
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
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. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Alloy
Wheels (page 237). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 83).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
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 engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Move the transmission to park (P),
switch the engine off and apply the parking
brake. Inspect the accelerator pedal for
any interference. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake
heavily by measuring the rate at which you
press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long as you
press the pedal. Brake assist can reduce
stopping distances in critical situations. Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you turn the
ignition on. If the light does not
illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the system may be disabled. Have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer. If the anti-lock brake system is
disabled, normal braking is still effective. If the brake warning lamp
illuminates when you release the
parking brake, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Regenerative Braking System
This feature 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 the
range of your vehicle. 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
155
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review BrakesE144522 E144522

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.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
Note:
When the system is operating, the
brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks when:
• You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
PARKING BRAKE WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully
and leave your vehicle with the
transmission selector lever in
position P. Note:
Do not press the release button while
pulling the lever up.
To apply the parking brake: 1. Press the foot brake pedal firmly.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up to its
fullest extent.
Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing uphill, move the transmission selector
lever to position
P and turn the steering
wheel away from the curb.
Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing downhill, move the transmission
selector lever to
P and turn the steering
wheel toward the curb.
To release the parking brake:
1. Press the brake pedal firmly.
2. Pull the lever up slightly.
3. Press the release button and push the lever down.
HILL START ASSIST WARNINGS
The system does not replace the
parking brake. When you leave your
vehicle, always apply the parking
brake and put the transmission in park (P). You must remain in your vehicle once
you have activated the system.
During all times, you are responsible
for controlling your vehicle,
supervising the system and
intervening, if required. If the engine is revved excessively, or
if a malfunction is detected, the
system will be deactivated.
The system makes it easier to pull away
when your vehicle is on a slope without the
need to use the parking brake.
156
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Brakes

When the system is active, your vehicle will
remain stationary on the slope for two to
three seconds after you release the brake
pedal. This allows you time to move your
foot from the brake to the accelerator
pedal. The brakes are released
automatically once the engine has
developed sufficient drive to prevent your
vehicle from rolling down the slope. This
is an advantage when pulling away on a
slope, (for example from a car park ramp,
traffic lights or when reversing uphill into
a parking space).
The system will activate automatically on
any slope that will cause significant vehicle
rollback.
Using Hill Start Assist
1. Press the brake pedal to bring your
vehicle to a complete standstill. Keep
the brake pedal pressed.
2. If the sensors detect that your vehicle is on a slope, the system will activate
automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, your vehicle will remain
on the slope without rolling away for
about two or three seconds. This hold
time will automatically be extended if
you are in the process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. The brakes will release automatically.
157
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Brakes

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
In certain situations for example, stuck in
snow or mud, turning the traction control
off may be beneficial as this allows the
wheels to spin with full engine power.
Depending on the type of system you have
on your vehicle, you can either turn the
system off using the information display
or by pressing the button.
Switching the System Off Using
the Information Display Controls
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle comes with this feature
already enabled. If required, you can switch
this feature off using the information
display controls. See General
Information (page 88).
Switching the System Off Using a
Switch
(If Equipped)
The button is located in the instrument
panel.
Press the button. You will see a message
in conjunction with an illuminated icon in
the display. Press the button again to
return the system to normal mode.
When you switch the traction control
system off, stability control remains fully
active. System Indicator Lights and
Messages WARNING
If a failure has been detected within
the AdvanceTrac system, the
stability control light will illuminate
steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac
system was not manually disabled through
the information display. If the stability
control light still illuminates steadily, have
the system serviced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle
with AdvanceTrac disabled could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. The stability control light
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and flashes
when a driving condition activates the
stability system. The stability control off light
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and stays on
when you turn the traction control system
off.
When you turn the traction control system
off or on, a message appears in the
information display showing system status.
158
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Traction ControlE138639

PARKING AID (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this
section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving in reverse on a flat surface at
parking speeds. Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, and external
motors and fans may also affect the
function of the sensing system; this may
include reduced performance or a false
activation. To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in reverse (R) and
when using the sensing system.
This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to
provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging the vehicle. The system may not
detect smaller objects, particularly those
close to the ground. Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps. Note:
Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system ’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms. Note:
If your vehicle is equipped with
MyKey, it is possible to prevent turning the
sensing system off. See
MyKey ™ (page
49).
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of the
bumper area. The system turns on
automatically whenever the ignition is
switched on.
When receiving a detection warning, the
radio volume is reduced to a
predetermined level. After the warning
goes away, the radio volume returns to the
previous level.
Rear Sensing System
The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in reverse (R). As the
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is fewer than
12 in
(30 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If a stationary or receding
object is detected farther than
12 in
(30 cm) from the side of the vehicle, the
tone sounds for only three seconds. Once
the system detects an object approaching,
the warning sounds again.
161
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Parking Aids

