KenZ

I don't think I have ever used the windshield washers either in my MKZ.  I see many cars shoot the washers over the top of their car while standing still, my last car (2010 Acura) did that.  The Acura tech told me they were positioned to hit the windshield properly at speeds over 45 MPH and up to about 75. He could readjust them to hit while standing still but then they would just hit the bottom of the windshield while travelling down the highway.      

Once I was sitting at a stoplight and the car in front of me turned on it's windshield washers.  They shot over the top of their car and hit my windshield.  I was quite annoyed since I had just washed my car!   

Even in tree-lined neighborhoods, Rusty Boltz? My CR-V even gets reception in parking garages (unless we go underground), but in the Lincoln, the slightest overhead obstruction causes a problem. I appreciate the responses, guys!  This helps a ton when I talk to the service dept.   

I never knew your should get Sirius reception inside! :)  They tell you when you initialize it that your car must be outside for 45 minutes or something like that.  I've always used the point when Sirius goes off to know when I am completely in the garage and the door would shut!  Pretty much the same on a 2005 Chrysler 300, 2007 Jeep Wrangler, 2010 Acura, 2011 Jeep Wrangler and a 2013 Lincoln MKZ.  The Chrysler and Acura had the shark fin as an antenna, the Jeeps have an antenna above the rollbar under the roof. 

How many miles did it take to get flowers?  I seem to stuck on vines at this point.

With my 2013 MKZ Hybrid, it seems like the flowers come one about once every 1,000 miles.  Right now, I have a little over 6,000 miles and 6 flowers.

Been having a game with myself and my 2013 MKZ. Seeing how many flowers I can grow in the display on the dash. Anyone else 'playing' with the vines, etc?

I tend to keep the vine/flower display up as a reminder to drive "like and old man".  Wait a minute, I am an old man!  I have 6 flowers so far.  It seems like one has been appearing about every 1000 miles.  I have a little over 6,000 miles right now.

Glad I'm not alone in this regard. Navigation is very weak compared to other systems.

I would offer that the aftermarket GPS units are typically better than any factory installed GPS.  My 2013 MKZ GPS blows away the GPS in my prior 2011 Acura (considerably more expensive than my MKZ) and my current 2011 Jeep.  The Magellan GPS I have in my iPhone (for when I rent a car) has many better features than any factory installed GPS I have ever had.  However, I like the big screen of the factory installed GPS.      

Welcome....

And it only gets better.  Better MPG definitely kicks in as the vehicle gets broken in.  Get ready for questions and compliments everywhere you drive.  Mine is Tuxedo Black/Black Panoramic Roof also.  Had never considered or wanted a black car in the GA sun/heat, but the AC seats won me over to the black side....

I've owned my 2013 MKZ Hybrid for 3 months now and have learned that short trips & summer sun really hurt the average mileage!!!

 

Many factors add up to cause this, cold tires, cold engine, etc. But the biggest reason is:

 

The HOT INTERIOR (during the summer months) - interiors can reach 130F degrees or more when sitting in the summer sun. The AC runs at maximum capacity for about 5 minutes to extract this heat from the interior. I've done driving experiments and written a math spread sheet for calculations on this (yeah I know -- I have no life :) )

 

In my 2013 MKZ Hybrid, as an experiment, while hypermiling at 30 mph with the AC off, I achieve about 60 MPG.

Hypermiling at 30 mph with the AC at Max capacity, I see about 39 MPG!!! (Granted, this is the worst case scenario, it is much less a factor at more normal speeds and driving styles)

 

So, here's an example, on a 90 degree sunny day, you leave work and drive 2 or 3 miles to a lunch meeting. After the meeting, get back into the car, which is now again heat soaked from the summer sun, and drive back to work. Expect to get about 30 mpg on that short round trip, verses about 45 mpg if the resturaunt had been 30 miles from the office.

 

The difference being that on the short commute, tha A/C is blasting the entire commute, verses, the 30 mile commute - the majority of the trip would be running the A/C at a low level because the cabin temperarure would be normalized.

 

It's important to understand that the MKZ Hybrid's air conditioner is not less efficient at this short commute than a non hybrid car -- it's just that it is so fuel efficient, it is an unusually large ratio between the power for the A/C vs power going to the wheels for vehicle propulsion on this short trip.

 

The other extreem would be if you were drag racing your 3,500 horse power funny car for a 6 second 1/4 mile, with and without the A/C on, you're probably not going to notice that extra fuel used by the AC :) .0411 MPG Verses .0410 MPG!!!

 

So, before I put everyove into a math coma, what is the take away from all of this? -- Don't be haten' on your hybrid for not gettin' perfect mileage in the Saharah -- you're still beaten' the non hybrids!

