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 about 1/8 mile (200
meters) from a frequent destination. See
Information Displays (page 86).
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.
145Unique Driving Characteristics
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WARNINGS
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The
pressure in an overfilled tank may
cause leakage and lead to fuel spray
and fire.
The fuel system may be under
pressure. If you hear a hissing sound
near the fuel filler door (Easy Fuel
capless fuel system), do not refuel until
the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may spray
out, which could cause serious personal
injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious
injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump
nozzle can produce static electricity,
which can cause a fire if fuel is
pumped into an ungrounded fuel container.
Fuel ethanol and gasoline may
contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
When refueling always shut the
engine off and never allow sparks or
open flames near the filler neck.
Never smoke or use a cell phone while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely
hazardous under certain conditions. Avoid
inhaling excess fumes.
Observe the following guidelines when
handling automotive fuel:
• Extinguish all smoking materials and
any open flames before refueling your
vehicle.
• Always turn off the vehicle before
refueling. • Automotive fuels can be harmful or
fatal if swallowed. Fuel such as
gasoline is highly toxic and if
swallowed can cause death or
permanent injury. If fuel is swallowed,
call a physician immediately, even if no
symptoms are immediately apparent.
The toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.
• Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too
much fuel vapor of any kind can lead
to eye and respiratory tract irritation.
In severe cases, excessive or prolonged
breathing of fuel vapor can cause
serious illness and permanent injury.
• Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If
fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove
contact lenses (if worn), flush with
water for 15 minutes and seek medical
attention. Failure to seek proper
medical attention could lead to
permanent injury.
• Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed
through the skin. If fuel is splashed on
the skin, clothing or both, promptly
remove contaminated clothing and
wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Repeated or prolonged skin
contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes
skin irritation.
• Be particularly careful if you are taking
“Antabuse” or other forms of disulfiram
for the treatment of alcoholism.
Breathing gasoline vapors, or skin
contact could cause an adverse
reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious
personal injury or sickness may result.
If fuel is splashed on the skin, promptly
wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately
if you experience an adverse reaction.
148Fuel and Refueling
WARNINGS
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
your 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.
Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel System
(Non-Energi Vehicles) WARNING
The fuel system may be under
pressure. 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.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Put the vehicle in position P and switch
the ignition off. E166527
2. Press the center-rear edge of the fuel
filler door and release to open. E156032
Note: Hold the handle of the fuel filler
nozzle higher while you insert the nozzle for
easier access.
3. Slowly insert the fuel filler nozzle fully
into the fuel system to open both
doors. Leave the nozzle fully inserted
until you have stopped pumping fuel.
E154765
150Fuel and Refueling
Note: 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.
4. After you have stopped pumping fuel,
slowly remove the fuel filler nozzle.
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.
5. To close the fuel filler door, press the
center rear edge of the fuel filler door
and then release. The fuel door will
latch closed.
If the fuel fill inlet did not close properly, a
Check Fuel Fill Inlet message may
appear on the instrument cluster.
At the next opportunity, do the following:
1. Safely pull off the road.
2. Put the vehicle in position P and switch
the ignition off.
3. Open the fuel filler door and remove
any visible debris from the fuel fill
opening.
4. Insert the fuel fill nozzle, or the fuel fill
funnel provided with your vehicle,
several times to allow the inlet to close
properly. This will dislodge any debris
preventing the inlet from sealing.
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 or highway driving. Continuing to
drive with the message on may cause the
service engine soon lamp to turn on as
well. Easy Fuel™ Capless System
(Energi Vehicles Only) WARNING
The fuel system may be under
pressure. 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.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Put the vehicle in position P and switch
the ignition off. E166527
2. Press the center-rear edge of the fuel
filler door and release to open.
E146221
3. Press the button located on the center
console to open the fuel filler door. It
could take up to 15 seconds for the fuel
door to pop open allowing you to insert
the fuel filler nozzle.
151Fuel and Refueling
The manual override lever is located inside
of the trunk on the left rear-side panel.
When using the fuel door manual override
to access the fuel fill inlet:
1. Switch the ignition on prior using a
manual override. E156033
2. Pull the manual override mechanism
located in trunk.
3. Switch off and complete refueling
within 20 minutes. If more than 20
minutes is required, close fuel door, and
repeat the 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.
If you do not properly close the fuel fill
inlet, a Check Fuel Fill Inlet message may
appear on the instrument cluster. At the
next opportunity, do the following:
1. Safely pull off the road.
2. Put the vehicle in position P and switch
the ignition off.
3. Open the fuel filler door and remove
any visible debris from the fuel fill
opening. 4. Insert the fuel fill nozzle or the fuel fill
funnel provided with your vehicle
several times to allow the inlet to close
properly. This will dislodge any debris
preventing the inlet from sealing.
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:
• To start the vehicle with a keyless
ignition, just start the engine. Crank
time will be longer than usual.
• Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of
fuel is enough to restart the vehicle. 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.
Refilling With a Portable Fuel
Container (Except Energi
Vehicles)
WARNINGS
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.
153Fuel and Refueling
WARNINGS
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.
E163066
The funnel is located in the rear of the
vehicle, inside the load compartment,
underneath the load floor carpet and is
accessible from the trunk.
1. Locate the portable funnel that comes
with your vehicle.
E157279 2. Slowly insert the funnel into the
capless fuel system.
E157280
3. Fill the vehicle with fuel from the
portable fuel container.
154Fuel and Refueling
4. When done, clean the funnel or
properly dispose of it. Extra funnels can
be purchased from your authorized
dealer if you choose to dispose of the
funnel.
Refilling With a Portable Fuel
Container (Energi Vehicles Only) WARNINGS
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. WARNINGS
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.
E163067
The funnel is located in the rear of the
vehicle, inside the load compartment,
underneath the load floor carpet and is
accessible from the trunk (remove
120–volt convenience cord for access).
1. Locate the portable funnel that comes
with your vehicle.
155Fuel and Refueling
E146221
2. Press the fuel button located on the
center console. Wait up to 15 seconds
for the fuel door to open. A Ready to
Fuel message will appear in the
information display screen.
3. Locate the portable funnel that comes
with your vehicle.
E157279
4. Slowly insert the funnel into the
capless fuel system.
E157280 5. Fill the vehicle with fuel from the
portable fuel container.
6. Close the fuel door.
Note: If the fuel door is not closed and the
vehicle is driven, the check engine light in
the instrument cluster may come on.
7. When done, clean the funnel or
properly dispose of it. Extra funnels can
be purchased from your authorized
dealer if you choose to dispose of the
funnel.
FUEL CONSUMPTION Note: The amount of usable fuel in the
empty reserve varies and should not be
relied upon to increase driving range. When
refueling your vehicle after the fuel gauge
indicates empty, you might not be able to
refuel the full amount of the advertised
capacity of the fuel tank due to the empty
reserve still present in the tank.
Empty reserve is the amount of fuel
remaining in the tank after the fuel gauge
indicates empty. Do not rely on this fuel for
driving. The usable capacity of the fuel
tank is the amount of fuel that can be put
into the tank after the gauge indicates
empty. The advertised capacity is the total
fuel tank size – it is the combined usable
capacity plus the empty reserve.
Filling the Tank For consistent results when filling the fuel
tank:
• Turn the ignition off before fueling; an
inaccurate reading results if the engine
is left running.
• Use the same fill rate
(low-medium-high) each time the tank
is filled.
• Allow no more than two automatic
click-offs when filling.
156Fuel and Refueling