KenZ

Just picked my MKZ up a week ago, thought I'd really dig Apple Carplay but I'm wondering if I need to bother with it.

 

I don't have any experience with the system yet navigating through heavy traffic (currently live in Wisconsin, will occasionally drive to/through Chicago to Toledo and back).

 

Obviously I'd prefer Waze but I'm wondering if the Sync 3 nav or Apple maps are better for traffic monitoring/rerouting.  I have six years of SiriusXM traffic but based upon what I've read online it isn't worth much.

I am not as excited about CarPlay as I thought I would be.  I am not a huge fan of AppleMaps.  If Waze was available thru CarPlay, I would be more likely to use it.  

Be wary if rerouting takes you to roads that do not have traffic reporting available.  For example - when a local interstate is clogged, both systems (AppleMaps and Nav System) will reroute me to a State Route that runs somewhat parallel to the interstate about 1-2 miles away.  Unfortunately, the close-by State Route doesn't have traffic reporting so it assumes it is quicker based on speed limit or God knows what.  In the couple times I tried using it, the State Route took about twice as long as the projected time for the clogged interstate - because the State Route was clogged worse with normal traffic and rerouted traffic!  

FWIW, AppleMaps is more likely to have newly opened roads/stores/restaurants/gas stations/etc on their mapping.  it seems they do continuous updating.  The built-in Nav systems seem to lag way behind in new information.

What I do now is... have the regular Nav system on the big screen for ease of seeing what is coming up and Waze on the phone (phone is mounted next to the Nav system).  Waze uses "people" traffic reporting on any road that has users on it and if the big screen Nav tries to reroute me, I check the Waze traffic to see if it makes sense.

I don't use CarPlay as much as I thought I would.  It is a little clumsy if you want to switch around from CarPlay Audio to Sirius or regular radio.   Plus I don't like that it forces what is on the CarPlay screen to be on the phone screen.  Or that Apple tightly controls what it deems "appropriate" to be available in CarPlay.  i.e. my local college sports broadcast app is not allowed in CarPlay, so I have to go out of CarPlay and go to USB or Bluetooth connect and play the app thru the phone to listen to sports broadcasts.   Then I cannot use anything in CarPlay while I am in that app.   First World problems.   Sigh...           

 

I had all 3 trim pieces around my panoramic roof (Upper windshield and sides of rear window) replaced because they were delaminating (had a whitish haze beneath the surface). All were replaced under warranty with no issues. I was led to believe it has been a fairly common occurrence here in the Northeast. Parts were backordered and took around 3 weeks to come in.

 

There were notes on my service order stating "extra time required to remove double side tape prior to installing new upper windshield molding". Perhaps your tech did not remove the original tape and this is why it is sitting higher. Mine is perfectly flush. I would bring it back and demand that they do the repair properly.

 

Good luck!

 

The pano roof is one of my favorite features of the car.... It's almost like driving a convertible

 

I have gone back to the place multiple times and he insists that there is nothing else that it looks like he can do with the trim piece. There are clips that the piece clips on and the clips are attached to studs that are attached to part of the structure of the roof I believe, so the trim piece can't be pushed down any further even though it feels like it wants to go down. He said that he would take the headliner down in the car to see if there is any adjustment to the roof structure to bring the front lower, but other than that he says he is out of ideas. I can mention the double-sided tape thing to him, but it doesn't look like there is extra height from double sided tape, but it doesn't hurt for him to look at. I will take a picture of it later to show how bad it is.

 

You might want to try another dealership.  I have found major differences in the service departments in the 4 or 5 Lincoln Dealers (or Ford Lincoln) within 30-40 miles of my home.   

I have looked everywhere for this update. Found one at navigation.com. They want 178.00 US? Outrages. Any ideas where I can find this at a reasonable cost?

Are you looking for a SD Card or DVD.  I am not sure what the 2012 MKZ takes...

