
Neutral:
It is not recommended to idle the vehiclein neutral (N) for an extended period oftime because this will discharge your highvoltage battery and decrease fueleconomy. The engine will not start or stop,and cannot provide power to the hybridsystem in neutral (N).
Low:
Low (L) is designed to mimic the enhancedengine braking available in non-hybridvehicles. Low gear will produce high enginespeeds to provide necessary enginebraking. This is normal and will not damageyour vehicle. In low gear, the gas enginewill remain on more often than in drive (D).
Reverse:
In reverse (R), vehicle speed is limited to22 mph (35 km/h).
Battery:
Your hybrid is equipped with a high voltagebattery. A cool battery maintains batterylife and provides the best possibleperformance. The high voltage battery iscooled by cabin air drawn from vent holesin the trim panels behind the rear seats.Avoid placing objects at the vent holes thatblock airflow to the high voltage battery.
Engine:
The engine speed in your hybrid is notdirectly tied to your vehicle speed. Yourvehicle's engine and transmission aredesigned to deliver the power you need atthe most efficient engine speed. Duringheavy accelerations, your hybrid may reachhigh engine speeds (up to 6000 RPM).
In prolonged mountainous driving, you maysee the engine speed changing withoutyour input. This is intentional and maintainsthe battery charge level. You may alsonotice during extended downhill drivingthat your engine continues to run insteadof shutting off.
During this engine braking, the engine stayson, but it is not using any fuel. You may alsohear a slight whine or whistle whenoperating your vehicle. This is the normaloperation of the electric generator in thehybrid system.
During certain events (such as vehicleservicing) your low voltage 12-volt batterymay become disconnected or disabled.Once the battery is reconnected and afterdriving the vehicle, the engine maycontinue to operate for three to fiveseconds after the key is turned to off. Thisis a normal condition.
Braking:
Your hybrid is equipped with standardhydraulic braking and regenerative braking.Regenerative braking is performed by yourtransmission and it captures brake energyand stores it in your high voltage battery.
Driving to Optimize Fuel Economy
Note:Having your engine running is notalways an indication of inefficiency. In somecases, it is actually more efficient thandriving in electric mode.
Your fuel economy should improvethroughout your hybrid's break-in period.As with any vehicle, your driving habits andaccessory usage can significantly impactyour fuel economy. For best results, keepin mind these tips:
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HYBRID VEHICLE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AnswerQuestion
The high voltage battery is electrically isol-ated from the rest of the vehicle when thekey is off. When you switch the key on, highvoltage contactors inside the battery areclosed to make the electricity available tothe motor and generator and enable thevehicle to drive. The clicks are the sound ofthese contactors as they close and openduring start up and shut down.
What are the series of clicks from the cargoarea when I first turn the key in the ignition?
The vehicle's computer will determine if anengine start is required at key-on. Silent keystart will start the engine if it is necessaryfor cabin heating, windshield defrost, or ifthe outside temperature is low. (For C-MAXEnergi vehicles, the engine may not berequired to operate these functions.)
Why does the engine sometimes start atkey-on?
There are several reasons the engine stayson for an extended amount of time whenyou first start it. One common reason is tomake sure that the emissions componentsare warm enough to minimize tailpipeemissions. As the climate gets cooler, thisengine-on time is extended.
Why does it take a long time before theengine shuts down?
The engine is required to turn on above thisspeed to protect the transmission hard-ware.
Why does my engine never shut downabove 85 mph (137 km/h)
In order to make sure that the climatecontrol system can begin heating the cabinor defrosting the windshield as soon as adriver requests it, the engine coolanttemperature 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 isextremely cold outside?
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AnswerQuestion
Your vehicle's engine and transmission aredesigned to deliver the power you need atthe most efficient engine speed. This maybe higher than expected during heavyaccelerations, and may fluctuate whendriving at a steady speed. These are charac-teristics of the Atkinson engine cycle andthe transmission technology that helpmaximize your hybrid's fuel economy.
Why does my engine rev up so high some-times when I accelerate?
The fan noise comes from a fan locatednext to the high voltage battery pack. Thisfan turns on when the battery requirescooling air. The fan speed, and associatednoise level, will change according to theamount of cooling required to maintaingood performance. Maintaining the batterytemperature at optimal conditions alsoprolongs the useful life of the battery andhelps to achieve better fuel economy.
What is the fan noise I hear from the rearof my hybrid?
Change the engine oil every 10000 miles(16000 kilometers) or once per year undernormal operating conditions.
