GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNINGS
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. Do not park, idle or drive your vehicle
on dry grass or other dry ground
cover. The emission system heats up
the engine compartment and exhaust
system, creating the risk of fire. Do not start the vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas.
Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always
open the garage door before you start the
vehicle. If you smell exhaust fumes inside
your vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by an authorized dealer
immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if
you smell exhaust fumes. If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics for approximately 5 miles
(8 kilometers) after you reconnect it. This
is because the engine management system
must realign itself with the engine. You can
disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all
Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field or radio noise.
When you start the vehicle, avoid pressing
the accelerator pedal before and during
operation. Only use the accelerator pedal
when you have difficulty starting the
vehicle. IGNITION SWITCH
0 (off) - The ignition is off.
Note: When you switch the ignition off and
leave your vehicle, do not leave your key in
the ignition. This could cause your vehicle
battery to lose charge.
I
(accessory) - Allows the electrical
accessories, such as the radio, to operate
while the engine is not running.
Note: Do not leave the ignition key in this
position for too long. This could cause your
vehicle battery to lose charge.
II
(on) - All electrical circuits are
operational and the warning lamps and
indicators illuminate.
III
(start) - cranks the engine.
KEYLESS STARTING
Note: The keyless starting system may not
function if the key is close to metal objects
or electronic devices such as cellular
phones.
Note: A valid key must be located inside
your vehicle to switch the ignition on and
start the vehicle.
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Ignition Modes
The keyless starting system has three
modes:
•
Off: Turns the ignition off.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode,
or when the vehicle is on but not
moving.
• On:
All electrical circuits are
operational and the warning lamps and
indicators illuminate.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.
• Start:
Starts the vehicle. The engine
may not start when the vehicle starts.
• Press the brake pedal, and then
press the button until the vehicle
turns on.
STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When the engine starts for the first time
on your drive, the idle speed increases, this
helps to warm up the engine. If the engine
idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have your vehicle checked
by an authorized dealer. Before starting the vehicle, check the
following:
•
Make sure all occupants have fastened
their safety belts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Move the transmission selector lever
to position
P.
• Turn the ignition key to position
II. If
your vehicle is equipped with a keyless
ignition, see the following instructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to position
III to start the
vehicle. Release the key when the
vehicle starts.
Note: Cranking may last for up to 15
seconds, or until the vehicle starts.
Note: If you cannot start the vehicle on the
first try, wait for a short period and try again.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Press the button.
Note: The green ready indicator illuminates
letting you know that the vehicle is ready
for driving. Since your vehicle is equipped
with a silent key start, the engine may not
start at the time of the vehicle start. See
Hybrid Electric Vehicle
(page 129).
The system does not function if:
• The key frequencies are jammed.
• The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start the vehicle, do
the following:
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The vehicle may enter Enable Engine mode
if the climate control is in a defrost mode
and the outside temperature is cold. A
message Engine Enabled Due to Defrost
will display if this occurs. If defrost is not
needed, select a different climate control
mode to permit EV Now.
When you enable EV Now, a blue EV icon
displays in the left-hand information
display. If the vehicle is in the Engine
Enabled mode, the EV icon will be yellow.
EV Now will automatically exit when the
Plug in power has been depleted.
EV Later
This mode saves most of the
high voltage battery plug in
power for future use (for
example, your initial drive is at high speeds
on open roads, but later your drive will be
at low speeds in an urban area where
plug-in power usage is most efficient).
Your vehicle will run the engine as needed
and keep most of the high voltage battery
plug in power for later use in Auto Mode or
EV Now mode.
When you enable EV Later, a white EV
Later icon appears on the left-hand
information display.
The EV Later mode will automatically reset
to EV Auto mode when you power the
vehicle off. You may press the EV button
twice during the next drive to return to EV
Later mode, if desired.
Hybrid Vehicle Operation (C-MAX
Hybrid and C-MAX Energi)
This hybrid vehicle combines electric and
gasoline propulsion to provide
breakthrough performance and improved
efficiency. Familiarizing yourself with these
unique characteristics will provide an
optimal driving experience from your new
vehicle. Note:
You may notice higher engine speeds
upon start-up. This temporary condition is
normal and necessary to heat up the cabin
and minimize emissions. Starting: When you start your
vehicle, a green ready indicator
light will appear in the lower right
portion of the instrument cluster and a
ready to drive message will appear in the
middle of the left cluster screen, letting
you know that the vehicle is ready for
driving.