Definitely a subject close to my heart.  I had noticed the same mileage issues on short trips and the hot/humid Georgia days.  I had not taken it quite as far into the math as you did, I wish I had paid more attention in school.   I am sitting at roughly 4,000 miles after 4 months with a 43MPG lifetime average.  It has definitely been creeping up after the software update.

I had noticed mostly that I would get much better mileage going from home to work - than work to home.   Or from home to most anywhere - than most anywhere to home.  Difference was that the car always sits in a garage at home so it did not have that initial cool off period.  It was always in the sun at work or elsewhere.   Not sure of the effect on overall mileage but I did get into the habit of being sure the inside sunscreen was closed on the sunroof when parked outdoors.  The other thing I did which seemed to have helped with the mileage was to use remote start, so the car was cooled off by the time I got there,  In the summer, remote start turns the AC on high and turns on the AC seats automatically.  Typically it would run on battery only on remote start.  It seemed that if the battery was too depleted, it would turn on the gas engine.

Another interesting difference in mileage seems to be in elevation changes.  I noticed that I would almost always get 45+ MPG going from my house to the airport in Atlanta.  I would then get 35-40MPG on the return trip home.  Same roads, same speed (cruise control set to 62 before the upgrade, 75 after the upgrade), etc.  Ultimately, I figured out that there is an elevation difference of roughly 1000 feet from my home in North Georgia to the airport in Atlanta.  More downhill going to the airport and more uphill coming home.   That was the only thing I could come up with.     

This is my first hybrid and my first Lincoln.  So far, it has been a very good experience.

My Ford dealer attempted to enable my DRLs the other day.  They found the section in the computer to do the procedure, but the computer refused to enable the DRLs.  Hmmm.

My Lincoln dealer was able to get them going on my 2013 MKZ - although the service tech said something about they were called DDS (Daytime Driving Safety - or something like that) Lights in the computer.   In reading the forums, it looks like some dealers charge to activate them, some don't.  Mine did not.

Here it is, September. This past week, I saw two 2013 MKZ's. Parked next to a LOADED one with the 2.0 EcoBoost turbo engine and compared it to my Avalon. Yes, I test drove one, before I got my Avalon, but because a newer MKZ would be for my wife, she looked it over and guess what? She does NOT like it. She does not like the rear end treatment and says the front looks like it is wearing a mustach (sp). I don't mind either of these designs, but the car would be for her.. I would insist on the 3.7 liter V6 though.. We both don't like the "push button gear selector". When I drive, I like to keep my hand on the shift knob and with the 2013 MKZ, I have nowhere to rest my hand.

 

My wife just loves her 2011, and as it stands right now, she does not want to trade..

 

BTW, two or three of the 2013 MKZ's I've seen in the past two or three weeks, have that (dumb) sliding roof. You can identify the car because the roof is black, plus the radio antenna is a short stubby (read that as ugly) thing on the rear fender. None of them had the top in the open position. Probably because (as I've read) it cuts into your rear view.

 

Ok, the important thing is that my wife LOVES her 2011 and she would probably trade me before she would trade it..

It is interesting to see what pushes peoples buttons... so to speak.  I did buy a 2013 MKZ and I was a little wary about the push buttons (I was a shift knob rester also),   While the buttons are definitely not intuitive, you do get used to them.  It is sort of like when they moved the gear shift from the steering column to the console oh so many years ago.  It took me a year or more to keep from reaching to the steering column for the gear shift.  It has been three months and the buttons are moving their way into intuitive.  I have come to enjoy the extra storage space in the console area.

I have found a new space for my right arm.  Instead of resting on the shifter, I sort of lean on the console with my hand wrapped around the right edge.  It is a great leaning console!  

I am a big fan of the sliding roof.  My other vehicle is a Jeep wrangler with the removable roof panels.  I rarely take them off because it is a pain in the butt.  I wish they made a sliding roof for the Wrangler.  I have my roof open whenever I am not running the AC.  I don't quite get the visibility issue that folks bring up.  Even with it fully open, you can see when a car is behind you.  If it is a SUV or tall vehicle behind you, you are pretty much looking at the grill or hood.  You can't see who is in it - but I don't really want to!   You have more visibility than a multi-row SUV I drove with people in the back.    

When I bought the car, I did not realize that the antenna was only on the panoramic roof models.  I noticed the antenna on the models at the car show and it didn't seem out of the ordinary.  I just thought it was part of the "retro" styling.   I was not particularly fond of the shark fin on the roof of my last car (Acura), although I got used to it,                   

My decision to buy was based primarily on the availability of a hybrid engine without a premium cost.  My neighbor had gotten a 2012 MKZ hybrid a year earlier and had such good things to say, I decided to give it a try. The engine is peppier than I thought it would be, although not as peppy as a Chrysler 300C Hemi I had a few years back.   I will give up some pep to get 43.4 MPG (my lifetime MPG on the MKZ so far) rather than the 17.8 MPG I got with the Chrysler!   

