2020 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid User Manual

It is a midsize luxury car called the 2020 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. It combines fuel-efficient hybrid technology with the standard comfort and style that Lincoln is known for. This hybrid version of the MKZ has a drivetrain that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. It gets great gas mileage and lowers pollution. The result is a refined and eco-friendly driving experience that is great for people who want both luxury and sustainability. There is a lot of high-quality materials and careful attention to detail inside the 2020 MKZ Hybrid’s body. It has plenty of room for up to five people, so both daily commutes and longer road trips will be comfy. Not only does the hybrid engine improve gas mileage, it also makes the MKZ faster and smoother, thanks to its faster acceleration. The 2020 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a well-rounded luxury car for people who care about the environment and enjoy high-tech features, such as an easy-to-use infotainment system that works with smartphones and a variety of driver-aid systems.

Brakes

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. Have the system checked by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, have it checked by an authorized dealer. 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.

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. Move the transmission to park (P), switch the engine off and apply the parking brake. Inspect the accelerator pedal for any interference. If none are found and the condition persists, have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized dealer.

Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you rapidly brake by measuring the rate at which you press the brake pedal. It provides maximum braking efficiency as long as you press the pedal. 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 you switch the ignition on. If the light does not illuminate during start-up, remains on or flashes, the anti-lock braking system may be disabled. Have the system checked by an authorized dealer. If the anti-lock brake system is disabled, normal braking is still effective. If the brake warning lamp illuminates when you release the parking brake, have your system checked by an authorized dealer. It also illuminates momentarily when you switch the ignition on to confirm the lamp is functional. If it does not illuminate when you switch the ignition on or begins to flash at any time, have the system checked by an authorized dealer.

Note: The brake warning lamp may illuminate and stay illuminated until you switch off your vehicle as a result of driving at high elevation.

Regenerative Braking System
This feature is used to simulate the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and assist the standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of motion and storing it in the battery to improve fuel economy. The standard brake system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative braking is not available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun as a generator to create an electrical current. This recharges the battery and slows the vehicle. In effect, once the accelerator pedal is released, the motor changes from an energy user to an energy producer. When you release the accelerator pedal or press the brake pedal, the brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone. Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking has also been designed to interact with the anti-lock brake system. Regenerative braking is disabled when the anti-lock brake system is activated or the battery is fully charged.

HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES
The anti-lock braking system does 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.

Note: If the system activates, the brake pedal may pulse and may travel further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may also hear a noise from the system. This is normal.

ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
Always fully apply the parking brake and make sure you shift into the park (P). Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death. If you drive extended distances with the parking brake applied, you could cause damage to the brake system. The electric parking brake does not operate if the vehicle battery is running out of charge. Your vehicle has an electric parking brake. You operate it with a switch instead of a lever. The switch is on the center console or to the left-hand side of the steering wheel, on the lower part of the instrument panel.

Note: The electric parking brake makes noises during operation. This is normal.

Automatically Releasing the Electric Parking Brake
Close the driver’s door. Shift into gear. Press the accelerator pedal and pull away in a normal manner. The red warning lamp turns off. If it remains illuminated or flashes, the electric parking brake has not been released. Manually release the parking brake.

Releasing the Electric Parking Brake if the Vehicle Battery is Running Out of Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehicle battery to release the electric parking brake if the vehicle battery is running out of charge.

AUTO HOLD
The system does not replace the parking brake. When you leave your vehicle, always apply the parking brake. You must remain in your vehicle when the system turns on. At all times, you are responsible for controlling your vehicle, supervising the system, and intervening, if required. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death. The system will turn off if a malfunction is apparent. Failure to take care may result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury or death.

Auto Hold uses your vehicle’s brakes to hold your vehicle at a stop once your vehicle has reached a standstill condition. For example, Auto Hold can assist you while stopping at traffic lights or while in traffic jams by holding the brake pressure for you once you bring your vehicle to a stop. Switch Auto Hold off during vehicle or trailer towing.