What is the engine oil change serviceinterval?
Your hybrid vehicle can use E15 (15%ethanol, 85% gasoline) fuel, but you maynotice slightly reduced fuel economybecause ethanol contains less energy pergallon than gasoline. Your hybrid vehicle isnot designed to use E85 (85% ethanol).
Can I put E15 or E85 in my vehicle, and howwill it affect my fuel economy?
The high voltage battery system is designedto last the life of the vehicle and requiresno maintenance.
How long will my high voltage battery last?Does it need maintenance?
There are no provisions for charging thehigh voltage battery from a power supplyexternal to the vehicle. (For C-MAX Energivehicles, the vehicle can be plugged into a110-volt outlet with charge cord provided.)
Can you charge the battery with a plug intoan A/C outlet?
Yes. Your hybrid vehicle can be flat towedwithout modification. See Towing (page190).
Can I tow the hybrid behind my motor homewith all four wheels down?
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4. Driving through deep water—theelectrical system may be wet.
You can correct these temporarymalfunctions by filling the fuel tank withgood quality fuel, properly closing the fuelfill inlet or letting the electrical system dryout. After three driving cycles without theseor any other temporary malfunctionspresent, the service engine soon indicatorshould stay off the next time you start theengine. A driving cycle consists of a coldengine startup followed by mixed city andhighway driving. No additional vehicleservice is required.
If the service engine soon indicator remainson, have your vehicle serviced at the firstavailable opportunity. Although somemalfunctions detected by the OBD-II maynot have symptoms that are apparent,continued driving with the service enginesoon indicator on can result in increasedemissions, lower fuel economy, reducedengine and transmission smoothness andlead to more costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection andMaintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state and provincial and localgovernments may haveInspection/Maintenance (I/M) programsto inspect the emission control equipmenton your vehicle. Failure to pass thisinspection could prevent you from gettinga vehicle registration.
If the service engine soonindicator is on or the bulb doesnot work, your vehicle may needservice. See On-Board Diagnostics.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test ifthe service engine soon indicator is on ornot working properly (bulb is burned out),or if the OBD-II system has determinedthat some of the emission control systemshave not been properly checked. In thiscase, the vehicle is not ready for I/Mtesting.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission hasjust been serviced, or the battery hasrecently run down or been replaced, theOBD-II system may indicate that thevehicle is not ready for I/M testing. Todetermine if the vehicle is ready for I/Mtesting, turn the ignition key to the onposition for 15 seconds without crankingthe engine. If the service engine soonindicator blinks eight times, it means thatthe vehicle is not ready for I/M testing; ifthe service engine soon indicator stays onsolid, it means that your vehicle is readyfor I/M testing.
The OBD-II system checks the emissioncontrol system during normal driving. Acomplete check may take several days.
If the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing,you can perform the following driving cycleconsisting of mixed city and highwaydriving:
1. 15 minutes of steady driving on anexpressway or highway followed by 20minutes of stop-and-go driving with atleast four 30-second idle periods.
2. Allow your vehicle to sit for at leasteight hours with the ignition off. Then,start the vehicle and complete theabove driving cycle. The vehicle mustwarm up to its normal operatingtemperature. Once started, do not turnoff the vehicle until the above drivingcycle is complete.
If the vehicle is still not ready for I/Mtesting, you need to repeat the abovedriving cycle.
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Fuel and Refueling

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fullyand make sure the gearshift islatched in park (P). Turn the ignitionto the off position and remove the keywhenever you leave your vehicle.
Do not apply the brake pedal andaccelerator pedal simultaneously.Applying both pedals simultaneouslyfor more than three seconds will limitengine rpm, which may result in difficultymaintaining speed in traffic and could leadto serious injury.
Note:Do not leave your vehicle with thetransmission in neutral (N). Leaving yourvehicle with the transmission in neutral (N)will drain the battery and you may not beable to start your vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
Putting your vehicle in gear:
1. Fully press down the brake pedal.
2.Move the gearshift lever to the desiredgear.
3. Come to a complete stop.
4. Move the gearshift lever and securelylatch it in park (P).
Park (P)
This position locks the transmission andprevents the front wheels from turning.Come to a complete stop before puttingyour vehicle into and out of park (P).
Reverse (R)
With the gearshift lever in reverse (R), yourvehicle will move backward. Always cometo a complete stop before shifting into andout of reverse (R).
