tires LINCOLN MKZ 2014 User Guide

for operation at Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, not at Gross
Combined Weight Rating.)
Separate functional brakes should
be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the
Gross Combined Weight of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating of the towing vehicle.The
Gross Combined Weight must
never exceed the Gross
Combined Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight - is the highest possible
weight of a fully loaded trailer the
vehicle can tow. It assumes a
vehicle with mandatory options,
driver and front passenger weight
(150 pounds [68 kilograms]
each), no cargo weight (internal
or external) and a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or
king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth
wheel trailer). Consult an
authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at
an authorized dealer) for more
detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel
King Pin Weight - refers to the
amount of the weight that a trailer
pushes down on a trailer hitch. Examples: For a 5000 pound
(2268 kilogram) conventional
trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and
0.15 to obtain a proper tongue
load range of 500 to 750 pounds
(227 to 340 kilograms). For an
11500 pound (5216 kilogram) fifth
wheel trailer, multiply by 0.15 and
0.25 to obtain a proper king pin
load range of 1725 to 2875 pounds
(782 to 1304 kilograms).
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label.
Do not use replacement tires
with lower load carrying
capacities than the original tires
because they may lower the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original
tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weight
rating limitation could result
in serious damage to the vehicle
and/or personal injury.
Steps for determining the
correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lb." on your
vehicle’s placard.
229
Load Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury.
Note: There may be electrical
items such as fuses or relays that
can affect trailer towing operation.
See Fuses (page 255).
Weight, not volume designates
your vehicle's load capacity. You
cannot necessarily use all
available space when loading a
vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transmission, axle, brakes,
tires and suspension. Inspect
these components periodically
during, and after, any towing
operation. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects the vehicle
when driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items in the center of the left and right side
trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward the
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in the Load Carrying
chapter. See Load Limit (page
224). You can also find the
information in the RV & Trailer
Towing Guide, available at an
authorized dealer.
232
Towing

Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp
wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp
wiring; this may damage the electrical
system resulting in fire. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible
for assistance in proper trailer tow
wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and
hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing
up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before
starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear
curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500
miles (800 kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug
nuts thoroughly after you have
traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather,
place the gearshift in position P to
aid engine and transmission
cooling and to help A/C
performance. • Turn off the speed control with
heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing
on long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as
they may overheat and become
less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
feature, use this feature when
towing. This provides engine
braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:
• Turn the steering wheel to pointyour vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
• Set your vehicle parking brake.
• Place the automatic transmission in position P.
• Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not included with
vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat
or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the
trailer before backing the trailer into
the water.
235
Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 miles (480
kilometers). During this time, your
vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1000 miles (1600 kilometers). Vary
your speed frequently and change up
through the gears early. Do not labor
the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several
things such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under and how
you maintain your vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind
that may improve your fuel economy:
• Accelerate and slow down in asmooth, moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
• When running errands, go tothe furthest destination first
and then work your way back
home.
• Close the windows for high-speed driving. • Drive at reasonable speeds.
(Traveling at 65 mph/105 kph uses
about 15% less fuel than traveling
at 75 mph/121 kph).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
There are also some things you may
want to avoid doing because they
reduce your fuel economy:
• Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
• Avoid revving the engine before turning off the car.
• Avoid long idle periods.
• Do not warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
• Reduce the use of air conditioning and heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4
kilometers/liter] is lost for every
400 lbs [180 kilograms] of weight
carried).
• Avoid adding particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.
bug deflectors, rollbars/light bars,
running boards, ski racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of alignment.
240
Driving Hints

