My 2014 Lincoln MKZ

[dfstv]

Hi everyone!

 

I've been out and lurking on the forums for quite a while now. Recently, I finally caved in and purchased a used 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. She's got every box ticked except for the big panoramic sunroof. I've read some people complaining that the THX Sound System seems "under-powered". I completely disagree. I'm in love with the car, but I'm more in love with the gas mileage. I purchased the vehicle in Kansas City and drove it back home to northern Illinois. I didn't touch the gas or the brake once after getting onto the highway thanks to the adaptive cruise control and I averaged an incredible 51 miles to the gallon! Since purchasing the car, I have not done any modifications except tint the windows. I have a couple of ideas, such as blacking out the grill in the future. Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and show off my new ride!

 

Here's a shot of before the window tint was applied.

How the car looks now, after being tinted.

 

[JoeBrown]

One of the best things I like about the MKz is the Hybrid and for example my 3.7L V6 looks identical. WOW 51 mpg. Not too shabby.

 

I'm not a window tint person but it looks great on your car. Lots of luck with it. :2thumbs:

[Izzy3906]

Hello and congrats on your MKZ.  It looks really good, glad you are enjoying it. Hope you enjoy any mods you come up with and if you

do any mods just post the pics.

[dfstv]

One of the best things I like about the MKz is the Hybrid and for example my 3.7L V6 looks identical. WOW 51 mpg. Not too shabby.

 

I'm not a window tint person but it looks great on your car. Lots of luck with it. :2thumbs:

 

Thank you! I'm not a big tint person either, but I found the car missing something. I feel that the tint really completes that "black-on-black" luxury feel. It's got the black interior with the wood accents inside as well. I felt comfortable going with the hybrid partially because the car isn't branded everywhere as a hybrid, except for the 2.0H on the back and inside the actual engine bay. If it was anything like the Ford Fusion Hybrid I would take all of the hybrid branding off of it.

 

 

Hello and congrats on your MKZ.  It looks really good, glad you are enjoying it. Hope you enjoy any mods you come up with and if you

do any mods just post the pics.

 

Thank you! The first things I'd like to do would be to hard wire a dashcam as well as a scanner into the vehicle. I'm looking at the WheelWitness HDPro right now, and I already have a Cobra scanner. Later on in December the car will be getting an emergency lighting system installed, as I will be a volunteer firefighter/paramedic at my local fire protection district. It'll be an interesting install to say the least, as I don't want to have to drill any holes into the body or the interior... I'll definitely be posting photos.

[drolds1]

Welcome, dfstv! :welcome:

[R2D2]

Welcome.... you are going to like that car....

 

 

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:)

Edited June 14, 2017 by R2D2

[jmcgliss]

Congratulations! 

[dfstv]

I got a chance to get out and take some photos of the car after getting her polished up and waxed!

 

 

[Izzy3906]

I like how it looks in the last 4 pics, it looks really great and the way it shine is awesome.

[jmcgliss]

I'll just have to enjoy yours. The wife isn't on board with a black car.

[dfstv]

I like how it looks in the last 4 pics, it looks really great and the way it shine is awesome.

 

The shine is great! But I need to clean the car everyday to keep it looking good. It collects dust like crazy! I've been using Meguiars Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax to keep it clean. It works great, but it really does take about 15-25 minutes each day of care to keep the car looking good.

 

I'll just have to enjoy yours. The wife isn't on board with a black car.

I was stuck between White, Silver, or Black. Initially I wanted white because it is so much easier to keep clean; however, the MKZ with the specs I was looking for (that was in my price range) was for sale all the way down in Dallas, Texas. It was white, with the black rims, black interior with the THX Sound System and the large panoramic sunroof. I think the contrast between the white body and the dark rims and dark roof (due to the panoramic sunroof) looks incredible. I couldn't find a silver MKZ with the specs I was looking for so then it came down to black. I wanted black because it gave the car the "business" feel I was looking for (I'm a young entrepreneur running a video production business), and I felt it would give me the opportunity to fully "murder out" the vehicle if I so wished. The only downside to the black is that it is insanely hard to keep clean. But when it is clean and the sun shines on the pearlescent paint, it is incredible. 