If it is the SD card, which one is in there now?  It might have a code like A4, A5, A5, A7?

Hello everyone, I am a newbie to the forum. I am hoping to gain some insight on the SYNC system. I just update to the 3.8 version. I like the siri incorporation, but my question is, is there a way to use the google maps from an iphone to show up on the SYNC system? I have the navigation feature, but I do not want to have to pay for map updates every year or two for a new SD card. Seems like it would be nice just to be able to have google maps or the native iphone maps to show onscreen. Is that possible? Thanks in advance.

Thru Model Year 2015 (I think), has something called Sync 2.  It doesn't have the ability to use Map Apps on the Nav screen.  Beginning in Model Year 2016, they introduced Sync 3 which is a whole different technology platform.  This platform supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - which allows certain programs to display on the big screen.  On Apple CarPlay, you can have Apple Maps, but not Waze or Google Maps at this point.  Don't know if Apple will allow the others in the future.  I am not sure what options are available on Android Auto.  I have a 2017 with Apple CarPlay, but I used to have a 2013 with the other technology.  It is not possible to upgrade and older car from Sync2 to Sync3 without pulling out the whole nav system and replacing it - since it is a whole different technology.  Lincoln doesn't offer that upgrade, but have seen some 3rd party vendors online that say they can make the switch.  It is quite pricey.  

I typically got my SD card updates on E-Bay.  Don't think I ever paid more than $50-60.  Just buy from a vendor that has a good selling history.  Sync 3 doesn't use an SD Card any more.  It is not clear if they are going to do a map updates via the internal internal connection or via USB.     

We drove from Cincinnati to Austin and on three occasions the navigation totally screwed up. We had reservations on NORTH US 183 but the navigation took us to SOUTH US 183. I used my android phone to find the correct route. And YES we specifically entered the full address with direction. The the worse error was we wanted to get Little Rockn to Paducah, KY. Instead of routing us up thru Memphis and over I57, it took us along Arkansas state routes and dumped us 10 miles west of Doniphan Missouri. In the middle of a empty road.

I re-entered midtown Paducah into the navigation as well as the address of a Ford dealer in Paducah into my android. About ten miles in it had us turning LEFT down a gravel county road even tho US 67 was less than a 1/4 mile away where one had to turn RIGHT. In the end, we traveled 180 miles out of our way.  Long story but has anyone else had this sort of fun? Is it tied to the :censored: Sync software or just something else?

I don't have any thoughts on not finding the right address.  But on the routing, if you used the "shortest route" option, you will find some weird routing.  The "fastest route" option generally keeps you to main highway routes, "shortest route" gives you some interesting scenery though!   Also be sure that you don't have the "avoid highways" (or something like that) checked, that gives you interesting routes sometimes.    

Reserve 3.0TT, Panoramic Roof, Tech Package, Luxury Package, Climate Package, Multi Contour Seats.  Pretty much every option they offer - except AWD which I hate! .  In the past, when I have not chosen an option, I always seems to regret it later on.  So

I have a 2017 AWD 3.0T MKZ.It has about 7k miles.Only thing that sucks is gas usage.I usually fill up this car at almost empty just to see what it'll hold.Dealership and I differ on this tank size because I worked with this car at Ford and it has a 18.5 gallon tank.Either way, if I fill it up, I only get about 270-300 miles on a tank.Seems really low.Im averaging 18-21 mpg daily.It just doesn't add up.Im taking a poll and seeing those with the same car, what are you getting range wise and mpg wise.

I have roughly 4,300 miles on my 3.0T since July.  My (actual calculated - not the estimate on the dash) lifetime MPG on this car is 22.17.  My two high tanks were 28.86 (404 miles/13.987 Gal on this fill-up) and 27.63 MPG (459 miles/16.606 gal on this fill-up) - with almost 100% high speed interstate driving on a trip.  On an 18 gallon tank, I ran much closer to empty on that last tank than I like, but I was on a pretty desolate stretch of highway when the warning went off!  On local driving, if I drive like a normal person - my tanks tend to run around 21-22 MPG.  If I drive aggressively,, my tanks drop to the 18-19 MPG range. 

