Brake system
Cabin air filter
Check fuel cap
Child safety door lock or unlock
Child seat lower anchor
Child seat tether anchor
Cruise control
Do not open when hot
Engine air filter
Engine coolant
Engine coolant temperature
Engine oil
Explosive gas
Fan warning
Fasten seatbelt
Front airbag
Front fog lamps
Fuel pump reset
Fuse compartment
Hazard warning flashers
Heated rear window
Heated windshield
Interior luggage compartmentrelease
Jack
Keep out of reach of children
Lighting control
Low tire pressure warning
Maintain correct fluid level
Note operating instructions
Panic alarm
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Introduction E71340 E161353
Engine Oil
If it lights with the engine runningor while you are driving, thisindicates a malfunction. Stopyour vehicle as soon as it is safe to do soand switch off the engine. Check the engineoil level. See Engine Oil Check (page 222).
Note:Do not resume your journey if it lightsdespite the level being correct. Have thesystem checked by an authorized dealerimmediately.
EV Now
Lights when you select thisfeature on. See Plug-In HybridVehicle Operation (page 137).
EV Later
Lights when you select thisfeature on. See Plug-In HybridVehicle Operation (page 137).
Fasten Safety Belt
It will light and a tone will soundto remind you to fasten yoursafety belt. See SeatbeltReminder (page 31).
Front Airbag
If it fails to light when you startyour vehicle, continues to flashor remains on, this indicates amalfunction. Have the system checked byan authorized dealer.
Front Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
Lights when you switch the frontfog lamps on.
High Beam
Lights when you switch the highbeam headlamps on. It will flashwhen you use the headlampflasher.
Liftgate Ajar
Lights when the liftgate is notcompletely closed.
Low Battery (If Equipped)
Lights when the battery level islow. You may also see amessage suggesting you reduceyour usage of the climate system.
Low Fuel Level
Lights when the fuel level is lowor the fuel tank is nearly empty.Refuel as soon as possible.
Low Tire Pressure Warning
Lights when your tire pressure islow. If the lamp remains on withthe engine running or whendriving, check your tire pressure as soon aspossible.
It also lights momentarily when you switchon the ignition to confirm the lamp isfunctional. If it does not light when youswitch on the ignition, or begins to flash atany time, have the system checked by anauthorized dealer.
Overdrive Cancel and Grade Assist
(If Equipped)
Lights when the overdrivefunction in the transmissionturns off and the grade assistturns on.
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Instrument Cluster E144814 E151263 E162453 E144691 E162456
Maintenance
ActionMessage
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine.Check the oil level. If the warning stays on or continues tocome on with your engine running, contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
Low Engine Oil Pressure
Displayed when the engine oil life remaining is 10% or less.See Engine Oil Check (page 222).Change Engine Oil Soon
Displayed when the oil life left reaches 0%. See Engine OilCheck (page 222).Oil Change Required
Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the brake systemshould be inspected immediately. See Brake Fluid Check(page 227).
Brake Fluid Level Low
Displays when the brake system needs servicing. Stop thevehicle in a safe place. Contact your authorized dealer.Check Brake System
Displays when the engine coolant temperature is excessivelyhigh.Engine Coolant OverTemperature
Displays when the motor coolant temperature is excessivelyhigh.Motor Coolant OverTemperature
Displayed when the kit needs service. See your authorizeddealer.Service Tire Mobility Kit
Informs the driver that the powertrain needs service due to apowertrain malfunction.See Manual
Displays when EV functionality is disabled and the engine isrunning to maintain oil quality. See Plug-In Hybrid VehicleOperation (page 137).
Engine ON Due to LowUse Normal Operation
MyKey
ActionMessage
Displayed during key programming when MyKey cannot beprogrammed.MyKey not Created
Displays when MyKey is active.MyKey Active DriveSafely
Displays when a MyKey is in use and the MyKey speed limit ison and the vehicle speed is approaching 80 mph (130 km/h).Near Vehicle Top Speed
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Information Displays
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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Unique Driving Characteristics
Inverter system controller.E
Brake fluid reservoir cap. See Brake Fluid Check (page 227).F
Power distribution box. See Fuses (page 209).G
Inverter system controller coolant reservoir cap.H
Windshield washer fluid reservoir cap. See Washer Fluid Check (page 227).I
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAXB
ENGINE OIL CHECK
Check the level before starting the engineand make sure that the level is betweenthe MIN and the MAX marks.
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on levelground.
2. Switch the engine off and wait 10minutes for the oil to drain into the oilpan.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it witha clean, lint-free cloth. Replace thedipstick and remove it again to checkthe oil level.
If the oil level is at the minimum mark, addoil immediately.
Adding Engine Oil
Note:Do not remove the filler cap whenthe engine is running.
Note:Do not add oil further than the MAXmark. Oil levels above the MAX mark maycause engine damage.