 

Either way, I have noticed that the car does turn heads. I didn't expect it to, but out of every 5 stoplights, at 3 of them I catch someone looking. I take that as a great compliment. Unfortunately, some people are the jealous type. My baby was keyed down the entire driver side front and rear doors, as well as down the rear quarter panel. The individual who did it was caught by authorities because of CCTV in the area. The mark isn't as noticeable in the photos I posted above because I went in with polish and wax to try to minimize it as much as I could. As soon as all of the legal/court stuff is figured out, I will be getting her fixed and looking like new!

 

I'll keep posting updates and new photos as I take them!

[drolds1]

Yeah, I've had two black cars in my life.  There is nothing like black when it's clean but as you say, that only lasts for 15 minutes and it'll drive you nuts if you're a clean freak.

 

WTF motivates these people?  Why would you do that to someone's property whom you don't even know and has done nothing to you?  That's fantastic that the dirtbag was caught.  How did they manage to identify him?  I'd love to hear why he did it. I hope they prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.  I could think of harsher punishment but it would be illegal. ;)

 

My son and his boss had gone to the bank. His boss was waiting in the car for him when some guy came along and keyed it.  Apparently he was too stupid to notice that someone was sitting in the car.  They held him until the cops arrived.  Then he tried to say he didn't do it.  The cops made him empty his pockets and there was the key he used with the car's paint still stuck on it.  

[Izzy3906]

The shine is great! But I need to clean the car everyday to keep it looking good. It collects dust like crazy! I've been using Meguiars Ultimate Waterless Wash & Wax to keep it clean. It works great, but it really does take about 15-25 minutes each day of care to keep the car looking good.

 

I was stuck between White, Silver, or Black. Initially I wanted white because it is so much easier to keep clean; however, the MKZ with the specs I was looking for (that was in my price range) was for sale all the way down in Dallas, Texas. It was white, with the black rims, black interior with the THX Sound System and the large panoramic sunroof. I think the contrast between the white body and the dark rims and dark roof (due to the panoramic sunroof) looks incredible. I couldn't find a silver MKZ with the specs I was looking for so then it came down to black. I wanted black because it gave the car the "business" feel I was looking for (I'm a young entrepreneur running a video production business), and I felt it would give me the opportunity to fully "murder out" the vehicle if I so wished. The only downside to the black is that it is insanely hard to keep clean. But when it is clean and the sun shines on the pearlescent paint, it is incredible. 

 

Either way, I have noticed that the car does turn heads. I didn't expect it to, but out of every 5 stoplights, at 3 of them I catch someone looking. I take that as a great compliment. Unfortunately, some people are the jealous type. My baby was keyed down the entire driver side front and rear doors, as well as down the rear quarter panel. The individual who did it was caught by authorities because of CCTV in the area. The mark isn't as noticeable in the photos I posted above because I went in with polish and wax to try to minimize it as much as I could. As soon as all of the legal/court stuff is figured out, I will be getting her fixed and looking like new!

 

I'll keep posting updates and new photos as I take them!

I might try that Meguiar's Waterless and see how it goes. I use turtle wax ICE spray detailer and so far so good. 

Sorry to hear about that idiot that scratch your car, it is sad to know how this world is full of jealous individuals.

I read that you brought your MKZ in Dallas TX, so if by any chance you drive down close to Killeen/FT Hood TX we might be able to meet.

[Zalvern]

The dreaded haters who aim to key cars...my Fusion suffered that. The only reason they do it is out of envy. At least you did manage to catch the person, as most are sneaky when doing it and never get caught and laugh how they manage to spread their miserable thinking to another. Since my Fusion got some hater's attention, I dread whenever my MKZ will get the possible same attack especially since I keep it clean constantly.

