Pull the switch upward and hold it.
The red warning lamp illuminates,a tone sounds and the stoplampsturn on.
The electric parking brake continues to slowyour vehicle down unless you release theswitch.
Manually Releasing the Electric ParkingBrake
Switch the ignition on.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Push the switch downward.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, the systemhas malfunctioned. Have your vehiclechecked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing aTrailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Pull the switch upward and hold it.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until engine hasdeveloped sufficient torque to prevent yourvehicle from rolling down the hill.
Release the switch and pull awayin a normal manner.
Automatically Releasing the ElectricParking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal and pull away ina normal manner.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, the electricparking brake has not released. Manuallyrelease the parking brake.
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake ifthe Vehicle Battery is Running Out ofCharge
Connect a booster battery to the vehiclebattery to release the electric parking brakeif the vehicle battery is running out of charge.See Jump Starting the Vehicle (page 264).
AUTO HOLD
WARNING: The system does notreplace the parking brake. When you leaveyour vehicle, always apply the parking brake.
194
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
BrakesE267156 E270480 E267156 E270480 E267156 E267156 E270480
WARNING: You must remain in yourvehicle when the system turns on. At alltimes, you are responsible for controllingyour vehicle, supervising the system andintervening, if required. Failure to take caremay result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system will turn off ifa malfunction is apparent. Failure to takecare may result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury or death.
Auto Hold uses your vehicle's brakes to holdyour vehicle at a stop once your vehicle hasreached a standstill condition. For example,Auto Hold can assist you while stopping attraffic lights or while in traffic jams by holdingthe brake pressure for you once you bringyour vehicle to a stop.
Switch Auto Hold off during vehicle or trailertowing.
Note:In case of a malfunction in the systemwhile Auto Hold actively holds the vehicle(for example, low power supply), a messageappears in the information display askingyou to press the brake pedal. If you see thismessage, press the brake pedalimmediately.
Note:Auto Hold only activates if the systemrecognizes it is applying enough brakepressure. On a steep hill or incline, you mayneed to make sure the brake pedal ispressed sufficiently to activate the Auto Holdsystem.
Note:In some cases, Auto Hold might handover to the parking brake. When the parkingbrake automatically applies, the red brakelamp appears. This is normal. When youpress the accelerator pedal, the drive awayrelease feature automatically releases theparking brake.
Note:Auto Hold works on all road grades.Press the Auto Hold button to switch thesystem on and off. The Auto Hold indicatorlight illuminates in the Auto Hold buttonwhen the system is on.
Note:You can only switch Auto Hold on ifyou close the door and fasten your seatbelt.
195
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
BrakesE227185
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drivewheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the systemapplies the brakes to individual wheels and,when needed, reduces engine power at thesame time. If the wheels spin whenaccelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,the system reduces engine power in orderto increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING: The stability and tractioncontrol light illuminates steadily if the systemdetects a failure. Make sure you did notmanually disable the traction control systemusing the information display controls or theswitch. If the stability control and traction
control light is still illuminating steadily, havethe system serviced by an authorized dealerimmediately. Operating your vehicle with thetraction control disabled could lead to anincreased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The system automatically turns on each timeyou switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note:When you switch traction control off,stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, amessage appears in the information displayshowing system status.
You can switch the system off by either usingthe information display controls or the switch.
Using the Information Display Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in theinformation display. See General Information(page 110).
Using a Switch (If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on theinstrument panel to switch the system off oron.
System Indicator Lights and Messages
The stability and traction controllight:
•Temporarily illuminates on enginestart-up.
•Flashes when a driving conditionactivates either of the systems.
•Illuminates if a problem occurs in eitherof the systems.
The stability and traction controloff light temporarily illuminates onengine start-up and stays on whenyou switch the traction control system off.
