limit position, theengine is overheating. See Gauges (page111).
You must only drive your vehicle for a shortdistance if the engine overheats. Thedistance you can travel depends on ambienttemperature, vehicle load and terrain. Theengine continues to operate with limitedpower for a short period of time.
If the engine temperature continues to rise,the fuel supply to the engine reduces. Theair conditioning switches off and the enginecooling fan operates continually.
1. Gradually reduce your speed and stopyour vehicle as soon as it is safe to doso.
2. Immediately switch the engine off toprevent severe engine damage.
3. Wait for the engine to cool down.
4. Check the coolant level. See EngineCoolant Check (page 316).
5. Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several thingssuch as how you drive, the conditions youdrive under and how you maintain yourvehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind thatmay improve your fuel economy:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down mayeliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimizestop-and-go driving (When runningerrands, go to the furthest destinationfirst and then work your way back home).
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds.
•Keep the tires properly inflated and useonly the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance.
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Driving Hints

GETTING THE SERVICES YOU
NEED
Warranty repairs to your vehicle must beperformed by an authorized dealer. Whileany authorized dealer handling your vehicleline provides warranty service, werecommend you return to your sellingauthorized dealer who wants to ensure yourcontinued satisfaction.
Please note that certain warranty repairsrequire special training and equipment, sonot all authorized dealers are authorized toperform all warranty repairs. This means that,depending on the warranty repair needed,you may have to take your vehicle to anotherauthorized dealer.
A reasonable time must be allowed toperform a repair after taking your vehicle tothe authorized dealer. Repairs are madeusing Lincoln or Motorcraft parts, orremanufactured or other parts that areauthorized by Lincoln.
Away From Home
If you are away from home when your vehicleneeds service, contact the Lincoln ClientRelationship Center or use the onlineresources listed below to find the nearestauthorized dealer.
In the United States:
Mailing address
Lincoln Motor CompanyClient Relationship CenterP.O. Box 6248Dearborn, MI 48126
Telephone
1-800-521-4140TDD for the hearing impaired:1-800-232-5952
Web Address
www.LincolnOwner.com
These are some of the items that can befound online:
•United States dealer locator by DealerName, City, State or ZIP Code.
•Owner Manuals.
•Maintenance Schedules.
•Recalls.
•Lincoln Extended Service Plans.
•Lincoln Original Accessories.
•Service specials and promotions.
In Canada:
Mailing address
Lincoln Client Relationship CentreLincoln Motor Company of Canada, LimitedP.O. Box 2000Oakville, Ontario L6K 1C8
Telephone
1-800-387-9333
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Customer Assistance

GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to helpmaintain its roadworthiness and resale value.There is a large network of authorizeddealers that are there to help you with theirprofessional servicing expertise. We believethat their specially trained technicians arebest qualified to service your vehicle properlyand expertly. They are supported by a widerange of highly specialized tools developedspecifically for servicing your vehicle.
If your vehicle requires professional service,an authorized dealer can provide thenecessary parts and service. Check yourwarranty information to find out which partsand services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,fluids and service parts conforming tospecifications. Motorcraft® parts aredesigned and built to provide the bestperformance in your vehicle.
Precautions
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught inmoving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the enginerunning in an enclosed space, unless youare sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burningmaterial (such as cigarettes) away fromthe battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the Engine Off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to park(P).
2. Switch off the engine.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On
WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damageand/or personal burn injuries, do notstart your engine with the air cleanerremoved and do not remove it while theengine is running.
1. Set the parking brake and shift to park(P).
2. Block the wheels.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood releasehandle located under the left-hand sideof the instrument panel.
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2. Slightly lift the hood.
3. Release the hood latch by pushing thesecondary release lever to your left-handside.
4. Open the hood. The hood strutsautomatically supports the hood.
Closing the Hood
1.Lower the hood until it engages on to thesecondary latch.
2. Firmly push down on the front of thehood to close it fully.
Note:Make sure that the hood is correctlyclosed.
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UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW - 2.7L ECOBOOST™
Engine coolant reservoir. See Engine Coolant Check (page 316).A
Brake fluid reservoir. See Brake Fluid Check (page 323).B
Battery. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 324).C
Power distribution box. See Fuses (page 288).D
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