
Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an airbag” Airbags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK OUR
CRASH”.
WARNING:Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt or insert a
latchplate into the buckle to avoid the Belt-Minderchime. To do
so may adversely affect the performance of the vehicle’s airbag system.
Deactivating/activating the Belt-MinderFeature (if equipped)
WARNING:While the design allows you to deactivate your
Belt-Minder, this system is designed to improve your chances of
being safely belted and surviving an accident. We recommend you leave
the Belt-Mindersystem activated for yourself and others who may use
the vehicle. To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the
Belt-Minderfeature while driving the vehicle.
Note:The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderare
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating one
seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate
the process.
Read Steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The driver and front passenger Belt-Minderfeatures can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set
•The gearshift is in P (Park)
•The vehicle is off
•The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
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STARTING
Power Modes
•Accessory – Press and release the power button without applying the
brake pedal. This powers your vehicle’s electrical system and the
warning lights in the instrument cluster illuminate, but the electric
motor remains off.
•Off – Press and release the power button without applying the brake
pedal when your vehicle is in accessory mode or when the electric
motor is running and the vehicle is not in motion. This position shuts
the electric motor and all electrical accessories off.
Note:In order to switch off the electric motor while the vehicle is in
motion, press and hold the power button for at least one second or press
the power 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, shift into park.
•Start – Press the power button (for any length of time) while applying
the brake pedal. The green Ready to Drive indicator light appears in
the instrument cluster, letting you know that the vehicle is ready for
driving.
Important Safety Precautions
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 the
Seating and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lamps and
indicatorsin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
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Push Button Start System
The power button is located on the
instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel.
Starting the Vehicle
Note:To start your vehicle, your intelligent access key (IA key) must be
present inside the vehicle.
1. Press the power button (for any length of time) while applying the
brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake, apply the brake, shift into gear and drive.
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 power 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 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.
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Type 1
Type 2
Backup Starting Method
Your IA key uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your
vehicle and authorize your vehicle to start when you press the power
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 placing the IA key at the backup
location on the steering column. After placing the IA key at the backup
location, use the power button and brake pedal 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
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 pedal and pressing the power 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.
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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 is
displayed in the multifunction display. If the vehicle is left in this state,
your key in ignition chime activates 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 remains running until being
turned off by the power 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 searches for an IA key inside the vehicle
and the multifunction display reads KEY OUTSIDE CAR 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 cannot start your vehicle outside
of the Fast Restart time (seeFast restartabove). It is important to be
aware of where your IA key is located in the vehicle, to avoid becoming
stranded without an IA key.
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 indicatorsin theInstrument
Clusterchapter 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.
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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.
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 may
be disabled and may need 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.)
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Regenerative braking system
Your vehicle uses a feature known as regenerative braking. This is used
to simulate the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and
assist the standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of
motion and storing it in the battery to improve fuel economy. The
standard brake system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative
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.
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Parking brake
To 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.
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.
ADVANCETRACSTABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
The AdvanceTracsystem 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
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