197
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Traction ControlE138639 E130458
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modificationsinvolving braking system, aftermarket roofracks, suspension, steering system, tireconstruction and wheel and tire size maychange the handling characteristics of yourvehicle and may adversely affect theperformance of the electronic stability controlsystem. In addition, installing any stereoloudspeakers may interfere with andadversely affect the electronic stabilitycontrol system. Install any aftermarket stereoloudspeaker as far as possible from the frontcenter console, the tunnel, and the frontseats in order to minimize the risk ofinterfering with the electronic stability controlsensors. Reducing the effectiveness of theelectronic stability control system could leadto an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING: Remember that evenadvanced technology cannot defy the lawsof physics. It’s always possible to lose controlof a vehicle due to inappropriate driver inputfor the conditions. Aggressive driving on anyroad condition can cause you to lose controlof your vehicle increasing the risk of personalinjury or property damage. Activation of theelectronic stability control system is anindication that at least some of the tires haveexceeded their ability to grip the road; thiscould reduce the operator’s ability to controlthe vehicle potentially resulting in a loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death. If your electronic stabilitycontrol system activates, SLOW DOWN.
The system automatically turns on each timeyou switch the ignition on.
If a fault occurs in either the stability controlor the traction control system, you mayexperience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightilluminates steadily.
•The stability control and traction controlsystems do not enhance your vehicle'sability to maintain traction of the wheels.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction control systemyou may experience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•Your vehicle slows down.
•Reduced engine power.
•A vibration in the brake pedal.
•The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
•If the driving condition is severe and yourfoot is not on the brake, the brake pedalmay move as the system applies higherbrake force.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
198
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Stability Control
Stability Control and Traction Control Features
Collision Warningwith Brake SupportTraction ControlSystemElectronic StabilityControlStability Control OffLightModeButton Functions
EnabledEnabledEnabledOn during bulb checkStability and tractioncontrol fully enabledDefault at start-up
EnabledDisabledEnabledOnTraction control offButton pressedmomentarily
DisabledEnabled with higherthreshold targetEnabled with higherthreshold targetOnSport mode (ifequipped)Button pressed twicerapidly
DisabledDisabledDisabledOnStability and tractioncontrol fully disabledButton pressed andheld more than fiveseconds
EnabledEnabledEnabledOffStability and tractioncontrol fully enabledButton pressed againafter deactivation
Note:Stability control fully off can only occurwhen you put the Active Suspension System(CCD) in sport mode. If you are not in sportmode or change from sport mode to anothermode, the stability control enables.
Note:Do not use Sport mode on publicroadways.
Your vehicle, if equipped with sport modeallows you to reduce normal stability andtraction control system intervention andprovide a more spirited driving experience.To enter sport mode, press the stabilitycontrol button twice rapidly. A messageappears in the information display that thesystem is now in sport mode.
200
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Stability Control
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personalinjury, always use caution when in reverse(R) and when using the sensing system.
WARNING: The system may not detectobjects with surfaces that absorb reflection.Always drive with due care and attention.Failure to take care may result in a crash.
WARNING: Traffic control systems,inclement weather, air brakes, externalmotors and fans may affect the correctoperation of the sensing system.This maycause reduced performance or false alerts.
WARNING: The system may not detectsmall or moving objects, particularly thoseclose to the ground.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped withMyKey™, the sensing system cannot beturned off when a MyKey™ is present. SeePrinciple of Operation (page 62).
Note:Keep the sensors, located on thebumper or fascia, free from snow, ice andlarge accumulations of dirt. If the sensorsare covered, the system’s accuracy can beaffected. Do not clean the sensors with sharpobjects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage to thebumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned orbent, the sensing zone may be alteredcausing inaccurate measurement ofobstacles or false alerts.
Note:Certain add-on devices installedaround the bumper or fascia may createfalse alerts. For example, large trailerhitches, bike or surfboard racks, license platebrackets, bumper covers or any other devicethat may block the normal detection zoneof the system. Remove the add-on device toprevent false alerts.
Note:When a trailer is connected to yourvehicle, the rear parking aid may detect thetrailer and therefore provide an alert. Disablethe rear parking aid when a trailer isconnected to prevent the alert.