 

For managing a Black paint car, I highly recommend getting Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (aka ONR). I carry a bottle mixture of 10 ml of ONR with 50 oz of distilled water at all times in the MKZ's trunk with cloths. This helps me clean up anything (especially bird and tree bombings) very quickly upon seeing build up take play, and my eye sight for defects is keen. I also detail wipe with CarPro's Reload as like with ONR, very little goes a real long way. This is very handy especially in the winter time for salt ridden areas, while spacing out soap and rinse washes to once or twice a month even.

 

I did have CQuartz Professional applied to my MKZ which is an absolutely amazing ceramic coating. 

Edited June 18, 2017 by Zalvern

[dfstv]

Yeah, I've had two black cars in my life.  There is nothing like black when it's clean but as you say, that only lasts for 15 minutes and it'll drive you nuts if you're a clean freak.

 

WTF motivates these people?  Why would you do that to someone's property whom you don't even know and has done nothing to you?  That's fantastic that the dirtbag was caught.  How did they manage to identify him?  I'd love to hear why he did it. I hope they prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.  I could think of harsher punishment but it would be illegal. ;)

 

My son and his boss had gone to the bank. His boss was waiting in the car for him when some guy came along and keyed it.  Apparently he was too stupid to notice that someone was sitting in the car.  They held him until the cops arrived.  Then he tried to say he didn't do it.  The cops made him empty his pockets and there was the key he used with the car's paint still stuck on it.  

 

Wow! I guess that guy really had it coming then! I'm still a student, so this occurred at a school building. The building has CCTV on the exits and you could identify the face from the CCTV on the exit and the cameras followed the guy all the way to my car. I am taking him to criminal court, so we shall see what will come of it. 

 

 

I might try that Meguiar's Waterless and see how it goes. I use turtle wax ICE spray detailer and so far so good. 

Sorry to hear about that idiot that scratch your car, it is sad to know how this world is full of jealous individuals.

I read that you brought your MKZ in Dallas TX, so if by any chance you drive down close to Killeen/FT Hood TX we might be able to meet.

 

The MKZ which I wanted was down in Texas, which was a little too far away from me. I ended up going down to Kansas City to purchase mine. I'll be headed down to Texas within the next year or so, so we might be able to make that one happen! I am looking around for other options, as the Meguiar's stuff is kind of expensive. $8-$9 for a 26 ounce bottle. I am considering purchasing the TriNova Waterless Car Wash and Wax Kit as you can purchase that in a concentrate. 

 

 

The dreaded haters who aim to key cars...my Fusion suffered that. The only reason they do it is out of envy. At least you did manage to catch the person, as most are sneaky when doing it and never get caught and laugh how they manage to spread their miserable thinking to another. Since my Fusion got some hater's attention, I dread whenever my MKZ will get the possible same attack especially since I keep it clean constantly.

 

For managing a Black paint car, I highly recommend getting Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (aka ONR). I carry a bottle mixture of 10 ml of ONR with 50 oz of distilled water at all times in the MKZ's trunk with cloths. This helps me clean up anything (especially bird and tree bombings) very quickly upon seeing build up take play, and my eye sight for defects is keen. I also detail wipe with CarPro's Reload as like with ONR, very little goes a real long way. This is very handy especially in the winter time for salt ridden areas, while spacing out soap and rinse washes to once or twice a month even.

 

I did have CQuartz Professional applied to my MKZ which is an absolutely amazing ceramic coating. 

 

How do you like the CQuartz Professional? I am considering it. I bought my MKZ used with 41,000 miles, so it has it's fair share of little scratches or tiny rock chips on the hood. Of course, I would get paint correction done before having the ceramic coating applied. I'm glad you mentioned ONR, I was looking at the TriNova Waterless Car Wash and Wax Kit, but from what I have read it seems that the ONR may be better. What does the Reload do? Is it a wax in a spray form? Or like in-between a wax and ceramic coating? I appreciate all of the information about car care, as I do want to keep mine looking as sharp as possible for as long as possible.