Ditto.

Don't change my own oil anymore.  Too much mess.  Routine maintenance for the first few years is included with the 2013 MKZ so no worries!

Get your copy today!  :)

Downloaded it, updated it.  Used my shiny new Lincoln USB drive.

Had to re-pair my phone afterwards.

It was sort of vague on what was in the update.  One thing I checked that seems to be fixed was the weather map.  Whenever you tried to zoom in on the weather map, it would not zoom to your actual location.   In my area it would zoom into Atlanta, even though I was 20 miles north.   It zooms in to my actual location now.   Love the weather map for dodging hail storms!  

Anything else specific on what was fixed?

Still have not heard from anyone after I answered their questionaire. I guess they don't want to get an earful.

 

As for the lack of dealers, since the 2013 was introduced, I've only seen two. TWO. ( and one of the two belongs to a guy I know). I drove one, a V6, not equipped the way I wanted. They had some 2.0 EcoBoost turbos in stock, but;

1. I don't want that engine. I hate the sound of four cylinder engines.

2. That engine does not give the mpg that is advertised. Big write up on that in Consumer Reports. The mpg is no better than other brand V6's, although it is better than then the Lincoln V6. I have driven with friends who own another brand V6, which gets 4-5 mpg better than my 2011 MKZ V6, the same county-city streets (21-24 vice 17-19) and same roads on our long trips (31-34 vice 26-28). (Note that the lower Lincoln V6 MPG is NOT the reason I have not purchased one).

3. The resale value of Lincolns is very low.

4. Looking at photos of Lincoln's that will soon be introduced, I don't see the Lincoln brand surviving beyond 2020.

5. The value exceeds the price.

Can't really comment on the issues you have been having.  My local dealer is a Ford/Lincoln dealer and I have had a great experience with them.  

I hate the sound of 4 cylinder engines also, but I like the mileage.  A prior car had a 5.7 liter Hemi, sounded great but got 17 mpg.  I like my current 43 mpg and lawnmower engine.  You would think that with all the tech they put in cars today, they could just come up with a fake engine noise to make it sound good.        

Your comment on Consumer Reports caught my attention.  I don't put a lot of stock in what Consumer Reports says.  I always have to laugh when I see their review of the Jeep Wrangler.  They talk about it being seriously outdated and uncomfortable - it's a friggin' Wrangler.  It's supposed to be ugly and uncomfortable.    

The recent comments Consumer Reports had on the 2013 MKZ Hybrid and the mileage also caught my attention.  They were critical in that they said they got something like 36 MPG.  Not sure how they got mileage that low!  I am at 2700 miles on mine with right at 43 MPG average.  Not quite the 45 MPG advertised, but none of my cars have ever got the advertised mileage.  

At least on the Hybrid side of things, I feel I got a really good value for the price.  Most car makers mark up the Hybrid version 10-20% or more over their regular version, this was the same price as the EcoBoost 4 Cylinder and considerably less than the 6 Cylinder.   

So far, I am a happy guy with my 2013 MKZ.

Does anyone else HATE the Nav system?  Is there any way to use the phone Nav (such as Google Maps or Mapquest) when the phone is connected to the car?

Actually, I love the Nav system in my 2013 MKZ.  If you want to see a bad Nav system, my 2010 Acura had AcuraLink, that Nav system was a nightmare.  I guess it all depends on what you had prior!      

To answer your question.  Yes, if your phone is connected with the USB cable or with the BlueTooth.  If the sound from an app will come out over the phone speakers, then the sound will come out over the car speakers (if connected by USB or BT).  You can listen to music on your phone (or radio if you have Recivea or iHeartRadio or similar) which automatically mutes when the phone is giving verbal directions in the map program.  They both mute if you get a call, which happened in my test.  I just tried it with my iPhone5 and it worked for me.    

Bought my second tank of gas at 827 miles on my 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. It was not quite empty yet (9.04 gallons bought), but gas prices jumped roughly .14 cents a gallon overnight at several neighborhood stations and I decided to buy gas at the one remaining station that still had cheaper gas. I averaged 43.55 MPG based on the fill-up. This gives me a cumulative MPG of 40.45 based on fill-ups, the dashboard MPG tells me 40.3 MPG. I am feeling good about the accuracy of the dashboard statistics, I've never had a car where the dashboard MPG matched the actual fill-up MPG this closely.

