Ignition Modes
The keyless starting system has threemodes:
•Off: Turns the ignition off.
•Without applying the brake pedal,press and release the button oncewhen the ignition is in the on mode,or when the vehicle is on but notmoving.
•On: All electrical circuits areoperational and the warning lamps andindicators illuminate.
•Without applying the brake pedal,press and release the button once.
•Start: Starts the vehicle into Ready toDrive mode (indicated by the green"Ready to Drive" icon on the instrumentcluster). The engine may not startwhen the vehicle starts.
•Press the brake pedal, and thenpress the button until the vehicleturns on.
STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE
When the engine starts for the first timeon your drive, the idle speed increases, thishelps to warm up the engine. If the engineidle speed does not slow downautomatically, have your vehicle checkedby an authorized dealer.
Before starting your vehicle, check thefollowing:
•Make sure all occupants have fastenedtheir seatbelts.
•Make sure the headlamps andelectrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Make sure the transmission is in park(P) or neutral (N).
•Switch the ignition key to position II. Ifyour vehicle is equipped with a keylessignition, see the following instructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal. If yourvehicle is equipped with a manualtransmission, fully press the clutchpedal.
2. Turn the key to position III to start theengine.
Note:The engine may continue crankingfor up to 15 seconds or until it starts.
Note:If the engine does not start within 10seconds, wait for a short period and tryagain.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Press the button.
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Starting and Stopping the EngineE142555
Note:The green ready indicator illuminatesletting you know that the vehicle is readyfor driving. Since your vehicle is equippedwith a silent key start, the engine may notstart at the time of the vehicle start. SeeHybrid Vehicle Operation (page 135).
The system does not function if:
•The key frequencies are jammed.
•The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start the vehicle, dothe following:
3-button remote
5-button remote
1. Hold the key next to the steeringcolumn as shown.
2. With the key in this position, you canuse the start button to switch theignition on and start your vehicle.
Fast Restart
The fast restart feature allows you torestart the vehicle within 20 seconds ofswitching it off, even if a valid key is notpresent.
Within 20 seconds of switching the vehicleoff, press the brake pedal and press thebutton. After 20 seconds have expired, youcan no longer restart the vehicle withoutthe key present inside your vehicle.
Once the vehicle has started, it remainsrunning until you press the button, even ifthe system does not detect a valid key. Ifyou open and close a door while the vehicleis running, the system searches for a validkey. You cannot restart the vehicle if thesystem does not detect a valid key within20 seconds.
Switching Off the Vehicle When ItIs Stationary
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1. For vehicles with automatictransmission, shift into park (P). Forvehicles with manual transmission,shift into neutral (N).
2. Turn the key to position 0.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Move the transmission selector leverto position P.
2. Press the button once.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Note:This switches off the ignition, allelectrical circuits, warning lamps andindicators.
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Starting and Stopping the EngineE145988 E142874
Switching Off the Vehicle When ItIs Moving
WARNING
Switching off the engine when thevehicle is still moving will result in aloss of brake and steering assistance.The steering will not lock, but higher effortwill be required. When the ignition isswitched off, some electrical circuits,including air bags, warning lamps andindicators may also be off. If the ignitionwas turned off accidentally, you can shiftinto neutral (N) and re-start the engine.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1.Shift into neutral and use the brakes tobring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, shiftinto park (P) or neutral (N) and switchthe ignition off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Move the transmission selector leverto position N and use the brakes tobring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, movethe transmission selector lever toposition P.
3. Press and hold the button for onesecond, or press it three times withintwo seconds.
4. Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in entry ofharmful and potentially lethal fumesinto the passenger compartment. Ifyou smell exhaust fumes inside yourvehicle, have your vehicle inspectedimmediately. Do not drive if you smellexhaust fumes.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave it idlingfor long periods, we recommend that youdo one of the following:
•Open the windows at least 1 in(2.5 cm).
•Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (If
Equipped)
WARNINGS
Failure to follow engine block heaterinstructions could result in propertydamage or serious personal injury.
Do not use your heater withungrounded electrical systems ortwo-pronged adapters. There is a riskof electrical shock.
Do not fully close the hood, or allowit to drop under its own weight whenusing the engine block heater. Thiscould damage the power cable and maycause an electrical short resulting in fire,injury and property damage.
Note:The heater is most effective whenoutdoor temperatures are below 0°F(-18°C).
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Starting and Stopping the Engine
The heater acts as a starting aid bywarming the engine coolant. This allowsthe climate control system to respondquickly. The equipment includes a heaterelement (installed in the engine block) anda wire harness. You can connect thesystem to a grounded 120-volt ACelectrical source.
