
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Wheels
(page 325). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 104).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes. Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes
stuck or entrapped, apply steady and firm
pressure to the brake pedal to slow the
vehicle and reduce engine power. If you
experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Move
the transmission to park (P), switch the
engine off and apply the parking brake.
Inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interference. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you rapidly brake
by measuring the rate at which you press the
brake pedal. It provides maximum braking
efficiency as long as you press the pedal.
Brake assist can reduce stopping distances
in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily illuminates
when you switch the ignition on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the anti-lock
braking system may be disabled. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
the anti-lock brake system is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If the brake warning lamp
illuminates when you release the
parking brake, have your system
checked by an authorized dealer. It also
illuminates momentarily when you switch the
ignition on to confirm the lamp is functional.
If it does not illuminate when you switch the
ignition on or begins to flash at any time,
have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Note: The brake warning lamp may
illuminate and stay illuminated until you
switch off your vehicle as a result of driving
at high elevation.
198
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing BrakesE138644 E138644

Regenerative Braking System
This feature is used to simulate the engine
braking of an internal combustion engine
and assist the standard brake system while
recovering some of the energy of motion and
storing it in the battery to improve fuel
economy. The standard brake system is
designed to fully stop the car if regenerative
braking is not available. During regenerative
braking, the motor is spun as a generator to
create electrical current. This recharges the
battery and slows the vehicle. In effect, once
the accelerator pedal is released, the motor
changes from an energy user to an energy
producer.
When you release the accelerator pedal or
press the brake pedal, the brake controller
automatically detects the amount of
deceleration requested and optimizes how
much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining
portion is generated by standard friction
braking. When the battery is almost fully
charged, the amount of regenerative braking
is limited to avoid overcharging, and the
requested deceleration is produced by
standard friction braking alone.
Regenerative braking does not take the
place of the standard friction brakes; it only
assists them. Regenerative braking has also
been designed to interact with the anti-lock
brake system. Regenerative braking is
disabled when the anti-lock brake system is
activated or the battery is fully charged.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-
LOCK BRAKES
The anti-lock braking system does not
eliminate the risks when:
•
You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
Note: If the system activates, the brake
pedal may pulse and may travel further.
Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You
may also hear a noise from the system. This
is normal. ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift into
park (P). Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury or death. WARNING:
If you drive extended
distances with the parking brake applied,
you could cause damage to the brake
system. WARNING:
The electric parking
brake does not operate if the vehicle
battery is running out of charge.
Your vehicle has an electric parking brake.
You operate it with a switch instead of a
lever. The switch is on the center console or
to the left-hand side of the steering wheel,
on the lower part of the instrument panel.
Note: The electric parking brake makes
noises during operation. This is normal.
199
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing Brakes

Applying the Electric Parking Brake
Pull the switch upward.
The red warning lamp flashes
during operation and illuminates
when the parking brake is applied.
Note:
It remains illuminated for a short
period of time after you switch the ignition
off.
If it continues to flash or does not illuminate,
the system has malfunctioned. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: You can apply the electric parking
brake when the ignition is off.
Note: The electric parking brake could
automatically apply when you shift into park
(P). See Transmission (page 193). Applying the Electric Parking Brake in an
Emergency
Note:
Do not apply the electric parking brake
when your vehicle is moving, except in an
emergency. If you repeatedly use the electric
parking brake to slow or stop your vehicle,
you could cause damage to the brake
system.
You can use the electric parking brake to
slow or stop your vehicle in an emergency. Pull the switch upward and hold it.
The red warning lamp illuminates,
a tone sounds and the stoplamps
turn on.
The electric parking brake continues to slow
your vehicle down unless you release the
switch.
Manually Releasing the Electric Parking
Brake
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 system
has malfunctioned. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing a
Trailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Pull the switch upward and hold it.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until engine has
developed sufficient torque to prevent your
vehicle from rolling down the hill. Release the switch and pull away
in a normal manner.
200
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing BrakesE267156 E270480 E267156 E270480 E267156 E270480 E267156 E267156

Automatically Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal and pull away in
a normal manner.
The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, the electric
parking brake has not released. Manually
release the parking brake.
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake if
the Vehicle Battery is Running Out of
Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehicle
battery to release the electric parking brake
if the vehicle battery is running out of charge.
See Jump Starting the Vehicle (page 267).AUTO HOLD WARNING:
The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you leave
your vehicle, always apply the parking
brake. WARNING: You must remain in your
vehicle when the system turns on. At all
times, you are responsible for controlling
your vehicle, supervising the system and
intervening, if required. Failure to take care
may result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, serious personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system will turn off
if a malfunction is apparent. Failure to take
care may result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury or
death. Auto Hold uses your vehicle's brakes to hold
your vehicle at a stop once your vehicle has
reached a standstill condition. For example,
Auto Hold can assist you while stopping at
traffic lights or while in traffic jams by holding
the brake pressure for you once you bring
your vehicle to a stop.
Switch Auto Hold off during vehicle or trailer
towing.
Note:
In case of a malfunction in the system
while Auto Hold actively holds the vehicle
(for example, low power supply), a message
appears in the information display asking
you to press the brake pedal. If you see this
message, press the brake pedal
immediately.
Note: Auto Hold only activates if the system
recognizes it is applying enough brake
pressure. On a steep hill or incline, you may
need to make sure the brake pedal is
pressed sufficiently to activate the Auto Hold
system.
201
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing BrakesE270480

