Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehiclescan be towed with all four wheels
on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow
dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
refer to the towing instructions below.
All-wheel drive (AWD) vehiclescan be towed with all four wheels on
the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle
transport trailer.Do not tow your AWD vehicle with the front
wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels
on the ground; this will cause damage to your AWD system.If you
are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by
the equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the
ground, refer to the towing instructions below.
If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow these
instructions:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission shift lever in N (Neutral).
•Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter).
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and at each fuel stop.
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STARTING
Ignition modes
1. Off — This position shuts the engine and all electrical accessories off.
Press and release the START/STOP button without applying the brake
pedal when your vehicle is in accessory or on modes or when the engine
is running and there is no vehicle speed.
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.
2. Accessory — This allows electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running. Press and release the
START/STOP button without applying the brake pedal. ACCESSORY
POWER ACTIVE and PRESS BRAKE TO START will be displayed in the
message center. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for more information.
3. On — This will power your vehicle’s electrical system and the warning
lights in the instrument cluster will illuminate, but the engine will remain
off. Press and hold the START/STOP button for at least one second
without applying the brake pedal.
4. Start — Cranks the engine. Press the START/STOP button (for any
length of time) while applying the brake pedal.
Starting your vehicle
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
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 toStarting the enginein this
chapter.
To avoid potential transmission damage at extremely cold temperatures
(below -20°F [-30°C]), it is recommended that the vehicle be warmed up
to normal operating temperature before driving at highway speeds above
50 mph (80 km/h). Normal operating temperature is normally reached
after 10 minutes of moderate driving or idling.
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•Make sure the gearshift lever is in
P (Park).
Push button start system
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. The start button is
located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering wheel.
Note:To start your vehicle, your
intelligent access key (IA key) must
be present inside the vehicle.
Starting the engine
1. Press the START/STOP button (for any length of time) while applying
the brake pedal. Your vehicle has a computer assisted cranking system
that assists in starting the engine. After releasing the button from the 4
(start) position, the engine may continue cranking for up to 10 seconds
or until the vehicle starts.
Note:You cannot immediately start your vehicle from the on mode, you
must first switch the vehicle off.Note:The indicator light on the start
button will illuminate when the vehicle is in on mode and when the
engine is started.
2. 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 1 again. If the engine still fails
to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try Step 1 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.
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There may be areas inside your vehicle where the IA key is not detected.
If the message NO KEY DETECTED appears on your message center
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 sun visor and
the roof, or in the overhead console area), or in the third row seat cup
holder and armrest 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 NO KEY 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
back-up method to start your vehicle (see below).
Back-up 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. 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 inserting the IA key in
the back-up slot, located in the rear of the center console utility
compartment. Insert the IA key into the slot with buttons facing out and
with key ring up. After inserting the IA key into the back-up slot, use the
START/STOP button and brake pedal to start your vehicle as usual. The
vehicle should respond normally as long as the IA key is in the back-up
slot in the center console utility compartment. Once the vehicle is
started, the IA key can be removed from the back-up slot, if desired.
Fast restart feature:The Fast Restart feature allows you to re-start
your vehicle within 20 seconds of switching the vehicle off, if a valid IA
key is not present when the vehicle is switched off. When you switch
your vehicle off without an IA key in the passenger compartment, the
message RESTART NOW OR KEY IS NEEDED will be displayed in the
message center. You can re-start the vehicle (by applying the brake pedal
and pressing the START/STOP button) for up to 20 seconds, even
though the IA key is not present. After 20 seconds have expired, you can
no longer start your vehicle without the IA key present inside the
vehicle.
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Switching the vehicle off when not in 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 message
center. 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 message
center will display NO KEY DETECTED if the IA key is no longer
present. This message is a reminder that someone else in the vehicle
may have taken the IA key when exiting the vehicle. If the IA key is no
longer present in the vehicle, you will not be able to re-start your vehicle
outside of the Fast Restart time (seeFast Restart Featureabove). It is
important to be aware of where your IA key is located in the vehicle, to
avoid becoming stranded without an IA key.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating or
air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
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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.
Brake assist
The brake assist system provides full braking force during panic braking
situations. It detects a rapid application of the brake pedal and uses the
ABS system to achieve maximum braking pressure. Once a panic brake
application is detected, the system will remain activated as long as the
brake pedal is pressed or ABS is engaged. The system is deactivated by
either releasing the brake pedal or coming to a complete stop. When the
system activates, noise from the ABS pump motor and brake pedal
pulsation may be observed; this is normal.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS is disabled due to a malfunction and needs to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.
Brake over accelerator
This vehicle is equipped with a brake over accelerator feature. In the
event the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, applying steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal will both slow the vehicle and
reduce engine power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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AdvanceTracFeatures
Control
switch
functionsModeStability
control
off light
Message
center
displayESC/
RSCTCS
Default at
start-upSystem
InitializationTurns on
during
bulb
checkNothing
displayedEnabled Enabled
Control
switch
pressed
once
momentarilyTraction
control OFFOnTRACTION
CONTROL
OFFEnabled Disabled
Control
switch
pressed
again after
deactivationAdvanceTrac
fully enabledOffADVANCE
TRAC ONEnabled Enabled
Trailer sway control (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with trailer sway control. When properly
equipped, trailer sway control will use the vehicle’s AdvanceTracwith
RSCsystem to detect and mitigate trailer sway by applying brake force
at individual wheels and, if necessary, by reducing engine power.
Note:Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from swaying, it
mitigates the sway from increasing once it has occurred. TSC cannot
stop all trailers from swaying. If you are experiencing trailer sway it is
likely that the trailer is improperly loaded for the correct tongue weight
or the speed of the vehicle and trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer
over to a safe location to check the trailer weight distribution and tongue
load and reduce speed to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is
experienced, SLOW DOWN. Always use caution when towing a trailer
and follow the tongue weight recommendations. Refer toTrailer towing
in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information on
towing a trailer with your vehicle.
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WARNING:The EPS system has diagnostics checks that
continuously monitor the EPS system to ensure proper operation
of the electronic system. When an electronic error is detected, the
message POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT 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 POWER
STEERING ASSIST FAULT. 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.
WARNING:If the message SERVICE POWER STEERING is
displayed in the message center, the EPS system has detected a
problem with the system function. On the next key cycle the message
SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW will be displayed and steering
assist will be removed until the steering system is serviced. Have your
vehicle taken to the nearest dealer as soon as possible.
3.7L V6 Duratecengine:Your vehicle is equipped with a hydraulic
steering system.
To help prevent damage to the power steering system, never hold the
steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than
a few seconds when the engine is running. If the power steering system
breaks down (or if the engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low
power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
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