
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
WARNINGS
The electric power steering system hasdiagnostic 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. Switch the ignition off. After at least 10seconds, switch the ignition on and watchthe information display for a steering systemwarning message. If a steering systemwarning message returns, have the systemchecked by an authorized dealer.
If the system detects an error, you maynot feel a difference in the steering,however a serious condition may exist.Obtain immediate service from an authorizeddealer, failure to do so may result in loss ofsteering control.
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
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.
244
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
Driving Aids

Note:Automotive fluids are notinterchangeable. Do not use coolant orwindshield washer fluid outside of itsspecified function and vehicle location.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, coolingsystem sealants, or non-specified additivesas they can cause damage to the enginecooling or heating systems. Resultingcomponent damage may not be covered bythe vehicle Warranty.
Adding Coolant
WARNINGS
Do not add engine coolant when theengine is hot. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in personal injury.
Never remove the coolant reservoircap when the engine is running or hot.
It is very important to use prediluted coolantmeeting the correct specification in order toavoid plugging the small passageways in theengine cooling system. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 380). Incorrectprediluted coolant use can cause damagenot covered by the vehicle Warranty.
If the coolant level is at or below theminimum mark, add prediluted coolantimmediately.
To top up the coolant level do the following:
1. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressureescapes as you unscrew the cap.
2. Add prediluted coolant meeting thecorrect specification. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 373).
3.Add enough prediluted coolant to reachthe correct level.
4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turnit clockwise until you feel a strongresistance.
5. Check the coolant level in the coolantreservoir the next few times you driveyour vehicle.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, thecoolant may change color from orange topink or light red. As long as the coolant isclear and uncontaminated, this color changedoes not indicate the coolant has degradednor does it require the coolant to be drained,the system to be flushed, or the coolant tobe replaced.
Do not mix different colors or types ofprediluted coolant in your vehicle. Mixing ofprediluted coolant or using an incorrectprediluted coolant may harm the engine orcooling system components and may not becovered by the vehicle Warranty.
In case of emergency, you can add a largeamount of water without engine coolant inorder to reach a vehicle service location. Inthis instance, qualified personnel:
1. Must drain the cooling system.
2. Chemically clean the cooling system.
3. Refill with prediluted coolant as soon aspossible.
Water alone, without prediluted coolant, cancause engine damage from corrosion,overheating or freezing.
Do not use the following as a coolantsubstitute:
•Alcohol.
•Methanol.
•Brine.
•Any coolant mixed with alcohol ormethanol antifreeze.
311
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
Maintenance

Alcohol and other liquids can cause enginedamage from overheating or freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives tothe coolant. These can be harmful andcompromise the corrosion protection of thecoolant.
Recycled Coolant
We do not recommend the use of recycledcoolant as an approved recycling process isnot yet available.
Dispose of used engine coolant in anappropriate manner. Follow yourcommunity's regulations and standards forrecycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to increase thecoolant concentration above 50%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% providesimproved freeze point protection. Coolant concentrations above 60%decrease the overheat protectioncharacteristics of the coolant and maycause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It may be necessary to decrease thecoolant concentration to 40%.
•A coolant concentration of 40% providesimproved overheat protection. Coolantconcentrations below 40% decrease thefreeze and corrosion protectioncharacteristics of the coolant and maycause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extremeclimates should use prediluted coolant foroptimum cooling system and engineprotection.
Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarilydrive your vehicle before any incrementalcomponent damage occurs. The fail-safedistance depends on ambient temperature,vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat, the coolanttemperature gauge moves toward the redzone:
A warning lamp illuminates and amessage may appear in theinformation display.
If the engine reaches a presetover-temperature condition, the engineautomatically switches to alternating cylinderoperation. Each disabled cylinder acts as anair pump and cools the engine.
312
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
Maintenance

If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, theengine may temporarily reach a highertemperature during severe operatingconditions, for example ascending a long orsteep grade in high ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice the coolanttemperature gauge moves toward the redzone and a message may appear in theinformation display.
You may notice a reduction in vehicle speedcaused by reduced engine power in orderto manage the engine coolant temperature. Your vehicle may enter this mode if certainhigh-temperature and high-load conditionstake place. The amount of speed reductiondepends on vehicle loading, grade andambient temperature. If this occurs, there isno need to pull off the road. You cancontinue to drive your vehicle.
The air conditioning may automatically turnon and off during severe operatingconditions to protect the engine fromoverheating. When the coolant temperaturedecreases to the normal operatingtemperature, the air conditioning turns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge moves fullyinto the red zone, or if the coolanttemperature warning or service engine soonmessages appear in your information display,do the following:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safelypossible and shift the transmission intopark (P).
2. Leave the engine running until thecoolant temperature gauge needlereturns to the normal position. If thetemperature does not drop after severalminutes, follow the remaining steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it tocool. Check the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is at or below theminimum mark, add prediluted coolantimmediately.
5. If the coolant level is normal, restart theengine and continue.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
6F35/HF35 transmission (If Equipped)
Note:Transmission fluid should be checkedby an authorized dealer. If required, fluidshould be added by an authorized dealer.
The automatic transmission does not havea transmission fluid dipstick.
Refer to your scheduled maintenanceinformation for scheduled intervals for fluidchecks and changes. Your transmission doesnot consume fluid. However, the fluid levelshould be checked if the transmission is notworking properly, (For example: if thetransmission slips or shifts slowly) or if younotice some sign of fluid leakage. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 509).
Do not use supplemental transmission fluidadditives, treatments or cleaning agents. Theuse of these materials may affecttransmission operation and result in damageto internal transmission components.
314
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
Maintenance

