Remove all unnecessary items and unnecessary dead weight from the vehicle.
Remove unnecessary aftermarket components
The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less fuel it will consume. Aftermarket components such as
bicycle racks reduce its aerodynamic performance.
Therefore, remove unnecessary structures and unused rack systems, particularly if planning to drive at
higher speeds.
See additional tips on using your hybrid drive to help reduce fuel consumption.
WARNING
When powered by the electric motor, the vehicle makes much less noise, both when idling
and driving, than when it is running on the internal combustion engine. It is much harder or
even impossible for the drivers of other vehicles and above all for cyclists, pedestrians, and
children to hear the vehicle when it is running on electrical power.
x Pedestrians and others can be struck and seriously injured because they cannot hear the
vehicle and tell that it is getting close to them, for instance when you are parking, backing up,
or driving in a low-speed zone where there is likely to be pedestrian traffic.
x Always watch out for pedestrians, especially small children, cyclists, and others who may
not hear the vehicle or realize that it is about to move or will cross their path of travel.
x Always be especially careful in residential areas, school zones, and other places where
the speed of motor vehicles is restricted and pedestrians may be at greater risk.
x Make sure the ignition and the hybrid drive system have both been turned off before
leaving the vehicle.
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when hybrid drive system indicator lights are still lit. The vehicle can
move if the accelerator is depressed even though the combustion engine has been stopped.
This can cause accidents and severe or fatal injuries.
x Make sure the transmission is in Park (P) before you get out of the vehicle.
WARNING
Never support the vehicle with cinder blocks, bricks, or other objects to inspect it. The
vehicle could slip or move suddenly and cause an accident with serious personal injury.
WARNING
Never let the hybrid battery get wet. Liquids and other fluids can cause short circuits,
electrical shock, burns, and explosions.
x Never carry large amounts of liquids or other fluids in the luggage compartment.
x Always make sure that any containers with liquids and other fluids are properly secured
and tightly closed to prevent leakage during normal driving as well as hard cornering,
braking, and other vehicle maneuvers. Leaking liquids can get into the cover of the high-
voltage battery and the high-voltage cable connections. This can damage the electrical
system and the high-voltage battery.
Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty. There may not always be enough charge in
the high-voltage battery to get to the next gas station.
Warning and display messages
Driving situations Requirements and
conditions Vehicle behavior
Driving in city traffic. – Select a moderate speed. Driving in fully electric mode at this level is
possible with a constant speed of up to
about 37 mph (60 km/h) on a flat road
surface .
– Avoid full acceleration. The fuel consumption is reduced with
moderate acceleration due to higher
efficiency of the combustion engine and
driving in fully electric mode is possible.
– Careful use of the %
Sailing
If the accelerator is not depressed and the lever is in position D, the combustion engine is switched off,
even at higher speeds. The vehicle then decelerates slower than conventional vehicles. This feature
can be used to help reduce fuel consumption when you keep traffic conditions in mind and can
anticipate the vehicle's power requirements. The instrument cluster powermeter shows zero.
Brake energy regeneration (Recuperation/charge)
When the vehicle brakes, the electrical energy is generated by the electric motor, which works as an
alternator and charges the high-voltage battery. The same thing occurs while the vehicle is coasting to
a stop or driving downhill.
Energy regeneration is shown in the instrument cluster display or on the Infotainment System screen.
The combustion engine may be switched off automatically in this situation. The instrument cluster
powermeter registers below zero.
Automatic starting - combustion engine
The combustion engine is started automatically in a number of situations.
x Engine temperature is too low.
x Catalytic converter temperature is too low.
x The high-voltage battery requires recharging.
x High-voltage battery is being charged at high rate when decelerating. The high-voltage battery
cannot absorb any more energy and for this reason the electric motor cannot brake the vehicle. The
combustion engine comes on to help slow the vehicle down (engine brake).
x Engine hood is open.
x Leaving the vehicle when the electric motor is still “live”. The status of the electric motor is not
always obvious, particularly when the combustion engine is not running. The combustion engine will
therefore start if the driver's safety belt is unlatched or the driver's door is opened when the
transmission is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) .
Energy flow display
Fig. 113 Energy flow display. A: Instrument cluster. B: Infotainment System.