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Vehicles with an automatic transmission and push button start
system:
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Activate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP button, butnot
applying the brake pedal.
3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the N (Neutral)
position. Theremustbe battery power to properly move the
transmission’s internal components to N (Neutral). Also, moving the
gearshift to the N (Neutral) without first having the ignition on limits the
towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and 50 miles (80 km).
4. Deactivate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP button, butnot
applying the brake pedal.
5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. (The door key
[inside the Intelligent Access Key] is needed to lock/unlock doors when
the battery cable is disconnected. Also, the anti-theft system is disabled
until the battery cable is reconnected.) Refer toBatteryin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter when disconnecting and
reconnecting the battery cable.
6. The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
7. There is no limitation on towing distance.
8. When done towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting
the battery cable. When reconnecting that cable, tighten it until it’s snug
against the terminal; be careful not to overtighten.
Note:The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transmission components. In addition, it is
recommended that you follow the instructions provided by the
aftermarket manufacturer of the towing equipment, if provided.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer to
Push button start systemin this section for ignition modes.
1. 0 (off) — locks the automatic
transmission gearshift lever and
allows key removal. This position
also shuts the engine and all
electrical accessories off.Note:In
order to switch off the engine while
the vehicle is in motion, shift to
neutral and use the brakes to bring
the vehicle to a safe stop. After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine
off and shift into park. Then, turn the key to the accessory or off
position.
2. I (accessory) — allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
3. II (on) — all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated.
Key position when driving.
4. III (start) — cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
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WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
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•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Press the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to II (on) without
turning the key to III (start).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
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Starting the engine
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer
toPush button start systemin this section for starting.
1. Turn the key to II (on) without
turning the key to III (start).
2. Turn the key to III (start), then
release the key as soon as the
engine begins cranking. Your vehicle
has a computer assisted cranking
system that assists in starting the
engine. After releasing the key from
the III (start) position, the engine may continue cranking for up to
10 seconds or until the vehicle starts.
Note:Cranking may be stopped at any time by turning the key to the off
position.
3. After idling for a few seconds, release the parking brake, apply the
brake, shift into gear and drive.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, turn the vehicle to the
off position, wait 10 seconds and try Step 2 again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try Step 2 again, keeping
the accelerator on the floor until the engine begins to accelerate above
cranking speeds; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off
in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Push button start system (if equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with the
push button start system, you can
start your vehicle by pressing the
start button in combination with the
brake pedal (automatic
transmission) or clutch pedal
(manual transmission) rather than
using a key. The start button is
located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering wheel.
In order to operate the push button
start system and start the vehicle, your intelligent access key (IA key)
must be present inside the vehicle.
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Ignition modes
1. Off — press and release the START/STOP button without applying the
brake pedal (automatic transmission) or clutch pedal (manual
transmission) when your vehicle is in on mode or when the engine is
running.Note:In order to switch off the engine while the vehicle is in
motion, press and hold the START/STOP button for at least one second,
or press the START/STOP button three times within two seconds. Then,
shift to neutral and use the brakes to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
After the vehicle has stopped, turn the engine off and shift into park.
WARNING:Switching off the engine when the vehicle is still
moving will result in a loss of brake and steering assistance. The
steering will not be locked, but higher effort will be required. When the
ignition is switched off some electrical circuits, warning lights and
indicators may also be off.
2. On — press the START/STOP button without applying the brake pedal
(automatic transmission) or clutch pedal (manual transmission). This will
power your vehicle’s electrical system and the warning lights in the
instrument cluster will illuminate, but the engine will remain off.
3. Start — press the START/STOP button (for any length of time) while
applying the brake pedal (automatic transmission) or clutch pedal
(manual transmission).
There may be areas inside your vehicle where the IA key is not detected.
If the message KEY NOT DETECTED appears on your multifunction
display when you press the START/STOP button, it may be necessary to
move your IA key to another area within the vehicle. The IA key may not
be detected near the roof (between the driver or passenger sunvisor and
the roof, or in the overhead console area) or in the extreme corners of
the rear package tray, near your audio speakers. It is not recommended
that you stow the IA key in these locations. If you move the IA key to a
location where it has been detected before and you still see the KEY
NOT DETECTED message, your IA key’s battery may be low or you may
be in an area with excessive radio frequency interference. If this occurs,
you can use the backup method to start your vehicle (see below).
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Backup method of starting:Your
IA key uses a radio frequency signal
to communicate with your vehicle
and authorize your vehicle to start
when you press the START/STOP
button and apply the brake pedal or
clutch pedal. If excessive radio
frequency interference is present in
the area, or if the battery in your IA
key is low, it may be necessary to
start your car by holding the IA key
to the backup location near the steering column. After holding the IA
key to the backup location, use the START/STOP button and brake pedal
(automatic transmission) or clutch pedal (manual transmission) to start
your vehicle as usual. The vehicle should respond normally as long as the
IA key is at the backup location on the steering column. Once the vehicle
is started, the IA key can be moved from the backup location, if desired.
Fast restart feature:The fast restart feature allows you to re-start
your vehicle within 10 seconds of switching the vehicle off, if a valid IA
key is not present when the vehicle is switched off. You can re-start the
vehicle (by applying the brake/clutch pedal and pressing the
START/STOP button) for up to 10 seconds, even though the IA key is
not present. After 10 seconds have expired, you can no longer start your
vehicle without the IA key present inside the vehicle. If the driver door is
opened within this 10 seconds, the fast restart timer expires immediately.
Switching the vehicle off when not in P (Park):It is recommended
that you shift into the P (Park) position before switching your vehicle
off. If you switch your vehicle off with the shifter in any position other
than P (Park), the message SHIFT TO PARK will be displayed in the
multifunction display. If the vehicle is left in this state, your key in
ignition chime will activate when the driver door is opened, and you may
drain your vehicle’s battery. In order to avoid draining your battery, it is
recommended that you always shift to P (Park) before or immediately
after switching your vehicle off.
Absence of the intelligent access key:Once the vehicle has started,
the vehicle will remain running until being turned off by the
START/STOP button, even if the IA key is no longer found in the vehicle.
Whenever a door is opened and then closed while the vehicle is running,
the system will search for an IA key inside the vehicle and the
multifunction display will display KEY OUTSIDE CAR if the IA key is no
longer present. This message is a reminder that someone else in the
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Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
Refer toWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Under normal operating conditions, brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels. Some brake dust is inevitable as brakes wear and does not
contribute to brake noise. The use of modern friction materials with
emphasis on improved performance and environmental considerations
can lead to more dust than in the past. Brake dust can be cleaned by
weekly washing with soapy water and a soft sponge. Heavier deposits can
be removed with MotorcraftWheel and Tire Cleaner. See theCleaning
chapter for more information.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
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