For specific information on the reverse
sensing portion of the system, refer to that
section.
Press the button to switch the system off.
It remains off for the entire ignition cycle.
The system can also be switched off
through the information display.
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (If Equipped)
WARNING
This system is designed to be a
supplementary park aid. It may not
work in all conditions and is not
intended to replace the driver ’s attention
and judgment. The driver is responsible for
avoiding hazards and maintaining a safe
distance and speed, even when the system
is in use. Note:
The driver is always responsible for
controlling the vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening if required.
The system detects an available parallel
parking space and automatically steers
the vehicle into the space (hands-free)
while you control the accelerator, gearshift
and brakes. The system visually and
audibly instructs you to park the vehicle. The system may not function correctly if
something passes between the front
bumper and the parking space (i.e. a
pedestrian or cyclist) or if the edge of the
neighboring parked vehicle is high from the
ground (i.e. a bus, tow truck or flatbed
truck).
Note:
The sensors may not detect objects
in heavy rain or other conditions that cause
disruptive reflections.
Note: The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Note: After a tire change the system will go
through a relearning procedure. During this
time the system performance may
deteriorate.
The system should not be used if:
• a foreign object (i.e. bike rack or trailer)
is attached to the front or rear of the
vehicle or at another location close to
the sensors.
• an overhanging object (i.e. surfboard)
is attached to the roof.
• the front bumper or side sensors are
damaged (i.e. in a collision) or
obstructed by a foreign object (i.e. front
bumper cover).
• a mini-spare tire is in use.
Using Active Park Assist 163
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Parking AidsE142434 E142733

When you think the vehicle has enough
space in front and behind it, or you hear a
solid tone from the parking aid, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop.
When automatic steering is finished, the
touch screen displays a message indicating
that the active park assist process is done.
The driver is responsible for checking the
parking job and making any necessary
corrections before putting the transmission
in P (Park).
Deactivating the Park Assist
Feature
The system can be deactivated manually
by:
•
pressing the active park assist button
• grabbing the steering wheel
• driving above approximately 20 mph
(35 km/h) for 30 seconds during an
active park search •
driving above 6 mph (10 km/h) during
automatic steering
• turning off the traction control system.
Certain vehicle conditions can also
deactivate the system, such as:
• Traction control has activated on a
slippery or loose surface.
• There is an anti-lock brake system
activation or failure.
• Any door (except the driver ’s) opens.
• Something touches the steering wheel.
If a problem occurs with the system, a
warning message is displayed, followed
by a chime. Occasional system messages
may occur in normal operation. For
recurring or frequent system faults, contact
an authorized dealer to have your vehicle
serviced.
165
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Parking AidsE130108 E130109

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set
speed without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. You can use cruise
control when your vehicle speed is greater
than 20 mph (30 km/h).
USING CRUISE CONTROL WARNINGS
Do not use cruise control in heavy
traffic, on winding roads or when the
road surface is slippery. This could
result in loss of vehicle control, serious
injury or death. When you are going downhill, your
vehicle speed may increase above
the set speed. The system will not
apply the brakes. Change down a gear to
assist the system in maintaining the set
speed. Failure to do so could result in loss
of vehicle control, serious injury or death. Note:
Cruise control will disengage if your
vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph
(16 km/h) below your set speed while
driving uphill. The cruise controls are located on the
steering wheel. Switching Cruise Control On
Press and release
ON. The indicator will display in the
instrument cluster.
Setting a Speed
1. Accelerate to the desired speed.
2. Press and release
SET+.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Changing the Set Speed
• Press and hold SET+ or SET-. Release
the control when you reach the desired
speed.
• Press and release
SET+ or SET-. The
set speed will change in approximately
1 mph (2 km/h) increments.
• Press the accelerator or brake pedal
until you reach the desired speed. Press
and release
SET+.
Note: When you are going downhill while
using cruise control, your battery charging
system and engine work together to help
maintain your set speed. Engine noise may
increase or decrease under these conditions.
Canceling the Set Speed
Pull
CAN toward you and release, or tap
the brake pedal. The set speed will not be
erased.
Resuming the Set Speed
Pull
RES toward you and release.
Note: When you are going downhill while
using cruise control, your battery charging
system and engine work together to help
maintain your set speed. Engine noise may
increase or decrease under these conditions.
170
C-MAX (CCG) Mexico/United States of America/Canada, enUSA, CPE Review Cruise ControlE142437 E71340