My prior MKZ was a 2013 MKZh.  While I do miss my 41.08 lifetime MPG on that car, driving the 3.0T is a whole lot more fun!  :)

Does anyone know if the part # GM5T-19H449-AA is compatible with the 2013 MKZ?  When you go through the lincoln gps map update website and put in the year and model as 2013 MKZ it takes you to this part # but then the list of compatible vehicles only says 2014-2015 MKZ.

 

Also does anyone know (or could check) if the President George Bush Turnpike (190) in northeast Dallas county (TX) is included in the map?  I have the 2013 map version and it is not there.  That stretch of turnpike was probably opened around 2013 so I would assume 2016 maps would include it, but I would hate to pay as much as charged, even on eBay, and find out it is not there.

 

Anyone have experience with these map updates from eBay and know how reliable they are?  The screen shots I see on ebay look like official SD cards with the map updates, but I also read about people selling bad versions that could even be harmful to the system.

 

Thanks.

A7 was compatible with my 2013 MKZ.   I has since sold that MKZ (put the original SD back in when I sold it).  My new MKZ has Sync 3 which doesn't use SD cards, so I moved the A7 to my 2015 MKC.      

I purchased my A7 card (and A6 for that matter) off E-Bay without a problem.  The seller I bought from was autoleasesolutions.

I did find a stretch of something called East President George Bush Turnpike that runs from I-75 to I-30. I found it using Richardson as the city name in the Nav.  Not totally sure if that is NE Dallas County.   If you have an actual address (or specific intersections) to check, I can always look it up and see what the NAV spits back at me! 

07-28-2016

4,046 Miles.  I have a 2017 MKZ 3.0T and it is a blast to drive.  

Hi All,

 

I have been trying for 7 weeks to get the download update for my 2010 MKZ Sync with no success. Numerous calls to the Sync support in MI have made no success in getting it resolved. I get the message after clicking the request for a download that in a few minutes I will be notified by email to download the update but nothing is received.

Have anyone experience this problem?

Is there a direct site that this file can be downloaded?

The file name for the update is DE8T-14D544-AG.

Any help or info will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Have you tried a different browser?  I tend to use Chrome most of the time, but I keep Firefox, Explorer and Edge on my desktop.  Not necessarily with the Lincoln site, but I have found that sometimes downloads that don't fire up automatically in one browser will work perfectly in another.  

Chrysler has it right. They allow the driver to disable the autodim "feature" on the dash illumination. I find it incredibly irritating and unsafe for the dash to dim when the lights are on, which mine always are for safety (plus an extra 5 - 10MPH before Smokie gets interested), something I've done since I got my driver's license (mumble-mumble) years ago.

Is there any way to disable this idiotic feature?

I used to have a 2013 MKZ and there was a command somewhere in the settings in the Sync screen to turn off (or offset) auto-dimming (Page 356 of the owners manual).  I know it worked on the Sync screen, but never noticed if it also worked on the other dash lights.  

There are buttons to brighten and dim the dash lights on the left side around the knob where you turn on the lights (Page 83 of the owners manual).  Maybe if that is set to the brightest setting, it would override the autodim?  Not sure about that since I never wanted to do it. 

The exact page numbers may be a little different in your owners manual.  In talking about settings and features with other owners, it seems like there were several printings of the 2013 owners manual and the page numbering was a little different on some topics - but usually not off more than a page or two.

I had a 2014 Fusion before my 2013 MKZ. That's what can happen when you get rear-ended by some jerk playing with his cell phone instead of paying attention. Anyway, I saw an article there was a dealer in Cally that would reprogram the car's computer for $59 to get the Fusion's lights on. (The dealer I bought it from refused to do it even tho the Monroney said the car had DRLs. Another reason why I have MKZ now.) Supposedly, the DRLs are ready to go but Ford won't activate them on base models.

