2013 FORD C MAX Owners Manual

Octane Recommendations
Regular unleaded gasoline with a
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer
fuels posted as Regular with an
octane rating below 87, particularly
in high altitude areas. Fuels with octane levels below 87 are not
recommended.
Regular unleaded gasoline with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 is
recommended. Some stations offer fuels posted as “Regular” with an
octane rating below 87, particularly in high altitude areas. Fuels with
octane levels below 87 are not recommended.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel Freshness Mode (Energi Vehicles Only)
This feature helps keeps the fuel system functional and the fuel fresh.
If you operate your vehicle mainly in plug-in power mode using
electricity from plugging in without refueling, the gasoline in your tank
eventually becomes old. Old fuel can damage the engine and fuel system.
To prevent the fuel from becoming old, your vehicle will automatically
enter fuel freshness mode. In fuel freshness mode operates, your vehicle
will operate in hybrid mode causing the gasoline engine to run in order
to consume the fuel in the fuel tank.
Note:
If new fuel is not added during an 18 month period, fuel freshness
mode will consume fuel until about 1 gallon (3.8 liters) is left in the tank.
During fuel freshness mode:
•The information display screen will indicate that fuel freshness mode
is active.
•The vehicle will only run in hybrid mode. EV Now mode will not be
available.
•Most of the plug-in power will be stored until fuel freshness mode is
completed.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Note:EV Now mode can resume if less than 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of fuel
is left in the tank.
Note:In most cases, when the fuel level is below 1/4 tank, refueling the
vehicle will end fuel freshness mode and EV Now will now become
available. Refueling after consuming a full tank in fuel freshness mode
will end the mode.
Note:It is recommended to use a fuel stabilizer if you consume less
than a full tank of fuel during an 18 month period.
REFUELING
WARNING:Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause
severe injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others:
•Read and follow all the instructions on the pump island.
•Turn off your engine when you are refueling.
•Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.
•Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from fuel.
•Stay outside your vehicle and do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling your vehicle - this is against the law in some places.
•
Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.
•Do not use personal electronic devices while refueling.
Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Using the Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel System (Except C-MAX Energi)
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. Insert the
fuel nozzle slowly. If you hear a hissing sound near the fuel filler
door, do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray
out, which could cause serious personal injury.
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When fueling your vehicle:
1. Put the vehicle inP(Park) and turn the ignition off.
2. Open the fuel filler door.
3. Slowly insert the fuel filler nozzle
fully into the fuel system, and leave
the nozzle fully inserted to open
both doors until you are done
pumping. Hold handle higher
during insertion for easier access.
4. After you are done pumping
fuel, slowly remove the fuel filler
nozzle—allow about five to ten
seconds after pumping fuel before
removing the fuel filler nozzle.
This allows residual fuel to drain
back into the fuel tank and not
spill onto the vehicle.
Note:A fuel spillage concern may occur if overfilling the fuel tank.
Do not overfill the tank to the point that the fuel is able to bypass the
fuel filler nozzle. The overfilled fuel may run down the drain located
below and in front of the fuel filler door.
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If the fuel fill inlet was not properly closed, a Check Fuel Fill Inlet
message may appear on the information display screen. At the next
opportunity, do the following:
1. Safely pull off the road.
2. Put the vehicle inP(Park) and turn the ignition off.
3. Open the fuel filler door and remove any visible debris from the fuel
fill opening.
4. Insert either the fuel fill nozzle or the fuel fill funnel provided with the
vehicle several times to dislodge any debris and/or allow the inlet to
close properly.
If this action corrects the problem, the message may not reset
immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the message to turn
off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up (after four or more
hours with the engine off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing
to drive with the message on may cause the service engine soon lamp to
turn on as well.
Using the Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel System (C-MAX Energi Only)
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. Insert the
fuel nozzle slowly. If you hear a hissing sound near the fuel filler
door, do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray
out, which could cause serious personal injury.
