
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal with the exception of
shifting between Drive and Low. Shifting between
Drive and Low can occur without any brake applica-
tion.
To Turn On The Engine Using ENGINE START/STOP
Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
To release the parking brake manually, the ignition switch
must be in the ON/RUN position. Press on the brake
pedal, then push the park brake switch momentarily.
If the driver shifts into PARK while moving, the vehicle
may Park.
Park will engage ONLYwhen vehicle speed is 1.2 MPH
(1.9 km/h) or less.
The MESSAGE “ Vehicle Speed is Too High to Shift to P”
will display in the Instrument Cluster Display if vehicle
speed is above 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h). The gear position indicator will blink continuously until the selector is re-
turned to the proper position, or the requested shift can be
completed.
WARNING!
If vehicle speed is not below 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h) when
the driver shifts into PARK, the transmission will
default to NEUTRAL until the vehicle speed drops
below 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h) and the above condition are
met, enabling AutoPark. A vehicle left in the NEU-
TRAL position can roll. As an added precaution, al-
ways apply the parking brake when exiting the ve-
hicle.
Cold Weather Operation
If the outside ambient temperature is 5°F (-15°C) or below,
the instrument cluster will request the vehicle to be
plugged in to provide conditioning of the vehicle high
voltage battery.
NOTE:
“Electric Only” mode may have reduced availabil-
ity in colder ambient temperatures due to HVAC demand.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 291

After Starting
To optimize energy efficiency, the vehicle will automati-
cally control engine operation.
To Turn Off The Vehicle Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and releasethe ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, with vehicle speed less than 5 mph (8 km/h), when the ENGINE START/
STOP button is pushed, the instrument cluster display
will display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message, and the
vehicle will remain running.
4. If the gear selector is not in PARK, with vehicle speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), when the ENGINE
START/STOP button is pushed continuously for at least
two seconds (or three short pushes in a row) the vehicle
ignition mode will exit Drive Readymode and enter
Accessory mode. Never leave a vehicle out of the
PARK position, or it could roll. NOTE:
•
This vehicle is equipped with an automatic shutdown
feature. If the vehicle is left in a “READY” state (vehicle
running) with the shifter in “PARK” for one hour, the
vehicle will automatically turn itself off.
• The vehicle provides automatic notification, using a
three Horn Chirp Alert, cluster chiming, and a cluster
message (Key Fob has Left the Vehicle) if the vehicle
was not turned OFF (still Ready to Drive) and a valid
FOB for the vehicle is not detected within the passenger
cabin, following the opening and closing of any passen-
ger compartment door (requires all doors to be closed
before the FOB check will occur). These automatic alerts
are to remind the driver to turn OFF the vehicle before
leaving it, as well as, to let the driver know that the
vehicle’s FOB may have been unintentionally removed
from the vehicle by an exiting passenger. After provid-
ing the horn chirp alert, additional auto chirps will be
inhibited until the shifter has been moved out of Park or
ignition cycled.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•
Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal with the exception of
shifting between Drive and Low. Shifting between
Drive and Low can occur without any brake application.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
Ignition Park Interlock
Your vehicle is equipped with a Ignition Park Interlock
which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the
ignition can be turned to the OFF mode. This helps the
driver avoid inadvertently leaving the vehicle without
placing the transmission in PARK. This system also locks
the transmission in PARK whenever the ignition is in the
OFF mode.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock system (BTSI) that holds the transmission gear selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the
transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN mode (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed. The brake pedal must also be
pressed to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE
when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
Hybrid Transmission
The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic
gear selector located on the center console. The transmis-
sion gear selector has PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL,
DRIVE, and LOW shift positions. Using the LOW position
will increase the rate of deceleration along with increasing
regeneration of power into the vehicle’s High Voltage (HV)
battery (in comparison to the DRIVE position). The trans-
mission gear range (PRNDL) is displayed both above the
gear selector and in the instrument cluster display. To select
a gear range, simply rotate the gear selector. Push down on
the gear selector, and then rotate it, to access the L position.
You must also press the brake pedal to shift the transmis-
sion out of PARK (or NEUTRAL, when the vehicle is
stopped). To shift past multiple gear ranges at once (such as
PARK to DRIVE), simply rotate the gear selector to the
appropriate detent. Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 299