Depends on your dealer.  I had a 2013 MKZ (now have a 2017 MKZ).  My local dealer turned on the DRL's for me at no charge sometime in the summer of 2013.  I was the first one that had asked for it at my dealer and it took them a few hours to figure out how to do it.   Once they found the right command in the computer to do it, voila....    FWIW, they did not call them DRL at the time but maybe safety lights or something like that.  It is why it took them a while to find the right command.  It has since become relatively common knowledge.  

If anyone knows, I have a clarifying question regarding the optional 'Luxury Package' on the 2017 MKZ. This add-on package runs a little over 4k. The details state that this package includes the following two features:

 

1) Adaptive LED Headlamps and

2) Revel® Ultima® Audio System with 20 Speakers.

 

In reading a few posts above, it's stated that all 2017 Lincoln MKZ's come standard with Adaptive LED Headlamps. If that's the case, then why would the Adaptive LED Headlamps even be called out in that 'Luxury Package'? If they're already standard all MKZ's, then the 4k luxury package is only for a 20 speaker stereo system? Or perhaps these LED lights in the luxury package are somehow different than what comes standard?

 

I'm looking to put together an order for a new MKZ and replace my 2014. I really want adaptive LED headlamps, but would rather pass on a 4k stereo system if that's all it is.

 

Thanks in advance.

I believe the "standard" package includes - "Adaptive HID headlamps with LED signature lighting".  

You are correct that the luxury package is the "Adaptive LED headlamp" upgrade as well as the Audio system upgrade.  

I got the luxury package on my 2017 MKZ, the sound system is quite remarkable.

Its interesting how review opinions go.

 

I honestly like the push button gear selector. That feature is going to be a hit or miss, you either like it or you don't. Better than the dial shifter or even the stick shifter which really only is nessecary in a manual.

Me too.  I have both a MKZ and MKC with the buttons and I love them.  I recently had to rent a car on a trip that had an actual gear shift.  My first gearshift since mid 2014.  It made me crazy.   

Ditto.  No ads with AB/Mozilla. However, I was under the impression that paid members don't see ads.  Maybe send a PM to Robert L.

Ads came in on Chrome.  Unfortunately, they are over parts of the page you need to get to.  Searching for Chrome adblocker now...

A recent Canadian review concerned primarily with the pricing of the MKZ:

 

http://driving.ca/lincoln/mkz/reviews/road-test/car-review-2017-lincoln-mkz-reserve-awd-3-0t-2

It is a bit pricey, and probably more so considering the strengthening US $ vs. the Canadian $.   I don't know that he is necessarily considering what Lincoln dealer might deal for as compared to a Mercedes dealer.  Or perhaps cost of long term ownership.   IMHO, there is more to consider than just the sticker price.   I don't know the answers.  I just know that I have a great deal of joy driving my 3.0T MKZ!    

There has got to be well over 100 dents on the car going to be quite a task for the PDR guy. 

I was surprised we he told me he could have it done in two days.

You definitely had the "nightmare" scenario that I think about any time I see those storm warnings while I am travelling.  I always think about - could I pull under an interstate bridge or is there a covered parking deck or awning nearby?  This last summer while travelling thru Iowa and with hail coming toward my hotel on the weather radar, I actually went out and pulled my car under the hotel check-in area awning.  The storm passed with no hail, but I was a little calmer knowing I was "under cover".  

The PDR is remarkable.  I had 2 major vertical creases and 1 minor dent in the front passenger door of my 2013 "Z" - from people opening their car doors.  The creases were about 3 inches long.  I pulled the car into the shop, went into the office to sign paperwork. chatted up the receptionist, poured my coffee and they were done before i could even drink it - probably 5-10 minutes max.  I had pictures of the dents and knew exactly where they were and I could not even tell they had been there.   The guy in the shop mentioned that he hated working on door dents on Lincolns.  Apparently the sound deadening glass they use in the Lincoln windows is very expensive to replace if they happen to break the window while working on the door.   I thought that was interesting.  