We recommend that you do the followingfor a safe and correct operation:
•Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cordthat is product certified byUnderwriter’s Laboratory (UL) orCanadian Standards Association(CSA). This extension cord must besuitable for use outdoors, in coldtemperatures, and be clearly markedSuitable for Use with OutdoorAppliances. Do not use an indoorextension cord outdoors. This couldresult in an electric shock or become afire hazard.
•Use as short an extension cord aspossible.
•Do not use multiple extension cords.
•Make sure that when in operation, theextension cord plug and heater cordplug connections are free and clear ofwater. This could cause an electricshock or fire.
•Make sure your vehicle is parked in aclean area, clear of combustibles.
•Make sure the heater, heater cord andextension cord are firmly connected.
•Check for heat anywhere in theelectrical hookup once the system hasbeen operating for approximately 30minutes.
•Make sure the system is unplugged andproperly stowed before starting anddriving your vehicle. Make sure theprotective cover seals the prongs of theblock heater cord plug when not in use.
•Make sure the heater system ischecked for proper operation beforewinter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals areclean and dry prior to use. Clean them witha dry cloth if necessary.
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hoursof energy per hour of use. The system doesnot have a thermostat. It achievesmaximum temperature afterapproximately three hours of operation.Using the heater longer than three hoursdoes not improve system performance andunnecessarily uses electricity.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE
SHUTDOWN
For vehicles with a keyless ignition, thisautomatically shuts down your vehicle ifit has been idling for an extended period.The ignition also turns off to save batterypower. Before your vehicle shuts down, amessage appears in the informationdisplay showing a timer counting down. Ifyou do not intervene within 30 seconds,your vehicle shuts down. Start your vehicleas normal.
Automatic Engine Shutdown Override
Note: You cannot permanently switch offthe automatic shutdown. When you switchit off temporarily, it turns on at the nextignition cycle.
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Starting and Stopping the Engine
HYBRID VEHICLE OPERATION
This hybrid vehicle combines electric andgasoline propulsion to providebreakthrough performance and improvedefficiency.
Familiarizing yourself with these uniquecharacteristics will provide an optimaldriving experience from your new vehicle.
Note:You may notice higher engine speedsupon start-up. This temporary condition isnormal and necessary to heat up the cabinand minimize emissions.
Starting:
When you start your vehicle, agreen ready indicator light willappear in the lower right portionof the instrument cluster and a ready todrive message will appear in the middle ofthe left cluster screen, letting you knowthat your vehicle is ready for driving.
The engine may not start because thisvehicle is equipped with silent key start.This fuel saving feature allows your vehicleto be ready–to–drive without requiring thegas engine to be running. This indicator willremain on while your vehicle is on, whetherthe engine is running or not to indicate yourvehicle is capable of movement (using itselectric motor, engine, or both). Typically,the engine will not start unless the vehicleis cold, a climate control change isrequested, or the accelerator is pressed.
Driving:
The gas engine automatically starts andstops to provide power when needed andto save fuel when not needed. Whilecoasting at low speeds, coming to a stop,or standing, the gas engine normally shutsdown and your vehicle operates inelectric-only mode.
Conditions that may cause the engine tostart up or remain running include:
•Considerable vehicle acceleration.
•Vehicle speed above 85 mph(137 km/h). However, the maximumspeed for electric-only operation maybe lower while driving in hottemperatures or on hilly terrain.
•Ascending a hill.
•Charge level of high voltage battery islow.
•Very high or low outside temperature(to provide system cooling or heating).For Energi vehicles, climate controldemands by passengers may notdirectly cause the engine to run. Thisonly occurs when the high voltagebattery charge is low, or if the outsidetemperature is cold enough to requirethe engine to provide additional heatfor the cabin.
•Engine not warm enough to providepassenger requested cabintemperature.
Stopping:
The gas engine may shut off to conservefuel as you come to a stop. Restarting yourvehicle is not required. Simply step on theaccelerator when you are ready to drive.
Transmission Operation:
Due to the technologically advanced,electronically-controlled continuouslyvariable transaxle, you will not feel shiftchanges like those of a non-hybrid vehicle.
Note:Since engine speed is controlled bythe transmission, it may seem elevated attimes. This is normal hybrid operation andhelps deliver fuel efficiency andperformance.
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Unique Driving CharacteristicsE144692
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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Unique Driving Characteristics
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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Unique Driving Characteristics
2. Poor fuel quality or water in thefuel—the engine may misfire or runpoorly.
3. The fuel fill inlet may not have closedproperly. See Refueling (page 145).
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