Note:
In some cases, Auto Hold might hand
over to the parking brake. When the parking
brake applies, the red brake lamp appears.
This is normal. When you press the
accelerator pedal, the drive away release
feature releases the parking brake.
Note: Auto Hold works on all road grades. Press the Auto Hold button to switch the
system on and off. The Auto Hold indicator
light illuminates in the Auto Hold button
when the system is on.
Note:
You can only switch Auto Hold on if
you close the door and fasten your seatbelt. Note:
Auto Hold remembers the last on or
off setting when you start your vehicle.
Note: When in reverse (R), Auto Hold does
not function.
When Auto Hold is off, your vehicle behaves
the same as a vehicle without Auto Hold.
There is an Auto Hold indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster that has two modes, active
and unavailable: The Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicator
light illuminates in the information
display when the system holds
your vehicle stationary. When in active mode,
press the brake pedal and the Auto Hold
button to switch Auto Hold off. The Auto Hold (UNAVAILABLE)
indicator light illuminates in the
information display when the
system is on but unavailable to hold your
vehicle (for example, during Active Park
Assist, Stay in Neutral Mode, or when you
do not fasten your seatbelt or close the
door).
202
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing BrakesE302322 E197933 E197934

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in reverse
(R) and when using the sensing system. WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects 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, external
motors and fans may affect the correct
operation of the sensing system.This may
cause reduced performance or false alerts. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
Note: If your vehicle has MyKey™, the sensing
system cannot be switched off when a
MyKey™ is present.
See Principle of
Operation (page 62). Note:
Keep the sensors on the bumper or
fascia free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt. If the sensors are
covered, the system’ s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to the
bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned or
bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alerts.
Note: Certain add-on devices installed
around the bumper or fascia may create
false alerts. For example, large trailer
hitches, bike or surfboard racks, license plate
brackets, bumper covers or any other device
that may block the normal detection zone
of the system. Remove the add-on device to
prevent false alerts.
Note: When you connect a trailer to your
vehicle, the rear parking aid may detect the
trailer and therefore provide an alert. Disable
the rear parking aid when you connect a
trailer to prevent the alert. The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.
You can switch the system off through the
information display menu or from the pop-up
message that appears once you shift the
transmission into reverse (R).
See General
Information (page 110). If your vehicle has a
parking aid button, you can switch the
system off by pressing the button.
If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information display.
See
Information Messages (page 121).
REAR PARKING AID WARNING:
The system may not
detect objects with surfaces that absorb
reflection. Always drive with due care and
attention. Failure to take care may result
in a crash.
208
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing Parking Aids

Note:
Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this may
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts.
Note: If you switch traction control off, the
side sensing system also turns off.
Note: Some accessories, for example large
trailer hitches or bike or surfboard racks can
cause reduced performance or false alerts.
Note: The system does not detect an object
that is moving toward the side of your
vehicle, for example another vehicle moving
at low speed, if it does not pass a front or
rear sensor.
The system uses the front and rear
outermost parking aid sensors to detect
objects that are near to the sides of your
vehicle. The system displays them on a
virtual map in the information display as your
vehicle moves past them.
The sensors are on the front and rear
bumpers. The system may not function if:
•
You switch the ignition on, off and back
on within a few seconds.
• Your vehicle remains stationary for over
two minutes.
• The anti-lock brake system activates.
• The traction control system activates.
To reinitialize the system, you may have to
drive your vehicle approximately 10 ft (3 m). The sensor coverage area is up to
24 in
(60 cm) from the side of your vehicle. When the system detects an object within
the coverage area and the driving path of
your vehicle, an audible warning sounds. As
the object moves closer to your vehicle, the
rate of the tone increases.
Object Distance Indicator
(If Equipped)
The system provides object distance
indication through the information display.
213
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing Parking AidsE190458 E190459

•
As the distance to the object decreases,
the indicator blocks illuminate and move
toward the vehicle icon.
• If there is no object detected, the
distance indicator blocks are gray.
When you shift into reverse (R), the system
provides audible warnings and visual
indication when detected objects are within
24 in (60 cm) and are inside the driving path
of your vehicle. When you stop your vehicle,
the audible warnings turn off after two
seconds.
When you shift into any forward gear, the
system provides audible warnings and visual
indication when your vehicle is moving at a
speed of approximately
5 mph (8 km/h) or
below and the system detects an object
within the detection zone. When you stop
your vehicle, the audible warnings turn off
after two seconds and visual indication turns
off after four seconds. When you shift into neutral (N), the system
only provides visual indication if your vehicle
is moving at a speed of approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h)
or below. For example, your vehicle
is moving on a slope, and the system detects
an object moving toward your vehicle. When
you stop your vehicle, visual indication turns
off after four seconds.
If the system is not available, the side
distance indicator blocks do not display.
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST
(IF EQUIPPED) WARNING: You must remain in your
vehicle when the system turns on. At all
times, you are responsible for controlling
your vehicle, supervising the system and
intervening, if required. Failure to take care
may result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, serious personal injury or death. WARNING:
The sensors may not
detect objects in heavy rain or other
conditions that cause interference. WARNING:
Active park assist does
not apply the brakes under any
circumstances. WARNING:
You are responsible for
controlling your vehicle at all times. The
system is designed to be an aid and does
not relieve you of your responsibility to
drive with due care and attention. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death.
Note: Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves.
The sensors may falsely detect objects due
to ultrasonic interference caused by
motorcycle exhausts, truck air brakes or
horns, for example.
214
MKZ (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201905, Second-Printing Parking Aids