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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
Refer toEssentials of good fuel economyin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter for more fuel saving tips.
Frequently asked questions
Question Answer
What are the series of
clicks from the cargo area
when I first turn the key in
the ignition?The high voltage battery is electrically
isolated from the rest of the vehicle when
the key is off. When the key is turned to
on, high voltage contactors inside the
battery are closed to make the electricity
available to the motor/generator and
enable the vehicle to drive. The clicks are
the sound of these contactors as they
close and open during start up and shut
down.
Why does the engine
sometimes start at key-on?The vehicle’s computer will determine if
an engine start is necessary for cabin
heating or windshield defrost. The engine
will also be started when ambient
temperatures are low.
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Question Answer
After I start my car in the
morning, why does it take a
long time before the engine
shuts down?There are several reasons the engine
stays on for an extended amount of time
when it is first started. One common
reason is to ensure that the emissions
components are warm enough to
minimize tailpipe emissions. As the
climate gets cooler, this “engine-ON” time
is extended.
Why does my engine never
shut down above 40 mph
(65 km/h)?The engine is required to turn on above
this speed to protect the transaxle
hardware.
Why does my engine stay
ON when it’s extremely
cold outside?In order to ensure that the climate
control system can begin heating the
cabin and/or defrosting the windshield as
soon as a driver requests it, the engine
coolant temperature has to be kept
sufficiently hot. Keeping the engine on is
required to maintain the correct minimum
temperature.
Why does my engine rev up
so high sometimes when I
accelerate?Your vehicle’s engine and transmission are
designed to deliver the power you need
at the most efficient engine speed. This
may be higher than expected during
heavy accelerations, and may fluctuate
during steady state driving. These are
characteristics of the Atkinson engine
cycle and the eCVT transaxle technology
that help maximize your hybrid’s fuel
economy.
What does it mean when
my power assist gauge
moves to the right? To the
left?Electricity is coming out of the battery
when the gauge moves to the right.
Electricity is going into the battery when
the gauge moves to the left.
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Question Answer
What is the fan noise I hear
from the rear of my hybrid?The fan noise comes from two fans
located inside the high voltage battery.
These fans turn on when the battery
requires cooling air. The fan speed, and
associated noise level, will change
according to both the amount of cooling
required and the speed of the vehicle to
maintain good performance.
How far can I go in Electric
Drive if I run out of gas?Running out of gas is not recommended.
However, you may be able to go about
one mile, driving at 30 mph (48 km/h), if
the battery has a normal state of charge.
What is the engine oil
change service interval?The engine oil should be changed every
10,000 miles (16,000 km) under normal
operating conditions. See theScheduled
Maintenance Guidechapter.
Can I put E10 or E85 in my
vehicle, and how will it
affect my fuel economy?Your hybrid vehicle can use E10 (10%
ethanol, 90% gasoline) fuel, but you may
notice slightly reduced fuel economy
because ethanol contains less energy per
gallon than gasoline. Your hybrid vehicle
is not designed to use E85 (85% ethanol).
How long will my high
voltage battery last? Does it
need maintenance?The high voltage battery system is
designed to last the life of the vehicle and
requires no maintenance.
Can you charge the battery
with a plug into an A/C
outlet?There are no provisions for charging the
high voltage battery from a power supply
external to the vehicle.
Can I tow the hybrid
behind my motor home
with all four wheels down?Yes. Your hybrid vehicle can be
“flat-towed” without modification. See the
Recreational towingsection in theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more
information.
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SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner’s Guide.
Special instructions
For your added safety, your vehicle is fitted with sophisticated electronic
controls.
WARNING:Please read the sectionAirbag Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)in theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter. Failure to follow the specific warnings and instructions could
result in personal injury.
WARNING:Front seat mounted rear-facing child or infant seats
shouldNEVERbe placed in front of an active passenger airbag.
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury or death.
Using your vehicle with a snowplow
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Your vehicle is not equipped with a snowplowing package.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as an ambulance.
Your vehicle is not equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
Package.
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DATA RECORDING
Service Data Recording
Service data recorders in your vehicle are capable of collecting and
storing diagnostic information about your vehicle. This potentially
includes information about the performance or status of various systems
and modules in the vehicle, such as engine, throttle, steering or brake
systems. In order to properly diagnose and service your vehicle, Ford
Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may
access or share among them vehicle diagnostic information received
through a direct connection to your vehicle when diagnosing or servicing
your vehicle. For U.S. only (if equipped), if you choose to use the SYNC
Vehicle Health Report, you consent that certain diagnostic information
may also be accessed electronically by Ford Motor Company and Ford
authorized service facilities, and that the diagnostic information may be
used for any purpose. See yourSYNCsupplement for more information.
Event Data Recording
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle; this data will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period
of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•Whether or not the driver and passenger seatbelts were
buckled/fastened;
•How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or the brake pedal; and
•How fast the vehicle was travelling; and
•Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel.
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Note: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial
crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data or information
(e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded (see
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limitations regarding 911 Assist and Traffic, directions and
Information privacy below). However, parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required,
and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the
vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement,
that have such special equipment, can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the EDR. Ford Motor Company
and Ford of Canada do not access event data recorder
information without obtaining consent, unless pursuant to court
order or where required by law enforcement, other government
authorities or other third parties acting with lawful authority.
Other parties may seek to access the information independently
of Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada.
Note: Including to the extent that any law pertaining to Event
Data Recorders applies to SYNCor its features, please note the
following: Once 911 Assist (if equipped) is enabled (set ON), 911
Assist may, through any paired and connected cell phone, disclose
to emergency services that the vehicle has been in a crash
involving the deployment of an airbag or, in certain vehicles, the
activation of the fuel pump shut-off. Certain versions or updates
to 911 Assist may also be capable of being used to electronically
or verbally provide to 911 operators the vehicle location (such as
latitude and longitude), and/or other details about the vehicle or
crash or personal information about the occupants to assist 911
operators to provide the most appropriate emergency services. If
you do not want to disclose this information, do not activate the
911 Assist feature. See your SYNCsupplement for more
information.
Additionally, when you connect to Traffic, Directions and
Information (if equipped, U.S. only) the service uses GPS
technology and advanced vehicle sensors to collect the vehicle’s
current location, travel direction, and speed (“vehicle travel
information”) only to help provide you with the directions, traffic
reports, or business searches your request. If you do not want
Ford or its vendors to receive this information, do not activate
the service. Ford Motor Company and the vendors it uses to
provide you with this information do not store your vehicle travel
information. For more information, see Traffic, Directions and
Information, Terms and Conditions. See your SYNCsupplement
for more information.
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CELL PHONE USE
The use of Mobile Communications Equipment has become increasingly
important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However,
drivers must not compromise their own or others’ safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to, cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, text messaging devices and
portable two-way radios.
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that you
use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may take
your focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of your vehicle.
We recommend against the use of any handheld device while driving
and that you comply with all applicable laws.
EXPORT UNIQUE (NON–UNITED STATES/CANADA) VEHICLE
SPECIFIC INFORMATION
For your particular global region, your vehicle may be equipped with
features and options that are different from the features and options that
are described in this Owner’s Guide. A market unique supplement may
be supplied that complements this book. By referring to the market
unique supplement, if provided, you can properly identify those features,
recommendations and specifications that are unique to your vehicle. This
Owner’s Guide is written primarily for the U.S. and Canadian Markets.
Features or equipment listed as standard may be different on units built
for Export.Refer to this Owner’s Guide for all other required
information and warnings.
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These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
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