towing LINCOLN MKZ HYBRID 2015 Owners Manual

Starting and Stopping the
Engine
General Information......................................163
Keyless Starting.............................................163
Starting a Gasoline Engine.........................164
Engine Block Heater....................................166
Unique Driving Characteristics
Hybrid Electric Vehicle.................................168
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions........................................174
Fuel Quality.....................................................175
Running Out of Fuel
......................................175
Refueling..........................................................178
Fuel Consumption
.........................................180
Emission Control System
.............................181
High Voltage Battery
General Information
......................................184
High Voltage Battery Cut-Off Switch.......185 Transmission
Automatic Transmission
...............................187
Brakes
General Information
......................................192
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes..........................................................193
Electric Parking Brake..................................193
Hill Start Assist...............................................195
Traction Control
Principle of Operation..................................197
Using Traction Control.................................197
Stability Control
Principle of Operation
..................................199
Using Stability Control
................................200
Parking Aids
Parking Aid.....................................................201
Active Park Assist.........................................203
Rear View Camera.......................................208 Cruise Control
Principle of Operation..................................212
Using Cruise Control....................................212
Using Adaptive Cruise Control..................213
Driving Aids
Driver Alert
......................................................221
Lane Keeping System.................................222
Blind Spot Information System.................227
Steering..........................................................232
Collision Warning System..........................233
Drive Control
.................................................236
Load Carrying
Load Limit
.......................................................238
Towing
Towing a Trailer
.............................................247
Transporting the Vehicle.............................247
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels.......248
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.....................................................249
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Table of Contents

•
It may take a short time for the needle to
reach F after leaving the gas station. This
is normal and depends upon the slope
of pavement at the gas station. •
The fuel amount dispensed into the tank
is a little less or more than the gauge
indicated. This is normal and depends
upon the slope of pavement at the gas
station.
• If the gas station nozzle shuts off before
the tank is full, try a different gas pump
nozzle. Low Fuel Reminder
A low fuel reminder triggers when the fuel
gauge needle is at 1/16th.
Variations: Distance-to-empty
Fuel gauge position
Driving type (fuel economy conditions)
35 miles to 80 miles (56 km to 129 km)
1/16th
Highway driving
35 miles (56km)
1/16th
Severe duty driving (trailer towing, extended idle)
Vehicle Settings and Personalization
Display/Trip
See (page 109).
Information
See
(page 109).
Settings
See
(page 109). Brake Coach Display
The Brake Coach appears after your vehicle
has come to a stop. It coaches you to brake
in a manner which maximizes the amount of
energy returned through the regenerative
braking system. The percent displayed is an
indication of the regenerative braking
efficiency with 100% representing the
maximum amount of energy recovery.
This feature can be switched on or off in the
information displays settings menu.
See
General Information (page 109).
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Instrument Cluster

Action
Message
See your authorized dealer.
SHIFT SYS FAULT Neutral Unavailable
Service Required
See your authorized dealer.
SHIFT SYS FAULT Low Unavailable Service
Required
Displays when neutral tow is active and the ignition needs to be turned \
off. See Towing the
Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 248).
Neutral Tow Engaged Turn Ignition Off for
Towing
Displays while attempting to exit neutral tow. The brake pedal needs to be depressed and parkbutton selected to deactivate.
See Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 248).
Neutral Tow Engaged Depress Brake and
Select Park to Exit Neutral Tow
Displays when neutral tow is active and the park brake needs to be released.
See Towing the
Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 248).
Neutral Tow Remove Park Brake for
Towing
Displays when neutral tow has been deactivated.
Neutral Tow Disengaged
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Information Displays

Answer
Question
The high voltage battery system is designed to last the life of thevehicle and requires no maintenance.
How long will my high voltage battery last? Does it need maintenance?
There are no provisions for charging the high voltage battery from apower supply external to the vehicle.
Can you charge the battery with a plug into an A/C outlet?
Yes. Your hybrid vehicle can be flat towed without modification. SeeTowing (page 247).
Can I tow the hybrid behind my motor home with all four wheels down?
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Unique Driving Characteristics

Brake-Shift Interlock Override
WARNINGS
Do not drive your vehicle until you
verify that the brake lamps are working.
When doing this procedure, you will
be taking your vehicle out of park
which means your vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always
fully set the parking brake prior to doing this
procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate. If you fully release the parking brake,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be working
properly. See your authorized dealer. Note:
See your authorized dealer as soon
as possible if this procedure is used.
Note: For some markets this feature will be
disabled.
Note: This feature will only function if your
12-volt battery has power. Use the brake-shift interlock override
procedure to put your vehicle in gear in the
event of an electrical malfunction or if your
vehicle has a dead battery. The brake shift
interlock override button is located inside of
the center console, below media inputs. You
will need a tool (for example a screwdriver
or similar tool) to access the button.
1. Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition off before performing this
procedure. 2.
Locate the brake shifter interlock access
slot. The slot is located below the media
hub, in the front of the center console
storage bin and it is not labeled. Note:
Make sure that you correctly identify
the access hole as not to damage the media
hub.
3. Using a tool, press and hold the brake shift interlock switch. When the
instrument panel buttons flash, your
vehicle is in override mode.
4. With the override switch still held, press the neutral (N) button for towing, or the
desired gear to shift from Park.
5. Release the override button.
6. Your vehicle will remain in Stay in Neutral
mode for wrecker towing purposes or
can be shifted to the desired gear and
driven (if your vehicle can be driven).
7. Release the parking brake.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or
Snow
Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more than
a minute or damage to the transmission and
tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA TransmissionE152215

Using the Rear View Camera System
The rear view camera system displays what
is behind your vehicle when you place the
transmission in reverse (R).
The system uses three types of guides to
help you see what is behind your vehicle:
•
Active guidelines: Show the intended
path of your vehicle when reversing.
• Fixed guidelines: Show the actual path
your vehicle is moving in while reversing
in a straight line. This can be helpful
when backing into a parking space or
aligning your vehicle with another object
behind you.
• Centerline (if applicable): Helps align the
center of your vehicle with an object
(trailer).
Note: If the transmission is in reverse (R) and
the luggage compartment is ajar, no rear
view camera features will display.
Note: If the image comes on while the
transmission is not in reverse (R), have the
system inspected by an authorized dealer. Note:
When towing, the camera only sees
what you are towing behind your vehicle.
This might not provide adequate coverage
and you might not see some objects. In some
vehicles, the guidelines may disappear once
you connect the trailer tow connector.
The camera may not operate correctly under
the following conditions:
• Nighttime or dark areas if the reverse
lamps are not operating.
• Mud, water or debris obstructs the
camera's view. Clean the lens with a soft,
lint-free cloth and non-abrasive cleaner.
• The camera is misaligned due to damage
to the rear of your vehicle.
To access any of the rear view camera
system settings, make the following
selections in the touch screen when the
transmission is not in reverse (R):
• Menu > Vehicle > Camera Settings
After changing a system setting, the touch
screen shows a preview of the selected
features. Guidelines and the Centerline
Note:
Active guidelines and fixed guidelines
are only available when the transmission is
in reverse (R).
Note: The centerline is only available if
Active or Fixed guidelines are on.
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Parking Aids

Detection issues can occur:
When driving on a different line
than the vehicle in front.
A
With vehicles that edge into your
lane. The system can only detect
these vehicles once they move
fully into your lane.
B
There may be issues with the
detection of vehicles in front when
driving into and coming out of a
bend or curve in the road.
C
In these cases, the system may brake late or
unexpectedly. The driver should stay alert
and intervene when necessary.
If something hits the front end of your vehicle
or damage occurs, the radar-sensing zone
may change. This could cause missed or
false vehicle detections. See an authorized
dealer to have the radar checked for proper
coverage and operation. System Not Available
Conditions that can cause the system to
deactivate or prevent the system from
activating when requested include:
•
a blocked sensor
• high brake temperature
• a failure in the system or a related
system.
Blocked Sensor WARNINGS
Do not use the system when towing a
trailer with electronic brake controls.
Aftermarket trailer brakes will not function
properly when you switch the system on
because the brakes are electronically
controlled. Failing to do so may result in loss
of vehicle control, which could result in
serious injury. The system does operate with
non-electronic trailer brake controllers, such
as over-run or surge brakes.
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Cruise ControlE71621

Cargo Weight - includes all weight
added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment.
When towing, trailer tongue load or king
pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight) -
is the total
weight placed on each axle (front and
rear) including vehicle curb weight and
all payload. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
is
the maximum allowable weight that can
be carried by a single axle (front or rear).
These numbers are shown on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. The
label shall be affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver's seating position. The
total load on each axle must never
exceed its Gross Axle Weight Rating. Note:
For trailer towing information
refer to the RV and Trailer Towing Guide
available at an authorized dealer. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) -
is the
Vehicle Curb Weight, plus cargo, plus
passengers.
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Load CarryingE143818GVW

GCW (Gross Combined Weight) - is the
Gross Vehicle Weight plus the weight of
the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) - is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded
trailer, including all cargo and
passengers, that the vehicle can handle
without risking damage. (Important: The
towing vehicle ’s braking system is rated
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).
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Load CarryingE143819GCW
GVW

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. 2.
Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb.
and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lb.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4. 6.
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples
on how to calculate the available amount
of cargo and luggage load capacity:
*Suppose your vehicle has a 1400-pound
(635-kilogram) cargo and luggage
capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is
there enough load capacity to carry you,
four of your friends and all the golf bags?
You and four friends average 220
pounds (99 kilograms) each and the golf
bags weigh approximately 30 pounds
(13.5 kilograms) each. The calculation
would be: 1400 - (5 x 220) - (5 x 30) =
1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you
have enough load capacity in your
vehicle to transport four friends and your
golf bags. In metric units, the calculation
would be: 635 kilograms - (5 x 99
kilograms) - (5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 -
495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
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MKZ Hybrid (), enUSA Load Carrying