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. Flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle
can produce static electricity. This can
cause a fire if you are filling an ungrounded
fuel container. Fuel ethanol and gasoline may contain
benzene, which is a cancer-causing
agent. WARNINGS
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.
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MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Fuel and Refueling
However, if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
Fuel Freshness Mode (If Equipped)
This helps keep the fuel system functional
and the fuel fresh.
If you mainly use your vehicle in electric
power mode without refueling, the gasoline
in the fuel tank may become stale due to
aging. Stale gasoline can damage the
engine and fuel system.
Your vehicle automatically switches to fuel
freshness mode if you do not refuel your
vehicle with fresh fuel within an 18-month
period. 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
use fuel until approximately 1.2 gal (4.5 L) of
fuel remains in the fuel tank. During fuel freshness mode:
•
The information display will indicate fuel
freshness mode is active.
• The vehicle will only run in hybrid mode.
EV Now mode will not be available.
• Most of the plug-in power will be stored
until fuel freshness mode is completed.
Note: EV Now mode resumes when less than
1.2 gal (4.5 L) of fuel remains in the fuel tank.
Note: When the fuel level is less than
one-quarter full, refueling your vehicle will
end fuel freshness mode.
Note: We recommend you use a fuel
stabilizer if you use less than a full tank of
fuel during an 18-month period.
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 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. 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. 179
MKZ Hybrid (CC9) Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Fuel and Refueling
