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braking is not available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun
as a generator to create electrical current. This recharges the battery
and slows the vehicle. In effect, once the accelerator pedal is released,
the motor changes from an energy user to an energy producer.
When the accelerator pedal is released or the brake pedal is applied, the
brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration
requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard
friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of
regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested
deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone.
Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction
brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking has also been designed
to interact with the anti-lock brake system. Regenerative braking is
disabled when the anti-lock brake system is activated or the battery is
fully charged.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, apply
steady and firm pressure to the brake pedal to slow the vehicle and
reduce motor power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the motor off, shift to P
(Park) and apply the parking brake, and then inspect the accelerator
pedal for any interferences. If none are found and the condition persists,
have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized dealer.
Parking brakeTo set the parking brake (1), pull
the parking brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning lamp will illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake is released.
To release, press and hold the button (2), pull the handle up slightly,
then push the handle down.
12
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WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ADVANCETRAC STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
The AdvanceTrac system provides the following stability enhancement
features for certain driving situations:
• Traction control system (TCS), which functions to help avoid
drive-wheel spin and loss of traction.
• Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
WARNING: Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac system. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac
system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far as possible
from the front center console, the tunnel, and the front seats in order
to minimize the risk of interfering with the AdvanceTrac sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac system could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
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WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac system is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially resulting
in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If
your AdvanceTrac system activates, SLOW DOWN.
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTrac system, the stability control light will illuminate
steadily. Have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
The AdvanceTrac system automatically enables each time the motor is
started. All features of the AdvanceTrac system (TCS and ESC) are
active and monitor the vehicle from start-up. However, the system will
only intervene if the driving situation requires it.
The AdvanceTrac system includes a stability control light in the
instrument cluster. The stability control light in the instrument cluster
will illuminate temporarily during start-up as part of a normal system
self-check, or during driving if a driving situation causes the
AdvanceTrac system to operate. If the stability control light illuminates
steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
When AdvanceTrac performs a normal system self-check, some drivers
may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a rumble, grunting, or
grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTrac, you may experience
the following:
• A slight deceleration of the vehicle
• The stability control light will flash.
• A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
• If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
• The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
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Traction control system (TCS)
Traction control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem, motor traction control and brake traction
control. Motor traction control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing motor power. Brake traction control works to limit
wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction control is most active at low speeds.
During TCS events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
If the TCS is activated excessively in a short period of time, the braking
portion of the system may become temporarily disabled to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, TCS will use only motor power
reduction or transfer to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will regain all features.
Anti-lock braking, and ESC are not affected by this condition and will
continue to function during the cool-down period.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Electronic stability control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing power
if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide laterally.
During ESC events, the stability control light in the instrument cluster
will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the ESC system, which
include but are not limited to:
•Taking a turn too fast
• Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
• Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
• Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road
• Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa
• Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa
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Switching off traction control
If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose power,
switching off the traction control feature of the AdvanceTracsystem
may be beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This will
restore full power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
The traction control system can be turned off through the message
center. See Message center in theInstrument Cluster chapter for more
information. If you switch off the traction control, the stability control off
light will illuminate steadily. Selecting traction control on will turn off the
stability control off light.
Steering
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
There is no fluid reservoir to check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Under extreme usage conditions, the steering effort may
increase. This occurs to prevent overheating and permanent damage to
your steering system. If this should occur, you will neither lose the ability
to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause permanent damage.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the system to cool and
steering assist will return to normal.
The EPS system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the
EPS system to ensure proper operation. When a system error is
detected, the following message STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE
REQUIRED, STEERING FAULT SERVICE NOW, STEERING LOSS STOP
SAFELY may display in the multifunction display. Refer to the Message
center in theInstrument Cluster chapter for more information.
WARNING:The EPS has diagnostics checks that continuously
monitor the EPS to ensure proper operation of the electronic
system. When an electronic error is detected, the message STEERING
ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED will be displayed in the message
center. If this happens, stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the
engine. After at least 10 seconds, reset the system by restarting the engine,
and watch the message center for STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE
REQUIRED. If the message returns, or returns while driving, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it checked. With the message displayed, the
steering assist is turned off, making the vehicle harder to steer.
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If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire.
• uneven tire wear.
• loose or worn suspension components.
• loose or worn steering components.
• improper steering alignment.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless the brake pedal is pressed, your charge cord
may be plugged into the vehicle, or there may be a fault with the
associated electrical system. If this is the case, you must follow the
instructions in your instrument cluster display before your vehicle will
start.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition on
and the brake pedal pressed, it is also possible that a fuse has blown or
the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to Fuses and
relays in theRoadside Emergencies chapter.
If your charge cord is not connected and there is not a fault with the
associated electrical system, the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps
are working properly, the following procedure will allow you to move the
gearshift lever from P (Park): 1. Apply the parking brake, turn the
ignition key to the off position and
remove the key.
2. Using a screwdriver (or similar tool),
carefully pry off and remove the
passenger side access cover. Remove the
fastener, then remove the console side
panel to expose the inside of the shifter
assembly.
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3. Locate the brake shift interlock
lever on the passenger side of the
shifter assembly.
4. Apply the brake pedal. Using a
screwdriver (or similar tool), press
and hold the white brake shift
interlock lever forward while pulling
the gearshift lever out of the P
(Park) position and into the N
(Neutral) position.
5. Reinstall the console side panel and attach the fastener.
6. Reinstall the access cover.
7. Apply the brake pedal, start the vehicle and release the parking brake.
See your authorized dealer as soon as possible if this procedure
is used.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brake lamps are working.
WARNING: When doing this procedure, you will be taking the
vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking brake
prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
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SINGLE SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift lever is latched in P (Park).
The single-speed transmission is built specifically to handle the high RPM
range that comes with an all-electric motor. P (Park)
Note:The vehicle can only be
started in P (Park).
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
• Press the brake pedal.
• Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear.
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
• Come to a complete stop.
• Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park).
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Drive)
The normal driving position for your vehicle. The transmission operates
in a single gear built specifically to handle the high RPM range that
comes with an all-electric motor.
L (Low)
• Provides maximum motor braking.
• Is not intended for use under extended or normal driving conditions
and results in less miles per charge.
• The transmission may be shifted into L (Low) at any vehicle speed.
PRNDL
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