steering LINCOLN MKZ 2013 Owner's Manual

Driving In Special Conditions
With All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD vehicles are equipped for driving
on sand, snow, mud and rough roads
and have operating characteristics
that are somewhat different from
conventional vehicles, both on and off
the highway.
Under severe operating conditions,
the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Basic operating principles in
special conditions
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds
which can affect the normal
steering characteristics of your
vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving
on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or
ice. If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of
the Pavement
•
If your vehicle goes off the edge of
the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application,
ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your
speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning
to the road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the
apron or shoulder of the road and
slow down gradually before
returning to the pavement. You
may lose control if you do not slow
down or if you turn the steering
wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike
small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to
your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement
which could cause the vehicle to
slide sideways out of control or
rollover. Remember, your safety
and the safety of others should be
your primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake
fully and make sure the gearshift
is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition
to the lock position and remove the
key whenever you leave your vehicle. If the parking brake is fully
released, but the brake warning
lamp remains illuminated, the brakes
may not be working properly. See your
authorized dealer.
172
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

WARNINGS
Do not spin the wheels at over
35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or
bystander. Note:
Do not rock the vehicle if the
engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the
transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur or the
engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or
snow it may be rocked out by shifting
between forward and reverse gears,
stopping between shifts, in a steady
pattern. Press lightly on the
accelerator in each gear.
If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability
Control ™, it may be beneficial to
disengage the AdvanceTrac® with
Roll Stability Control ™ system while
attempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
• In an unavoidable emergency
situation where a sudden sharp
turn must be made, remember to
avoid "over-driving" your vehicle
(i.e., turn the steering wheel only
as rapidly and as far as required to
avoid the emergency). Excessive
steering will result in less vehicle
control, not more. Additionally,
smooth variations of the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are called
for. Avoid abrupt steering,
acceleration or braking which
could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury. Use
all available road surface to return
the vehicle to a safe direction of
travel.
• In the event of an emergency stop,
avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel
movements.
• If the vehicle goes from one type
of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a
change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering,
acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all
four wheels on the most solid area of
the trail. Avoid reducing the tire
pressures but shift to a lower gear and
drive steadily through the terrain.
Apply the accelerator slowly and
avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not drive your AWD vehicle in deep
sand. This will cause the AWD system
to overheat. After the system has
cooled down, normal AWD function
will return.
Under severe operating conditions,
the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
173
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)

Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:
Avoid driving crosswise or
turning on steep slopes or hills. A
danger lies in losing traction, slipping
sideways and possibly rolling over.
Whenever driving on a hill, determine
beforehand the route you will use. Do
not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other
side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make
it necessary to travel diagonally up or
down a hill or steep incline, you should
always try to drive straight up or
straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turnaround because you might roll
over. It is better to back down 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, resulting in loss of
vehicle control. Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to avoid
excessive brake application and brake
overheating. Do not descend in
neutral; instead, disengage overdrive
or manually shift to a lower gear.
When descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could lose
control. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
therefore apply the brakes steadily.
Do not
“pump” the brakes.
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 the vehicle slides while
cornering, steer in the direction of the
slide until you regain control of the
vehicle. 175
All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)E143949

Note:
Excessive tire slippage can
cause driveline damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over
2WD vehicles in snow and ice but can
skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving
on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the
slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power
and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator
slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well.
Although an AWD vehicle may
accelerate better than a two-wheel
drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won ’t
stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four
wheels. Do not become overconfident
as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient
distance between you and other
vehicles for stopping. Drive slower
than usual and consider using one of
the lower gears. In emergency
stopping situations, apply the brake
steadily. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do
not “pump ” the brakes. See Hints on
Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
(page
178). for more information on
the operation of the anti-lock brake
system (ABS). Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems
on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable
performance whether loaded or
empty and durable load carrying
capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that
you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as
lowering kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not
equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that
raise the center of gravity can make it
more likely the vehicle will rollover as
a result of a loss of control. Ford Motor
Company recommends that caution
be used with any vehicle equipped
with a high load or device (such as
ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle
properly may void the warranty,
increase your repair cost, reduce
vehicle performance and operational
capabilities and adversely affect driver
and passenger safety. Frequent
inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the
vehicle is subjected to off-highway
usage.
176
All-Wheel Drive
(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
Warning Lamps and Indicators (page
95). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 95).
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.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake
rapidly by measuring the rate at which
you press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long
as you press the pedal, and 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.
177
BrakesE144522

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.
The ABS 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 selector lever in position
P. Note:
When you apply the electric
parking brake in certain conditions e.g.
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 the
ignition is turned 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.
178
BrakesE144522