Only use oils certified for gasoline enginesby the American Petroleum Institute (API).An oil with this trademark symbolconforms to the current engine andemission system protection standards andfuel economy requirements of theInternational Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC), comprised ofU.S. and Japanese automobilemanufacturers.
1. Remove the filler cap.
2. Add engine oil that meets the Fordspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 276).
3. Wipe off any spilled oil.
4. Replace the filler cap. Turn it until youfeel a strong resistance.
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MaintenanceAB
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Low Engine Use (If Equipped)
The low engine use mode is equipped onEnergi models only. The low engine usemode keeps the engine oil quality in goodcondition when you drive your vehicle withlimited engine use. If your vehicle is in lowengine use mode when you start thevehicle, a message appears in theinformation display. When your vehicle isin low engine use mode, your vehicle runsthe engine as necessary.
Selecting EV Now mode when your vehicleis in the low engine use mode suspendsthe low engine use mode for as long as youcontinue driving your vehicle. The lowengine use mode resumes the next timeyou start your vehicle.
Changing the engine oil and resetting theoil life monitoring system suspends the lowengine use mode.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
WARNINGS
Do not add engine coolant when theengine is hot. Steam and scaldingliquids released from a hot coolingsystem can burn you badly. Also, you canbe burned if you spill coolant on hot engineparts.
Do not put engine coolant in thewindshield washer fluid container. Ifsprayed on the windshield, enginecoolant could make it difficult to seethrough the windshield.
To reduce the risk of personal injury,make sure the engine is cool beforeunscrewing the coolant pressurerelief cap. The cooling system is underpressure; steam and hot liquid can comeout forcefully when the cap is loosenedslightly.
Do not add coolant further than theMAX mark.
Engine Coolant and InverterSystem Controller Coolant
Your vehicle has two separate coolingsystems. One is for cooling the engine andone is for cooling the inverter systemcontroller that is specific to the hybridoperating system. The two systemsoperate similarly, with the inverter systemcontroller cooling system generallyoperating at a lower temperature andpressure.
Checking the Engine Coolant
When the engine is cold, check theconcentration and level of the enginecoolant at the intervals listed in thescheduled maintenance information. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 348).
Note:Make sure that the level is betweenthe MIN and MAX marks on the enginecoolant reservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. Thelevel may extend beyond the MAX mark.
Note:If the level is at the MIN mark, belowthe MIN mark, or empty, add coolantimmediately. See Adding Engine Coolantin this chapter.
The coolant concentration should bemaintained within 48% to 50%, whichequates to a freeze point between -30°F(-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).
Note:For best results, coolantconcentration should be tested with arefractometer such as Robinair® Coolantand Battery Refractometer 75240. We donot recommend the use of hydrometers orcoolant test strips for measuring coolantconcentrations.
Note:Automotive fluids are notinterchangeable. Do not use engine coolantor antifreeze or windshield washer fluidoutside of its specified function and vehiclelocation.
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Maintenance
2. Slightly rotate the wiper blade.
3. Disengage the wiper blade from thewiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Install in the reverse order.
Note:Make sure that the wiper blade locksinto place.
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
Vertical Aim Adjustment
The headlamps on your vehicle areproperly aimed at the assembly plant. Ifyour vehicle has been in an accident, thealignment of your headlamps should bechecked by your authorized dealer.
8 feet (2.4 meters)A
Center height of lamp to groundB
25 feet (7.6 meters)C
Horizontal reference lineD
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of awall or screen on a level surface,approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters)away.
Note:To see a clearer light pattern foradjusting, you may want to block the lightfrom one headlamp while adjusting theother.
2. Measure the height of the headlampbulb center from the ground and markan 8 foot (2.4 meter) horizontalreference line on the vertical wall orscreen at this height.
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps toilluminate the wall or screen and openthe hood.
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MaintenanceE130060
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•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
•We recommend that you change theengine oil before you use your vehicleagain.
Fuel System
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
Cooling System
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing your vehicle fromstorage, check coolant fluid level.Confirm that there are no coolingsystem leaks and that fluid is at therecommended level.
12V Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keepconnections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30days without recharging the battery,we recommend that you disconnectthe battery cables to maintain batterycharge for quick starting.
Note:It is necessary to reset memoryfeatures if you disconnect the batterycables.
We recommend the following options foryour plug-in vehicle:
•Leave your vehicle plugged in. The 12Vbattery maintains power if left pluggedin. However, this periodically useselectricity from the household outlet.
•Connect a battery charger to your 12Vbattery and leave it on a continuous,slow charge.
•Disconnect the 12V battery. If your 12Vbattery is located in the luggagecompartment, do not fully shut theluggage compartment afterdisconnecting the 12V battery. Onlyleave the luggage compartment openif your vehicle is stored in a lockedlocation.
Brakes
•Make sure the brakes and parking brakerelease fully.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure you cover all linkages,cables, levers and pins under yourvehicle with grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)every 15 days to lubricate working partsand prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out ofstorage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirtor grease film build-up on windowsurfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for anydeterioration.
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Vehicle Care