WARNING!(Continued)
the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
• Before moving the transmission gear selector out of
PARK, you must turn the ignition to the ON/RUN
mode, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, dam-
age to the gear selector could result.
• DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as
this can damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that you
have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK
position:
• Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position (P), and is not
blinking.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NOTE: Based on the drive gear and/or speed of the
vehicle, the Quiet Vehicle Pedestrian Module (QVPM) will
broadcast a sound to warn nearby pedestrians that a
vehicle is approaching. In addition, the module will indi-
cate change in speed by varying the pitch of sound.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the propulsion system active. The vehicle
may be started in this range. Apply the park brake and
shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the
vehicle.
NOTE: Based on the drive gear and/or speed of the
vehicle, the Quiet Vehicle Pedestrian Module (QVPM) will
broadcast a sound to warn nearby pedestrians that a
vehicle is approaching. In addition, the module will indi-
cate change in speed by varying the pitch of sound.
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Op-
erating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.NOTE:
•
If the transmission becomes too hot, the Transmission
Temperature Warning Light may illuminate, a warning
message may appear in the instrument cluster display
and the torque level may be reduced until the transmis-
sion cools down.
• Based on the drive gear and/or speed of the vehicle, the
Quiet Vehicle Pedestrian Module (QVPM) will broadcast
a sound to warn nearby pedestrians that a vehicle is
approaching. In addition, the module will indicate
change in speed by varying the pitch of sound.
LOW (L)
This range should be used when descending very steep
grades. The vehicle transmission can be operated continu-
ously in LOW without damaging the vehicle or causing
issues. Using the LOW position will increase the rate of
deceleration (along with increasing regeneration of power
into the vehicle’s high voltage battery) when the accelera-
tor pedal is released in comparison to the DRIVE position.
To access the LOW position, push down on the gear
selector and rotate it fully clockwise. Shifting between
DRIVE and LOW can be done at any speed.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 303

POWER STEERING
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in
tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide light
efforts while parking and good feel while driving. If the
electric steering system experiences a fault that reduces
assist or prevents the vehicle from providing assist, you
will still have the ability to steer the vehicle manually.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced assist could pose a
safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be
obtained as soon as possible.
If the Steering icon is displayed and the “POWER STEER-
ING SYSTEM OVER TEMP” message is displayed on the
instrument cluster screen, they indicate that extreme steer-
ing maneuvers may have occurred which caused an over
temperature condition in the power steering system. Once
driving conditions are safe, pull over and let the vehicle
idle for a few moments until the icon and message turn off.
Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know
Your Instrument Panel” for further information. If the “SERVICE POWER STEERING
OR
POWER STEERING ASSIST OFF - SERVICE
SYSTEM” message and a steering wheel icon are
displayed on the instrument cluster screen, it
indicates that the vehicle needs to be taken to the dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost power steering
assistance. Refer to “Warning Lights And Messages” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:
• Even if the power steering assistance is no longer
operational, it is still possible to steer the vehicle. Under
these conditions there will be a substantial increase in
steering effort, especially at low speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
• The power steering system is fully electric; it requires no
power steering fluid.
• If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer for
service.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 305

SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, the Speed Control takes over accelerator
operations at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
The Speed Control buttons are located on the right side of
the steering wheel.NOTE:
In order to ensure proper operation, the Speed
Control System has been designed to shut down if multiple
Speed Control functions are operated at the same time. If
this occurs, the Speed Control System can be reactivated by
pushing the Speed Control on/off button and resetting the
desired vehicle set speed.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
cannot maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control and have an accident. Do not use Speed Control
in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, icy,
snow-covered or slippery.
To Activate
Push the On/Off button to activate the Speed Control. The
cruise indicator light in the instrument cluster display will
illuminate. To turn the system off, push the On/Off button
a second time. The cruise indicator light will turn off. The
system should be turned off when not in use.
Speed Control Buttons
1 — On/Off 4 — SET (-)/Decel
2 — SET (+)/Accel 5 — CANC/Cancel
3 — RES/Resume 306 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control system on when not in use
is dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the system
off when you are not using it.
To Set A Desired Speed
Turn the Speed Control on.
NOTE:The vehicle should be traveling at a steady speed
and on level ground before pushing the SET (+) or SET (-)
button.
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, push the
SET (+) or SET (-) button and release. Release the accelera-
tor and the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Speed
When the Speed Control is set, you can increase speed by
pushing the SET (+)button.
The driver ’s preferred units can be selected through the
instrument panel settings. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
more information. The speed increment shown is depen-
dent on the chosen speed unit of U.S. (mph) or Metric
(km/h):
U.S. Speed (mph)
•
Pushing the SET (+)button once will result ina1mph
increase in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in an increase of 1 mph.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will
continue to increase until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
Metric Speed (km/h)
• Pushing the SET (+)button once will result in a 1 km/h
increase in set speed. Each subsequent tap of the button
results in an increase of 1 km/h.
• If the button is continually pushed, the set speed will
continue to increase until the button is released, then the
new set speed will be established.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 307