Hybrid Vehicle Frequently AskedQuestions....................................................140
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions.......................................142
Fuel Quality.....................................................143
Fuel Filler Funnel Location........................144
Running Out of Fuel....................................144
Refueling..........................................................145
Fuel Consumption.......................................148
Emission Control System..........................149
High Voltage Battery
General Information.....................................151
Charging the High Voltage Battery........153
High Voltage Battery Cut-OffSwitch...........................................................158
Transmission
Automatic Transmission...........................159
Brakes
General Information....................................162
Hints on Driving With Anti-LockBrakes...........................................................163
Parking Brake.................................................163
Hill Start Assist..............................................163
Traction Control
Principle of Operation.................................165
Using Traction Control................................165
Stability Control
Principle of Operation................................166
Using Stability Control................................167
Parking Aids
Principle of Operation................................168
Rear Parking Aid...........................................168
Front Parking Aid..........................................169
Active Park Assist.........................................170
Rear View Camera........................................174
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation..................................177
Using Cruise Control.....................................177
Driving Aids
Blind Spot Information System...............179
Cross Traffic Alert..........................................181
Steering............................................................184
Load Carrying
Rear Under Floor Storage.........................186
Luggage Covers.............................................186
Load Limit........................................................187
Towing
Towing a Trailer.............................................192
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels......192
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.....................................................194
Economical Driving......................................194
Driving Through Water................................195
Floor Mats.......................................................195
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance...................................197
Hazard Warning Flashers..........................198
Fuel Shutoff...................................................198
Jump Starting the Vehicle.........................199
Collision, Damage or Fire Event..............201
Post-Crash Alert System..........................203
Transporting the Vehicle...........................203
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need..............204
In California (U.S. Only)............................205
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Table of Contents
Regen Display:
A circular arrow symbol displays whenenergy is being recaptured through theregenerative braking system. You canswitch the Regen Display off in the Settingsmenu. See General Information (page92).
Fuel Gauge:
Note:The fuel gauge may vary slightlywhen your vehicle is moving or on a gradient.
Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge willindicate approximately how much fuel isleft in the fuel tank. The arrow adjacent tothe fuel pump symbol indicates on whichside of your vehicle the fuel filler door islocated.
The needle should move toward F whenyou refuel your vehicle. If the needle pointsto E after adding fuel, this indicates yourvehicle needs service soon.
After refueling some variability in needleposition is normal:
•It may take a short time for the needleto reach F after leaving the gas station.This is normal and depends upon theslope of pavement at the gas station.
•The fuel amount dispensed into thetank is a little less or more than thegauge indicated. This is normal anddepends upon the slope of pavementat the gas station.
•If the gas station nozzle shuts offbefore the tank is full, try a differentgas pump nozzle.
Low Fuel Reminder
A low fuel reminder triggers when the fuelgauge needle is at 1/16th.
Variations:
Distance-to-emptyFuel gauge positionDriving type (fuel economyconditions)
35–80 mi (56–129 km)1/16thHighway driving
35 mi (56 km)1/16thSevere duty driving (trailertowing, extended idle)
Vehicle Settings and Personalization
Display/Trip
See General Information (page 92).
Information
See General Information (page 92).
Settings
See General Information (page 92).
Brake Coach Display:
The Brake Coach appears after the vehiclehas come to a stop. It coaches you to brakein a manner which maximizes the amountof energy returned through theregenerative braking system. The percentdisplayed is an indication of theregenerative braking efficiency with 100%representing the maximum amount ofenergy recovery.
This feature can be switched on or off inthe information displays settings menu.See General Information (page 92).
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Instrument Cluster
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 (page192).
Can I tow the hybrid behind my motor homewith all four wheels down?
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Unique Driving Characteristics
The system uses three types of guides tohelp you see what is behind your vehicle:
•Active guidelines: Show the intendedpath of your vehicle when reversing.
•Fixed guidelines: Show the actual pathyour vehicle is moving in while reversingin a straight line. This can be helpfulwhen backing into a parking space oraligning your vehicle with anotherobject behind you.
•Centerline: Helps align the center ofyour vehicle with an object (forexample, a trailer).
