Lincoln 2013 MKZ Owner's Manual page 166

These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly closing
the fuel fill inlet or letting the electrical
system dry out. After three driving
cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, the
service engine soon indicator should
stay off the next time the engine is
started. A driving cycle consists of a
cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving. No additional
vehicle service is required.
If the service engine soon indicator
remains on, have your vehicle serviced
at the first available opportunity.
Although some malfunctions
detected by the OBD-II may not have
symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service
engine soon indicator on can result in
increased emissions, lower fuel
economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and lead
to more costly repairs.
Readiness for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
Testing
Some state/provincial and local
governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle.
Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Fuel and Refueling
163
If the service engine soon
indicator is on or the bulb
does not work, the vehicle
may need to be serviced. See
On-Board Diagnostics.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test
if the service engine soon indicator is
on or not working properly (bulb is
burned out), or if the OBD-II system
has determined that some of the
emission control systems have not
been properly checked. In this case,
the vehicle is considered not ready for
I/M testing.
If the vehicle's engine or transmission
has just been serviced, or the battery
has recently run down or been
replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready
for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn
the ignition key to the on position for
15 seconds without cranking the
engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means
that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon
indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to
check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete
check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the
following driving cycle consisting of
mixed city and highway driving may
be performed: