2019 LINCOLN MKZ warning

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 SafetyCompliance Certification label vehicleweight rating limits could result insubstandard vehicle handling orperformance, engine, transmissionand/or structural damage, seriousdamage to the vehicle, loss of controland 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.
250
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-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.
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on theSafety Compliance Certification label.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lower loadcarrying capacities than the original tiresbecause they may lower your vehicle’sGVWR and GAWR limitations.Replacement tires with a higher limitthan the original tires do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding any vehicleweight rating 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) =
251
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-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 mayhandle differently than unloadedvehicles. Take extra precautions, suchas slower speeds and increasedstopping distance, when driving aheavily loaded vehicle.
252
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Load Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Towing trailers beyondthe maximum recommended grosstrailer weight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Note:There may be electrical itemssuch as fuses or relays that can affecttrailer towing operation. See Fuses(page 277).
The load capacity of your vehicle isdesignated by weight not volume. Youmay not necessarily be able to use allavailable space when loading yourvehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places extra load on theengine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires,and suspension. Inspect thesecomponents before, during and aftertowing.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects the vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items in the centerof the left and right side trailer tires.
•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. When both the loadedvehicle and trailer are connected, thetrailer frame should be level, orslightly angled down toward thevehicle, when viewed 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 in theLoad Carrying chapter. See Load Limit(page 248).
You can also find information in the RV& Trailer Towing Guide available at yourauthorized dealer, or online.
253
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Towing

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 248).
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'shydraulic brake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may nothave enough braking power and yourchances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
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 1500 lb(680 kg) when load.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING: Never connect any trailerlamp wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring;this may damage the electrical systemresulting in fire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistance inproper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
255
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
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
WARNING: If your vehicle has asteering wheel lock make sure the ignitionis in the accessory or on position when beingtowed.
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 neutral (N).If you cannot place the transmission inneutral (N), you may need to override thegear shifter. See AutomaticTransmission (page 177).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system inrecirculated air mode to prevent exhaustfumes from entering the vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 136).
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.
Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L Engine
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles CANNOTbe flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) asvehicle or transmission damage may occur.You must place the front wheels on atwo-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a towdolly, follow the instructions specified by theequipment provider.
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles CANNOT beflat-towed (all wheels on the ground), asvehicle or transmission damage may occur.It is recommended to tow your vehicle withall four (4) wheels off the ground such aswhen using a car-hauling trailer. Otherwise,you cannot tow your vehicle.
257
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
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).
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.
There are also some things you may want toavoid doing because they reduce your fueleconomy:
•Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
•Avoid revving the engine before turningoff the car.
•Avoid long idle periods.
•Do not warm up your vehicle on coldmornings.
•Reduce the use of air conditioning andheat.
•Avoid using speed control in hilly terrain.
•Do not rest your foot on the brake pedalwhile driving.
•Avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
•Avoid adding particular accessories toyour vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,rollbars/light bars, running boards, skiracks).
•Avoid driving with the wheels out ofalignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING: Do not drive throughflowing or deep water as you may losecontrol of your vehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
259
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Driving Hints

Before driving through standing water, checkthe depth. Never drive through water that ishigher than the bottom of the front rockerarea of your vehicle.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle. Your brake performance and traction maybe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Check that the horn works.
•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check that thesteering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING: Use a floor mat designedto fit the footwell of your vehicle that doesnot obstruct the pedal area. Failure to followthis instruction could result in the loss ofcontrol of your vehicle, personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Pedals that cannot movefreely can cause loss of vehicle control andincrease the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Secure the floor mat toboth retention devices so that it cannot slipout of position and interfere with the pedals.Failure to follow this instruction could resultin the loss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
WARNING: Do not place additionalfloor mats or any other covering on top ofthe original floor mats. This could result inthe floor mat interfering with the operationof the pedals. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
WARNING: Always make sure thatobjects cannot fall into the driver foot wellwhile your vehicle is moving. Objects thatare loose can become trapped under thepedals causing a loss of vehicle control.
260
MKZ (CC9) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201805, First-Printing
Driving HintsE259345 E142666