The engine may not start because this
vehicle is equipped with silent key start.
This fuel saving feature allows your vehicle
to be ready –to–drive without requiring the
gas engine to be running. This indicator will
remain on while the vehicle is on, whether
the engine is running or not to indicate the
vehicle is capable of movement (using its
electric motor, engine, or both). Typically,
the engine will not start unless the vehicle
is cold, a climate control change is
requested, or the accelerator is pressed.
Driving:
The gas engine automatically
starts and stops to provide power when
needed and to save fuel when not needed.
While coasting at low speeds, coming to
a stop, or standing, the gas engine normally
shuts down and the vehicle operates in
electric-only mode. Conditions that may
cause the engine to start up or remain
running include:
• Considerable vehicle acceleration
• Vehicle speed above 85 mph (137
km/h) However, the maximum speed
for electric-only operation may be
lower while driving in hot temperatures
or on hilly terrain.
• Ascending a hill
• Charge level of high voltage battery is
low
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During certain events (such as vehicle
servicing) your low voltage 12-volt battery
may become disconnected or disabled.
Once the battery is reconnected and after
driving the vehicle, the engine may
continue to operate for three to five
seconds after the key is turned to off. This
is a normal condition.
Braking: Your hybrid is equipped with
standard hydraulic braking and
regenerative braking. Regenerative braking
is performed by your transmission and it
captures brake energy and stores it in your
high voltage battery.
Driving to optimize fuel economy
Note: Having your engine running is not
always an indication of inefficiency. In some
cases, it is actually more efficient than
driving in electric mode.
Your fuel economy should improve
throughout your hybrid's break-in period.
As with any vehicle, your driving habits and
accessory usage can significantly impact
your fuel economy. For best results, keep
in mind these tips:
• Keep the tires properly inflated and
only use the recommended size.
• Aggressive driving increases the
amount of energy required to move
your vehicle. In general, you can
achieve better fuel economy with mild
to moderate acceleration and
deceleration. Moderate braking is
particularly important since it allows
you to maximize the energy captured
by the regenerative braking system. Additional Tips:
•
Do not carry extra loads.
• Be mindful of adding external
accessories that may increase
aerodynamic drag.
• Observe posted speed limits.
• Perform all scheduled maintenance.
• There is no need to wait for your engine
to warm up. The vehicle is ready to
drive immediately after starting.
EV+ Mode
Your vehicle will recognize your frequent
destinations and allow for more EV driving
as you approach them. For example, when
nearing your home it should be easier to
stay in electric mode. The EV indicator will
display EV+ when this mode is active. You
should see this approximately 1/8 mile
(200 meters) from a frequent destination.
See
Information Displays (page 88).
Note: Frequent destinations are learned by
your vehicle after two to four weeks of use.
You can clear these destinations with a
Driving History reset through the Settings
menu.
Note: The EV+ feature can be turned on or
off through the Driver Assist section of the
Settings menu.
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C-MAX (CCG) Unique Driving Characteristics
Frequently asked questions
Answer
Question
The high voltage battery is electrically isol-ated from the rest of the vehicle when the key is off. When you turn the key on, highvoltage contactors inside the battery are
closed to make the electricity available to
the motor/generator and enable the vehicle to drive. The clicks are the sound of thesecontactors as they close and open during start up and shut down.
What are the series of clicks from the cargo
area when I first turn the key in the ignition?
The vehicle's computer will determine if an
engine start is required at key-on. Silent keystart will start the engine if it is necessaryfor cabin heating, windshield defrost, or if
the outside temperature is low. (For C-MAX Energi vehicles, the engine may not berequired to operate these functions.)
Why does the engine sometimes start at
key-on?
There are several reasons the engine stayson for an extended amount of time when
you first start it. One common reason is to
ensure that the emissions components are warm enough to minimize tailpipe emis- sions. As the climate gets cooler, this engine-on time is extended.
Why does it take a long time before the
engine shuts down?
