Page 142 of 469

FUEL QUALITY
Note:
Your warranty will not cover any
vehicle damage, powertrain damage, loss
of vehicle performance or repairs to your
vehicle, caused by the use of fuel not
recommended.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Use only UNLEADED gasoline or
UNLEADED gasoline blended with a
maximum of 15% ethanol in your gasoline
vehicle. If your vehicle is a Flex Fuel Vehicle
(FFV), it will have a yellow bezel placed
over the fuel fill inlet.
Do not use:
• Fuels containing more than 15%
ethanol or E-85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Prohibited by law, you cannot use
leaded fuel.
Note: Use of any fuel other than the
recommended fuel can cause powertrain
damage, impair the emission control system
or cause loss of vehicle performance. Any
damage to your vehicle that is caused by
the use of fuel not recommended will not
be covered under warranty. Octane Recommendations
We recommend regular unleaded gasoline
with a pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some stations offer fuels posted as regular
with an octane rating below 87, particularly
in high altitude areas. We do not
recommend fuels with an octane rating
below 87. Premium fuel will provide
improved performance and is
recommended for severe duty usage such
as trailer tow.
Fuel Freshness Mode (Energi
Vehicles Only)
This feature helps keep the fuel system
functional and the fuel fresh.
If you mainly operate your vehicle in plug-in
power mode using electricity from plugging
in without refueling, the gasoline in the fuel
tank will become stale due to aging over
an extended period. Stale gasoline can
damage the engine and fuel system.
Your vehicle will automatically operate in
fuel freshness mode if you do not refill your
vehicle with fresh fuel within an 18-month
period. The design of fuel freshness mode
protects your vehicle from potential engine
and fuel system damage caused by using
stale fuel.
Note:
If you do not add new fuel during an
18-month period, fuel freshness mode will
consume fuel until you have about 1 gal
(3.8 L) in the tank.
During fuel freshness mode:
• The information display screen will
indicate that fuel freshness mode is
active.
• The vehicle will only run in hybrid mode.
EV Now will not be available.
• Most of the plug-in power will be
stored until fuel freshness mode is
completed.
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Page 225 of 469

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
If required, have an authorized dealer check
and change the transmission fluid at the
correct service interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 420).
The automatic transmission does not have
a transmission fluid dipstick. Your
transmission does not consume fluid.
An authorized dealer should check the
fluid:
• If the transmission is not working
properly.
• If you notice signs of fluid leakage.
Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials may
affect transmission operation and result
in damage to internal transmission
components.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
Fluid levels between the MIN and MAX
lines are within the normal operating range;
there is no need to add fluid. If the fluid
levels are outside of the normal operating
range, the performance of the system
could be compromised; seek service from
your authorized dealer immediately.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering (EPS) system. There is no
fluid reservoir to check or fill. WASHER FLUID CHECK WARNING
If you operate your vehicle in
temperatures below 40°F (5°C), use
washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid with
antifreeze protection in cold weather could
result in impaired windshield vision and
increase the risk of injury or accident. Note:
The front and rear washer systems
are supplied from the same reservoir.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level is
low. Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 275).
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use
of methanol, a common windshield washer
antifreeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without damaging
the vehicle ’s paint finish, wiper blades or
washer system.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime
fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel
tank. Regular maintenance or replacement
is not needed.
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Page 284 of 469

If you use oil and fluids that do not meet
the defined specification and viscosity
grade, this may lead to:
•
Component damage which is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
• Longer engine cranking periods.
• Increased emission levels.
• Reduced engine performance.
• Reduced fuel economy.
• Degraded brake performance.
Only use fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Motor oils of the
recommended viscosity grade that meet
API SN requirements and display the API
Certification Mark for gasoline engines are
also acceptable. Do not use oil labeled
with API SN service category unless the
label also displays the API certification
mark. An oil that displays this symbol conforms
to current engine, emission system and
fuel economy performance standards of
the International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee (ILSAC).
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by your vehicle warranty. Note:
Ford recommends using DOT 4 Low
Viscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluid
or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Use
of any fluid other than the recommended
fluid may cause degraded brake
performance and not meet the Ford
performance standards. Keep brake fluid
clean and dry. Contamination with dirt,
water, petroleum products or other
materials may result in brake system
damage and possible failure.
Note: Automatic transmissions that require
MERCON LV transmission fluid should only
use MERCON LV transmission fluid. The
use of any other fluid may cause
transmission damage.
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