Note:If the transmission is in reverse (R)and the rear cargo door is ajar, no rear viewcamera features are displayed.
Note:If the image comes on while thetransmission is not in reverse (R), have thesystem inspected by your authorized dealer.
Note:When towing, the camera only seeswhat is being towed behind your vehicle.This might not provide adequate coverageas it usually provides in normal operationand some objects might not be seen. Insome vehicles, the guidelines may disappearonce the trailer tow connector is engaged.
Note:The camera may not operatecorrectly under the following conditions:
•Nighttime or dark areas if one or bothreverse lamps are not operating.
•The camera's view is obstructed bymud, water or debris. Clean the lenswith a soft, lint-free cloth andnon-abrasive cleaner.
•The rear of your vehicle is hit ordamaged, causing the camera tobecome misaligned.
Access the rear view camera systemsettings through the information display.See General Information (page 92).
After changing a system setting, thedisplay screen shows a preview of theselected features.
Camera Guidelines
Note:Dynamic guidelines are only availablewhen the transmission is in reverse (R).
Active guidelinesA
CenterlineB
Fixed guideline: Green zoneC
Fixed guideline: Yellow zoneD
Fixed guideline: Red zoneE
Rear bumperF
Active guidelines are only shown with fixedguidelines. To use active guidelines, turnthe steering wheel to point the guidelinestoward an intended path. If the steeringwheel position is changed while reversing,your vehicle might deviate from the originalintended path.
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Parking AidsABCD
F
E
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The Blind Spot Information Systemilluminates an amber alert indicator in theoutside mirror on the side of your vehiclethe approaching vehicle is coming from.When the Blind Spot Information Systemis alerting on a vehicle and thecorresponding turn signal is ON, the BlindSpot Information System alert indicatorflashes as an increased warning level.
The alert indicator dims when the systemdetects nighttime darkness.
Note:The alert indicator flashes in case ofan alert and the turn signal is set to that sideat the same time.
System Sensor Blockage
WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use theBlind Spot Information System as areplacement for using the interiorand exterior mirrors or looking over yourshoulder before changing lanes. The BlindSpot Information System is not areplacement for careful driving.
The system uses radar sensors that arelocated behind the bumper fascia on eachside of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud andsnow in front of the sensors and/or drivingin heavy rain can cause systemdegradation. Also, other types ofobstructions in front of the sensor cancause system degradation. This is referredto as a ‘blocked’ condition.
Note:Do not apply bumper stickers and/orrepair compound to these areas, this cancause degraded system performance.
If the system detects a degradedperformance condition, a message warningof a blocked sensor will appear in theinformation display. Also the BLIS alertindicators will remain ON and BLIS will nolonger provide any vehicle warnings. Youcan clear the information display warningbut the alert indicators will remainilluminated.
A "blocked" condition can be cleared intwo ways:
•After the blockage in front of thesensors is removed or therainfall/snowfall rate decreases orstops, drive for a few minutes in trafficto allow the sensors to detect passingvehicles.
•By cycling the ignition from ON to OFFand then back ON.
Note:If your vehicle has a tow bar with afactory equipped trailer tow module and itis towing a trailer, the sensors willautomatically turn the Blind SpotInformation System off. If your vehicle hasa tow bar but no factory equipped trailertow module, it is recommended to turn theBlind Spot Information System offmanually. Operating the Blind SpotInformation System with a trailer attachedwill cause poor system performance.
System Errors
If the system senses a problem with theleft or right sensor, the telltale willilluminate and a message will appear inthe information display. See InformationMessages (page 101).
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Zone coverage also decreases whenparking at shallow angles. Here, the leftsensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverageon that side is severely limited.
System Lights, Messages andAudible Alerts
The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates anamber alert indicator in the outside mirroron the side of your vehicle the approachingvehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alertalso sounds an audible alert and amessage appears in the informationdisplay indicating a vehicle is coming fromthe right or left. Cross Traffic Alert workswith the reverse sensing system thatsounds its own series of tones. See RearParking Aid (page 168).
