# 2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Dropping mileage

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** lincoln\
**Created:** [June 10, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368 "2021-06-10T20:23:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JAMESTATOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4491bb/32.png) [@JAMESTATOM](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JAMESTATOM)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/1 "2021-06-10T20:23:01Z")

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gas milage has dropped from average 40.4 to 33.5

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**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/2 "2021-06-10T23:07:57Z")

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Over how many tankfuls?

What else has changed (tire inflation, wheels and tires, driving circumstances and speeds, terrain, loads, roof rack load, etc.)?

If it was because of an engine malfunction, there would probably be a check engine light on and maybe flashing.

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**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/3 "2021-06-10T23:13:54Z")

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now that the warmer weather is here, using the a/c might effect your mileage a little.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/4 "2021-06-10T23:48:09Z")

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The nine year old battery may be failing.

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**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/5 "2021-06-11T00:08:21Z")

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Start with the basics: tire pressure, dragging brake (hot wheel), engine thermostat, wheel alignment.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/6 "2021-06-11T01:35:34Z")

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You may be experiencing the built-in shutdown of the battery. Read this:

> [@2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid - MPG going down](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2010-mercury-milan-hybrid-mpg-going-down/155945):
>
> My Mercury Milan Hybrid is gradually getting poorer and poorer mileage. Over the years it has gone from 38-39 MPG down to 32-33. I have replaced the spark plugs and the air filter with no change in the MPG. Any idea why?

I did the fix on my 2011 MKZ hybrid, mileage went back to normal.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-dropping-mileage/177368/7 "2021-06-11T12:24:13Z")

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+1 to Texases comment  
This “feature” has been pre-programmed into Ford’s hybrids, but luckily it can be overcome, as Texases has done.