[drolds1]

There are a lot of waterless wash products on the market now but ONR seems to be the best or at least among the best.  I also add some to the water that I rinse my boar's hair wash brush with.  I have no fine scratches that often result from improper wash implements and techniques.

[Zalvern]

How do you like the CQuartz Professional? I am considering it. I bought my MKZ used with 41,000 miles, so it has it's fair share of little scratches or tiny rock chips on the hood. Of course, I would get paint correction done before having the ceramic coating applied. I'm glad you mentioned ONR, I was looking at the TriNova Waterless Car Wash and Wax Kit, but from what I have read it seems that the ONR may be better. What does the Reload do? Is it a wax in a spray form? Or like in-between a wax and ceramic coating? I appreciate all of the information about car care, as I do want to keep mine looking as sharp as possible for as long as possible.

 

The CQuartz Professional is wicked. It really pops metallic paint jobs (Diamond Black Metallic on mine), easier to clean all forms of containment, far less swirl marks or scratches than without. I do my own washes, and I never ever go to washing bays or automatic car washes. Having Ivation's Multipurpose Portable Spray Washer is very handy to stick to my own choice of products, especially during winter time and when the salt plague comes. I had GTechniq Crystal Serum prior to my accident, after getting my Z restored, I was going to get Crystal Serum again but my detailer said CQuartz Professional was even more amazing while being the same price. It definitely did not disappoint. GTechniq's "warranty" is longer than Carpro's CQuartz, but if you maintain either correctly, they will last.

 

This video pretty much shows how awesome water will roll off in larger amounts, and bead up in small amounts:

 

 

CarPro Reset is a soap wash I use for standard wash and rinsing. Reload is a silica spray sealant that is very easy to apply and wipe down dry, less fickle than Hydro2, and lasts longer with little amounts applied. ONR is just excellent at being useful for its rinseless and water softening abilities.

 

Mind you my MKZ is not garaged and gets exposed to all weather elements, yet I definitely have one of the cleanest daily driver black cars around!

Edited June 18, 2017 by Zalvern

[dfstv]

The CQuartz Professional is wicked. It really pops metallic paint jobs (Diamond Black Metallic on mine), easier to clean all forms of containment, far less swirl marks or scratches than without. I do my own washes, and I never ever go to washing bays or automatic car washes. Having Ivation's Multipurpose Portable Spray Washer is very handy to stick to my own choice of products, especially during winter time and when the salt plague comes. I had GTechniq Crystal Serum prior to my accident, after getting my Z restored, I was going to get Crystal Serum again but my detailer said CQuartz Professional was even more amazing while being the same price. It definitely did not disappoint. GTechniq's "warranty" is longer than Carpro's CQuartz, but if you maintain either correctly, they will last.

 

This video pretty much shows how awesome water will roll off in larger amounts, and bead up in small amounts:

 

 

CarPro Reset is a soap wash I use for standard wash and rinsing. Reload is a silica spray sealant that is very easy to apply and wipe down dry, less fickle than Hydro2, and lasts longer with little amounts applied. ONR is just excellent at being useful for its rinseless and water softening abilities.

 

Mind you my MKZ is not garaged and gets exposed to all weather elements, yet I definitely have one of the cleanest daily driver black cars around!

 

Aaah thank you for the explanation!

[AZ MKZ h]

Nice car / great color, wheels and tint.  In AZ the window tinting is a way of life and it's legal to tint the front door windows as well [thanks to the sunshine] but just don't tint it past the limits.  

So, I think it looks great on your car.

 

As for blacking out the grill, since the car is black, to me it look fine stock, but if you want some great info on doing it, use the search box in upper right corner on topics, enter:  DIY plasti dipped grille

 

Having had 11 black cars over time, I relate to keeping them clean.  In addition to all suggested already, buy one of those car dusters from the auto store; get a good one and keep it in the car.