Checking the fluid level
Low fluid level
If the fluid level is below the MIN range ofthe dipstick, add fluid to reach the hash marklevel.
Note:If the fluid level is below the MIN level,do not drive the vehicle. An underfillcondition may cause shift or engagementconcerns or possible damage.
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked atnormal operating temperature 180°F-200°F(82°C-93°C) on a level surface. The normaloperating temperature can be reached afterapproximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) ofdriving.
The transmission fluid level should betargeted within the cross-hatch area if atnormal operating temperature 180°F-200°F(82°C-93°C).
High fluid level
If the fluid level is above the MAX range ofthe dipstick, remove fluid to reach thehashmark level.
Note:Fluid level above the MAX level maycause shift or engagement concerns orpossible damage. High fluid levels can becaused by an overheating condition. If yourvehicle has been operated for an extendedperiod at high speeds, in city traffic duringhot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicleshould be turned off until normal operatingtemperatures are reached. Depending onvehicle use, cooling times could take up to30 minutes or longer.
317
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
MaintenanceE158842 E158843 E158844

Loss of air pressure may adversely affect tireperformance. For this reason:
Note:Do not drive the vehicle above 50 mph(80 km/h).
Note:Do not drive further than 120 mi(200 km). Drive only to the closest authorizedLincoln dealer or tire repair shop to haveyour tire inspected.
•Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steeringmaneuvers.
•Periodically monitor tire inflation pressurein the affected tire; if the tire is losingpressure, have the vehicle towed.
•Read the information in the Tips for Useof the Kit section to make sure safeoperation of the kit and your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Kit
To ensure safe operation of the kit:
•Read all instructions and cautions fully.
•Before operating the kit, make sure yourvehicle is safely off the road and awayfrom moving traffic. Turn on the hazardlights.
•Always set the parking brake to ensurethe vehicle doesn't move unexpectedly.
•Do not remove any foreign objects, suchas nails or screws, from the tire.
•When using the kit, leave the enginerunning (only if the vehicle is outdoors orin a well-ventilated area) so thecompressor does not drain the vehicle'sbattery.
•Do not allow the compressor to operatecontinuously for more than 15 minutes.This will help prevent the compressorfrom overheating.
•Never leave the kit unattended duringoperation.
•Sealant compound contains latex. Thosewith latex sensitivities should useappropriate precautions to avoid anallergic reaction.
•Keep the kit away from children.
•Only use the kit when the ambienttemperature is between -22°F (-30°C) and158°F (70°C).
•Only use the sealing compound beforethe use-by date. The use-by date is on alabel on the sealant canister and can beseen through the rectangular viewingwindow on the bottom of the compressor.Check the use-by date regularly andreplace the canister after four years ofnon-use.
•Do not store the kit unsecured inside thepassenger compartment of the vehicleas it may cause injury during a suddenstop or crash. Always store the kit in itsoriginal location.
•After sealant use, the tire pressuremonitoring system sensor and valve stemon the wheel must be replaced by anauthorized Lincoln dealer.
•Operating the kit could cause anelectrical disturbance in radio, CD, andDVD player operation.
* When inflation only is required fora tire or other objects, the selectormust be in the Air position.
337
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
Wheels and TiresE175978

Your vehicle is equipped with the IntelligentOil-Life Monitor system, which displays amessage in the information display at theproper oil change interval. This interval maybe up to one year or 10,000 mi (16,000 km).
When the oil change message appears inthe information display, it is time for an oilchange. Make sure you perform the oilchange within two weeks or 500 mi (800 km)of the message appearing. Make sure youreset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor aftereach oil change. See Oil Change IndicatorReset (page 309).
If your information display resets prematurelyor becomes inoperative, you should performthe oil change interval at six months or5,000 mi (8,000 km) from your last oilchange. Never exceed one year or 10,000 mi(16,000 km) between oil change intervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and builtwith multiple, complex, performance systems.Every manufacturer develops these systemsusing different specifications andperformance features. That is why it isimportant to rely upon your dealership toproperly diagnose and repair your vehicle.
Ford Motor Company has recommendedmaintenance intervals for various parts andcomponent systems based upon engineeringtesting. Ford Motor Company relies upon thistesting to determine the most appropriatemileage for replacement of oils and fluids toprotect your vehicle at the lowest overall costto you and recommends againstmaintenance schedules that deviate fromthe scheduled maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of onlygenuine Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorizedre-manufactured replacement partsengineered for your vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and the Ford WorkshopManual list the recommended additives andchemicals for your vehicle. We do notrecommend using chemicals or additives notapproved by us as part of your vehicle’snormal maintenance. Please consult yourwarranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normaloperating characteristic and, by itself, doesnot necessarily indicate a concern or that thefluid needs to be changed. However, aqualified expert, such as the factory-trainedtechnicians at your dealership, shouldinspect discolored fluids that also show signsof overheating or foreign materialcontamination immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle’s oils andfluids at the specified intervals or inconjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viableway to change fluid for many vehiclesub-systems during scheduled maintenance.It is critical that systems are flushed only withnew fluid that is the same as that requiredto fill and operate the system or using aFord-approved flushing chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basicmaintenance checks and inspections everymonth or at six-month intervals.
510
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing
Scheduled Maintenance