Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Owner's Manual page 170

Unique Driving Characteristics
Braking: Your hybrid is equipped with
standard hydraulic braking and
regenerative braking. Regenerative
braking is performed by your
transmission and it captures brake
energy and stores it in your high
voltage battery.
Driving to optimize fuel economy
Note: Having your engine running is
not always an indication of inefficiency.
In some cases, it is actually more
efficient than driving in electric mode.
Your fuel economy should improve
throughout your hybrid's break-in
period. As with any vehicle, fuel
economy can be significantly
impacted by your driving habits and
accessory usage. For best results,
keep in mind these tips:
• Keep the tires properly inflated and
only use the recommended size.
• Aggressive driving increases the
amount of energy required to move
your vehicle. In general, better fuel
economy is achieved with mild to
moderate acceleration and
deceleration. Moderate braking is
particularly important since it
allows you to maximize the energy
captured by the regenerative
braking system.
Additional Tips:
• Do not carry extra loads.
• Be mindful of adding external
accessories that may increase
aerodynamic drag.
• Observe posted speed limits.
• Perform all scheduled
maintenance.
• There is no need to wait for your
engine to warm up. The vehicle is
ready to drive immediately after
starting.
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