Note: In case of a malfunction in the system while Auto Hold actively holds the vehicle (for example, low power supply), a message appears in the information display asking you to press the brake pedal. If you see this message, press the brake pedal immediately. Auto Hold only activates if the system recognizes it is applying enough brake pressure. On a steep hill or incline, you may need to make sure the brake pedal is pressed sufficiently to activate the Auto Hold system. In some cases, Auto Hold might hand over to the parking brake. When the parking brake applies, the red brake lamp appears. This is normal. When you press the accelerator pedal, the drive-away release feature releases the parking brake. Auto Hold works on all road grades. Press the Auto Hold button to switch the system on and off. The Auto Hold indicator light illuminates in the Auto Hold button when the system is on. You can only switch Auto Hold on if you close the door and fasten your seatbelt Note: Auto Hold remembers the last on or off setting when you start your vehicle. When in reverse (R), Auto Hold does not function. When Auto Hold is off, your vehicle behaves the same as a vehicle without Auto Hold.

There is an Auto Hold indicator lamp in the instrument cluster that has two modes, active and unavailable:

Using Auto Hold

1. Bring your vehicle to a stop by pressing the brake pedal. After coming to a stop, the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicator lamp illuminates in the information display.
2. Release the brake pedal. The Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicator light remains illuminated in the information display and Auto Hold will hold your vehicle at a stop.
3. When you press the accelerator pedal, Auto Hold releases the brakes and you will be able to drive off. Once you drive off, the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicator no longer illuminates in the information display.

Note: The Stop/Start system (if equipped) may stop the engine when you press the brake pedal. If this occurs, it will restart once you press the accelerator pedal. Auto Hold still holds your vehicle at a standstill with the engine off.

Traction Control

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
The stability and traction control light illuminates steadily if the system detects a failure. Make sure you did not manually disable the traction control system using the information display controls or the switch. If the stability control and traction control light are still illuminating steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle with the traction control disabled could lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury, and death. The system automatically turns on each time you switch the ignition on. If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, switching the traction control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.

Note: When you switch the traction control off, the stability control remains fully active.

Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, a message appears in the information display showing the system status. You can switch the system off by either using the information display controls or the switch.

Using the Information Display Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in the information display.

Using a Switch 
Use the traction control switch on the instrument panel to switch the system off or on.

System Indicator Lights and Messages

The stability and traction control light:

• Temporarily illuminates on engine start-up.
• Flashes when a driving condition activates either of the systems.
• Illuminates if a problem occurs in either of the systems.

Stability Control

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Vehicle modifications involving braking system, aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering systems, tire construction, and wheel and tire size may change the handling characteristics of your vehicle and may adversely affect the performance of the electronic stability control system. In addition, installing any stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the electronic stability control 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 electronic stability control sensors. Reducing the effectiveness of the electronic stability control 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 electronic stability control 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 electronic stability control system activates, SLOW DOWN. The system automatically turns on each time you switch the ignition on.

If a fault occurs in either the stability control or the traction control system, you may experience the following conditions:

• The stability and traction control light illuminates steadily.
• The stability control and traction control systems do not enhance your vehicle’s ability to maintain traction of the wheels.

If a driving condition activates either the stability control or the traction control system you may experience the following conditions:

• The stability and traction control light flashes.
• Your vehicle slows down.
• Reduced engine power.
• A vibration in the brake pedal.
• The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
• If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the brake pedal may move as the system applies higher brake force.

The stability control system has several features built into it to help you maintain control of your vehicle:

Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s ability to prevent skids or lateral slides by applying brakes to one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine power.

Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s ability to maintain traction of the wheels by detecting and controlling wheel spin.

• A vehicle without stability control skidding off its intended route.
• A vehicle with stability control maintains control on a slippery surface.

USING STABILITY CONTROL
The system automatically turns on each time you switch the ignition on. The electronic stability control portion of the system disables when the transmission is in reverse (R) or, on some models, if you press and hold the stability control button for more than five seconds when you apply the brakes and the vehicle is at a stop. You can switch the traction control system off or on independently.

FAQ

Useful Link

2018 Lincoln MKZ Owner’s Manual
2019 Lincoln MKZ Owner’s Manual