HYBRID OPERATION
This hybrid vehicle combines electric and gasoline propulsion without
compromise, to provide breakthrough performance and efficiency. It
requires no special fuels and never has to be plugged in. Familiarizing
yourself with these unique characteristics will help ensure optimal
performance from your new vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation
Starting:Turn the ignition key to
the start position while your vehicle
is in P (Park). The green “Ready
Indicator” light will appear in the
instrument cluster, letting you know
that the vehicle is ready for driving. The engine may not start because
this Hybrid vehicle is equipped with Silent Key Start (SKS). This fuel
saving feature allows your vehicle to be “ready to drive” without
requiring the gas engine to be running. This indicator will remain on
while the vehicle is on, whether the engine is running or not to indicate
the vehicle is capable of movement (using its electric motor, engine, or
both). The vehicle’s computer will determine if an engine start is
required. Typically, the engine will not start unless the vehicle is cold, a
climate control change is requested, or the accelerator is depressed.
Note:You may notice higher engine speeds upon start-up. This
temporary condition is normal and necessary to heat up the cabin and
minimize emissions.
Driving:The gas engine automatically starts and stops to provide power
when it’s needed and to save fuel when it’s not. While coasting at low
speeds, coming to a stop, or standing, the gas engine normally shuts
down and the vehicle operates in electric-only mode. Conditions that
may cause the engine to start up or remain running include:
•Considerable vehicle acceleration
•Vehicle speed above 47 mph (75 km/h)
•Ascending a hill
•Charge level of high voltage battery is low
•Very high or low outside temperature (to provide system
cooling/heating)
•Engine not warm enough to provide passenger requested cabin
temperature
Stopping:The gas engine may shut off to conserve fuel as you come to
a stop. Restarting the vehicle is not required. Simply step on the
accelerator when you are ready to drive.
Introduction
6
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
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 economyinMaintenance 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
required at key-on. Silent Key
Start (SKS) will start the engine if
it is necessary for cabin heating,
windshield defrost, or if the
outside temperature is low.
Introduction
9
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Question Answer
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 47 mph (75 km/h)?The engine is required to turn on
above this speed to protect the
transmission 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 transmission technology
that help maximize your hybrid’s
fuel economy.
Introduction
10
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
malfunction with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a
related component.
Engine oil pressure (RTT):
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. The
message center displays LOW OIL
PRESSURE when the engine oil level is low. Check the oil level and add
oil if needed. If the warning light or message stays on, even though the
oil level is correct, do not start the engine and contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. This indicates a problem with the engine or a
related component. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
High engine or high motor
electronic coolant temperature
(RTT):Illuminates when the engine
coolant or motor electronics coolant temperature is high. The message
center displays HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE / HIGH MOTOR
TEMPERATURE when the engine coolant or motor electronics are
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine, and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. If the light
and message stays on or continues to turn on after the vehicle warms
up, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Continuing to
drive with an overheated engine can cause serious engine damage. This
indicates a problem with the engine or a related component. Refer to
Engine coolant and motor/electronics coolantin theMaintenance
and Specificationschapter.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
AdvanceTrac:Illuminates when
AdvanceTracis active. If the light
remains on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Refer to
theDrivingchapter for more
information.
Instrument Cluster
22
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the level indicator will
be blue and will be in the normal
range (between “H” and “C”). If the
engine coolant temperature exceeds
the normal range, the level indicator
will change to red to indicate that
the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible,
switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
Empower instrument cluster level only:The
indicator next to the
gauge will illuminate in green or white to indicate the following:
•
Indicator white: This indicates that the hybrid system is not
warm enough to allow operation in electric vehicle mode only. The
gasoline engine will run continuously when the indicator is white.
Note:During silent key start mode, the
indicator will be white,
but the gasoline engine will not run. This is a result of the vehicle
computer allowing the engine to be cooler during the silent key start
period. This is normal operation and does not indicate a problem with
your vehicle. After the first engine start, the
indicator will turn
green when the gasoline engine is warm enough to turn off.