The engine is required to turn on above thisspeed to protect the transmission hard- ware.
Why does my engine never shut down
above 85 mph (137 km/h)
In order to ensure that the climate controlsystem can begin heating the cabin or
defrosting the windshield as soon as a driver requests it, the engine coolant
temperature has to be kept sufficiently hot. Keeping the engine on is required to main- tain the correct coolant temperature.
Why does my engine stay on when it is
extremely cold outside?
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C-MAX (CCG) Unique Driving Characteristics
If the vehicle
’s engine or transmission has
just been serviced, or the battery has
recently run down or been replaced, the
OBD-II system may indicate that the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To
determine if the vehicle is ready for I/M
testing, turn the ignition key to the on
position for 15 seconds without cranking
the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that
the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing; if
the service engine soon indicator stays on
solid, it means that the vehicle is ready for
I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check
the emission control system during normal
driving. A complete check may take several
days. If the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing, the following driving cycle
consisting of mixed city and highway
driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an
expressway/highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at
least four 30-second idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight
hours with the ignition Off. Then, start the
vehicle and complete the above driving
cycle. The vehicle must warm up to its
normal operating temperature. Once
started, do not turn off the vehicle until the
above driving cycle is complete. If the
vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the
above driving cycle will have to be
repeated.
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C-MAX (CCG) Fuel and Refueling
Note:
Your electrical source must meet
certain requirements for the high-voltage
batteries to charge. The AC outlet must be
a three-prong 110-120 volt AC outlet that is
properly grounded, 15– 20 amps (or greater),
and in good condition. You must use a
dedicated line, which means you cannot
have other appliances connected to the
same circuit. If you do not use a dedicated
circuit, the circuit breaker could trip or open.
If you do not have a dedicated circuit,
contact a licensed professional electrician
for proper installation.
Make sure that the 120– volt convenience
cord is completely unwound before
charging. Always plug the cord into the AC
outlet before connecting the charging
coupler into the charge port receptacle of
your vehicle. The 120– volt convenience
cord inline control box has three indicator
lights that represent the charging status,
power, charge and fault.
Power (green light) — this indicator
lights up when you plug the cord into the
AC wall outlet.
Charge (green light) —
indicates status
of charging:
• No light means you have not connected
the cord to the vehicle.
• Blinking light means that the charging
is in process.
• Solid light means you have connected
the cord, but the vehicle is not charging.
Fault (red triangle light) —
Lights up in
case of a detected failure. No charging is
possible:
• Blinking red triangle light – means that
the 120– volt convenience cord is trying
to reset the failure and could restart
the charging cycle.
• Solid red triangle light – means that
the fault is permanent. You need to
unplug the cord and then plug it back
in to reset the fault. If the fault persists,
contact your authorized dealer. Charge Port
The charge port is located between the
front left side door and front left wheel
well. There is an indentation located on
the charge port door. Press in and release
with your thumb to open and close the
door.
Note:
Do not force the charge port door
open or closed. Forcing the door open or
closed will damage the charge port.
The light ring located around the charge
port indicates the charge status of the
high-voltage battery in your vehicle.
Divided into four quadrants, the charge
port light ring displays the state of charge
in 25 percent increments.
There is a cord acknowledgment feature
that activates when you initiate a charge
cycle. The four light quadrants will each
individually flash clockwise starting with
the top right light and ending with the top
left, two full times, confirming the system
detects the charging coupler.
Use your key fob to view the charge status
of your vehicle at any time by pressing the
unlock button. The light ring will light up
the corresponding quadrant(s) so that the
current state of charge can be determined.
If the charge is below 25 percent, the light
ring will not light. Do not forget to press the
lock button on your key fob to re-lock your
vehicle.
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3.
Remove your foot from the brake pedal
and press the START/STOP button
(ignition off).
4. Press the
START/STOP button again
to re-enable the vehicle.
Note: After completing this process the
vehicle will detect if the electrical system is
safe and reactivate. Once your vehicle
determines the electrical system safe you
can start your vehicle as you would normally
by pressing the brake in combination with
the
START/STOP button.
Note: In the event the vehicle does not
reactivate after the second key cycle,
contact an authorized dealer.
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C-MAX (CCG) High Voltage Battery