warning LINCOLN MKZ 2013 Manual Online

USING ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
All-wheel drive uses all four wheels
to power the vehicle. This increases
traction, enabling you to drive over
terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot. The AWD system is active all
the time and requires no input from
the operator.
Note:
Your AWD vehicle is not
intended for off-road use. The AWD
feature gives your vehicle some limited
off-road capabilities in which driving
surfaces are relatively level,
obstruction-free and otherwise similar
to normal on-road driving conditions.
Operating your vehicle under other than
those conditions could subject the
vehicle to excessive stress which might
result in damage which is not covered
under your warranty.
Note: A warning message will be
displayed in the information display
when an AWD system fault is present
See Information Messages (page 105).
An AWD system fault will cause the
AWD system to default to front-wheel
drive only mode. When this warning
message is displayed, have your vehicle
serviced at an authorized dealer Note:
A warning message will be
displayed in the information display if
the AWD system has overheated See
Information Messages (page 105).
This condition may occur if the vehicle
was operated in extreme conditions
with excessive wheel slip, such as deep
sand. To resume normal AWD function
as soon as possible, stop the vehicle in
a safe location and stop the engine for
at least 10 minutes. After the engine
has been restarted and the AWD
system has adequately cooled, the
warning message will turn off and
normal AWD function will return.
Do not use a spare tire of a different
size other than the tire provided. If the
mini-spare tire is installed, the AWD
system may disable automatically
and enter front-wheel drive only mode
to protect driveline components. This
condition will be indicated by a
warning in the information display
See
Information Messages (page
105). If there is a warning message in
the information display from using the
spare tire, this indicator should turn
off after reinstalling the repaired or
replaced normal road tire and cycling
the ignition off and on. It is
recommended to reinstall the repaired
or replaced road tire as soon as
possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes
between the front and rear axles
could cause the AWD system to stop
functioning and default to front-wheel
drive or damage the AWD system.
171
All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

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

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

Pull the switch up to apply the electric
parking brake.
The brake system warning lamp will
illuminate to confirm that the electric
parking brake has been applied. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 440).
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
Scheduled Maintenance (page 440).
If your vehicle speed is above 4 mph
(6 km/h), the braking force is applied
as long as the switch is applied.
Releasing or pressing the switch or
pressing the accelerator pedal will
stop the braking force.
Releasing the electric parking
brake
You can release the electric parking
brake either manually by pressing 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. 179
BrakesE147230 E147231

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.
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:
1. Pull the switch up and hold it in
this position.
2. Drive your vehicle, then release the
switch when you notice that the
engine has developed sufficient
driving force.
Automatic release - drive away
release
Note: The driver's door must be closed
and the driver's safety belt must be
fastened before this feature will
operate.
Note: If the electric parking brake
warning lamp stays illuminated, the
electric parking brake will not
automatically release. You must
release the electric parking brake using
the electric parking brake switch.
Note: The engine must be running and
the accelerator pedal must be pressed
before the drive away release feature
will operate. The brake system warning lamp will
go off to confirm that the electric
parking brake has been released.
Note:
The electric parking brake drive
away release makes starting on a hill
easier. This feature will release the
parking brake automatically when the
vehicle has sufficient drive force to
move up the hill. To assure drive away
release when starting uphill, press the
accelerator pedal quickly.
Battery With No Charge WARNING
You will not be able to apply or
release the electric parking brake
if the battery is low or has no charge. If the battery is low or has no charge,
use jumper cables and a booster
battery.
180
Brakes

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 (e.g. stuck in snow
or mud), turning the traction control
off may be beneficial as this allows
the wheels to spin with full engine
power. Turn off the traction control
system through the information
display. See General Information
(page 100). 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 the traction control system is
turned off.
When the traction control system is
turned off or on, a message appears
in the information display showing
system status.
181
Traction ControlE138639

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