page 92 LINCOLN MKC 2015 Manual PDF

When driving at slow speeds off road under
high load conditions, use a low gear when
possible. Low gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling
capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the air
conditioning may cycle on and off to prevent
the engine from overheating.
Basic Operating Principles
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds that
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• When driving your vehicle on surfaces
made slippery by loose sand, water,
gravel, snow or ice proceed with care.
If Your Vehicle leaves the Road
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your
vehicle speed and avoid severe braking.
Once you have reduced your vehicle speed,
ease your vehicle back onto the road. Do
not turn the steering wheel sharply while
returning your vehicle to the road. It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of the
road and slow down gradually before
returning to the road. You may lose control
if you do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
It may be less risky to strike small objects,
such as freeway reflectors, with minor
damage to your vehicle rather than attempt
an abrupt dangerous direction change.
Remember, your primary concern should be
your safety and the safety of others.
Emergency Maneuvers
If you must make a sudden emergency
direction change, avoid over-driving your
vehicle. Turn the steering wheel only as
rapidly and as far as you need to avoid the
emergency. Apply smooth pressure to the
accelerator pedal or brake pedal as needed.
Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration and
braking changes. Abrupt changes could
increase the risk of vehicle roll over, loss of
vehicle control and personal injury. Use all
available road surface to bring your vehicle
to under control.In the event of an emergency stop, avoid
skidding and do not attempt any sharp
steering wheel movements.
Your vehicle responds differently to steering,
accelerating and braking on different road
surfaces when changing from one type of
surface to another.
Sand
When driving over sand, avoid driving at
excessive speeds. This will cause your
vehicle momentum to work against you. Your
vehicle could become stuck that may require
assistance from another vehicle. Remember,
if you proceed with caution you may be able
to back out the way you came.
Do not drive in deep sand for an extended
period. This will cause the all-wheel drive
system to overheat. You will see a warning
message in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 118).
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(If Equipped)

To resume operation, switch the ignition off
and allow the system to cool down for a
minimum of 15 minutes. After the system has
cooled down, you will see a brief message
display in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 118).
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use a low
gear when possible. Low gear operation will
maximize the engine and transmission
cooling capability.
Tips when driving over sand:
• Keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail.
• Shift to a lower gear.
• Apply the accelerator slowly.
• Drive steadily through the terrain.
• Avoid excessive wheel spin.
• Avoid reducing the tire pressures. Mud and Water
Mud
Avoid sudden changes in vehicle speed or
direction when you are driving in mud. Even
all-wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in
mud. If your vehicle does slide, steer in the
direction of the slide until you regain control
of your vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off excess
mud stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts can cause an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Water
Drive slowly through high water. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the
depth and avoid water higher than the
bottom of the wheel rims. If the ignition
system gets wet, your vehicle may stall. Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes will not stop your vehicle as
quickly as dry brakes. Apply light pressure
to the brake pedal while slowly moving the
vehicle to dry the brakes.
Note:
Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission. If the front or rear
axle is submerged in water, the axle
lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant
should be checked and changed if
necessary.
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down a
hill or steep incline, always try to drive
straight up or straight down the sloping
terrain.
Note: To maintain traction and avoid
possibly rolling your vehicle, avoid turning
on steep slopes or hills. When you drive on
a hill, determine beforehand the route you
will use. Do not drive over a hill without first
seeing what is on the other side. Do not drive
in reverse over a hill without the aid of an
observer.
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(If Equipped)

