Driving to optimize fuel economy
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:
Tire Inflation:Keep tires properly inflated and only use recommended
size.
Climate Control: Your hybrid is equipped with an “ECON” button that
offers a more fuel efficient operation of your automatic temperature
control system.
When activated, the “ECON” feature allows the engine to shut down at
low speeds or when your vehicle is stopped.
If cooler temperature is desired, the “ECON” button can be turned off,
for better interior cooling but lower fuel economy.
The “ECON” mode turns itself off when you select defrost or
defrost/floor mode, although on cold days, you may still experience
engine shut-down while in defrost or defrost/floor mode.
Drive Habits: 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.
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.
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
2008 Tribute Hybrid (thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Introduction
9
When the button is pressed, the indicator light on the button will
illuminate. After eight minutes has passed, the indicator light will flash
rapidly for two minutes. Turn the ignition to RUN. You may now attempt
to start the engine.If you attempt to start the engine before the
eight minutes passes, the jump starting procedure will stop and
will have to be restarted if the engine does not start.
If the engine still does not start after the first complete high voltage
jump start, a second jump start procedure can be attempted after a
two-minute period (indicated by the button light changing from a rapid
flash to no illumination). This jump start procedure can only be done
twice before the low voltage (underhood) battery becomes discharged
and must also be jump started.
If the jump start button is pressed, but the indicator on the button
flashes slowly, the low voltage (underhood) battery may not have enough
energy to charge the high voltage battery. If this occurs, refer to the
Jump starting your vehicle (Low voltage [underhood] battery only)
section in this chapter for information on jump starting the low voltage
(underhood) battery. You may perform another high voltage battery jump
start by pressing the jump start button after having connected the
jumper cables and starting the booster vehicle.
Once the engine is started, the jumper cables should be removed as
described in the Jump starting your vehicle (Low voltage
[underhood] battery only) section.
2008 Tribute Hybrid(thv)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
228