•
Indicator green: This indicates that the hybrid system is warm
enough to allow operation in electric vehicle mode.
If the vehicle operates in electric mode long enough, it is possible that
the gasoline engine may need to run to keep the system warm. In this
case, the
indicator will revert back to white.
High-voltage battery information
gauge:The fill level indicates the
amount of energy stored in the
high-voltage battery as a percent of
total energy capacity. The level will
increase and decrease as the battery
charges and discharges during
normal operation, but the hybrid
system will attempt to control the
level to approximately the middle of
the gauge under most driving
conditions.
Instrument Cluster
29
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
STOP SAFELY NOW— Displayed when the stop safety hazard warning
lamp is illuminated. This indicates a hybrid component fault/failure that
will cause the vehicle to shut down, fail to start or enter into limited
operating mode.
Note:If the vehicle is still running, it may soon shut down without
further warning and should be stopped safely. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Engine coolant temperature warning lamp will
illuminate indicating coolant temperature is high. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the
coolant level. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING:When the engine and radiator are hot, scalding
coolant and steam may shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Do not remove the cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
HIGH MOTOR TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the motor
electronics are overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible,
turn off the engine and let it cool. Refer toEngine coolant and
motor/electronics coolantin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM— Displayed when the electrical system
is not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical
accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of
the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes
on when the engine is operating at normal speeds, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT— The power steering system
has disabled power steering assist due to a system error, service is
required.
SERVICE POWER STEERING— The power steering system has
detected a condition that requires service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW— The power steering system
has detected a condition within the power steering system that requires
service immediately.
Instrument Cluster
47
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
•Measuring devices, which process precise data, such as medical
equipment, measuring equipment, etc.
•Other appliances requiring an extremely stable power supply:
microcomputer-controlled electric blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.
Do not keep electrical devices plugged in the power point
whenever the device is not in use. It is not recommended to use
any extension cord with the 110V AC power point, since it will
defeat the safety protection design provided by the cap and twist
tab. It will also cause the power point to overload due to
powering multiple devices that can reach beyond the 150W load
limit.
The power point can switch to a fault mode when it is overloaded,
overheated, or shorted. For overloading and shorting conditions, unplug
your device and turn the ignition key off then on. For an overheating
condition, let the system cool off, then turn the ignition key off then on.
The 110V AC power point can provide power whenever the vehicle
ignition is in the run position and the power point green indicator light
located in the top left corner is turned on. Refer to the indicator light
code below for the power point status.
Note:Using the 110V AC power point for long periods of time without
running the engine will cause your battery to drain.
Indicator light Code
Green light is on — Power point is ready to supply power
Green light is off — Power point power supply is off. Ignition is not on
Green light is blinking — Power point is in fault mode
POWER WINDOWS
WARNING:Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle and
do not let children play with the power windows. They may
seriously injure themselves.
WARNING:When closing the power windows, you should verify
they are free of obstructions and ensure that children and/or
pets are not in the proximity of the window openings.
Driver Controls
94
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Press one side of the control to
adjust firmness.
Press the other side of the control
to adjust softness.
Heated seats (if equipped)
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical
conditions, must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat
heater may cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used
for long periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that
insulates against heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may
cause the seat heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins,
needles, or other pointed objects because this may damage the heating
element which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated
seat may cause serious personal injury.
Note:Do not do the following:
•Place heavy objects on the seat
•Operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
The heated seats will only function when the ignition is in the on
position.
To operate the heated seats:
DATC systems
•Press the control located on the
climate control system panel once
to activate high heat.
•Press twice to activate low heat.
•Press a third time to deactivate.
The indicator light on the control will illuminate when activated. For low
heat, one light will be lit; for high heat, both lights will be lit.
Seating and Safety Restraints
138
2011 Fusion Hybrid(hfv)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)