Start climbing a steep slope or hill in a low
gear rather than downshifting to a low gear
from a high gear after you have started your
climb. This reduces strain on the engine and
the possibility of stalling.
If your vehicle stalls, do not try to turn
around. Turning could cause the vehicle to
roll over. Instead, reverse back to a safe
location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause the
tires to slip, spin or lose traction, and you
could lose control of your vehicle. To avoid brake overheating, come down a
hill in the same gear you used to go up the
hill. Do not come down in neutral. Move the
transmission selector lever to a lower gear.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden
hard braking to keep the front wheels rolling
and to maintain your vehicle's steering.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. Apply the
brakes steadily. Do not pump the brake
pedal.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING
If you are driving in slippery conditions
that require tire chains or cables, then
it is critical that you drive cautiously. Keep
speeds down, allow for longer stopping
distances and avoid aggressive steering to
reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle
control which can lead to serious injury or
death. If the rear end of your vehicle slides
while cornering, steer in the direction of the
slide until you regain control of your vehicle. Note:
Excessive tire slippage can cause
transmission damage. In snow and ice, all-wheel drive vehicles have
advantages over two-wheel drive vehicles
but can still skid. When driving on snowy or
icy roads, should you start to slide, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide
until you regain control.
On snow and ice, avoid suddenly applying
power and avoid quick change of direction.
Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily
when starting from a stop.
Avoid sudden braking. An all-wheel drive
vehicle may accelerate better than a
two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice.
However, an all-wheel drive vehicle will not
stop any faster, as braking occurs at all four
wheels. Do not become overconfident to
road conditions.
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Make sure that you allow sufficient distance
between your vehicle and other vehicles for
stopping. On ice and snow, you should drive
more slowly than usual, and consider using
one of the lower gears. In emergency
stopping situations, steadily apply the brake.
Your vehicle has a four wheel anti-lock brake
system, do not pump the brake pedal. See
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
(page
182).
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or Snow
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud or
snow, shift between forward and reverse
gears, and, in a steady pattern, stop between
shifts. Press lightly on the accelerator with
each shift. Rocking your vehicle this way may
dislodge your vehicle.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature,
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more than
a minute, damage to the transmission and
tires may occur or the engine may overheat. Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle provides predictable
performance whether your vehicle is loaded
or empty. For this reason, we recommend
that you do not make modifications to your
vehicle (lift kits or stabilizer bars) or use
replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factory equipment.
We recommend that you use caution when
your vehicle has either a high load or device
(ladder or luggage racks). Modifications to
your vehicle that raise the center of gravity
may cause your vehicle to tip if you should
lose vehicle control.
Failure to maintain your vehicle correctly may
void the warranty, increase your repair cost,
reduce vehicle performance and operational
capabilities, and adversely affect you and
your passenger's safety. We recommend that
you frequently inspect your vehicle's chassis
components if your vehicle is subject to
off-road use.
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(If Equipped)