Neutral (N)
With the gearshift lever in neutral (N), yourvehicle can be started and is free to roll.Hold the brake pedal down while in thisposition.
Drive (D)
Drive (D) is the normal driving position forthe best fuel economy.
Low (L)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•The transmission may be shifted intolow (L) at any vehicle speed.
•Is not intended for use under extendedor normal driving conditions and resultsin lower fuel economy.
Grade assist:
Press the transmission control switch onthe side of the gearshift lever to activategrade assist.
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•Provides additional grade braking witha combination of engine motoring andhigh-voltage battery charging to helpmaintain vehicle speed whendescending a grade.
•As your vehicle determines the amountof engine motoring and high-voltagebattery charging, you may notice theengine speed increasing anddecreasing to help maintain yourvehicle speed when descending agrade.
•The grade assist lamp in the instrumentcluster is illuminated.
The grade assist lamp willappear in the instrument clusterwhen grade assist is turned on.
Press the transmission control switchagain to return to normal drive (D).
Brake-Shift Interlock
WARNINGS
Do not drive your vehicle until youverify that the brake lamps areworking.
WARNINGS
When doing this procedure, you willbe taking your vehicle out of parkwhich means your vehicle can rollfreely. To avoid unwanted vehiclemovement, always fully set the parkingbrake prior to doing this procedure. Usewheel chocks if appropriate.
If the parking brake is fully released,but the brake warning lamp remainsilluminated, the brakes may not beworking properly. See your authorizeddealer.
Note:See your authorized dealer as soonas possible if this procedure is used.
Note:For some markets this feature will bedisabled.
Use the brake shift interlock lever to movethe gearshift lever from the park positionin the event of an electrical malfunction orif your vehicle has a dead battery.
Apply the parking brake and turn theignition off before performing thisprocedure.
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1.Remove the side panel on the right sideof the gearshift lever.
2. Locate the access hole.
3. Insert the screwdriver (or similar tool)into the access hole and press the leverforeword while pulling the gearshiftlever out of the park (P) position andinto the neutral (N) position.
4. Remove the tool and reinstall thepanel.
5. Start your vehicle and release theparking brake.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mudor Snow
Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature ordamage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for morethan a minute or damage to thetransmission and tires may occur, or theengine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,it may be rocked out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:Occasional brake noise is normal. Ifa metal-to-metal, continuous grinding orcontinuous squeal sound is present, thebrake linings may be worn-out. Have thesystem checked by an authorized dealer. Ifthe vehicle has continuous vibration orshudder in the steering wheel while braking,have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note:Brake dust may accumulate on thewheels, even under normal drivingconditions. Some dust is inevitable as thebrakes wear and does not contribute tobrake noise. See Cleaning the AlloyWheels (page 245).
See Warning Lamps andIndicators (page 89).
Wet brakes result in reduced brakingefficiency. Gently press the brake pedal afew times when driving from a car wash orstanding water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedalbecomes stuck or entrapped, apply steadyand firm pressure to the brake pedal toslow the vehicle and reduce engine power.If you experience this condition, apply thebrakes and bring your vehicle to a safestop. Move the transmission to park (P),switch the engine off and apply the parkingbrake. Inspect the accelerator pedal forany interference. If none are found and thecondition persists, have your vehicle towedto the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brakeheavily by measuring the rate at which youpress the brake pedal. It providesmaximum braking efficiency as long as youpress the pedal. Brake assist can reducestopping distances in critical situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steeringcontrol during emergency stops by keepingthe brakes from locking.
This lamp momentarilyilluminates when you turn theignition on. If the light does notilluminate during start up, remains on orflashes, the system may be disabled. Havethe system checked by an authorizeddealer. If the anti-lock brake system isdisabled, normal braking is still effective.
If the brake warning lampilluminates when you release theparking brake, have the systemchecked by an authorized dealer.
Regenerative Braking System
This feature is used to simulate the enginebraking of an internal combustion engineand assist the standard brake system whilerecovering some of the energy of motionand storing it in the battery to improve therange of your vehicle. The standard brakesystem is designed to fully stop the car ifregenerative braking is not available.During regenerative braking, the motor isspun as a generator to create electricalcurrent. This recharges the battery andslows the vehicle. In effect, once theaccelerator pedal is released, the motorchanges from an energy user to an energyproducer.
When the accelerator pedal is released orthe brake pedal is applied, the brakecontroller automatically detects theamount of deceleration requested andoptimizes how much of the decelerationwill be produced by regenerative braking.The remaining portion is generated by
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