If anything good came out of your experience, I was glad to hear that the pano roof did not break.  I thought it was probably pretty tough, but always wondered.   I traded in my 13 "Z" Hybrid for the 17 "Z" 3.0T - quite a difference in the driving experience!     It took a while to learn how to drive a Hybrid, now I am having to relearn how to drive without squealing the tires too much....  The 3.0T is pretty peppy!   :) 

I will also say if I choose the phone as the audio source via entertainment and listen to the mesic files from my phone or watch a youtube video and hear the audio via the SYNC system and get a text it will lower the music volume and play the SMS/ text alert sound. But if I am on FM radio the phone nor SYNC make any noise. Again, not plugging the phone in, just allowing it to connect via bluetooth.

In this case, connected via BlueTooth and telling Sync to use the audio from the phone, it is the phone lowering it's audio and playing the it's (the phones) text alert thru the car audio.  The car actually is not doing anything.  When you have FM playing, the car audio is in control and ignoring sounds from the phone via Bluetooth - although you may be able to hear the text alert tone from the phone itself..  

If connected to the car via USB, the car sends an alert (quite a different tone) when a text is detected on the phone, places an alert message on the Sync screen and gives you the option of listening to the message via Sync or calling it up on the Sync screen.   Sometimes, it is quite funny to listen to the messages and the way the computer lady interprets some of the text.  

Mine has never worked with an iPhone getting text messages. However when I've had an android it has worked with Sync

My 2013 MKZ with Sync 2 originally did not work with iPhone text messages.  About a year after I got the car, there was a Sync update that made it compatible with iPhone text messaging.   My 2017 with Sync3 also works with iPhone text messaging.

When i get in the car and the phone auto connects to SYNC the BT phone works perfect. I find I miss SMS text messages. Have realized it is because after I connect my phone no longer alerts audible.nor does the SYNC system. Any tips?

Not sure if this addresses your exact situation....    You did not say if you were plugging in your phone to the USB for power purposes.

When you plug in your phone to the front USB port in the armrest, the phone thinks you are using the car audio system and pushes all the phone sounds thru the car audio system.  I don't see a way around this.   If you change your car audio source to USB - you will get the phone sounds thru the MKZ sound system.  So you have to listen to music off your phone - iheartradio, itunes, etc.   Plius the alert should pop up on the sync screen.  The BT phone works in this mode and will mute the music when you get a call, etc.

or

If you plug in your phone to one of the back seat USB ports, it doesn't know it is plugged into an audio system and the sounds will come off the phone itself as expected.  You will not get the alert on the sync screen, just on the phone.   It may also work that way with the USB port in the front bin.  But the port in the armrest definitely tells the phone it is connect to the car audio system. 

If you are not plugged in to the USB port, the text message sounds should still come thru the phone.

I know people are tired of me asking but I have to! Have you noticed any lights like abs or parking brake or anything else happening to the car? Any abnormalities at all? I know it's still new but I need to know!

 

Thanks and great review!

I don't think that Lane Keeping is working the way it should - or at least it is not working as aggressively as my 2015 MKC or the 2013 MKZ I  traded in.  I have the settings on Alert+Aid with high intensity.  It is definitely not bouncing me back into the lane as my other cars did.  I am also noticing some light wheel resistance when I shouldn't (blinker is on, etc).       

The Sync System has done a spontaneous reboot 2 times (maybe 3).  I am not exactly sure about the first time it might have happened since I was not paying close attention.  In each case, it was when the car had just been started and was put into reverse.  I probably only noticed it because the back-up cam went out for a couple seconds until the system cycled thru the Lincoln welcome screen.  

Those are the only weirdnesses so far.  Roughly 2 weeks, 500 miles in.  