 

The miles are split between city (60%) and highway (40%) with most highway in the 65+ MPH range. I am not really working hard to get good mileage, but the driving coach, braking score and efficiency leaves/flowers have changed the way I drive a bit. I am a definitely a bit more careful - although when I get in my other vehicle, I return to my old habits! I did discover "Eco-Cruise" and switched to that for highway driving. It is not quite as aggressive at maintaining the speed, but still kept within 5 mph of the set speed even up steep hills.

 

Discovered the "Collision Warning" system works. :)

 

How the heck do I open the 2013 MKZ hybrid trunk with the fob in my pocket??  I really don't want to call the dealer to ask that....  :hammer_self:

Maybe you should call the dealer. :)  Your salesperson should have demo'd that when you picked up the car.  Mine spent a couple hours with me going over all the features and "how to's" on pretty much everything in the car. 

 

My past two cars were a 2005 Chrysler 300C Hemi and a 2010 Acura ZDX,  As my second vehicle, I also had a 2005, 2007 and 2011 Jeep Wrangler in that same time-frame.  Gotta love a Jeep!

 

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid first came on my radar when my next door neighbor got a 2012 MKZ Hybrid a little over a year ago.  They loved it, had no problems whatsoever.

 

I don't know that I intended to get a new car this year, but when I saw the 2013 MKZ Hybrid at the Atlanta car show, I fell in love.  Styling was great, the batteries were smaller and allowed for the fold down back seat, electric cruising speed was up and MPG rating was up.  I loved all the technology.  I came home from the car show, thought about it and did some research online for a week - and then went to my local dealer.

 

So far, it is proving to be a very good decision. 

 

After 432.9 miles, I bought my first tank of gas.  I averaged 37.95 MPG based on the fill-up, the dashboard screen tells me 38.2 MPG - so it appears that the dashboard MPG is very accurate.  On my most recent trip this afternoon - mixed city, highway, mostly hilly trip of 36 miles, it says I averaged 48.2 MPG on that trip (22.0 EV miles, 4.2 Regen miles, 96% Braking score).

 

It has been a blast exploring all the screens that are available.  I really like the center stack screen where you can see a representation of drive, engine, electric motor, accessories, fuel flowing, electricity flowing and all the interaction while driving.

 

I've actually read about 2/3rd of the manual.  I read remote start also automatically starts the air conditioning and air conditioned seats when it is warm out.  That is a real joy in the Georgia heat.  I tried the remote start after I left the grocery store while walking across the parking lot.  The car was cool by the time I got there, loaded up the groceries and put the cart back in the corral.  I used the air conditioned passenger seat to keep my cold things cool on the trip home.  Not sure it was intended to do that, but it worked! :)

 

I got my first flower today.  Life is good! 

 

Welcome the the Lincoln MKZ Forum and the Lincoln community! ;)

 

What did you have before the MKZ and what decisions led you to the MKZ?

My past two cars were a 2005 Chrysler 300C Hemi and a 2010 Acura ZDX,  As my second vehicle, I also had a 2005, 2007 and 2011 Jeep Wrangler in that same time-frame.  Gotta love a Jeep!

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid first came on my radar when my next door neighbor got a 2012 MKZ Hybrid a little over a year ago.  They loved it, had no problems whatsoever.

I don't know that I intended to get a new car this year, but when I saw the 2013 MKZ Hybrid at the Atlanta car show, I fell in love.  Styling was great, the batteries were smaller and allowed for the fold down back seat, electric cruising speed was up and MPG rating was up.  I loved all the technology.  I came home from the car show, thought about it and did some research online for a week - and then went to my local dealer.

So far, it is proving to be a very good decision. 

New 2013 MKZ Hybrid Owner in Georgia. First Lincoln (or Ford Product) ever owned. Ordered 03/22/2013, picked it up 05/22/2013. Tuxedo Black exterior, Charcoal interior. Equipment Group 203A, Technology Package and Panoramic Roof. Always wanted a "Z" car, didn't think it would be this one! I like the term Z-Brid.

First impressions - alarmingly quiet, surprisingly responsive. Roughly 200 miles so far. According to dash - after an initial 26 MPG using my old driving habits, I have been averaging 40+ MPG in my individual trips, lifetime MPG is sitting at 30+ but will reset that after it's broken in more. It is interesting to monitor the "coach" and braking score. It has already changed the way I drive. After initial braking scores in the 50's, I now routinely get 98+. Lots of leaves, no flowers yet, but I am hoping! 

Adaptive Cruise Control is cool and works! Never had it before. I set it for the widest possible distance and it really does an amazing job. Used park assist on both the left and right sides, I will never park myself again! Lane keeping works and I imagine I will use it routinely on longer trips. The BLIS lights are a little distracting, but I've never had that before so it just takes time to get used to new stuff.

Still learning all the technology. iPhone integration is well designed. Navigation maps are amazing, definitely the best I've used. Love the weather map and sports scores! 

All in all, could not be happier.