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 the 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 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; WARNINGS
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 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
181).
182
Stability Control

When a suitable space is found, the
touch screen displays a message and
a chime sounds. Slow down and stop
when the touch screen displays a
message and a chime sounds (at
approximately position A), then follow
the instructions on the touch screen.
Note:
You must observe that the
selected space remains clear of
obstructions at all times in the
maneuver.
Note: Vehicles with overhanging loads
(e.g. a bus or a truck), street furniture
and other items may not be detected
by active park assist. You must make
sure the selected space is suitable for
parking.
Note: The vehicle should be driven as
parallel to other vehicles as possible
while passing a parking space.
Note: The system always offers the
last detected parking space (i.e. if the
vehicle detects multiple spaces while
you are driving, it offers the last one). Note:
If driven above approximately
20 mph (35 km/h), the touch screen
shows a message to alert you to reduce
vehicle speed.
Automatic Steering into
Parking Space
Note: If vehicle speed exceeds 6 mph
(10 km/h), the system switches off and
you need to take full control of the
vehicle.
With your hands off the wheel (and
nothing obstructing its movement)
and the transmission in R (Reverse),
the vehicle steers itself as instructions
to safely move the vehicle back and
forward in the space are displayed in
the touch screen. While reversing, the
touch screen displays a message
instructing you to check your
surroundings (for safety reasons) and
to back-up slowly, accompanied by a
corresponding graphic. When you think the vehicle has
enough space in front and behind it,
or you hear a solid tone from the
parking aid (accompanied by a touch
screen display message and a chime),
bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
188
Parking AidsE130108

When automatic steering is finished,
the touch screen displays a message
indicating that the active park assist
process is done. The driver is
responsible for checking the parking
job and making any necessary
corrections before putting the
transmission in P (Park).
Deactivating the Park Assist
Feature
The system can be deactivated
manually by:
•
pressing the active park assist
button
• grabbing the steering wheel
• driving above approximately 20
mph (35 km/h) for 30 seconds
during an active park search •
driving above 6 mph (10 km/h)
during automatic steering
• turning off the traction control
system.
Certain vehicle conditions can also
deactivate the system, such as:
• Traction control has activated on
a slippery or loose surface.
• There is an anti-lock brake system
activation or failure.
• Something touches the steering
wheel.
If a problem occurs with the system,
a warning message is displayed,
followed by a chime. Occasional
system messages may occur in
normal operation. For recurring or
frequent system faults, contact an
authorized dealer to have your vehicle
serviced.
Troubleshooting the System The system does not look for a space
The traction control system may be off The system does not offer a particular space
Something may be contacting the front bumper or side sensors
There is not enough room on both sides of the vehicle in order to park
There is not enough space for the parking maneuver on the opposite side of
the parking space
189
Parking Aids

Active guidelines are only shown with
fixed guidelines. To use active
guidelines, turn the steering wheel to
point the guidelines toward an
intended path. If the steering wheel
position is changed while reversing,
the vehicle might deviate from the
original intended path.
The fixed and active guidelines fade
in and out depending on the steering
wheel position. The active guidelines
are not shown when the steering
wheel position is straight.
Always use caution while reversing.
Objects in the red zone are closest to
your vehicle and objects in the green
zone are farther away. Objects are
getting closer to your vehicle as they
move from the green zone to the
yellow or red zones. Use the side view
mirrors and rear view mirror to get
better coverage on both sides and rear
of the vehicle.
Selectable settings for this feature are
ACTIVE + FIXED, FIXED and OFF.
Visual Park Aid Alert
Note:
Visual park alert is only available
when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
Note: The reverse sensing system is
not effective at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects. The system uses red, yellow and green
highlights which appear on top of the
video image when an object is
detected by the reverse sensing
system. The alert highlights the
closest object detected. The reverse
sensing alert can be disabled and if
visual park aid alert is enabled,
highlighted areas are still displayed.
Selectable settings for this feature are
ON and OFF.
Manual Zoom
WARNING
When manual zoom is on, the
full area behind the vehicle is not
shown. Be aware of your surroundings
when using the manual zoom feature. Note:
Manual zoom is only available
when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
Note: When manual zoom is enabled,
only the centerline is shown.
This allows you to get a closer view of
an object behind the vehicle. The
zoomed image keeps the bumper in
the image to provide a reference. The
zoom is only active while the
transmission is in R (Reverse). When
the transmission is shifted out of R
(Reverse), the feature automatically
turns off and must be reset when it is
used again.
193
Parking Aids