New 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Owner!

[jediboytj]

Hi guys!

 

So I just picked up a (used, but in mint condition) 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Steel Blue Metallic with 22k on the odo. I got it for a really good deal and couldnt pass it up (bought for just under $25k! Its a $31k current KBB value, $41k sticker).

 

Nicely loaded, its got THX Audio, Nav, Rear Camera, Park Assists, BLIS, Moonroof...etc

 

Its hard to find a Lincoln specific forum so I hope i'm welcome here. I know the Fusion Hybrids and MKZ Hybrids are essentially identical mechanically.

 

I'm coming from a 2007 Lincoln MKZ, which has the 3.5L 263HP engine. I was lucky to get 13-14mpg in the city with that car. Even if I just simply double that gas milage i'll be ecstatic.

 

I'm hoping to learn the best ways to get the most out of this car. I've only driven it about 200 miles since picking it up, and im averaging about 33-35mpg. Not horrible (see my line above about my last car lol) but I know she can do better (and considering i've been idling it a lot due to learning the whole SYNC system and other contraptions built into this beast, i'm sure it'll get better naturally)!

 

On a side note, is there anywhere that describes the differences in the 2012 and 2013+ hybrid systems? I know it is different considering newer ones can stay in EV mode up to 82mph, while this car can only stay in it up to 42mph.

[SteveB_TX]

Welcome fellow Z'er! There are a few of us MKZ Hybrid owners on this forum. The more the merrier!

 

The primary difference is the battery pack and engine: The 10-12 had a 2.5L 4 cyl and a nickel metal hydride battery pack. The 13-14 has a 2.0L 4 cyl and a lithium ion battery pack. While the 10-12 had a combined hp rating of 191, the 13-14 has a combined rating of 188 hp. Google is your friend when it comes to seeing the differences between model years. :)

[jediboytj]

Thanks for the reply! Glad to see other Z'ers here!

 

I did search a lot on google for comparisons (google was my friend when searching for everything related to the car before I bought it). I tried going through places like wikipedia, but I couldn't find the specifics I was looking for.

[Eddie Sessum]

Another difference with the 12 and 13 is that the 12 doesnt have the grill shutters.

[GrySql]

Welcome to the Forum!

That is a very nice looking car, I think you got a gem.

There is one parked at my Dealer's Staff parking lot, same color, and I've always admired it.

[acdii]

Welcome to the Forum, any Ford owner is welcome here, as long as its a hybrid!

 

The hybrid systems between the 10-12 FFH and Z are identical. the car does weigh a little more, but it will still get good MPG. I had a 2010 Sport with the 3.5 V6, and I know what you mean about sucking gas, thats the only reason I reluctantly traded it for a 10 FFH, we loved driving that car, but it was costing a fortune to drive.

 

On the 2010-12, the trick is to get up to speed and feather the pedal lightly to maintain speed. Unlike the 13 Hybrid, you dont want to use EV to accelerate with too often, but use it as assist, then when at your speed 45 and below, feather the gas until it kicks into EV, and coast on electric until the ICE kicks on, then let it recharge and do it again. Accelerate lightly, but dont granny it, it actually will use more gas if you granny it, I dont remember the left side display, but I would usually accelerate at about 1/3rd throttle and let off when I reached the speed limit, then feather it at that point.

 

At highway speeds, feather the throttle while maintaining speed works really well, the 2.5 is a great highway engine. I always did much better highway than city in the 10. The key to that system, provided it uses the same screens is the instant screen, you can use that screen and try to keep the instant MPG at or above 40 while in ICE. With practice you will get the hang of it, and it will become second nature and you wont be using the screen much after that other than a brief check.

 

The regen in the 10-12 is a lot different than in a 13, it doesn't rely on braking as much as the new ones do, but its still a good idea to brake sooner and lighter than in a regular car. Also dont be concerned if your battery only shows a half charge, that is perfectly normal.

 

What you can expect is roughly 40-43 in summer and 36-39 winter depending on your drive. Thats right where mine fell with 40 mile trips each way up and over hills on rural roads of 55 MPH with some city mixed in. That car actually did better on my daily drive than the new one does mainly because the 2.5 was more efficient at highway speeds than the 2.0 is. They still use the normal 2.5 ICE in the Fusion and those are getting 30's on the highway.

Edited September 23, 2013 by acdii

[hybridbear]

Welcome! You are certainly welcome here. There are a handful of members with 2010-2012 FFHs who have the same powertrain that you do and a number of members with 2013 FFHs previously owned a 2010-2012 iteration and can help you out too. Jeff_h and acdii are two I can think of who owned 2010 FFHs previously and they're both very knowledgeable about them.

[dkegel]

... I always did much better highway than city in the 10...

 

Interesting. It was the opposite for us in our 2010. The best we could ever do on the highway (minimal traffic) was 34-35. Around town, and in stop and go, bumper to bumper Chicago highway driving, we'd get around 40.

 

Dave

[acdii]

 

Interesting. It was the opposite for us in our 2010. The best we could ever do on the highway (minimal traffic) was 34-35. Around town, and in stop and go, bumper to bumper Chicago highway driving, we'd get around 40.

 

Dave

This was in the 2010 going from Elgin to far south suburbs off 294. Kept it at 65 for most of the trip. I have a few other shorter trips, all well above 41 MPG, which is the city rating for the 10-12 FFH.

 

[dkegel]

Ah! You were heading downhill. :)

 

Dave

[jediboytj]

Thanks for all the replys!

 

I just got off a 430mi (round trip, 215 each way) road trip in this car. Both ways I got exactly 38mpg. Speed ranged between 65-70mph (rarely ever exceeding that, except for a couple passes).

 

I'd say thats pretty good. I know if I would of just went 60-65mph the whole way it would easily get low 40s. My last 50miles was at 60-65mph and my last-10min-mpg-gauge was all above 40

 

I'm pretty happy with it so far. The car has an amazing ride and it is such a comfortable road trip car.