I use a new one on the paint and dash and use an "old / used" one for the wheels.  With dark colors, this is really a 'must have'.

 

Happy cleaning and driving.

[Ultrafirepro]

I have a 2014 MKZ Hybrid in dark blue metallic!  The window tint is a very good idea!  

 

In high heat environments, (like Arizona) day time temps are easily 115 -120 in the summer.   This creates issues with the MKZ Hybrid battery capability.   Since the MKZ hybrid battery is in the trunk and high heat in the day, (ie your car is parked outside in the sun, no shade, or is used in short stop and go driving) can cause the battery to "bypass",  it appears to be charging from your environmental battery charge gauge, but the lithium batteries, are offline, too much heat means no charging ability.   

 

You know this is happening when your car mileage drops to 20mpg, which is the default capability of the 2.0 liter motor.   I called Lincoln and they said, TINT your windows!   Factory tint is NOT enough, they recommend one of the new ceramic tints, as they can block more UV and and heat inducing Infrared rays.  This allows the Lincoln to cool much quicker once the A/C is on.   This is important as the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid li-ion batteries are "cooled" by the INTERIOR comfort air in the Lincoln from the A/C!    They actually suck air out of the passenger compartment and blow it across the li-ion battery pack,  then the air is channeled to exit the li-ion pack and  blow across the rear trunk 12vdc instrument battery on the left rear driver side of the trunk compartment.   Stunning reveal!   We get great mileage in the winter, but in the worst summers in Arizona, not so much!   Lincoln does not disclose these issues as most folks don't experience the issues.   So,  TINT,  is the only real way to fix the issue!  And you just did that.  Congrats!  

 

Re: THX audio, I have it and it is great!   IF you develop issues with intermittent speaker failure, (my fronts would go in an out), the problem usually lies with the THX amplifier in the passenger side rear trunk behind the trunk felt.  Be aware also, that at least in m case the cause was water dripping onto the amplifier due to Lincoln splash guard located under the trunk lid on the upper right corner.  Lincoln's idea was to channel the water on a splash guard, but to install the guard they drilled three holes to hold the guard onto the bottom edge of the water channel.  This fails almost immediately, causing water to run under the splash guard and then drip onto the THX or other amplifier,  Worse the splash guard is also installed on the left side of the trunk as well, which means the water drips on the 12v instrument battery and the control module located next to this battery.   As you vehicle is as old as mine, its a very good idea to pull this up, and seal the areas the three plastic push pins holding this splash guard in place.   Its a minor item until its NOT!  Dumb idea by Lincoln.  Leaves and dirt get under this and the only place the water can go is onto your electrical connections in the car.   Arizona does not get the amount of rain and snow you get where you live, so freezing temperatures, cause snow and ice to destroy the effectiveness of the splash shield over time.   You can find replacement splash shields to install for about $30 each, then install with ULTRA Black RTV which can remain flexible, I used Black GE Advanced silicone (-40 to 400F)  and reinstalled splash guards with a thick bead 360 on the splash guard to seal, and also into and around the penetrations Lincoln put into the body of the car, followed by reinstalling the Lincoln plastic rivets.   

 

That's three items of critical feedback you might have to address !   

 

A fourth is the electric A/C used on the Hybrid,  if the electric A/C compressor fails its about $2,000 in parts, labor and tax to replace.   You have to drop the inverter cooler,  in order to remove the A/C compressor,  the compressor is very expensive.   Only Ford makes the part, so the part is expensive.   We had to replace ours at 70,000 miles.  In Arizona, as you can imagine, that AC is running year round.   Might not be the situation where you live.  

 

Good luck,  we love our Lincoln, has 92,000 miles now, is a dream to drive on the highway,  super quiet and comfortable, with good mileage.   We have the optional sport suspension package, and can dial in,  soft, medium, or firm, depending on highway vs, sport driving, (this MKZ is amazing in the curves).