Lincoln 2014 MKZ Owner's Manual page 165

Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited.
When driving through water, determine
the depth; avoid water higher than the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks) (if possible)
and proceed slowly. If the ignition system
gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
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Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly
while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving
in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose
traction in slick mud. As when you are
driving over sand, apply the accelerator
slowly and avoid spinning your wheels. If
the vehicle does slide, steer in the
direction of the slide until you regain
control of the vehicle.
MKZ (CC9) , enUSA
All-Wheel Drive
162
(If Equipped)
After driving through mud, clean off
residue stuck to rotating driveshafts and
tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and
rotating driveshafts causes an imbalance
that could damage drive components.
Note: Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in
water, the axle lubricant and AWD PTU
(Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be
checked and changed if necessary.
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"Tread Lightly" is an educational program
designed to increase public awareness of
land-use regulations and responsibilities
in our nations wilderness areas. Ford
Motor Company joins the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other
public and private lands by "treading
lightly."
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note: Avoid driving crosswise or turning
on steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in
losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on
a hill, determine beforehand the route you
will use. Do not drive over the crest of a
hill without seeing what conditions are on
the other side. Do not drive in reverse over
a hill without the aid of an observer.