Note:During extended periods of
vehicle storage (30 days or more), fuel
may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add
a quality gas stabilizer product to your
vehicle's fuel system whenever actual
or expected storage periods exceed 30
days. Follow the instructions on the
additive label. your vehicle should then
be operated at idle speed to circulate
the additive throughout the fuel
system.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling
system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary.Keep connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging
the battery, it may be advisable to
disconnect the battery cables to
ensure battery charge is
maintained for quick starting.
Note: If battery cables are
disconnected, it will be necessary to
reset memory features.
Brakes
• Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
• Maintain recommended airpressure.
Miscellaneous
• Make sure all linkages, cables,levers and pins under your vehicle
are covered with grease to prevent
rust.
• Move vehicles at least 25 feet (8 meters) every 15 days to lubricate
working parts and prevent
corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From
Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come
out of storage, do the following:
• Wash your vehicle to remove anydirt or grease film build-up on
window surfaces.
• Check windshield wipers for any deterioration.
• Check under the hood for any foreign material that may have
collected during storage
(mice/squirrel nests).
• Check the exhaust for any foreign material that may have collected
during storage.
• Check tire pressures and set tire inflation per the Tire Label.
• Check brake pedal operation. Drive your vehicle 15 feet (4.5 meters)
back and forth to remove rust
build-up.
295
Vehicle Care

TEMPORARY MOBILITY KIT
(IF EQUIPPED)
Note:The temporary mobility kit
sealant compound in the canister is to
be used for one tire only. See your Ford
authorized dealer for additional
replacement sealant canisters.
The kit is located in the spare tire well
in the trunk. The kit consists of an air
compressor to reinflate the tire and a
sealing compound in a canister that
will effectively seal most punctures
caused by nails or similar objects. This
kit will provide a temporary seal
allowing you to drive your vehicle up
to 120 miles (200 kilometers) at a
maximum speed of 50 mph (80
km/h).
E144618
Air compressor (inside)
A
Diverter knob
B
On/off button
C
Air pressure gauge
D
Sealant bottle and canister
E
Sealant filling clear tube
F
Sealant tube - tire valve
connector
G
Yellow cap tool
H
Air compressor hose
I
Air hose -tire valve connector
J
Accessory power plug
K
Casing/housing
L
297
Wheels and Tires

General Information
WARNING
Failure to follow these guidelines
could result in an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, injury or
death.
Note: Do not use the kit if a tire has
become severely damaged by driving
the vehicle with a tire that has
insufficient air pressure. Only punctured
areas located within the tire tread can
be sealed with the kit.
Do not attempt to repair punctures
larger than 1.4 inch (6.4 millimeters)
or damage to the tire's sidewall. The
tire may not completely seal.
Loss of air pressure may adversely
affect tire performance. For this
reason:
Note: Do not drive the vehicle above
50 mph (80 km/h).
Note: Do not drive further than 120
miles (200 kilometers). Drive only to
the closest Ford Motor Company
authorized dealer or tire repair shop to
have your tire inspected.
• Drive carefully and avoid abrupt steering maneuvers.
• Periodically monitor tire inflation pressure in the affected tire; if the
tire is losing pressure, have the
vehicle towed.
• Read the information in the Tips for Use of the Kit section to make
sure safe operation of the kit and
your vehicle.
Tips for Use of the Kit
Read the following list of tips to
ensure safe operation of the kit:
• Before operating the kit, make sureyour vehicle is safely off the road
and away from moving traffic. Turn
on the hazard lights.
• Always set the parking brake to ensure the vehicle doesn't move
unexpectedly.
• Do not remove any foreign objects, such as nails or screws, from the
tire.
• When using the kit, leave the engine running (only if the vehicle
is outdoors or in a well-ventilated
area) so the compressor doesn't
drain the vehicle's battery.
• Do not allow the compressor to operate continuously for more
than 15 minutes; this will help
prevent the compressor from
overheating.
• Never leave the kit unattended when it is operating.
• Sealant compound contains latex. Make sure that you use the
non-latex gloves provided to avoid
an allergic reaction.
• Keep the kit away from children.
• Only use the kit when the ambient temperature is between -22°F
(–30°C) and 158°F (70°C).
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Wheels and Tires

• Only use the sealing compoundbefore the use by date. The use by
date is on the lower right hand
corner of the label located on the
sealant canister (bottle). Check
the use by date regularly and
replace the canister after four
years.
• Do not store the kit unsecured inside the passenger compartment
of the vehicle as it may cause injury
during a sudden stop or crash.
Always store the kit in its original
location.
• After sealant use, the tire pressure monitoring system sensor and
valve stem on the wheel must be
replaced by an authorized Ford
dealer.
• When inflating a tire or other objects, use the black air hose only.
Do not use the transparent hose
which is designed for sealant
application only.
• Operating the kit could cause an electrical disturbance in radio, CD,
and DVD player operation.
What to do when a Tire Is
Punctured
A tire puncture within the tire's tread
area can be repaired in two stages
with the kit. • In the first stage, the tire will be
reinflated with a sealing
compound and air. After the tire
has been reinflated, you will need
to drive the vehicle a short
distance (about 4 miles [6
kilometers]) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
• In the second stage, you will need to check the tire pressure and
adjust, if necessary, to the vehicle's
tire inflation pressure.
First Stage: Reinflating the Tire
with Sealing Compound and Air
WARNINGS
Do not stand directly over the kit
while inflating the tire. If you
notice any unusual bulges or
deformations in the tire's sidewall
during inflation, stop and call roadside
assistance.
If the tire doesn't inflate to the
recommended tire pressure
within 15 minutes, stop and call
roadside assistance.
Preparation: Park the vehicle in a safe,
level and secure area, away from
moving traffic. Turn the hazard lights
on. Apply the parking brake and turn
the engine off. Inspect the flat tire for
visible damage.
Sealant compound contains latex. To
avoid any allergic reactions, use the
non-latex gloves located in the
accessory box on the underside of the
kit housing.
299
Wheels and Tires

Do not remove any foreign object that
has pierced the tire. If a puncture is
located in the tire sidewall, stop and
call roadside assistance.
1. Remove the valve cap from the tirevalve.
2. Unwrap the clear tube from the compressor housing.
3. Remove the tube cap and fasten the metal connector of the tube to
the tire valve, turning clockwise.
Make sure the connection is tightly
fastened.
E144619
4. Plug the power cable into the12-volt power point in the vehicle.
5. Remove the warning sticker found on the canister and place it on the
top of the instrument panel or the
center of the dash.
6. Start the vehicle only if the vehicle is outdoors or in a well-ventilated
area.
E144924
7. Push and turn dial (A)counterclockwise to the sealant
position. Turn on the kit by pressing
the on/off button (B).
E144621
8. Inflate the tire to the pressurelisted on the tire label located on
the driver's door or the door jamb
area. When the sealing compound
is first added into the tire, the air
pressure gauge reading on the
compressor unit may indicate a
higher value; this is normal and
should be no reason for concern.
The pressure will drop after about
30 seconds of operation. The tire
pressure has to be checked with
the compressor in the OFF position
to get the correct tire pressure
reading.
300
Wheels and Tires

9. When the recommended tirepressure is reached, turn off the kit
by pressing the on button;
disconnect the kit from the tire
valve and the power point.
Re-install the valve cap on the tire
valve, place the tube cap on the
metal connector, and return the kit
to the stowage area
10. Immediately and cautiously, drive the vehicle 4 miles (6 kilometers)
to distribute the sealant evenly
inside the tire. Do not exceed 50
mph (80 km/h).
11. After 4 miles (6 kilometers), stop and check the tire pressure. See
Second stage: Checking tire
pressure.
Note: If you experience any unusual
vibration, ride disturbance or noise
while driving, reduce your speed until
you can safely pull off to the side of the
road to call for roadside assistance.
Note: Do not proceed to the second
stage of this operation.
Second Stage: Checking Tire
Pressure
WARNINGS
If you are proceeding from the
First stage: Re–inflating the tire
with sealing compound and air section
and have injected sealant in the tire
and the pressure is below 20 psi (1.4
bar), stop and call roadside
assistance. If tire pressure is above 20
psi (1.4 bar), continue to the next step.
The power plug may get hot
after use and should be handled
carefully while unplugging.
Check the air pressure of your tires as
follows:
1. Remove the valve cap from the tire valve.
2. Unhook the black hose from the side of the compressor and fasten
firmly on the valve stem by turning
clockwise.
3. Push and turn the dial clockwise to the air position. Turn on the kit
by pressing the on button.
E144622
4. Adjust the tire to therecommended inflation pressure
from the tire label located on the
driver's door or door jamb area.
The tire pressure has to be
checked with the compressor in
the OFF position to get the correct
tire pressure reading.
5. Turn the compressor off by pressing the on/off button.
6. Unplug the hoses, re-install the valve cap on the tire and return the
kit to the stowage area.
301
Wheels and Tires