Thanks for the review, Ken.

 

The relocation of the outsider deck release button is one of those little changes that's really noticeable.  I had a service loaner last year that had it and it was really nice no to have to put your hand under the bumper, especially if it was raining.

 

WRT the ambient lighting, my 2014 has the light strips in the doors.  IDK if that was an update from 2013 or yours weren't working properly.  They had to reprogram mine once, as all the door strips weren't lighting.   

 

I'm glad to hear you can shut the parking sensors off. It does get annoying at my drive-through ATM but I just put it in Park to shut them off there.  It's good to hear about the other little improvements as well.  It shows that they're listening to the customers' input.

 

BTW, do you have the LED headlamps or the (now) standard HIDs?

HIDs.

Interesting on the ambient lighting.  Thinking I was a little crazy, I went back and looked at my pictures from May 2013 when I picked up my 2013 MKZ.     The ambient light strip is there, but it was only really bright toward the front of the front door, then faded out as it went backwards.  There was none on the back seat doors.  Not sure if it was supposed to be that way or not!    If I did not know it was wrong, then I guess it wasn't!

Mine works occasionally (2014), too intermittent to use it as my main means of entry.  One fob doesn't unlock on approach reliably, the other is perfect.  I'll address this with the dealer after a few more months (see if anything else goes wrong).  

Another reason is that I like to lock with the fob is that the red door LED is not bright enough in daylight, and I don't trust that it was locked.   At night, or out of direct sunlight, no issue.

My 2013 MKZ ridges always worked, but I would occasionally use the fob just to be sure.  As you said, that led was not always visible in bright light.    Just traded in my 2013 MKZ for a 2017 MKZ.  The 2017 now has a small audible tone (not the horn, but just a tone) when the doors lock with the ridges.  That is the way it should have been...  

One thing I just realized.  The 2017 MKZ (vs the 2013) seems to have a little more clearance in the front.  Last night, I was going to Quik Trip and when I came back to the car, I realized that he front end of the car was over the curb.  I could not do that with the 2013.  It would always scrape the curb at that Quik Trip.  

Was also reminded that when you lock the doors with the little ridges on the handle or the fob... you now get an audible tone.  It is not the car horn, but an audible tone.  Love that.

Great review and it is nice to hear you are loving the car.  One thing I would like to get your opinion on (and I ask this of everyone who owns a new MKZ) is the night time driving experience.  Because I live in the country with no street lights (and lots of deer) I need a superior headlamp.  I currently own a Mercedes with their optional "light package" of Bi-Xenon lamps.  They are the widest, brightest headlights I have ever seen.  How does the lighting look in your car?  How well does the auto feature work and the dimming with on-coming traffic?  Thanks in advance for any insights on the night driving experience you may have.

Totally forgot about the headlights...  I am not a big night driver and mostly on fairly well lit roads.  I did take a ride out into a more rural area to see how the adaptive headlights worked.   The adaptive headlights followed the steering wheel really well - I purposefully drove on a very curvy road.   I had adaptive headlights on a prior car (I think it was an Acura) that I did not like, they seemed to over compensate and sometimes made me a little dizzy.  The lights themselves were significantly brighter (whiter) on both low and high beams - than the 2013.  On high beams, the light was startling white and bright.  I did notice there was not as harsh a "light line" at the top - as the 2013 or my MKC.  The autodim worked as well as the 2013 (never made a mistake and faster than I could have ever reacted).  The lights seemed quite a bit quicker when changing from low to high and back, the change was seemingly instantaneous.

Also forgot to mention the ambient lighting in the cabin.  It is vastly improved and really impressive.  Besides the footwells, cupholders, etc - there is a line of light that runs along the inside of the doors - about 6 inches below the windows, both front and back.  The 2013 did not have that.  

The door handle lights and Lincoln welcome mat lights are a nice touch.  I also have that on my MKC.  Although, rarely do I ever park anywhere that is dark enough to see them.