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 and should
be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected 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 Alloy Wheels
(page 305). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 107).
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. Turn
the engine off, shift to position
P and apply
the parking brake, and then inspect the
accelerator pedal for any interferences. If
none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized dealer.
Emergency Brake Assist
Emergency brake assist detects when you
brake heavily by measuring the rate at which
you press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long as you
press the pedal. Emergency 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 the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the anti-lock
braking system may be disabled and may
need to be serviced. If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the brake
warning lamp illuminates with the
parking brake released, have your brake
system serviced immediately.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-
LOCK BRAKES
Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal will pulse and may travel further.
Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You
may also hear a noise from the system. This
is normal.
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The anti-lock braking system will 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.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake replaces the
conventional handbrake. The operating
switch is located on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. WARNING
Always set the parking brake and leave
your vehicle with the transmission in
position P. Note:
When you apply the electric parking
brake in certain conditions, for example on
a steep hill, the electric parking brake may
reapply the brakes within three to ten
minutes. Note:
You may notice various noises when
you apply and release the electric parking
brake. This is normal and no cause for
concern.
Applying the electric parking brake WARNING
If the brake system warning lamp does
not illuminate or flashes, there could
be a problem with your electric parking
brake. Have the system checked by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. Note:
The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate for ten seconds if you have turned
the ignition off after the electric parking
brake has been applied, or the electric
parking brake has been applied after the
ignition has been turned off.
Note: The electric parking brake will not
automatically apply. You must apply the
electric parking brake using the electric
parking brake switch. Pull the switch to apply the electric parking
brake.
The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate to confirm that the electric parking
brake has been applied.
See Instrument
Cluster (page 105).
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Applying the electric parking brake
when the vehicle is moving
WARNINGS
Applying the electric parking brake
while moving will result in use of the
anti-lock braking system. Do not use the
electric parking brake system when the
vehicle is moving unless the normal brake
system is unable to stop the vehicle. With the exception of emergency
conditions (for example, the brake
pedal does not work or is blocked), do not
apply the electric parking brake while the
vehicle is moving. On bends, or poor road
surfaces or weather conditions, emergency
braking can cause the vehicle to skid out of
control or off the road. If you apply the electric parking brake when
your vehicle is moving, the brake system
warning lamp will illuminate and a warning
chime will sound. See Instrument Cluster
(page 105). If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph (6
km/h), the braking force is applied as long
as the switch is applied. Release or press the
switch or press the accelerator pedal to stop
the braking force.
Releasing the electric parking brake
You can release the electric parking brake
either manually by pressing the bottom of
the switch or automatically.Manual release WARNING
If the brake system warning light
remains illuminated or flashes after you
have released the parking brake, there could
be a problem with you braking system. Have
the system checked by an authorized dealer
as soon as possible. You can manually release the electric parking
brake by turning the ignition on, pressing the
brake pedal and then pressing the electric
parking brake switch down.
When the electric parking brake is released,
the brake system warning lamp will turn off.
Driving with a Trailer
Depending on the grade and the weight of
the trailer, your vehicle and trailer may roll
backwards slightly when you start on a slope.
To prevent this from happening, do the
following:
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drive
wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels and,
when needed, reduces engine power at the
same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
In certain situations for example, stuck in
snow or mud, turning the traction control off
may be beneficial as this allows the wheels
to spin with full engine power. Depending
on the type of system you have on your
vehicle, you can either turn the system off
using the information display or by pressing
the button.
Switching the System Off Using the
Information Display Controls (If Equipped)
Your vehicle comes with this feature already
enabled. If required, you can switch this
feature off using the information display
controls. See
General Information (page
112).
Switching the System Off Using a
Switch
(If Equipped)
The button is located in the instrument panel.
Press the button. You will see a message in
conjunction with an illuminated icon in the
display. Press the button again to return the
system to normal mode.
When you switch the traction control system
off, stability control remains fully active. System Indicator Lights and Messages WARNING
If a failure has been detected within
the AdvanceTrac system, the stability
control light will illuminate steadily. Verify
that the AdvanceTrac system was not
manually disabled through the information
display. If the stability control light still
illuminates steadily, have the system serviced
by an authorized dealer immediately.
Operating your vehicle with AdvanceTrac
disabled could lead to an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. The stability control light
temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and flashes when a driving
condition activates the stability system. The stability control off light
temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and stays on when you
turn the traction control system off.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involving braking
system, aftermarket roof racks,
suspension, steering system, tire
construction and wheel and tire size may
change the handling characteristics of your
vehicle and may adversely affect the
performance of the AdvanceTrac system. In
addition, installing any stereo loudspeakers
may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac system. Install any aftermarket
stereo loudspeaker as far as possible from
the front center console, the tunnel, and the
front seats in order to minimize the risk of
interfering with the AdvanceTrac sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the
AdvanceTrac system could lead to an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Remember that even advanced
technology cannot defy the laws of
physics. It’ s always possible to lose control
of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input
for the conditions. Aggressive driving on any
road condition can cause you to lose control WARNINGS
of your vehicle increasing the risk of personal
injury or property damage. Activation of the
AdvanceTrac system is an indication that at
least some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road; this could reduce the
operator’ s ability to control the vehicle
potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If your AdvanceTrac system activates,
SLOW DOWN. The AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
system helps you keep control of your
vehicle when on a slippery surface. The
electronic stability control portion of the
system helps avoid skids and lateral slides
and roll stability control helps avoid a vehicle
rollover. The traction control system helps
avoid drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
See Using Traction Control (page 187).
Vehicle without AdvanceTrac with
RSC skidding off its intended route.
A
Vehicle with AdvanceTrac with
RSC maintaining control on a
slippery surface.
B
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AA
B
BB
B

USING STABILITY CONTROL
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control™ (RSC®)
The system automatically activates when you
start your vehicle. The AdvanceTrac with RSC
system cannot be completely turned off, but
the electronic stability control and roll
stability control portions of the system are
disabled when the transmission is in position
R. You can turn off the traction control
portion of the system independently. See
Using Traction Control (page 187).
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