Note:Your vehicle features a locking fuel door and an Easy Fuel™
system which has a auto-sealing feature that locks the fuel tank refueling
valve. Before you can refuel your vehicle you must first press the button
located on your instrument panel. Pressing this button will unlock the
fuel tank refueling valve allowing the fuel filler door to open so that the
fuel filler nozzle can be inserted into the fuel tank. This could take up to
15 seconds before the fuel filler door pops open allowing the insertion of
the fuel filler nozzle. In the event that the fuel valve does not unlock
automatically you can pull the manual override lever located in the
trunk. This will open the refueling door and allow access to fill your
vehicle.
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When fueling your vehicle:
1. Put the vehicle inP(Park) and turn the ignition off.
2. Press the fuel button located on
the instrument panel.
3. Wait up to 15 seconds before
opening the fuel filler door.
During this time a Please Wait to
Refuel message will appear in the
information display screen.
Note:When the door is open a Ready to Refuel message will appear in
the information display screen indicating that the vehicle is ready to
be filled. The vehicle will remain ready to refuel for approximately
20 minutes. If more than 20 minutes is exceeded, the refueling button
will need to be pressed again. (You may experience the fuel pump
shutting off if the refuel button is not pressed again).
4. Slowly insert the fuel filler nozzle
fully into the fuel system, and leave
the nozzle fully inserted to open
both doors until you are done
pumping. Hold handle higher
during insertion for easier access.
5. After you are done pumping
fuel, slowly remove the fuel filler
nozzle—allow about five to ten
seconds after pumping fuel before
removing the fuel filler nozzle.
This allows residual fuel to drain
back into the fuel tank and not spill
onto the vehicle.
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Manual override procedure
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. Insert the
fuel nozzle slowly. If you hear a hissing sound near the fuel filler
door, do not refuel until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray
out, which could cause serious personal injury.
The manual override lever is located inside of the trunk on the right rear
side panel.
Remove the panel to access the lever.
When using the fuel door manual override to access the fuel fill inlet:
1. You must key on prior to using a manual override.
2. Open the fuel door with the manual override mechanism located in
trunk.
3. Key off and complete refueling within 15 minutes. If more than
15 minutes is required, close fuel door, and repeat procedure.
This will enable you to refuel without any issue.
Note:A fuel spillage concern may occur if overfilling the fuel tank.
Do not overfill the tank to the point that the fuel is able to bypass the
fuel filler nozzle. The overfilled fuel may run down the drain located
below and in front of the fuel filler door.
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If the fuel fill inlet was not properly closed, a Check Fuel Fill Inlet
message may appear on the information display screen. At the next
opportunity, do the following:
1. Safely pull off the road.
2. Put the vehicle inP(Park) and turn the ignition off.
3. Open the fuel filler door and remove any visible debris from the fuel
fill opening.
4. Insert either the fuel fill nozzle or the fuel fill funnel provided with the
vehicle several times to dislodge any debris and/or allow the inlet to
close properly.
If this action corrects the problem, the message may not reset
immediately. It may take several driving cycles for the message to turn
off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up (after four or more
hours with the engine off) followed by city/highway driving. Continuing
to drive with the message on may cause the service engine soon lamp to
turn on as well.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on vehicle components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on after refueling to
allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to the engine.
•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8 liters) may be required.
•The service engine soon indicator may come on. For more information
on the service engine soon indicator, refer toWarning lamps and
indicatorsin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
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Refilling with a Portable Fuel Container
WARNING:Do not insert the nozzle of portable fuel containers
or aftermarket funnels into the capless fuel system. This could
damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto the
ground instead of filling the tank, which could result in serious personal
injury.
WARNING:Do not try to pry open or push open the capless fuel
system with foreign objects. This could damage the fuel system
and its seal and cause injury to you or others.
Note:Do not use aftermarket funnels; they will not work with the
capless fuel system and can damage it. The included funnel has been
specially designed to work safely with your vehicle.
When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from a portable fuel container, use the
funnel included with the vehicle.
Locate the plastic funnel that comes with your vehicle.
•In C-MAX vehicles, the funnel is
located in the rear of the vehicle
inside the load compartment.
•In C-MAX Energi vehicles the
funnel is located in the rear of
the vehicle, inside storage
compartment.
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