The system uses radar sensors that arelocated behind the bumper fascia on eachside of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,snow or bumper stickers to obstruct theseareas, this can cause degraded systemperformance. See Blind Spot
Information System (page 179). If theBlind Spot Information System is blocked,Cross Traffic Alert is also blocked. Acorresponding message appears in theinformation display as soon as you shiftthe transmission into reverse (R).
System Limitations
Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations;situations such as severe weatherconditions or debris build-up on the sensorarea may limit vehicle detection.
The following are other situations that maylimit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:
•Adjacently parked vehicles or objectsobstructing the sensors.
•Approaching vehicles passing atspeeds greater than 37 mph(60 km/h).
•Driving in reverse faster than 7 mph(12 km/h).
•Backing out of an angled parking spot.
False Alerts
Note:If your vehicle has a tow bar with afactory equipped trailer tow module and itis towing a trailer, the sensors willautomatically turn the Cross Traffic Alertoff. If your vehicle has a tow bar but nofactory equipped trailer tow module, it isrecommended to turn the Cross Traffic Alertoff manually. Operating Cross Traffic Alertwith a trailer attached will cause poor CrossTraffic Alert performance.
There may be certain instances when thereis a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alertsystem that illuminates the alert indicatorwith no vehicle in the coverage zone. Someamount of false alerts are normal; they aretemporary and self-correct.
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Payload is the combined weightof cargo and passengers that yourvehicle is carrying. The maximumpayload for your vehicle appearson the Tire and Loading label. Thelabel is either on the B-pillar or theedge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US andCanada may not have a tire andloading label. Look for “Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg OR XXX lb” for maximumpayload. The payload listed on theTire and Loading Information labelis the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assemblyplant. If you install any additionalequipment on your vehicle, youmust determine the new payload.Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listedon the Tire and Loading label.When towing, trailer tongueweight or king pin weight is alsopart of payload.
WARNING
The appropriate loadingcapacity of your vehicle canbe limited either by volumecapacity (how much space isavailable) or by payload capacity(how much weight the vehicleshould carry). Once you havereached the maximum payload ofyour vehicle, do not add morecargo, even if there is spaceavailable. Overloading orimproperly loading your vehicle
can contribute to loss of vehiclecontrol and vehicle rollover.
GAWR (Gross Axle WeightRating)
GAWR is the maximum allowableweight that a single axle (front orrear) can carry. These numbersare on the Safety ComplianceCertification label. The label islocated on the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post,next to the driver seating position.
The total load on each axle mustnever exceed its Gross AxleWeight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle WeightRating)
GVWR is the maximum allowableweight of the fully loaded vehicle.
This includes all options,equipment, passengers and cargo.It appears on the SafetyCompliance Certification label.The label is located on the doorhinge pillar, door-latch post, or thedoor edge that meets thedoor-latch post, next to the driverseating position.
The gross vehicle weight mustnever exceed the Gross VehicleWeight Rating.
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Load Carrying
Safety Compliance Certification LabelExample:
WARNING
Exceeding the SafetyCompliance Certificationlabel vehicle weight rating limitscould result in substandardvehicle handling or performance,engine, transmission and/orstructural damage, seriousdamage to the vehicle, loss ofcontrol and personal injury.
Maximum Loaded TrailerWeight
Maximum loaded trailer weight isthe highest possible weight of afully loaded trailer the vehicle cantow. Consult an authorized dealer(or the RV and Trailer TowingGuide available at an authorizeddealer) for more detailedinformation.
GCWR (Gross CombinedWeight Rating)
GCWR is the maximum allowableweight of the vehicle and theloaded trailer, including all cargoand passengers, that the vehiclecan handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towing
vehicle’s braking system is ratedfor operation at Gross VehicleWeight Rating, not at GrossCombined Weight Rating.)Separate functional brakes shouldbe used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.
The gross combined weight mustnever exceed the Gross CombinedWeight Rating.
Note: For trailer towinginformation refer to the RV andTrailer Towing Guide available atan authorized dealer.
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on theSafety Compliance Certificationlabel.
Do not use replacement tireswith lower load carryingcapacities than the original tiresbecause they may lower yourvehicle’s GVWR and GAWRlimitations. Replacement tireswith a higher limit than the originaltires do not increase the GVWRand GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weightrating limitation could resultin serious damage to your vehicle,personal injury or both.
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