The sensing system warns the driver ofobstacles within a certain range of yourvehicle. The system turns on automaticallywhenever you switch the ignition on.
The system can be switched off through theinformation display menu or from the pop-upmessage that appears once you shift thetransmission into reverse (R). See GeneralInformation (page 110).
If a fault is present in the system, a warningmessage appears in the information display.See Information Messages (page 116).
REAR PARKING AID
The rear sensors are only active when thetransmission is in reverse (R). As your vehiclemoves closer to the obstacle, the rate of theaudible warning increases. When theobstacle is less than 12 in (30 cm) away, thewarning sounds continuously. If the systemdetects a stationary or receding objectfarther than 12 in (30 cm) from the corners ofthe bumper, the tone sounds for only threeseconds. Once the system detects an objectapproaching, the warning sounds again.
201
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Parking Aids
Coverage area of up to 6 ft (1.8 m) from therear bumper. There may be decreasedcoverage area at the outer corners of thebumper.
The system detects certain objects while thetransmission is in reverse (R) :
•Your vehicle is moving toward astationary object at a speed of 3 mph(5 km/h) or less.
•Your vehicle is not moving, but a movingobject is approaching the rear of yourvehicle at a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) orless.
•Your vehicle is moving at a speed of lessthan 3 mph (5 km/h) and a moving objectis approaching the rear of your vehicleat a speed of less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
The system provides audio warnings onlywhen your vehicle is moving or when yourvehicle is stationary and the detectedobstacle is less than 12 in (30 cm) away fromthe bumper.
Obstacle Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides obstacle distanceindication through the information display.The distance indicator displays when thetransmission is in reverse (R).
The indicator displays:
•As the distance to the obstacledecreases the indicator blocks illuminateand move towards the vehicle icon.
•If there is no obstacle detected, thedistance indicator blocks are grayed out.
FRONT PARKING AID (If Equipped)
The front sensors are active when thetransmission is in any position other thanpark (P) and your vehicle is traveling at lowspeed.
202
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Parking AidsE130178 E187330
Coverage area of up to 28 in (70 cm) fromthe front bumper. The coverage areadecreases at the outer corners.
When your vehicle approaches an object, awarning tone sounds. When your vehiclemoves closer to an object, the warning tonerepeat rate increases. The warning tonesounds continuously when an object is 12 in(30 cm) or less from the front bumper.
You can switch the system off through theinformation display menu or from the pop-upmessage that appears once you shift thetransmission into reverse (R). See GeneralInformation (page 110). If your vehicle has aparking aid button, you can switch thesystem off by pressing the button.
Obstacle Distance Indicator (If Equipped)
The system provides obstacle distanceindication through the information display.
The indicator displays:
•As the distance to the obstacledecreases the indicator blocks illuminateand move towards the vehicle icon.
•If there is no obstacle detected, thedistance indicator blocks are grayed out.
If the transmission is in reverse (R), the frontsensing system provides audio warningswhen your vehicle is moving and thedetected obstacle is moving towards yourvehicle. Once the vehicle is stationary, theaudio warning will be stopped after 2seconds. Visual indication is always presentin reverse (R).
If the transmission is in drive (D) or any otherforward gear (for example, low (L), sport (S)or any forward gear in a manualtransmission), the front sensing systemprovides audio and visual warnings whenyour vehicle is moving below a speed of5 mph (8 km/h) and an obstacle is located
inside the detection area. Once the vehicleis stationary, the audio warning will bestopped after 2 seconds and the visualindication stops after 4 seconds. If theobstacles detected are within 12 in (30 cm),the visual indication remains on.
If the transmission is in neutral (N), thesystem provides visual indication only whenyour vehicle is moving at 5 mph (8 km/h) orbelow and an obstacle is located inside thedetection area. Once your vehicle isstationary, the visual indication will stop after4 seconds.
SIDE SENSING SYSTEM
The side sensing system uses the front andrear side sensors to detect and mapobstacles within the vehicle's driving path,located near the sides of your vehicle. Theside sensors are active when thetransmission is in any position other thanpark (P).
203
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Parking Aids